October 2026 book club picks
October 2026’s book club includes titles by Jon Klassen, Philip Reeve, Jamie Smart, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Jasbinder Bilan, Christine Pillainayagam, Emer Stamp, Laura Mucha and Míriam Bonastre Tur.
Jamie Smart author page
Jamie Smart biography
Jamie Smart is a British author and illustrator known for his work in children’s comics and graphic novels. He has contributed to a range of publications, including The Phoenix comic, where he created popular strips such as Bunny vs Monkey and Looshkin. His work often features humour and energetic artwork, appealing to younger readers.
Smart has also worked with other publishers, including Scholastic, where he has produced books based on his comic strips. In addition to his original creations, he has contributed to established comic titles such as The Beano, where he has written and illustrated stories for characters like Desperate Dan and Roger the Dodger.
His graphic novel series Bunny vs Monkey began appearing in The Phoenix in 2013 and has since been collected into several volumes published by David Fickling Books. Smart’s Looshkin series, also published by David Fickling Books, features the adventures of a mischievous cat and has been released in collected editions.
In 2021, Jamie Smart’s Bunny vs Monkey: The Human Invasion was published by David Fickling Books.
Biography writer: Joanna Nance-Phillips
Children’s literature expert and primary school teacher with 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad. Articles and reviews by Joanna Nance-Phillips 
Comics for children and teens
Comics for children and teens with titles by Jamie Smart, Adam Murphy, Charles Soule, Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Will Sliney, Dan Watters, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Kelly Thompson.
Graphic novels for KS1 children aged 5-7
Graphic novels for KS1 children aged 5-7 with titles by Dav Pilkey, Liz Pichon, Aaron Blabey, Jamie Smart, Daisy Meadows, Steve Cole, Luke Pearson, Laura Ellen Anderson, Mo O’Hara, and Swapna Reddy.
Books for 9 year olds
Books for 9-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Rob Biddulph, Hannah Gold, Terry Deary, Maz Evans, Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, Matt Haig, Roald Dahl, Joanna Nadin, R.L. Stine, Sharna Jackson, David Baddiel & Kate Pankhurst.
Books for 7 year olds
Books for 7-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Jeff Kinney, Tom Fletcher, Harriet Muncaster, Dav Pilkey, Roald Dahl, Adam Blade, Ian Whybrow, Martin Handford, Dermot O’Leary, Francesca Simon, Humza Arshad and Henry White & Andrea Beaty.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction, young adult novels and non-fiction.
Children’s Literature News June 2026
Children’s book news for June 2026: reading enjoyment rises but gaps widen, with IBC book boxes, Bookstart picks, AI findings, awards, festivals and new inclusive school resources.
Book series for children to encourage reading for pleasure
Book series for children and teens to encourage reading for pleasure, including titles by Dominic Sandbrook, Liz Pichon, Harriet Muncaster, Kevin & Katie Tsang, Marie Lu Robert Muchamore and Jason Reynolds.
Children’s Literature News March 2026
Children’s book news for March 2026: Carnegies shortlists, London Book Fair inclusion work, new school library awards, big festival changes, plus prize winners and World Book Day reading events.
Children’s Literature News January 2026
Children’s book news for January 2026: festivals, awards, school publishing, comics events, national reading policy, literacy campaigns and major competitions shaping children’s and YA books across the UK.
Audiobooks for children
Audiobooks for children with titles by Jessica Townsend, Katherine Rundell, Michael Rosen, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Roald Dahl, Julia Donaldson, Michael Bond and Jeff Kinney.
Children’s Literature News September 2025
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.
Bestselling books by Jamie Smart
Browse Jamie Smart books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Jamie Smart books on Waterstones.com
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
- Books for EYFS | Books for Reception
- Books for KS1 | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2
- Books for KS2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6
- Books for KS3 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9
- Books for KS4 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11
- Books for 6th Form
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