Spring 2023 new children’s books – here’s our selection of top new titles coming out during the school Spring term 2023 in January, February and March 2023. 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 this spring and during the spring term in UK schools and in time for Easter. These books have been chosen with classroom teaching, school libraries, home learning and reading for pleasure in mind.
Spring 2023 new children’s books – our recommendations
New picture books for Spring 2023
Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo
The Tiny Grain of Sand by Sylvain Alzial and Benoit Tardif
Through the Fairy Door: No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Gabby Dawnay and Lars van de GoorFloof by Heidi McKinnon
Floof is a floofy cat – in fact the floofiest cat – and young readers can follow what Floof gets up to around the home in this picture book to share with infants. Charming and memorable, with big bold illustrations and endearing expressions, the whole family will fall in love with Floof! Perfect for cat-loving familes.
Picture book | Animals
I Am Happy by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling
A Dinosaur’s Day: Deinonychus Goes Hunting by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia and Marie Bollmann
Blue by Sarah Christou
The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward and Karin Littlewood
All the Wonderful Ways to Read by Laura Baker and Sandra de la Prada
Don’t Be Silly by Padmacandra
Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse and Charlotte Voake
To The Other Side by Erika Meza
Story Dog by Jan FearnleyNew fiction 5-7 for Spring 2023
Unspoken: Talking About Slavery by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter
Lizzy and the Cloud by Eric Fan and Terry Fan
Teddy’s Midnight Adventure by Yoko MoriNew fiction 7-9 for Spring 2023
Barry Loser: Action Hero by Jim Smith
There’s a Beast in the Basement! by Pamela Butchart
The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice by Rachel Chivers KhooBOB vs The Selfie Zombies by Andy Jones
When an evil genius from the future turns people into rather bitey Zombies using a trick selfie camera, only Bob and his best friend Malcolm can save the world, because Bob can travel in time. But although time travel sounds great in theory, Bob can’t seem to control his talent leading to some hilarious and unexpected situations. After reading this, playgrounds will never seem the same again. This fast-paced and fun easy read will appeal to 7-9 years olds as well as less confident readers aged 9-12.
Funny
Into the Dark Forest by Liz Flanagan and Joe Todd-Stanton
Next to Alice by Anne Fine, illustrated by Gareth Conway
Dog Man 11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav PilkeyMonster Bogey by Anna Brooke
When Frank’s towering collection of bogeys is struck by lightning, a colossal green monster is born. Can Frank, his friend Tiffany and her four slug sidekicks save the village of Honkerton? Bound to get right up teachers’ noses, this funny story is snot to be missed. A top pick for your KS2 library.
Funny
New fiction 9-12 for Spring 2023
The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell
Different Kinds of Freedom: A Romani Story by Richard O’Neill
Glitter Boy by Ian EagletonWild Oak by C.C. Harrington
When Maggie chances upon an exotic pet and its cub roaming free in the Cornwall countryside her first instinct is to try and protect them. But the adults have other ideas. An atmospheric middle-grade novel that blends unsettling school experiences with an otherworldy ancient Cornish landscape, this plot and characters are disconcertingly memorable. Highly recommended for upper KS2 and KS3, Wild Oak is bound to spark discussion in school book clubs. Read Melanie Dillon’s full review.
Historical fiction | Nature
The Monkey Who Fell From The Future by Ross Welford
The Other Edie Trimmer by Jacqueline Wilson
Moonflight by Gill LewisThe Rescue of Ravenwood by Natasha Farrant
Bea was only meant to be visiting Ravenwood when her father took her to his old family home to see her uncle and give her mother a break. But Bea loved the place so much – and her mother did need her rest – so Bea ended up staying. The Rescue of Ravenwood is an evocative and atmospheric story that will appeal to budding eco-warriors and fans of Eva Ibbotson and Lauren St John. Read Melanie Dillon’s review.
Adventure | Eco
Wished by Lissa Evans
The Magic of Endings by Tom Avery
Boy Underground by Isabelle MarinovXanthe & the Ruby Crown by Jasbinder Bilan
Xanthe looks forward to the time she spends with her grandmother in her cityscape oasis rooftop garden. But she begins to lose her memory, and with the help of a mysterious cat, Xanthe finds a way to piece together her grandmother’s incredible life. Spanning different continents and cultures, this moving story explores themes of home, family, and being a refugee. A beautifully presented flapped paperback with cover art by Bex Parkin, children aged 9-12 will pick this up and not put it down. Highly recommended.
Mystery | Dementia
New 12-16 young adult novels for Spring 2023
Hell Breaks Loose by Derek Landy
Boy Like Me by Simon James Green
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah UnderwoodThis Book Kills by Ravena Guron
Jess Choudhary has always tried to be on her best behaviour. As one of only two scholarship students at the prestigious Heybuckle boarding school, she knows that her position is precarious. With a fast-paced plot and a satisfying ending, This Book Kills would appeal to fans of Gossip Girl and Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Read Melanie Dillon’s review here.
Thriller | Crime
Someone is Watching You by Tess James-Mackey
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
Catfish Rolling by Clara KumagaiGame Over Girl by Naomi Gibson
When Lola gets to try out a brand new virtual reality game at school, she’s blown away by what she experiences. But there’s a catch – she mustn’t use real places or people when she plays. When she breaks that rule Lola finds herself trapped in a dark dystopia. With a deliciously deceptive plot and an unforgettable ending, Game Over Girl will fly off the school library shelves. Highly recommended for KS4 students.
Dystopia
Frankenstein: A Retelling by Tanya Landman
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
Different for Boys by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Tea BendixInfluential by Amara Sage
Because of her mother, Almond Brown has millions of online followers, none of which she knows in real life. She’s an influencer, and everything people see of her has to be perfect, even when her real life is disintegrating. Exploring themes of unrealistic social expectations, discrimination, mental health pressures and manipulated reality, we think this searingly memorable story will be one of the most talked about young adult novels in 2023. Pertinent and likely prescient, ‘Influential’ is a must-read for all KS4 students who flirt with the idea of social media popularity. Highly recommended for secondary school book clubs.
Realistic fiction
Good For Nothing by Mariam Ansar
HappyHead by Josh Silver
Ravencave by Marcus SedgwickNew children’s poetry books for Spring 2023
A Passing On of Shells: 50 Fifty-Word Poems by Simon Lamb, illustrated by Chris Riddell
A Ticket to Kalamazoo!: Zippy Poems To Read Out Loud by James Carter, illustrated by Neal Layton
Courage Out Loud: 25 Poems of Power by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett
Selfies With Komodos: Poems by Brian Moses, illustrated by Ed Boxall
Wonder: The Natural History Museum Poetry Book by Ana Sampson
Being you: Poems of Positivity by Daniel Thompson, illustrated by Julia MurrayNew nonfiction children’s books for Spring 2023
Woven of the World by Katey Howes
Lifesize Deadly Animals by Sophy Henn
All The World’s A StageSarah Walden, illustrated by Hannah Li
Questions and Answers About Money by Lara Bryan
Where does money come from, how do you earn and manage money, and what makes a good deal are all questions answered in this book that includes tips from expert Bobby Seagull. The bright illustrations and ‘life the flap’ format makes this a practical and easy to understand text for children in KS1 upwards. This ‘life skills’ book helps to demystify what money is and how it works, and will help to answers pupil’s questions and misconceptions and about money. Highly recommended.
Life Skills
The Truth Detective: How to make sense of a world that doesn’t add up by Tim Harford
100 Things to Know About Architecture by Louise O’Brien
The Ultimate Survival Handbook: Survive in the wild, in the city and online! by Andy McNabLittle Explorers: Maths & Science by Ruth Symons
Packed with short bursts of information and colourful illustrations, these Maths and Science titles from the Little Explorers series blend a chunky board book format with interactive flaps to lift and reveal answers, provoke thought or just surprise! Topics, such as number and shape and space in maths, or the planet Earth and biology in science, are introduced and explained in an accessible way to encourage children to want to find out more. Ideal for guided and shared reading in EYFS and KS1. Highly engaging and great fun.
STEM
A Day in the Life of an Astronaut, Mars and the Distant Stars: Space as You’ve Never Seen it Before by Mike Barfield
The Handbook of Forgotten Skills: Old fashioned fun for a new generation by Natalie Crowley
Let’s Save the Okavango Delta: Why we must protect our planet by Catherine Barr
This page was first published on December 20th, 2022, and last updated on .
Spring 2023 new titles – bulk orders and class sets
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