Children’s Literature News August 2025
Children’s book news for August 2025: classroom reading picks, prize winners, nature writing, humour awards, YA headlines, festivals, and policy moves shaping libraries and school resources.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Emily Gravett is a British author and illustrator known for her work in children’s literature. She was born in Brighton, England. Gravett studied illustration at the University of Brighton, where she graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2004.
Her debut picture book, Wolves, was published in 2005 by Macmillan Children’s Books. The book received critical acclaim and won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 2005. Gravett’s distinctive style often combines clever narratives with engaging illustrations, appealing to both children and adults.
Following the success of Wolves, Gravett published several other picture books, including Orange Pear Apple Bear (2006), Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears (2007), and Meerkat Mail (2006). Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears also won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2008, making Gravett a two-time recipient of this award.
Gravett’s work is characterised by its playful use of format and interactive elements. Her book Again! (2011) was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal, further cementing her reputation in the field of children’s literature.
In addition to her picture books, Gravett has illustrated for other authors, contributing to the diversity of her portfolio. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, reaching a global audience.
Children’s book news for August 2025: classroom reading picks, prize winners, nature writing, humour awards, YA headlines, festivals, and policy moves shaping libraries and school resources.
Animal stories for children – our reading suggestions with first chapter books, middle-grade fiction, teen novels and picture books by writers including Iona Rangely, Joe Wicks, Satoshi Kitamura, Moira Butterfield, Toon Tellegen and Nina Bawden.
Children’s book news for July 2025: winners from Carnegie and UKLA awards, shortlisted titles, summer literacy initiatives, poetry competitions, and reading schemes for schools across the UK.
Autumn books for children in EYFS, KS1, and KS2 suitable for cross-curricular topics. Including titles by Sam Usher, Lois Ehlert, Ruth Symons, Hazel Maskell, Dianna Aston, Jessica Courtney-Tickle, and Emily Gravett.
Easter topic books with fiction and nonfiction suitable for children in EYFS, KS1 & KS2 including titles by Roger Hargreaves, Fiona Watt, Charlotte Zolotow, Emily Gravett, Brian Wildsmith and Kes Gray.
100 picture books for EYFS to read before you are 5 years old. A selection of picture books which are ideal for children who are learning to read in Nursery, Early Years, infants and Pre-Prep schools.
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.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Shortlists for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2022 and Kate Greenaway award 2022 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in summer 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels 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