Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring – January, February, March, April, and May 2021. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction for children aged 5-12. These books have been chosen with classroom teaching, school libraries, home learning and lockdown reading in mind.
Spring 2021 new children’s books – our recommendations
New picture books for spring 2021
Lost in the Clouds by Tom Tinn-Disbury
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold and Levi Pinfold
The Whale Who Wanted More by Rachel Bright and Jim FieldMy Mama by Annemarie van Haeringen
A unique picture book story that explores the different perceptions of adults and small children. The young elephant can’t always understand why his mama doesn’t see things the way he does. An excellent book to read with children in reception and lower KS1, and use to help discuss the values of patience, explanation and understanding.
The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
Where’s Brian’s Bottom? by Rob Jones
Love: A Pop-up Celebration by Robert Sabuda
The Invisible by Tom Percival
Rabunzel by Gareth P Jones and Loretta Scauer
Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia ShireenNew fiction 5-7 for spring 2021
Mammoth by Anna Kemp and Adam Beer
Isadora Moon Meets the Tooth Fairy by Harriet Muncaster
Wigglesbottom Primary: Dino Chick by Pamela ButchartThe Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee
A beautiful hardback rerelease of this classic from the 1980s, which many teachers will remember from their childhood or early teaching career. The fantastic illustrations, funny narrative and sheer imagination make this a perfect book to read to a class – in person or remotely – and inspire KS1 children during lockdown and periods of home learning. Highly recommended for using as an impetus for creative writing in years 1&2. For teachers of P4C there’s useful set free of resources for this book from the Prindle Institute website.
Madam Squeaker by Pip Jones
Dirty Bertie: Bees! By Alan MacDonald and David Roberts
Donut Touch by Seb Davey and Alex WilmoreNew fiction 7-9 for spring 2021
Two Terrible Vikings by Francesca Simon
Can You Whistle Johanna by Ulf Stark and Anna Höglund
My Sneezes are Perfect by Rakhshan Rizwan, Yusuf Samee and Benjamin Phillips
Picklewitch & Jack and the Sea Wizard’s Secret by Claire Barker
Velda the Awesomest Viking and the Voyage of Deadly Doom, by David MacPhail
An Escape in Time by Sally Nicholls
Flyntlock Bones and the Eye of Mogdrod by Derek Keilty
The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. by Jen Carney
Saving Hanno by Miriam HalahmyNew fiction 9-12 for spring 2021
Maggie Blue and the Dark World by Anna Goodall
Shipwreck Island by Struan Murray
Starboard by Nicola SkinnerThe Queen’s Fool by Ally Sherrick
This atmospheric historical novel will give KS2 children a unique insight into how Cat experienced life at court. This book is ideal to read as a class text and perfect for hot seating and discussing empathy in upper KS2. It’s will also make a great addition to classroom collections of Tudor topic books.
The City of Rust by Gemma Fowler
The Lightning Catcher by Clare Weze
VI Spy: Licence to Chill by Maz Evans
By Ash, Oak and Thorn by Melissa Harrison
Monster Doughnuts by Gianna Pollero
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen RutterNew 12-16 young adult novels for spring 2021
The Supreme Lie by Geraldine McCaughrean
Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson
Boy in a White Room by Karl OlsbergEveryone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
In this thought-provoking ensemble of Carver-esque vignettes about teens in modern rural America, intertwined themes are juxtaposed to create a poignant sense of 2020s truth, hurt and insidious isolation. Never extreme or explicit, there’s a darkness and an emotional intensity in the characters that lingers beyond a first reading. An ideal book for KS4 and KS5 book clubs, this series of modern short stories is certainly a text worth considering for Y11 classes.
The Outrage by William Hussey
Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani
As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
Bone Music by David Almond
Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard
The Bright and the Pale by Jessica RubinkowskiNew nonfiction children’s books for spring 2021
The Deep Blue by Charlotte Guillain and Lou Baker Smith
The Green Rebel Activity Book by Frances Evans and Berta Maluenda
Life Savers by Eryl Nash and Ana Albero
Fourteen Wolves by Jenni Desmond and Catherine Barr
Why Can’t Horses Burp? By Lily Snowden-Fine and Nick Crumpton
In My Mosque by MO Yuksel and Hatem Aly
The Brain Book by Liam Drew
The Knots Handbook by Barry Mault and Gillian Blease
Planes by Jan Van Der VekenThis page was first published on Feb 11 2021 and last updated on .
For more top picks and new books why not read our Book of the month page?
For even more suggestions, see our daily new book recommendations on our Facebook page and our Twitter Feed.
