Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Rachel Dixon is a British travel and features writer whose children’s books introduce geography and culture in accessible, large-format guides. She has written for UK newspapers and adapted her knowledge of places into engaging titles for younger readers.
Her debut children’s book, Maps of the United Kingdom, pairs short factual entries with county-by-county maps illustrated by Livi Gosling. First published by Wide Eyed Editions in 2018, it presents landmarks, festivals, inventions and notable figures for primary and lower-secondary readers.
Dixon later wrote The Great British Staycation Activity Book, a companion title with puzzles and prompts themed around UK places. Her work is published by Wide Eyed Editions – part of the Quarto Group.
Maps of the United Kingdom was originally published in October 2018 and reissued on 27 February 2025.</p
Children’s books for school prize giving awards with titles by Michael Rosen, William Shakespeare, David Olusoga, Jenny Broom, Clotilde Perrin, Andrew Pettie, Ziggy Hanaor, Sally Symes, & Bob and Roberta Smith.
Maps, mapping and atlases for children and teens, including nonfiction titles by Vivian French, Collins Maps, Emily Hawkins, Thiago de Moraes, Lonely Planet, Joshua Foer, Tim Marshall and Dorling Kindersley.
Our 20 great children’s books for Christmas – spectacular picture books to surprise, bewitch and survive longer than one holiday season.
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