Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Laura Ellen Anderson is a British children’s author and illustrator. She studied illustration at University College Falmouth. Anderson is known for creating the Amelia Fang series, which began with Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball published by Egmont in 2017. The series includes several titles, such as Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords and Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief.
Anderson has illustrated numerous books for other authors, including the Witch Wars series by Sibeal Pounder and The Famous Five: Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton (illustrated edition). She has also illustrated Rainbow Grey, a series she both wrote and illustrated, published by Farshore. The first book in the Rainbow Grey series was released in 2021.
Her work has been published by major UK publishers, including Egmont and Farshore. Anderson’s illustrations have appeared in books by authors such as Michelle Robinson and Cerrie Burnell. In 2021, Rainbow Grey was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
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 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.
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 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in autumn 2020. These children’s reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in autumn 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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