BOOK IT IN!

In honour of Children’s Book Week taking place in May, JLife picks some inspirational children’s books to inspire change.

Returning for its 104th year, Every Child A Reader Children’s Book Week has chosen Read Books. Spark Change as its 2023 theme, drawing on the influence books have to inspire positive change. These stories will last a lifetime with the young ones in your life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS series

Maria Isabel Sánchez | Frances Lincoln Publishers

With over 150 titles, the Little People, BIG DREAMS series creates autobiographies of inspirational famous figures for children. With books on every interest from sports players and scientists to artists and historical figures there’s a life story to inspire everyone. Their ever-expanding repertoire includes stories from Michelle Obama, Frida Kahlo, Alan Turing, and Jane Austen.

Littlepeoplebigdreams.com

The WorrySaurus

Rachel Bright | Hachette Children's Group

Inspiring children to be open about their mental health, The Worrysaurus follows the story of a little dinosaur who struggles with overthinking. Showing children it’s ok to worry, the Worrysaurus overcomes his worries by thinking of advice his mother gave him. With playful illustration by Chris Chatterton and easy to read, rhyming verses on each page Rachel Bright’s book is a positive reminder the Worrysaurus in us all can be soothed.

Waterstones.com

The Cones books series

Chris Madeley | Fisher King Publishing

The Cones books are a series by Chris Madeley which teach children about how to stay safe while playing near roads, railway stations, and building sites. It also features books on sustainability topics like the production of clean energy and the effects of air pollution on our health. Through friendly traffic cone characters, illustrated by Zara Hussain, children can understand how to spark change in their lives and have a safe, environmentally friendly future.

Theconesbooks.co.uk

Mix It Up Hervé Tullet | Chronicle Books

Spark positive change in your child’s life by encouraging creativity. Hervé Tullet’s Mix

It Up breaks the mould of picture books by inviting readers to press, shake, and tilt the book to mix the colours on the page together to see what they create on the next. One of a series, Tullet’s latest book, Tap Tap Tap, explores the mode of dance – perfect for aspiring young performers. With these inventive and interactive storybooks children can explore the endless and exciting world of paint, colour, and touch – without the mess!

Waterstones.com

Charlie and Lola: I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato Lauren Child | Hachette Children's Group

Sometimes sparking positive change means tackling the mundane. Charlie and Lola’s classic story about fussy eating transforms negative associations with food by creating quirky stories behind the foods you think you don’t like. Lauren Child’s charming illustration captures the magic behind each one of Charlie’s tales to change Lola’s mind about eating tomatoes, peas, and mashed potatoes.

Waterstones.com