Children’s Literature News December 2025
Children’s book news for December 2025: award longlists and winners, a library card proposal, Book Nooks, bookshop plans, an MPs inquiry, and exhibitions in Chelmsford and Bedford.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Chris Haughton is an Irish author and illustrator known for his picture books for children. He has a background in design and illustration, and his work often features bold colours and distinctive, graphic artwork. Haughton’s debut picture book, A Bit Lost, was first published in 2010 by Walker Books. The story follows a young owl who falls from his nest and searches for his mother, with the help of other animals.
Following the success of his first book, Haughton has written and illustrated several other picture books, including Oh No, George! (2012), Shh! We Have a Plan (2014), Goodnight Everyone (2016), and Don’t Worry, Little Crab (2019), all published by Walker Books. His books have been recognised for their visual style and appeal to young readers.
In addition to his work as an author and illustrator, Haughton has been involved in various design and fair trade projects. He has collaborated with non-profit organisations to create products and campaigns supporting social causes.
Chris Haughton’s picture book Shh! We Have a Plan was published by Walker Books in 2014.
Children’s book news for December 2025: award longlists and winners, a library card proposal, Book Nooks, bookshop plans, an MPs inquiry, and exhibitions in Chelmsford and Bedford.
Here’s our selection of books for year 1 to challenge and interest children aged 5-6 in UK primary schools. Handpicked recommendations from teachers and librarians, with titles by Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson, Jon Klassen, Judith Kerr, Satoshi Kitamura, and more.
Books for 5-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Giles Andreae, Chris Haughton, Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, Nick Sharratt, Michael Bond, Lynley Dodd, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet & Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola.
Children’s books of the year 2024 – our team has picked a shortlist of great children’s and teen titles published in the last 12 months, with fiction, non-fiction and picture books for 3-18 years and a diverse range of prose, poetry and graphic novels. Vote now!
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels, poetry and non-fiction.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
Picture books for the under 5s | Books for Reception | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11