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Best new books for kids

By Jen Barton Packer on 18/12/2018

We've selected the best new books for kids that are gorgeous, inspiring and can work for kids across a range of ages. Presents for the rest of the year? Sorted.
The children's books that make the best presents are ones that appeal to a variety of kids, can work for families with multiple children and enthral young readers day in, day out, with their words, pictures and stories. These are the books that become more treasured as your babies get older and ever more curious. The books that give them answers... and have them chasing more books.
Bonus: you may even get some World Book Day costume inspiration from these...

Best book for inspiring role models: anything in the Little People, Big DREAMS series

For showing them inspiring role models: Little People, BIG DREAMS series

The Little People, BIG DREAMS series from Lincoln Children's Books is just plain gorgeous: beautifully illustrated, focusing on icons from Coco Chanel to Emmeline Pankhurst, the slim books appeal to a huge range of ages and are timeless treasures that kids love. They can also teach them about determination, perseverance, overcoming adversity - all of those huge lessons we try to instil in our children... but really need visual aids to help us with. Happily, new books - and new heroes - are coming in 2019, including Muhammad Ali and Stephen Hawking in February (yes, men!) and Maria Montessori and Vivienne Westwood in March. If you need a gift for baby, there are also board books available.

WHERE

£9.99 at Quarto Knows

For the history buff: Timelines of Everything

The best way to make history cool and interesting for kids? With pictures of course. This comprehensive, fact-packed book gives kids an illustrated history with over 130 timelines, from topics they'll cover in primary school, like dinosaurs and Vikings, to the Big Bang, US Civil Rights and youth culture. Visually interesting, it appeals to kids from age 5 as well as those in upper primary school. Bonus: it will encourage kids to look in actual books when they need to research info for school projects (and not just on Google).

WHERE

£20 at DK Children's

Best book to introduce poetry: I Am the Seed That Grew The Tree, poems selected by Fiona Waters with illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon

For introducing poetry: I Am the Seed That Grew The Tree, poems selected by Fiona Waters with illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon

This sumptuously illustrated book from Nosy Crow has a nature poem for every day of the year. The perfect introduction to poems from the likes of Emily Bronte, Carol Ann Duffy, Benjamin Zephaniah, DH Lawrence, Emily Dickinson and more. It's a heavy tome - making it perfect for snuggling up with.

WHERE

£19.99 at Waterstones

For inspiring the imagination: Islandborn by Junot Díaz

A beautifully illustrated story of remembering, identity, inclusivity and imagination, Islandborn follows Lola as she learns about belonging, where she comes from and who she is. Buy this for the kids and make sure you get yourself a copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao for your own bedtime reading.

WHERE

£10.99 at Oneworld Publications

For expanding their horizons: Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell

The latest from the Welcome to the Museum series, Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell is a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated look at space, stars and the solar system. This series is so compelling that little ones will pick it up and gaze at the drawings; for older children who can read and are interested in the subject matter, it will feed their curiosity - and then some.

WHERE

£16.99 at Waterstones

Best book for animal lovers: An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by Ben Hoare

For the animal lover: An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by Ben Hoare

An animal encyclopaedia with a twist, this book goes well beyond your typical cat, dog and elephant pictures, with gorgeous illustrations and facts on animals as interesting and unusual as the quokka or sea dragon. In addition to information, there are stories and myths surrounding each animal - perfect for inspiring young minds in their creative play, writing and storytelling. The gold-foiled cover gives it an added magical touch as a gift for a little one.

WHERE

£20 at DK Children's

For city kiddies: My First Book of London by Ingela P. Arrhenius

Because it's never too early to introduce that special toddler in your life to London landmarks - and English breakfasts - in this lovely book from Walker Studio.The graphic illustrations are fab and the pages aren't too overcrowded with info and imagery for little ones.

WHERE

£15 at Walker Books

Best for fairytale lovers: The Restless Girls by Jesse Burton and Angela Barrett

For fairytale lovers: The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton and Angela Barrett

This "feminist revision" update from Bloomsbury of the classic The Twelve Dancing Princesses by The Miniaturist's Jessie Burton (with enchanting illustrations by Angela Barrett) is filled with fantastical escapades and inspiring, aspiring women. One to treasure and read aloud to the kids. Best for 7 and up.

WHERE

£12.99 at Waterstones

Best book for encouraging social consciousness: Endangered Animals by Martin Jenkins and Tim Frost

For encouraging a social conscience: Endangered Animals by Martin Jenkins and Tim Frost

Written by conservation biologist and award-winning author Martin Jenkins, with gorgeous vintage postage-stamp illustrations from printmaker Tim Frost, this book is at once visually arresting - and just plain arresting, as kids get a closer look at some of the animal species under threat, like the Asian elephant and Amsterdam albatross, as well as information on how to help. A companion book, Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals, is out in August 2019.

WHERE

£15, Walker Books

For fans of magical realism: The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Published by Chicken House, this book by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (of The Girl of Ink and Stars fame) may just be the new YA winter classic with its descriptive language, compelling characterisation and atmospheric winter scenes. It follows the adventures of Mila and her sisters, who set out to find their brother Oskar when he disappears one night after a stranger arrives in their cabin. Perfect reading on a cold winter's day.

WHERE

£10.99 at Waterstones

Best for relationships: When I Was A Child by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield

For understanding relationships: When I Was A Child by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield

This book from acclaimed duo Andy Stanton and David Litchfield tells the story of life as seen through a world-weary grandmother's eyes, and how her granddaughter Emily is the one who gives her the power to see magic and hope in the world again. We love books that show how transformative a child's wonder can be: "Come with me," says Emily, "I can show you how to see." The illustrations are stunning. This might just be the perfect gift for grandparent to share with grandchild.

WHERE

£12.99 at Hachette Children's

Best bedtime read: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

For bedtime: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

This Timbuktu Labs' book is the kind of book that gets kids who don't realise they like reading, into reading. Some are drawn to the gorgeous illustrations - each role model is illustrated in a slightly different style to appeal to a range of tastes - some are interested in names or professions or the fact that some of these amazing women are still alive. Rebel Girls 2 features a whole new series of strong female role models for both girls and boys to learn about (including Nefertiti, J.K. Rowling, Mother Teresa, etc). Younger readers will enjoy being read to, but the 8 group will be reading these stories long past lights out (which we think is a good thing).

WHERE

£21 at Waterstones

For the misfits: A Good Day For Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs

This novel from popular Afrikaans author Jaco Jacobs (translated by Kobus Geldenhuys) touches on family drama, activism and becoming an unlikely hero. A nice book to give a child to show that you're thinking of them.

WHERE

£6.99 at Oneworld Publications

For Potterheads: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling

There comes a moment of panic for every child about to finish the Harry Potter series, which they've typically spent the past several months inhaling. They'll swiftly finish The Tales of Beetle the Bard in about two hours, and then the Quidditch book, but soon they'll need their next obsession. Enter Fantastic Beasts, which introduces new characters like Newt Scamander) and old friends (Albus Dumbledore). The second original screenplay from Little, Brown, has been out a few months (with a film of the same name) and makes a gorgeous gift for any Potter obsessive.

WHERE

£8.49 at Waterstones

Best new books for kids

For showing them inspiring role models: Little People, BIG DREAMS series

For the history buff: Timelines of Everything

For introducing poetry: I Am the Seed That Grew The Tree, poems selected by Fiona Waters with illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon

For inspiring the imagination: Islandborn by Junot Díaz

For expanding their horizons: Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell

For the animal lover: An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by Ben Hoare

For city kiddies: My First Book of London by Ingela P. Arrhenius

For fairytale lovers: The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton and Angela Barrett

For encouraging a social conscience: Endangered Animals by Martin Jenkins and Tim Frost

For fans of magical realism: The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

For understanding relationships: When I Was A Child by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield

For bedtime: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

For the misfits: A Good Day For Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs

For Potterheads: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling

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Best new books for kids

For showing them inspiring role models: Little People, BIG DREAMS series

For the history buff: Timelines of Everything

For introducing poetry: I Am the Seed That Grew The Tree, poems selected by Fiona Waters with illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon

For inspiring the imagination: Islandborn by Junot Díaz

For expanding their horizons: Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell

For the animal lover: An Anthology of Intriguing Animals by Ben Hoare

For city kiddies: My First Book of London by Ingela P. Arrhenius

For fairytale lovers: The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton and Angela Barrett

For encouraging a social conscience: Endangered Animals by Martin Jenkins and Tim Frost

For fans of magical realism: The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

For understanding relationships: When I Was A Child by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield

For bedtime: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

For the misfits: A Good Day For Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs

For Potterheads: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling

Kids

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In The Know

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Kids books summer 2018

Best Kids' Books 2018

The ten best new memoirs 2018

Fashion coffee-table books 2018

The best new books out in 2019

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