With 25 days until Christmas Day it’s the perfect time to share 25 of our favourite children’s books of 2025! From assembly read-alouds to brilliant nonfiction and page-turners your pupils will love, there’s something for everyone… plus book 26, a fun & festive read 🎄
Some of the books were written by wonderful guest authors we’ve welcomed at past network meetings – including a title from Nick Sharratt, our special guest in January (save your spot here). Find out more about the books from our partner bookshop Bookwagon, the brilliant book sellers who read and review every book they stock and explore their excellent website to find just the book you are looking for.
You probably won’t squeeze them all in before 2026, so bookmark this page to inspire you and your class in the new term.
FIRST CHAPTER BOOKS
Bear and Bird: The Secret by Jarvis
Murray and Bun: Murray the Ghosthunter by Adam Stower
MARV and the Duck of Doom by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
LONGER READS
The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson, illustrated by Julia Moscardo
The Game I Will Never Forget by Onjali Q. Raúf
Role Model by Elle McNicoll
The Lone Husky by Hannah Gold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold
The First Year by Matt Goodfellow
Dracula and Daughters by Emma Carroll
Mallory Vane and the Maggot’s Skull: The Beast Beneath by Martin Howard
PICTURE BOOKS
Don’t Trust Fish! by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat
When I Grow Up… I’d Like to Be by Rob Biddulph
How Long Is That Dog? by John Bond
Don’t Think of Tigers by Alex Latimer
A Totally Big Umbrella by Sarah Crossan, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
I Hate Everything! by Sophy Henn
The Coming of the Iron Manby Ted Hughes, illustrated by Mini Grey
Mr Wizard’s Magic Presents by Nick Sharratt
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Alan King of the Universe by Tom McLaughlin
Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy
InvestiGators: Case Files by John Patrick Green with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis
Dadbot by Jack Noel
NONFICTION
Totally Chaotic History: The Stone Age Runs Wild by Greg Jenner, illustrated by Rikin Parekh
Who Are We? Animal Diversity by James Carter, illustrated by James Munro
Wild Child’s Guide to Nature at Night by Dara McAnulty, illustrated by Barry Falls
…and an extra festive title too
🎄How Many Elves Is Too Many? by Lou Peacock, illustrated by Nicola Slater🎄