Recommended reading books for primary and secondary aged children in the UK
Sheena Dempsey is an Irish children’s author and illustrator. She studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Dempsey’s debut picture book, Monkey and Robot, was published in 2012 by Walker Books. She has illustrated numerous titles, including the Dave Pigeon series written by Swapna Haddow, which was shortlisted for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award in 2016. Dempsey has also illustrated the Bad Panda series by Swapna Haddow, published by Faber & Faber, and the Granny and Bean picture book by Karen Hesse, published by Walker Books in 2022. Her work includes both solo projects and collaborations with other authors. In 2023, Dempsey’s book Yoga Babies, written by Fearne Cotton and illustrated by Dempsey, was published by Andersen Press. Sheena Dempsey’s illustrations have appeared in books published by Walker Books, Faber & Faber, and Andersen Press.
Books for 8-year-olds – favourites chosen by children, including titles by Alex Bellos, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, Liz Pichon, Tom Fletcher, Greg James and Chris Smith, Julian Clary, Roald Dahl, Louie Stowell, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nadia Shireen & Enid Blyton and Jacqueline Wilson.
A selection of reading books for Year 2 to challenge and interest children aged 6-7 in KS1 classes in UK primary schools. Authors include Eoin Colfer, Clotilde Perrin, Michael Rosen and Enid Blyton.
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.
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.
Children’s book news for May 2026: Reading Rights, the Children’s Booker, Michael Rosen at 80, the Klaus Flugge and Branford Boase shortlists, BookTrust winners, LitUp results and shared reading data.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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 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.
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 Summer 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels, poetry and non-fiction.
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.
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, or Waterstones.com.
Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.
Home »
© 2026 School Reading List. All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases | Policies and Terms of Use
