Latest Book Reviews

  • Bhorta Bhorta Baby

    Bhorta Bhorta Baby is a great book for exploring cuisines from different countries and introducing culture through food. Our nursery chil...

  • Cat Nap

    Cat Nap is a wonderful, humorous first book of Steve Antony’s character-led stories for young children. The limited language, focusing on...

  • Thank You

    I received this book this morning and have had to read it at least 10 times already. My two-year-old keeps asking for it again and again. He particularly...

  • Let's Go Home, Baby Chick

    Let’s talk about the new Easter edition to the 'Let's Go Home' collection of books with interactive sliding counters. In this book, your...

  • Ten Little Ducklings

    Ten Little Ducklings is a book of hide-and-seek. On each page, the ten ducklings are in a different scene getting up to their own tricks!...

  • Hen in the Bed

    A fun and colourful twist on the classic song 'ten in the bed' where you get one less animal occupying the bed each time round. The lovely split page desi...

  • A Midsummer Night's Drama: A book at bedtime for little bards!

    A Midsummer Night's Drama is a beautiful bedtime story for little bards which tackles the tricky problem of getting to sleep! The book is...

  • How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?

    How Many Dinosaurs is too Many? asks the child (gender unspecific) in this vivid and vibrant picture book. When the child gets a real ora...

  • Where Is the Cat?

    Where is the Cat? is a fun book which involves finding cat! At the beginning we meet cat who has a good life enjoying all the things cats...

  • The Nose, Toes and Tummy Book

    "These are your ears." "I just want to gobble you up!" The Nose, Toes and Tummy Book explores parts of the body with young children and t...

  • A Field Guide to Spring: Play and learn in nature

    A charming mixture of experiments and activities, science and poetry, A Field Guide to Spring is a wonderful introduction to that season,...

  • Frank and Bert: The One With the Missing Biscuits

    Frank and Bert are best friends who love going on picnics together. However, picnics are not without possible perils - rain, wasps and even scary squirrel...

  • Tree

    Tree is the story of a 300-year-old mountain ash in Australia and all the creatures that live on or around that tree. Written by the team...

  • Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales: Fact-checking your favourite stories with SCIENCE!

    Catherine Cawthorne and Sara Ogilvie join forces to create a unique and instantly captivating book in Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales....

  • Martha Maps It Out In Time

    Who doesn't love a book with a map? Well… I (and my three-year-old grandson, Archie) love a fictional map! A map has that capacity to bring a book alive a...

  • Martha Maps It Out In Time

    Martha Maps it Out in Time is the brilliant new book from Martha, exploring her journey back in time, all the way to the start of time! <...

  • Skunk! Skedaddle!

    Skunk! Skedaddle! will make your nostrils twitch and your tummy laugh as you read this hilarious book. Sally the skunk is lonely living o...

  • Soft and Sticky

    What a fun book about Soft and Sticky who live together but have some problems and difficult situations. When you pick up this book you a...

  • Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

    Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! is the start of a fresh, fun, new series and a lively, laugh-out-loud way to explore...

  • Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

    Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! is an accessible and hugely informative fact book written entertainingly by historian...

  • The Spectaculars: The Wild Song Contest

    A second theatrical, exhilarating and magical adventure at the Wondria - a secret, travelling boarding school within the land of the Hidden Peaks. ...

  • Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

    Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! by Greg Jenner, covers all the 'interesting stuff' that primary school teachers don't...

  • Yomi and the Power of the Yumboes

    Yomi and the Power of the Yumboes is the second book in a fast-paced, fun, lively blend of modern mystery meets traditional African mytho...

  • Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

    The Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! is very eye-catching. A fabulously illustrated non-fiction chapter book which cov...

  • The City Beyond the Stars

    The City Beyond the Stars is a phenomenal sequel to <a href="/books/the-kingdom-over-the-sea-the-perfect-spellbinding-fantasy-adventure-f...

  • Shadow Fox

    The voice of Shadow, a wild and lonely fox, tells this latest poignant story from Carlie Sorosiak, Shadow Fox. At the heart of the book (...

  • Twice Upon a Time

    The Morrow twins, Merry and Spike, were born on either side of the start of the New Year. Consequently, they were born in different months and years, and...

  • When the Wild Calls

    Juniper and Bear are now living in Ennerdale with their father, his new partner, Willow, and their baby, Fern. The life they escaped in the city should be...

  • When the Wild Calls

    A completely captivating, absorbing and highly emotive dystopian adventure that grips the reader from start to finish. This was a book th...

  • Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

    Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! is a fantastic new book by historian Greg Jenner and co-author Dr Campbell Price. Thi...

  • Bringing Back Kay-Kay

    This book is gripping from the start. The protagonist is 12-year-old Lena whose older brother, Kay-Kay, has gone missing after a summer camp. After the po...

  • Movies Showing Nowhere

    What a wonderful idea to set a time travelling story with a cinema screen as the portal. Translated from Dutch, this award-winning novel (The Golden Penci...

  • The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

    Benjamin Creek does not believe in magic, preferring science, logic and reasoning until he is led into the impossibly magical world of Wreathenwold. With...

  • Spin!: 10 Exciting New Voices in Poetry

    Spin is a new anthology featuring ten new poets from diverse backgrounds, selected by Jospeh Coelho who has also contributed three poems...

  • Bite Risk: Caught Dead

    Bite Risk: Caught Dead is the second book in this fast-paced fantasy horror for teens by S.J. Wills. A guaranteed great read for all, and...

  • The Insiders

    Perfect book to read, love it, thank you Cath Howe

  • The Reappearance of Rachel Price

    Despite the clue in the title, the reappearance of the focus of this brilliant new YA novel from Holly Jackson still surprised me! I was so deeply immerse...

  • Hideki Smith: Demon Queller

    Mythical Japanese creatures, family secrets, school and destiny all come together in this exciting novel by A. J. Hartley. For 15 year old Caleb school is...

  • The No-Girlfriend Rule

    In The No Girlfriend Rule, Hollis finds herself unable to join her boyfriend Chis and his group's table top game due to their 'No Girlfri...

  • Where Sleeping Girls Lie

    Faridah Abike-Iymide's long awaited follow up to her YA novel Ace of Spades will be equally popular and is well worth...

  • The Midnight Clock

    The Midnight Clock is compulsive reading! 16-year-old Millie is having to live with her father in his new flat which used to house an inf...

  • Goddess Crown

    This YA fantasy debut novel by Shade Lapite has it all; it is a beautiful love story, it has murder, intrigue, plot twists and despicable villains...

ReadingZone Authors of the Month

  • Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson joins ReadingZone to introduce her picture books, Martha Maps it Out and Martha Maps it Out in Time...

  • Jarvis

    Jarvis

    Jarvis, author of The Boy With Flowers In His Hair, shares his new picture book, Thank You, with ReadingZone. Jarvis's earli...

  • Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Award-winning author and illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo introduces her new picture book, I Love Books, on ReadingZone. <p...

  • Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman and Guilherme Karsten tell ReadingZone how a traditional children's song i...

  • James Carter

    James Carter

    James Carter introduces Once Upon a Big Idea, the latest in his poetry books exploring ideas and science ab...

  • Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed and illustrator Hazem Asif introduce their new picture book, The Best Eid Ever.      </p...

  • Matty Long

    Matty Long

    Matty Long creates picture books including Who Rules the Rockpool?, the Super Happy Magic Forest series, Turbo Bunnies, and...

  • Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson lives in Cornwall in the UK with her husband and dog, cat, ducks and a tortoise called Hercules...

  • Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle's new picture book, A Horse Called Now, explores children's worries with the help of a horse, No...

  • Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage was born and raised in Stevenage. She has a First Class BA Honours in...

  • Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy grew up in South Wales, on a council estate firmly sandwiched between the steel and chemica...

  • John Kane

    John Kane

    When John Kane was younger, he liked to make up stories for his little sister. Jimmy and Bear, who appeared in them, are sti...

  • Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak writes books about magical summer camps, missing people, and the inner life of dogs.  She grew up in North C...

  • Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Authors Katie and Kevin Tsang introduce their new Dragon Force adventure, Devourer's Attack, in this special ReadingZone fea...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Steve Webb

    Steve Webb

    Steve Webb tells ReadingZone about his hilarious new graphic novel about the newest superheroes in town, Peng and Sp...

  • Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner, historian, author and podcast host, tells ReadingZone about his new Totally Chaotic History series, sta...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    The bestselling Stitch Head series is getting a new look - as a graphic novel!  Author Guy Bass and illustr...

  • Justin Somper

    Justin Somper

    Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy! Justin grew up in St Alb...

  • James Nicol

    James Nicol

    James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch series, tells ReadingZone about his new eco fantasy, The Cloud Thief. Jam...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Sinéad O'Hart

    Sinéad O'Hart

    Lola and Larch is Sinéad O'Hart's first chapter book series for young readers. Her books for older readers include...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo introduces her magical new story, The Magician Next Door, and tells Re...

  • Elys Dolan

    Elys Dolan

    Rex Dinosaur in Disguise is the brilliantly funny novel for younger readers from E...

  • Jenny McLachlan

    Jenny McLachlan

    Stink the troublesome fairy is back in Fairy Vs Wizard  Jenny McLachlan's first b...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Alex Bell

    Alex Bell

    Alex Bell introduces her magical new middle grade novel, The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, the latest in a range of  nove...

  • Bex Hogan

    Bex Hogan

    Bronte Tempestra is author Bex Hogan's first young fiction series and it's packed with adventure, friendship and magical cre...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dåsnes is an author and illustrator. Cross My Heart and Never Lie is her debut as a writer and illustr...

  • Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop's new book, On Silver Tides, is her first novel for teenagers. Sylvia spent an entire childhood reading fictio...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain tells ReadingZone what inspired her latest page-turning YA novel, One Last Breath. ...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite is British-Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of Goddess Crown. She spent a significant...

  • Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain lives in Belfast where she works with disabled students in further education. Her debut novel, Fly...

  • Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares a...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak writes books about magical summer camps, missing people, and the inner life of dogs.  She grew up in North C...

  • Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Authors Katie and Kevin Tsang introduce their new Dragon Force adventure, Devourer's Attack, in this special ReadingZone fea...

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold

    In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change m...

  • Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson

    Leigh Hodgkinson joins ReadingZone to introduce her picture books, Martha Maps it Out and Martha Maps it Out in Time...

  • Steve Webb

    Steve Webb

    Steve Webb tells ReadingZone about his hilarious new graphic novel about the newest superheroes in town, Peng and Sp...

  • Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan

    Sarah Crossan introduces her powerful new verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury YA). Sa...

  • Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner, historian, author and podcast host, tells ReadingZone about his new Totally Chaotic History series, sta...

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the we...

  • Christopher Edge

    Christopher Edge

    Black Hole Cinema Club, Christopher Edge's latest novel, is a love story to movies. Dive into an immersive blockbuster exper...

  • Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    The bestselling Stitch Head series is getting a new look - as a graphic novel!  Author Guy Bass and illustr...

  • Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain

    Ginny Myers Sain tells ReadingZone what inspired her latest page-turning YA novel, One Last Breath. ...

  • Justin Somper

    Justin Somper

    Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy! Justin grew up in St Alb...

  • Jarvis

    Jarvis

    Jarvis, author of The Boy With Flowers In His Hair, shares his new picture book, Thank You, with ReadingZone. Jarvis's earli...

  • James Nicol

    James Nicol

    James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch series, tells ReadingZone about his new eco fantasy, The Cloud Thief. Jam...

  • Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Mariajo Ilustrajo

    Award-winning author and illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo introduces her new picture book, I Love Books, on ReadingZone. <p...

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta

    Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone...

  • Sinéad O'Hart

    Sinéad O'Hart

    Lola and Larch is Sinéad O'Hart's first chapter book series for young readers. Her books for older readers include...

  • Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan

    Liz Flanagan, an award-winning author who writes about strange worlds and fantastical creatures, joins ReadingZone to introd...

  • Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman & Guilherme Karstenn

    Katrina Charman and Guilherme Karsten tell ReadingZone how a traditional children's song i...

  • Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo introduces her magical new story, The Magician Next Door, and tells Re...

  • Elys Dolan

    Elys Dolan

    Rex Dinosaur in Disguise is the brilliantly funny novel for younger readers from E...

  • James Carter

    James Carter

    James Carter introduces Once Upon a Big Idea, the latest in his poetry books exploring ideas and science ab...

  • Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dasnes

    Nora Dåsnes is an author and illustrator. Cross My Heart and Never Lie is her debut as a writer and illustr...

  • Jenny McLachlan

    Jenny McLachlan

    Stink the troublesome fairy is back in Fairy Vs Wizard  Jenny McLachlan's first b...

  • Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop

    Sylvia Bishop's new book, On Silver Tides, is her first novel for teenagers. Sylvia spent an entire childhood reading fictio...

  • Gabriel Dylan

    Gabriel Dylan

    For readers who like their adventures laced with a dash of horror.... Look out for Gabriel Dylan's Shiver Point series!...

  • Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed & Hazem Asif

    Sufiya Ahmed and illustrator Hazem Asif introduce their new picture book, The Best Eid Ever.      </p...

  • Alex Bell

    Alex Bell

    Alex Bell introduces her magical new middle grade novel, The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, the latest in a range of  nove...

  • Bex Hogan

    Bex Hogan

    Bronte Tempestra is author Bex Hogan's first young fiction series and it's packed with adventure, friendship and magical cre...

  • Tim Hall

    Tim Hall

    The inspiration to write about Robin Hood struck Tim Hall while trekking in the 'primal and dangerous landscape' of the Amaz...

  • Matty Long

    Matty Long

    Matty Long creates picture books including Who Rules the Rockpool?, the Super Happy Magic Forest series, Turbo Bunnies, and...

  • Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite

    Shade Lapite is British-Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of Goddess Crown. She spent a significant...

  • Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain

    Kelly McCaughrain lives in Belfast where she works with disabled students in further education. Her debut novel, Fly...

  • Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland

    Krystal Sutherland is the New York Times bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares a...

  • Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson & Harry Woodgate

    Anna Wilson lives in Cornwall in the UK with her husband and dog, cat, ducks and a tortoise called Hercules...

  • Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle & Alexandra Finkeldey

    Ruth Doyle's new picture book, A Horse Called Now, explores children's worries with the help of a horse, No...

  • Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage

    Chloe Savage was born and raised in Stevenage. She has a First Class BA Honours in...

  • Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy & Steven Lenton

    Tracey Corderoy grew up in South Wales, on a council estate firmly sandwiched between the steel and chemica...

  • John Kane

    John Kane

    When John Kane was younger, he liked to make up stories for his little sister. Jimmy and Bear, who appeared in them, are sti...

  • Rachel Greener

    Rachel Greener

    Rachel Greener is a children's books editor from London who has written and edited fiction, non-fiction and...

  • Marcus Sedgwick

    Marcus Sedgwick

    Marcus Sedgwick was a full time author who died unexpectedly in November 2022. He was 54.  He grew up in Kent and had been l...

  • William Hussey

    William Hussey

    William Hussey's The Outrage, set in a future England that has become a fascist state, is published this mo...

  • Pippa Curnick

    Pippa Curnick

    Pippa Curnick has always written her own stories and loves illustrating, so it's no surprise that she has now written and il...

  • Jessie James & Tamara Anegon

    Jessie James & Tamara Anegon

    Tamara Anegon attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008. Following this, she studied for a masters d...

  • William Goldsmith

    William Goldsmith

    William Goldsmith is a British writer and illustrator. Published by Jonathan Cape, his gra...

  • Tom Nicoll

    Tom Nicoll

    Tom Nicoll has been writing since school, where he enjoyed penning essays that were as silly as possible. Tom lives near Edi...

Competitions See all

Bite Risk giveaway!

Bite Risk giveaway!

We have sets of SJ Wills' brilliant BITE RISK series to give away!  If you enjoy reading horrors, thrillers and suspense, answer the ques

Get Creative See all

ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024

ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024

The competition is open to individual children, libraries and schools in the UK and internationally.  Prizes include £200 of books for ea

This month’s highlights

  • Picture Book

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024 The ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024 is challenging those aged four to 18 years to make a picture book. The competition is...

  • Book Trailers

    Make a Book Trailer

    Make a Book Trailer

    Create a Book Trailer Create a book trailer of your favourite book or your latest bookclub read for ReadingZone, and encourage others to read the book!  Or you can use it...

  • Podcasts

    Create your own Podcast

    Create your own Podcast

    Bex, a presenter for Fun Kids, has put together a simple guide for us about creating podcasts and gives us some top tips for starting your own podcast.

  • Videos & Vlogs

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Ever wanted to create your own vlog, but don't know how to get started? In these videos, author and book vlogger Lucy Powrie (lucythereader) gives her tips on getting started, what to inc...

Books