Children’s Literature News December 2025
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.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Simran Diamond Singh is a children’s book illustrator and character designer whose work appears in highly illustrated fiction for young readers. She entered children’s publishing after early experience in animation studios and now focuses on lively, character-led artwork for chapter books.
Singh illustrates Nathanael Lessore’s humorous adventure series beginning with Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower (Little Tiger, 2025), followed by Time Travel Is NOT My Superpower (Little Tiger, 2025). Her black-and-white interior art supports fast-paced, accessible storytelling for newly independent readers.
She is also the illustrator for Farhana Islam’s series The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood, starting with School Trip! (Farshore, 2025), with a sequel, School Inspectors! (Farshore, 2026). These titles feature generous illustration and design elements tailored to readers aged 7+.
Beyond series work, Singh contributes to literacy organisations and book-discovery platforms through featured illustrations and provides author-illustrator profiles for schools and libraries.
She won the Secret Story Draw competition in 2021.
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 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
Picture books for the under 5s | Books for Reception | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11