Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Catherine Barr is a British author known for writing non-fiction books for children, with a particular focus on science and the natural world. She began her career working for Greenpeace and as an editor at the Natural History Museum in London. Barr’s books often explore environmental themes and scientific topics, aiming to make complex subjects accessible to young readers.
Her debut book, The Story of Life: A First Book about Evolution, was published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books in 2015, co-authored with Steve Williams and illustrated by Amy Husband. The book was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Picture Book Awards in 2016. Barr has since authored several other titles, including The Story of Space (2017), The Story of People (2018), and Red Alert! 15 Endangered Animals Fighting to Survive (2018), the latter illustrated by Anne Wilson and published by Otter-Barry Books. Colours of Nature, published in 2025, features 100s of fun nature facts and a different shade from the rainbow revealed on every page. Cities Going Wild … To Save the Planet (recommended in School Reading List’s Spring 2026 children’s books preview) invites primary-aged children to find out about Sky Forests and Bird-Friendly Cities, Spongy Spaces and Rain Gardens, Insect Super-Highways, Living Walls, Urban Jungle Food and all the other ways in which cities worldwide are changing.
Her works have been translated into multiple languages and are used in schools to support science and environmental education. Barr’s book Fourteen Wolves: A Rewilding Story, illustrated by Jenni Desmond and published by Bloomsbury in 2021, recounts the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. In 2022, she published The Story of Climate Change, illustrated by Amy Husband and Mike Love, which introduces children to the science and history of climate change.
Catherine Barr’s books have received recognition for their educational value and have been included in recommended reading lists by educational organisations. Her titles are published by leading children’s publishers, including Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, Otter-Barry Books, and Bloomsbury. The Story of Life: A First Book about Evolution remains one of her most widely recognised works.
Natural history books for children and teens with titles by Chris Packham, Ed Yong, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Steve Brusatte, Mya-Rose Craig, Peter Wohlleben, Gillian Burke, Isabella Tree, Dara McAnulty, and Helen Scales.
Environment, climate change and eco topic books for EYFS, KS1, KS2 & KS3 with titles by Emma Shevah, Neal Layton, Jess French, Karen Swann, Piers Torday, Gemma Fowler, Isabel Thomas & Zillah Bethell.
Animals nonfiction books for children with wildlife, behaviour, conservation, endangered species, animal diversity and evolution titles by Mike Barfield, Julie Beer, Ed J Brown, Dieter Braun, Susan Martineau, Brooke Barker and Moira Butterfield.
Science fiction and STEM topic books for Key Stage 1,2 & 3, including fiction and nonfiction titles by Amy Bond, Christopher Edge, David Wiesner, Jane Wilsher, Ross Welford, SF Said and Margaret Wild.
Africa themed books for children and teens with nonfiction and fiction titles by Wakanyi Hoffman and Onyinye Iwu, Niki Daly, Ken Wilson-Max, Yaba Badoe, Wilbur Smith, Namina Forna, Wole Soyinka and more.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Children’s books to read over the weekend including picture books by Sophy Henn, Josh Lacey, Maz Evans, Ben Miller, Zillah Bethell, Emily Critchley, Eliza Berkowitz, Phil Earle and more.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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