Spring 2024 new children’s books – here’s our selection of top new titles coming out during Spring term 2024 and available to buy or preorder in January, February and March 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction for children aged 3-16+. The titles below are books that (at the time of writing) are now due to be released during this spring term in UK schools and in time to pre-order for the new school year. These books have been chosen with classroom teaching, school libraries, home learning and reading for pleasure in mind.
Spring 2024 new children’s books – our recommendations
New picture books for Spring 2024
There’s a Gorilla at the Door! by Clare Helen Welsh and Sam Caldwell. 
Night Flight by Katie Cottle. 
Tumford’s Rude Noises by Nancy Tillman. Meet the Wildlings by Gwen Millward
Siblings Poppy and Max learn about how difficult sharing can be after a minor argument turns them into wild, hairy creatures. The vivid, quirky illustrations bring this relatable story to life and 0-5-year-olds will love the bold characters and use of onomatopoeia. Teachers in EYFS will find the book useful to help explore themes of sharing, working together and dealing with emotions.
Emotions
Runaway Cone by Morag Hood. 
Measuring Me by Nicola Kent. 
The Crayons Love Our Planet by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. 
The Best You by Nima Patel and Cally Johnson-Isaacs. 
Rainbowsaurus by Steve Antony. 
It’s Time to Hush and Say Good Night by Chitra Soundar and Sandhya Prabhat. 
I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler. 
Mo’s Best Friend by Bridget Marzo. 
Are You a Sleepy Monster? by Guilherme Karsten. 
Love is in the Little Things by Stella J Jones and Jane Massey. 
Love Is… by Sarah Maycock and Lily Murray. 
I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes. Axel Scheffler Fairy Tale Treasury by Axel Scheffler
Axel Scheffler presents a selection of illustrated classic fairy tales in this beautifully produced gift book edition. Including Goldilocks, The Three Little Pigs, and Puss in Boots, it’s an ideal bedtime storybook for preschool children. Scheffler’s clever visual storytelling offers an enchanting introduction to timeless tales.
Fairy tales
We Are the Wibbly! by Sarah Tagholm and Jane McGuinness. 
My Friend Andy by Emma Chinnery. 
I Really, Really Need a Poo by Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie. New fiction 5-7 for Spring 2024
Pablo and Splash by Sheena Dempsey. 
Supertato: Eviltato vs Superpea by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet. 
Dragon Towers by Pip Bird, illustrated by David O’Connell. Soren’s Seventh Song by Dave Eggers
6+ year olds will love this immersive picture book which blends fiction and nonfiction. Humpback whale Soren takes the reader on a journey of perseverance, friendship, and imagination. Weaving, laugh-out-loud moments and scientific facts, it’s an ideal book for both home and school. Luna Valentine’s gorgeous illustrations will appeal to teachers looking for texts to support undersea world topics.
Animal story
The O. D. D. Squad: Rise of Invisidog by Stuart Heritage, illustrated by Vincent Batignole. 
The Minute Minders by Mary Murphy. 
Super Questers: The Case of the Angry Sea by Lisa Moss and Dr Thomas Bernard. New fiction 7-9 for Spring 2024
Dog Man: The Scarlet Shedder by Dav Pilkey. 
Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! by Swapna Haddow. 
Finding Hope by Nicola Baker, illustrated by Rachael Dean. 
The War of the Heavenly Horses by Roland Chambers. 
Peng and Spanners by Steve Webb. 
The Time Travellers: Adventure Calling by Sufiya Ahmed. Jack Splash by Tom Daley and Simon James Green
Jack, the worst diver, in the worst diving team in Damp Bottom, sees his luck change when a new pupil with magical abilities joins the school. But trouble soon strikes and when the fate of the entire world is at stake, Jack’s team discovers helping your friends is more important than winning. It’s a good story to encourage teamwork, working together and resilience. With fun and absorbing illustrations by Luna Valentine, Jack Splash is ideal for independent readers in lower KS2 and less confident readers in UKS2.
Friendship
Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery by Laura Ellen Anderson. 
Rex Dinosaur in Disguise: Undercover Alien by Elys Dolan. 
Miss Cat by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joëlle Jolivet. New fiction 9-12 for Spring 2024
The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell. 
Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels by Ruth Lauren. 
The Thames and Tide Club: Squid Invasion by Katya Balen, illustrated by Rachael Dean. A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders
Cast in a film in 1973, 12-year-old Jenny is whisked away to Château Mouchotte in France and her life changes forever. Navigating a blockbuster world of glitz, the unknown and new challenges, Jenny and friends set out to save the film from being derailed by a mysterious and powerful actor. Ideal for more advanced 9-12-year-olds, A Drop of Golden Sun is a spellbinding and well-written exploration into resilience and loyalty in an almost recent period world.
Adventure
The Troublemakers by Tamzin Merchant, illustrated by Paola Escobar. 
Feather by M.G. Leonard. 
The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees. Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain by Jess French
Jess French transports readers to Ramoa, an island world once teeming with wildlife and nature. This captivating tale with incredible creatures and settings follows Kayla who’s on a quest to rescue her stolen winged pangron. With friends Alethea and Rustus, she’s thrust into an epic adventure brimming with friendship and peril that will grip UKS2 readers. Beastlands blends a winning potion of magic, fantasy and fast-paced adventure. We can’t wait for the sequel. Highly recommended for 9-12 year olds.
Fantasy
Aya and the Star Chaser by Radiya Hafiza, illustrated by Kaley McKean. 
Time Travelling with a Tortoise by Ross Welford. 
The Prisoner of Bhopal by Tim Walker. The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts by Alex Bell, illustrated by Tim McDonagh
When Eli’s grandmother falls ill, he decides to enter the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts – a dangerous race – to try and raise money to pay for her treatment. This compelling adventure celebrates libraries, books, and unforgettable characters. In a world dominated by unlikely partnerships, friendship, and courage, the fast-paced plot will keep KS2 readers engaged. There’s rich world-building, from the multi-levelled Harmonia to Eli’s small library, and Eli’s unwavering determination and ability to find the best in others make this an ideal chapter novel for book clubs. Highly recommended.
Fantasy adventure
Fireborn: Starling and the Cavern of Light by Aisling Fowler. 
Smile by Lauren Child. 
Stitch by Pádraig Kenny. The Floating Witch Mystery by Nicki Thornton
This pacey mystery from the author of The Last Chance Hotel weaves magical adventure and a whodunnit plot. School reporter Veena Vale, helped by the talking black cat Nightshade, unravels ancient curses with wise woman Hetty Dimple on The Floating Witch. The third in the Nightshade series, this story will captivate upper primary readers with spellbinding secrets and intrigue. It’s perfect for deep-thinking fans of Harry Potter.
Mystery
Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith
This glittering gymnastics tale follows Pearl who chases a gold medal in Paris to honour her late mother. But the training is tough at the elite camp, and with friends Ryan and Jada-Rae, Pearl must overcome physical challenges, questionable practices and social rivalries. With short chapters, a fast pace and illustrations, it’s ideal for imaginative but less confident readers in UKS2 and LKS3. Perfect for book clubs, Winner Takes Gold celebrates honesty, fair play and the value of true friendship.
Sport story
Black Hole Cinema Club by Christopher Edge. 
Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta. 
The Secret of the Moonshard by Struan Murray, illustrated by Vivienne To. Diamond Jack: Your Magic Or Your Life by Anna Rainbow
When 11-year-old Bramble finds a mysterious mask in her grandpa’s shop, she transforms into the infamous highwayman Diamond Jack. This action-packed adventure blends magic with classic stories such as The Three Musketeers and Robin Hood. It’s a winning formula of swashbuckling bravery, spells and fast-paced plot. 9+ year olds will love the short chapters and fun characters.
Adventure
The Girl Who Wasn’t There by Jacqueline Wilson
Luna and Aurora embark on a fairytale-like house move to live in a tower. But reality sets in when the tower needs repair, Dad’s job becomes precarious, and Aurora’s imaginary friend starts to cause problems. Is the tower cursed? Readers aged 9+ will find out in this gripping psychological drama that explores family life, the power of imagination, and resilience. Highly recommended for UKS2 and KS3.
Family
New 12-16 young adult novels for Spring 2024
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal. 
Snowglobe by Soyoung Park. 
Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith. The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert
A chilling narrative unfolds when four people mysteriously disappear one winter’s night, revealing a dark world of occult power and toxic friendships. 12+ year olds will relate to Nora, who unravels the dark magic and coded messages left by her friend, Becca. Blending supernatural elements and gritty real life, this is a spooky, unforgettable and thought-provoking read.
Horror
Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain. 
In the Shallows by Tanya Byrne. 
Northern Soul by Phil Earle. Future Hopes: Hopeful Stories in a Time of Climate Change edited by Lauren James
Authors, including M.G Leonard, Neal Shusterman, and Tolá Okogwu, offer a positive perspective on climate change through this collection of imaginative short stories. With creative solutions such as skyscraper farms and guerrilla gardening, each tale is rooted in real-world science. Ideal to spark discussions and questions, ‘Future Hopes’ will empower students to believe there is a thriving future for our planet. Perfect for KS3 book clubs.
Climate change
Compass and Blade by Rachel Greenlaw
Compass and Blade weaves a mesmerizing romantasy where wrecker Mira unravels deadly secrets on the isle of Rosevear to save her father. Packed with atmosphere, twists, and pacey fantasy action 14+ year-olds will find it immersive and rewarding. Rich in sirens, magic, loyalty and betrayal, it’s a compelling page-turner with relatable characters that we think will be an instant hit in secondary school libraries.
Fantasy
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland. 
A Cure Ever After by Angharad Walker. 
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Signed Sealed Dead by Cynthia Murphy
True-crime enthusiast Paige Murphy travels transatlantic to her father’s unsettling hometown, only to unearth a chilling past of unsolved murders and disappearances. As she discovers the house’s secrets, Paige stumbles upon a hidden diary – perhaps the key to solving a decades-old mystery. This genuinely thrilling page-turner will appeal to teens who enjoy mystery and true crime.
Thriller
A Mind Full of Murder by Derek Landy. 
Stitched by Joanne O’Connell. 
On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop. Then There Was One by Wendy Cross
14+ year-old readers are thrust into a deadly future where The Pinnacle, a reality TV contest, becomes a survival battleground for relatable characters Zane, Bex, and Raya. With a plot that will appeal to fans of The Hunger Games, Wendy Cross’ deftly suspenseful dystopian tale is brimming with secrets and shocking twists. Highly recommended for KS4.
Dystopia
New children’s poetry books for Spring 2024
Once Upon a Big Idea by James Carter and Margaux Carpentier. 
The Shape of Rainbows by Neal Zetter, illustrated by Will Hughes. 
Red Sky at Night A Poet’s Delight by Alex Wharton, illustrated by Ian Morris. 
A Poetic A-Z of Awesome Animals by Emilie Lauren Jones. 
Poetry Comics by Grant Snider. 
Find Peace in a Poem edited by Little Tiger Press. New nonfiction children’s books for Spring 2024
Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back by Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding. 
Most Haunted Theatres by Yvette Fielding, illustrated by Hannah Shaw. 
Queerbook by Malcolm Mackenzie. How Do Meerkats Order Pizza by Brooke Barker
How does your dog know if you are smiling? Find out this and more in this fun nonfiction book that explores the lives of creatures and looks at the strange methods scientists use to try to understand them. Through vibrant comic strip graphics, the fascinating behaviours of bonobos, lizards, humpback whales and more are revealed. The book’s focus on diverse scientists also adds an inclusive touch. Highly recommended for KS2 libraries and STEM topics.
STEM
Habitats by Hannah Pang and Isobel Lundie. 
Roman Soldiers by Tegen Evans, illustrated by Tom Froese. 
Science FACTopia! by Rose Davidson, illustrated by Andy Smith. The Code of Life by Dr Carla Hafner, illustrated by Mieke Scheier
This captivating nonfiction book explores the mysteries of heredity and the complexities of genes and DNA. Readers will learn about the origins of traits and connect scientific discoveries to everyday life. Dr Hafner’s expert clarity ensures this is a powerful tool for young readers to understand the science behind what makes each of us unique. With bright and bold illustrations, key concepts are explained in simple and powerful terms. Highly recommended for KS2 libraries.
STEM
Inside Story: How the News Works by Jane Marlow, illustrated by Terri Po. 
The Secret Life of Bugs by Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Vivian Mineker 
How To Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change by Patricia Daniels, illustrated by Aaron Blecha. 
Extreme Weather for Kids by Matthew Cappucci, illustrated by Stephanie Hathaway. 
Dictionary of Dinosaurs by Dieter Braun and Dr Matthew G Baron. 
Aviation: A Visual History of Aircraft by Matt Ralphs and Dieter Braun. The Magnificent Book of Butterflies & Moths by Barbara Taylor and Simon Treadwell
Uncover the enchanting realm of butterflies and moths in this vividly illustrated book. Perfect for curious minds aged 8+, it introduces 36 species, including the Lobster moth caterpillar, the Hercules moth and the Vampire moth – all across bold double-page spreads which reveal key facts and unique traits. There’s also a double-page location map. It’s a great book for children who are fascinated by the intricate world of insects and it’s highly recommended for KS2 libraries.
Nature
Big Ideas from Literature by The School Of Life. 
Explanatorium of Science by Robert Winston. 
Epic Adventures by Sam Sedgman and Sam Brewster. This page was first published on December 9th, 2023, and last updated on .
Spring 2024 new titles – bulk orders and class sets
Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this Spring 2024 book list, as well as class sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org UK. Or buy the 20 most popular pre-order titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or your classroom library.
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