Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Anna Ross is a British children’s author and editor who writes under her own name and the pseudonym Isabel Otter. She was born in London, grew up in Herefordshire, and holds a degree in English from Glasgow University. Her early career included teaching in a Cambodian orphanage and spending time exploring Patagonia.
Ross has published both fiction and non-fiction for young readers. Her titles include Dear Earth, This Love, The Garden of Hope, and the anthology-style work The Lost Fairy Tales, all released by Little Tiger Press under the name Isabel Otter.
She has also written interactive board books such as This Is Happy!, released in mid‑2024 by Otter‑Barry Books, aimed at engaging very young children with themes of emotion, nature and simple joys.
Her work combines thoughtful writing with early‑years accessibility, and she is based in Bristol where she continues to write and edit.
The most recent milestone in her career is the publication of the board book This Is Happy! in June 2024.
Our list of books to encourage children’s critical and creative thinking skills through reading. Featuring specifically selected fiction and nonfiction texts by authors including Oliver Jeffers, Alice James, Alex Frith, Petr Horáček, Hannah Peck, John Condon, Leo Timmers and The School of Life.
This is Happy! Explores happiness and how to find it, combining things all children love with bear hugs and an array of family fun. This book encourages young children to find happiness all around them and appreciate the little things.
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