Nine of the best children’s books for summer 2023
Recommended reads for the school summer holidays
- 1. One Chance Dance
- 2. Anchored
- 3. Can You Get Rainbows in Space?
- 4. The Adventures of Billy Shaman: The Rage of the Sea Witch
- 5. The House with a Dragon in It
- 6. Prehistoric Beasts
- 7. Stolen History: The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
- 8. Stateless
- 9. The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder
1. One Chance Dance
by Efua Traoré
An exhilarating tale about children working together to help each other on the streets of Lagos. Ages 8-12.
Chicken House, 336pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li
This comforting picture book about a big ship and a little tugboat focuses on the themes of separation and reunion, and how we carry thoughts of our loved ones with us wherever we go. Ages 0-5.
EK Books, 32pp, £10.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
3. Can You Get Rainbows in Space?
by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay
A stylish book covering a dazzling array of topics from astronomy to zoology, and answering questions such as why some animals glow in the dark. Ages 7-9.
Puffin, 128pp, £14.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
4. The Adventures of Billy Shaman: The Rage of the Sea Witch
by Roland Chambers
The first in the series, this is the story of Billy, who is transported to the frozen north 2,000 years ago. It is narrated by a giant tortoise and has quirky illustrations. Ages 5-8.
Zephyr, 176pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
5. The House with a Dragon in It
by Nick Lake, illustrated by Emily Gravett
Foster child Summer is having lunch one day when a sinkhole appears in the sitting room, leading to a host of adventures. This is a magical wish-fulfilment novel with lovely illustrations. Ages 8-12.
Simon & Schuster, 240pp, £12.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
6. Prehistoric Beasts
by Dr Dean Lomax, illustrated by Mike Love
A pop-up book focusing on less-familiar prehistoric creatures. Each double-page spread features a regular animal alongside its ancient ancestor. Ages 3+.
Templar, 16pp, £16.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
7. Stolen History: The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
by Sathnam Sanghera, illustrated by Jen Khatun
Filled with references to popular culture, this is an engaging guide to the empire, covering everything from the history of HP Sauce to the source of the word “zombie”. Ages 9+.
Puffin, 208pp, £8.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
8. Stateless
by Elizabeth Wein
This cleverly constructed murder mystery from the author of “Code Name Verity” is narrated by 17-year-old Stella, the only female pilot in an air race in 1937. Ages 12+.
Bloomsbury, 400pp, £8.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
9. The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder
by Kereen Getten, illustrated by Leah Jacobs-Gordon
The first story in the Di Island Crew Investigates series features a gang of easily distracted child detectives looking into a mysterious shadow on an island off Jamaica. Ages 5-8.
Pushkin, 224pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Daniel Wallace's 5 favorite books that should not be forgotten
Feature The author recommends works by Italo Calvino, Evan S. Connell, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 picturesque homes in Arizona
Feature Featuring a glass elevator in Sedona and a grotto waterfall in Paradise Valley
By The Week Staff Published
-
Baffin Island: looking for narwhal in Arctic Canada
The Week Recommends An exploration of this island between mainland Canada and Greenland is ideal for the adventurous at heart
By The Week UK Published
-
Knife: Salman Rushdie's 'mesmeric memoir' of brutal attack
The Week Recommends The author's account of ordeal which cost him his eye is both 'scary and heartwarming'
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sarah Langan recommends 6 women-centric horror books
Feature The horror novelist recommends works by Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 spacious homes for car lovers
Feature Featuring a 14-car showroom in Oregon and a Bentley-style apartment in Florida
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 serene homes in Vermont
Features Featuring a four-level Shaker barn in Hartland and a Scandinavian-inspired home in Stowe
By The Week US Published
-
Amanda Montell's 6 favorite books that will expand your knowledge
Feature The linguist recommends works by Mary Roach, Alice Carrière, and more
By The Week US Published