Unlocking the boundless worlds held within the pages of a book is a gift that lasts a lifetime, and nurturing a love of reading in children is akin to planting seeds in fertile ground. This curated list celebrates stories that captivate, inspire, and ignite the imagination, aiming to transform reluctant readers into enthusiastic explorers of literary landscapes. From whimsical adventures to tales of courage and discovery, these books are carefully selected to spark that magical connection between a child and the written word.

Fragrant Soup 

Nine-year-old Siu-Yin still doesn’t know the difference between boil and burn. The Lunar New Year’s Eve feast is only a couple weeks away. Every year, Poh Poh makes a special soup, an important offering to the dragon protector who brings luck to the village. This year Poh Poh has fallen ill. No one else knows how to make the sacred soup. So it’s all up to Siu-Yin.

If she succeeds, the village will be blessed with luck in the year ahead. If she fails, Siu-Yin and her village will have to face the wrath of a mighty dragon. Will Siu-Yin be lucky enough to figure out the recipe in time or will she stir up colossal trouble for herself and her village?

A ‘perfect for all ages story’ that is engaging enough for middle grade whilst the warmth and emotional impact will appeal to older audiences too.

It’s a captivating tale that’s bound to leave your heart full, but it might make your stomach hungry!

Perfect for fans of David Walliams and Robert Munsch!

Take a Look

“Take a Look” is a bedtime time story that takes young readers on an exciting adventure to discover unique animals in their natural habitats while teaching colors and animal associations. With rhythmic verses and engaging illustrations, it sparks curiosity and fosters a love for wildlife, making it the perfect bedtime read.

The Magic Rock: An Adventure by The Sea 

Is it real?

Are you one of the lucky children that have seen it?

Did you touch it?

Shh! It’s a secret!

A glorious sunny day at the start of the summer holidays and a whole week in a cottage by the sea. What could be better? Aaliyah, Liam, Matthew and Hudson are four children, enjoying a day at the seaside completely unaware that they are about to stumble across something that will make their holiday more exciting than they could ever have imagined.

Because…

There is something in the water – it’s a rock! Oh, but this is not just any rock, it’s strange – it’s glowing and shimmering, sending colourful rays of light through the water. It’s fascinating, so fascinating that the children find it hard to look away and the urge to touch it is just too strong!

And so the adventure begins.

‘It is beautiful.. but I don’t understand why you are so excited, it is just a rock, it’s a stunning rock, but still just a rock!’

‘Touch it….. Go on touch it!’

‘Just trust me, don’t panic – and breathe!’

The Adventures of Talliesin and The Crystalline Heart 

The Adventure of Talliesin is a story of a brave young hero on a quest to retrieve the fabled Crystalline Heart, a powerful artefact said to hold the key to unlocking dreams and inspiration.

Talliesin, with his loyal companions – Arthur the teddy bear, Tara the guitar, the valiant Lion, and the majestic Unicorn – and with the guidance of Grandma Awen, find themselves drawn into a magical world beyond their wildest dreams.

Tullio Barrecchia is a renowned creative writer and director of musicals, who has also appeared in numerous theatrical, cinema, and TV productions, as well as being Mr Motivator in his own country, Italy. He decided to leave Italy to pursue his unquenchable desire to widen his creativity. He travelled to the USA and around Europe before settling in the United Kingdom, where he set up The New Comedy of Art theatrical company in London. In the last ten years, Tullio has worked with children between the ages of five to thirteen in various capacities, inspiring him to channel his experiences into writing children books.

Once Around the Sun: Stories, Crafts, and Recipes to Celebrate the Sacred Earth Year

An illustrated collection of stories and activities to celebrate traditional Pagan festivals and the changing of the seasons

• 2023 Coalition of Visionary Resources Gold Award

• Shares original stories, based on traditional folktales and designed to be read out loud, for each festival, such as Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasad, the solstices, and the equinoxes

• Includes traditional games, hands-on projects special to each holiday, and seasonal recipes to enjoy the tastes and smells of each feast day

• Discusses the sacred symbolism, magical lore, and cultural practices within each story and the healing and magical uses for the trees and flowers featured

Once upon a time, when only candles lit the inside of homes and people traveled on foot or by horse, the family would finish their supper, wash and dry the dishes, and sit down before the hearth to hear a tale. These tales were not only entertaining but also passed down both history and tradition to the next generation. And as the wheel of the year turned, these tales also served to teach the children about holy days and festivals and the Gods and Goddesses who reigned over the changing seasons.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Ellen Evert Hopman shares rich stories drawn from traditional folktales, hands-on crafts, and seasonal recipes to help families and classrooms learn about and celebrate traditional holy days and festivals of the sacred earth year. Designed to be read out loud, the stories are complemented with pronunciation guides and translations for foreign words. You will learn of the Cailleach, the ancient Goddess of Winter; La Befana, the Italian new year’s witch; Eostre, the Goddess of Spring; Kupalnocka, the Polish feast of wreaths at midsummer; Yule among the Vikings; and many other deities and celebrations.

For each story, the author includes hands-on projects special to the holiday–from crafting magical wands and brooms to flower crowns and Brighid’s Crosses–as well as seasonal recipes, such as Magical Peppermint Chocolate Tea, Beltaine Bannock, and La Befana Cake, allowing families to enjoy the tastes, smells, and sounds associated with the feast days and celebrations.

We hope this collection of stories serves as a springboard for countless literary adventures, fostering a lifelong love of reading in the young minds you cherish. Remember, every page turned is a step into a new world, a chance to learn, dream, and grow. May these books ignite a spark of curiosity that burns brightly, illuminating the path to a lifetime of reading pleasure.