What happens when children spend the book budget? | Series 1, Episode 43
Season 1, Episode 43 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for July 2026 and What happens when children spend the book budget?
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Hayley Wells is a British author and illustrator known for their work in children’s literature. Wells studied at the Cambridge School of Art, where they completed an MA in Children’s Book Illustration. Their creative approach combines both writing and illustration, often exploring themes relevant to young readers.
Wells’s debut picture book, Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein, was published in 2018 by Puffin Books. The book introduces children to the life of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, and is noted for its accessible storytelling and distinctive artwork. In addition to writing and illustrating their own books, Wells has contributed illustrations to works by other authors.
Another notable title by Wells is Me and My Fear, which they illustrated for author Francesca Sanna. Wells’s illustrations have been recognised for their expressive style and ability to engage young audiences.
In 2021, Hayley Wells published The Extraordinary Gardener with Pavilion Children’s Books, further establishing their presence in contemporary children’s publishing.

Season 1, Episode 43 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for July 2026 and What happens when children spend the book budget?
Superhero stories for 3-11-year-olds – our recommendations. This list features picture books and short chapter books by writers and illustrators including Julia Donaldson, Dav Pilkey, Neal Zetter, Phil Earle, Mini Grey, Cynthia Leonor Garza, Sue Hendra and more.
June 2026’s book club includes titles by Marjoke Henrichs, Philip Ardagh, Ian Eagleton, Hayley Wells, Mary Hoffman, Ros Asquith, Tony Bradman, Bec Manser, Clare Pollard, Patrick Gallagher, Jamie Gregory, Mitch Johnson & Matt Goodfellow.
Politics books for children and teens including titles by Michael Rosen, Alastair Campbell, Kamala Harris, Amanda Li, Tim Marshall, Malala Yousafzai, George Orwell, Axie Oh and many more.
More urgently than ever now, we need the coming generation to hear the warnings hammering on the door. Hayley Wells has produced a brilliant book that is bound to spark serious questions in the minds of any youngster who reads it.
Kicking off our first set of book club recommendations is April 2022’s picks featuring a diverse range of titles by Hayley Wells, Pooja Puri, Kelly Barnhill, Eloise Williams, Varsha Shah, Pam Smy and Nancy Springer.
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