Alice Goes to Hollywood
Written by Karen Wallace, illustrated by Bob Dewar
Published by A&C Black
Alice is an ant-eater, and spends much of her time eating ants, as you do if you're an ant eater. But Alice has ambitions, and when Hollywood beckons she decides to try and make her name as a star. As is so often the way, life doesn't quite work out as she'd hoped and perhaps it's all for the best. This is ideal for children just emerging as independent readers, and for reading aloud. The quirky illustrations are hilarious.
Detective Dan
Written by Vivian French, illustrated by Alison Bartlett
Published by A&C Black
When Dan's packed lunch ends up on the cloakroom floor three days in a row, he and his friend Billy decide that they have to find the cause. So the two boys launch a detective operation - with surprising results. One of a series called 'White Wolves' for children just starting to read more independently.
The Ghoul of Bodger O'Toole
Written by Penny Dolan, illustrated by Philip Hopman
Published by Scholastic
Davey's big brother, Trevick doesn't believe that their old boatyard home is haunted. But when Davey and his friend Tigg encounter the ghoul of Bodger O'Toole, even Trevick has to admit that the giant ghost exists. One in a series of ghostly tales by Penny Dolan, which are just scary enough to thrill young readers, but won't cause nightmares.
Shredder
Written by Jonathan Kebbe, illustrated by Sarah Nyler
Published by Corgi Books
The gently humorous and surprisingly poignant tale of a school gerbil who takes his paper shredding skills a little too far. This is one of the excellent Corgi Pups series, books with satisfying stories and plenty of line drawings, which are just right for new readers.
Hetty the Yeti
Written and illustrated by Dee Shulman
Published by A&C Black
This adventurous, fast moving tale of a young yeti's quest to save the life of her baby brother is one of four titles in the Chameleons series which fits the bill for new readers who want a 'proper book' with chapters, but certainly don't want to give up on pictures.
King o the Midden: Manky Mingin Rhymes in Scots
Edited by Matthew Fitt & James Robertson, illustrated by Bob Dewar
Published by Itchy Coo
Even if your Scots is a bit rusty, you'll have a rare time sharing these energetic, cheeky and downright daft rhymes together. The illustrations are as outrageously entertaining as the poems and this book really is fun for all the family.
Jed's Really Useful Poem
Written by Ragnhild Scamell and illustrated by Jane Gray
Published by Red Fox
This is one of the excellent Flying Foxes series of first readers - easy-to-read stories illustrated in full colour. Jed's poem about a tree wins him first prize in a competition run by the local newspaper and his prize is to have tea with the mayor. A lively, funny story all about recycling, conservation and writing poetry.
Zoo of Dreams
Written by Adrian Mitchell and illustrated by Peter Bailey
Published by Orchard Books
A wonderful collection of animal poems by one of our most popular poets - and his dog, Daisy! You'll find everything from snails to hippos to unicorns and more, all packed into this attractive little book. Just right for dipping into and reading aloud.
The Magical Garden of Claude Monet
Written and illustrated by Laurence Anholt
Published by Frances Lincoln
A splendid way to introduce children (and adults) to the lives and work of some of the world's most famous artists. Each book in the series tells a story about a well-known artist from a child's viewpoint and there are reproductions of some of their best-known pictures to enjoy too. Others in the series include Vincent van Gogh and Picasso.
Little Wolf's Book of Badness
Written by Ian Whybrow and illustrated by Tony Ross
Published by Collins Children's Books
Reading Champion Scoular Anderson recommends this as a great favourite. 'It's quirky and funny and Little Wolf is a lovely character,' he says.
Sweetieraptors: A Book o Scots Dinosaurs
Written by Susan Rennie and illustrated by Julie Lacome
Published by Itchy Coo
Dae Sweetieraptors eat broon rice? Naw! Jeelie beans an chocolate mice. Fifteen previously undiscovered dinosaurs from the sweetieraptors of the title to clartydactyls, dreichosaurs, shooglypods and mair are to be found in the pages of this lively book. The rhyming couplets are great fun to read aloud (but you'll need to practise those dinosaur names!) and the splendid illustrations make the meaning clear to all.
Greyfriars Bobby
Written and illustrated by Ruth Brown
Published by Red Fox
Tom and Becky are fed-up with sightseeing in Edinburgh until they hear the story of Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful Skye terrier who guarded his master's graveside for fourteen years. This beautifully illustrated picture book retells the famous tale simply and poignantly, effortlessly transporting readers back in time 100 years.
Flat Stanley
Written by Jeff Brown and illustrated by Scott Nash
Published by Egmont
When Stanley Lambchop is squashed flat by his notice-board one night, he doesn't let it stop him having all sorts of adventures! He's only half an inch thick, but quite happy and healthy and now he can fly like a kite, slide under doors, be posted to America and more. But he's still glad when his brother Arthur thinks of a way to return him to normal. A classic story that will be enjoyed by all ages.
Stanley Bagshaw and the short-sighted football trainer
Written and illustrated by Bob Wilson
Published by Barn Owl
The story of how Stanley found himself in the goalmouth at a critical moment of his beloved Huddersgate Albion's match is told in trundling verse, illustrated with cartoons full of lovely little details, speech bubbles and helpful arrows.
We Are Britain!
Written by Benjamin Zephaniah, photographs by Prodeepta Das
Published by Frances Lincolnbr>
A lovely tour of the UK in the company of children who are full of information about their lives, told in poems and photographs. A fascinating celebration of the different ways in which people live.
A Tale of Two Wolves
Written by Susan Kelly, illustrated by Lizzie Finlay
Published by Red Fox
Everybody knows that wolves are big, bad and greedy - or do we? Children will enjoy bringing their knowledge of traditional fairy tales to bear on this clever story which turns those stories on their head.
The Queen's Birthday Hat
Written by Margaret Ryan
Published by Puffin Books
The only thing the Queen wants for her birthday is a hat - but not just any old hat. Every attempt is made to please her but none of them is quite what she's looking for...until she sees a very fetching looking donkey.
Margaret is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.
The Intergalactic Kitchen
Written and illustrated by Frank Rodgers
Published by Barn Owl Books
Where do you go on holiday? This family decides to take their whole house with them - into space!
Frank is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.
Boojer
Written by Alison Prince
Published by Corgi
Boojer is a rabbit who is largely ignored by his owner. So he decides to take off into the outside world to find a more appreciative home, meeting some lively characters along the way.
Alison is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.
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