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
Emma McCann is a British illustrator and author who studied at Kingston University, graduating with a degree in Illustration in 2003. She has since worked across publishing, advertising, and design, with a focus on children’s books.
McCann has illustrated fiction, picture books, and educational titles for a variety of publishers. Her work includes illustrations for series such as Dragon Slayer’s Academy and Penny Dreadful. She has also produced artwork for early readers and middle-grade fiction, as well as covers and interior illustrations.
Alongside her illustration work, McCann has written and illustrated her own stories. She is active in school and library events, delivering workshops that explore drawing and storytelling with children.
Her professional portfolio also extends to greetings cards, magazine illustration, and design projects. McCann continues to contribute to children’s publishing with both authorial and illustrative work.
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 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 book news for September 2025: Prizes, lists, roles, and dates crowd the calendar, with UKLA longlists, Wainwright and Klaus Flugge results, WBD 2026 titles, new roles, a City Lit exhibition, and a new charity drive.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2020. 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