Families and family members Books

Kindness is key in this funny new family drama from perennial bestseller and award-winning author Anne Fine. There are many reasons why Tansy dreads Aunt Emma coming to visit. She’s rude, she’s boring, and Tansy has to give up her room so Aunt Emma can...

Reluctant reader favourite Tony Bradman returns with a captivating historical tale inspired by the true story of Britain’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. November 1920. The body of an unknown soldier is to be buried at Westminster Abbey. The war has...

Granny’s hunt for the perfect pet brings some unexpected results in this goofy adventure of family, mudlarking and mayhem. Zac and Essie have been helping their Granny Mo in her search for the perfect pet. She’s tried everything from cats to axolotls...

Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage dog tale! Ruby’s dad has arrived home with a wonderful surprise – Coco the sausage dog puppy! And when the family go on holiday to the seaside, of course Coco...

A cast of creative creatures take centre stage in this theatrical story about community and confidence from Blue Peter Book Award-shortlisted author Laura Wood. Summer by the seaside isn’t working out as Callie hoped. Instead of enjoying sunshine and...

A warm and wise tale about the unique challenges of pre-teen life from a master of the genre. Lucy has lived her entire life in her sister's shadow – Lola is always the centre of attention and constantly in need of new clothes for a party or kit for her...

Can Meg find her sunshine smile again? A wonderfully warm and wise story about new families and new relationships from bestelling author Karen McCombie. Meg is the girl with the sunshine smile. That's what they call her at the wedding fairs where she...

Award-winning author Eve Ainsworth returns with a stark, honest and deeply moving novella exploring the difficult subject of alcoholism. Violet's mum hasn't been herself for a while. A few too many glasses of wine in the evening. Mornings when she can't...

A baking nightmare makes for slapstick comedy gold in this hilarious Little Gem from a bestselling author and illustrator team. Albert’s dad needs help in the family bakery, but all his son can think about is sport. So he builds a machine like no other:...

Reluctant-reader favourite Tony Bradman returns with a gentle and sensitively told story of life as a young carer. Mum won't get out of bed. His best friend has dumped him. And school work is just too difficult. Jayden wants to do the right thing – but...

A heart-warming tale of empathy, affection and dealing with grief across generations, from award-winning author Nicola Davies. Grandpa Joe is butterfly bonkers. There's nothing he loves more than photographing the fluttering, colourful creatures in his...

A poignant and pertinent exploration of life below the poverty line from the critically acclaimed award-winning creator of My Name is Not Refugee. Mum works really hard, but today there is no money left and no food in the cupboards. Forced to visit the...

Roll up! Roll up! For the second exciting instalment in The Big-Top Mysteries series, packed with all the fun of the circus and an intriguing new mystery to be solved … Roll up! Roll up! A new season is about to begin at the Shortbread family's circus!...

Are Bobbie and her Gran risking too much to save the Eagles from poachers? Gill Lewis takes to the picturesque Scottish Highlands for a stunning new wildlife adventure. Bobbie is thrilled that a golden eagle has settled in the forest near her family's...

The Peachey family’s loyal dog steps up to save the day once more in the fourth instalment of this acclaimed, witty middle-grade series. Pa has just landed a new job, and it's put an unusual spring in his step. But a new job means a new house in a new...

Roll up! Roll up! The Shortbread Family Circus is in town! Introducing the first tale in The Big Top Mysteries, an exciting new series from Alexander McCall Smith and illustrator Sam Usher. Billy, Fern and Joe Shortbread are the stars of their...

A powerful and immensely moving story of friendship, family and happiness, from an award-winning author well-known for his gritty realism for teens. Aman's dad is gone, leaving her feeling lost and alone. She struggles to talk about it, but it's a fact...

A pleasingly absurd caper where kids outwit crooks, ghost are let out of the bag, and grandparents refuse to behave! From beloved and best-selling author Malorie Blackman. Grandma Gertie is rather strange. With her big square glasses and a parrot on her...

Mia and James are getting married! When a tight budget means no wedding cake, Mia’s sister Holly plans a surprise… When Holly's sister announces her engagement, wedding planning begins in earnest. But a tight budget means missing out on some wedding...

Four children are swept away from their foster home to a whole new world in this charming modern-day take on the Arabian Night stories. Mia, Juno, Kyle and Billy all long for a different life. They're stuck in a foster home and feel like they're in the...

A glorious sequel to Good Dog McTavish, this endearing story is brimming with Meg Rosoff’s stylish prose, quirky humour, astute eye for the details of canine-human dynamics, and the oddities of family life. It's summer and the Peachey family...

An important, tender and vital story about dealing with and overcoming worry, perfectly pitched for young readers. Amy May knows about webs of worries – so many people she meets are caught in them, from her own artist dad to newly arrived refugee Rima...

Grandparents take centre stage in this charming tale as a young boy and his grandfather let their imaginations take flight for an afternoon of space exploration, with beautiful artwork from Hannah Coulson. High quality cream paper and a special easy to...

A warm, charming and ever-so-slightly batty celebration of family love, inspiring teachers and the great characters who make all our lives more interesting. Shona likes most creatures in the world but for some reason she's terrified of bats, and so...

An honest and heart-warming tale of family, growing up and 'difference' from prize-winning author Sita Brahmachari, set over the course of one life-changing day. Tender-hearted and necessary, this gem of a teen novel is a rollercoaster ride for the heart...

Family drama set during World War II. When Jimmy and Molly lose their mother in an air-raid, their father has no choice but to leave them in the care of their Nan when he goes to fight. Will the children ever see him again? Particularly suitable for...

Uh oh – the nits are in town! Support severely struggling readers with this rollicking rhyming tale. A gang of nasty nits are in town and no matter how much the mummies go mad with mayonnaise and nit-combs, they think they're here to stay!Particularly...

A touching, timely and tender exploration of refuge and migration for the youngest readers, this picture book offers a moving insight into the real journeys being made by children today. A young boy discusses the journey he is about to make with...

The brilliant new heart-warming story from Luke Scriven, author and illustrator of The Little Fear. All Georgie wants to do is play with his big brother, who ALWAYS comes up with the best games and adventures! But recently, all Georgie hears is the same...

In the vein of I Am Enough and Hold Them Close, this inspiring and beautiful picture book celebrates how hair wrapping ties together past and present. When I wrap,my roots run deep.As deep as an African marketplaceor a city sidewalkor the stories...

The Wow! books are a series of modern first concept board books for today’s children! The books put little ones in the centre of the action with relatable experiences that will help foster inclusivity, empathy and discussion. Illustrated by Alberta...

A heart-warming aspirational picture book for new mums and babies from First Nations tennis champion Ash Barty, with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin, the bestselling team behind Little Ash My dream for you begins earlier than dawn,in the magical days...

A magical illustrated new young fiction series for children aged 7-9 from best-selling author and illustrator, Laura Ellen Anderson! Meet Marnie Midnight – a little moth with BIG dreams!Marnie Midnight is SO excited to be starting at Minibeast Academy...

A page-turning, action-packed adventure that is perfect for fans of the Jane Doe series. All fourteen-year-old Andromache Peters wants is a normal life. But normal is pretty near impossible when your parents were famous adventurers who saved the world...

Written from a place of deep understanding and love, this beautiful book explores and explains for young children what it means to be gender diverse. There are so many ways to be a girl, a boy, both - or neither. Created by writer Romy Ash and...

Little Book Baby wakes soon after dawn, beginning the day with a cuddly book-yawn. This little baby loves sharing books! Books on the tram with Dad, books at picnics with Nanna and Pa, and even bath-time books with Mummy. Morning, noon and night, books...

From the creator of the TikTok sensation Grey and Mama (@greyandmama, 7.5M followers) and author of Thank You, Mama comes a Vietnamese American family story about a boy who loves to eat adventurously, comfort food, family tradition, and a grandmother's...

A special new edition to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the much-loved Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris. Ruby Red Shoes and her grandmother are on holiday in Paris!Ruby is fizzing with excitement; her smart red shoes are aflutter as she explores cafes...

A fabulously funny take on a classic story from two giants of children’s books! Little Red Riding Hood – who is not-so-little anymore! – is riding her pony through the woods to visit Granny for a picnic and a surprise. Now that she is bigger, she feels...

A spellbinding and poignant new adventure from Susanna Bailey, the critically acclaimed author of Snow Foal.Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Hannah Gold ‘Haunting and lovely’ – Anthony McGowan“A truly inspirational story about finding the...

The classic Bible tale of Joseph and his multi-coloured coat, charmingly retold for the very young. When Joseph's father gives him a brightly decorated coat, his brothers are green with envy. But kindly Joseph forgives their jealousy, in this delightful...

Meet Sunshine Simpson - a brand-new best friend for 9+ readers! Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson.Sunshine Simpson's life has never been so busy! She feels like she's on a ROLLERCOASTER. At school everyone is talking about preparing for the big move...

A joyful exploration of family life, written by one of the most outstanding contemporary authors of our generation. This beautiful family story follows a young girl called Chino as she plays with her mama’s sleeping scarf through the day. Running with...

A heart-warming new story from Emma Chichester Clark celebrating 25 years of beloved characters Lily and Blue Kangaroo. Blue Kangaroo has gone everywhere with Lily for as long as they can both remember. So when Lily and her friends are planning their...

Meet Sunshine Simpson - a brand-new best friend for middle-grade readers, in this first book in a fresh and moving series that celebrates family, friendship, community and the Windrush legacy. Meet Sunshine Simpson - a brand-new best friend for 9+...

"A captivating story about shyness and strength, reassuring and empowering." Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken LegsNo matter how quiet it is, you've got a voice, Storm. You should use it to speak up for yourself.Storm has never liked to...

With the intensity of The Handmaid's Tale, the drama of Divergent and the political intrigue of The Darkest Minds series, this is a captivating, fast-paced thriller set in a dystopian world not so different from our own. Ally is on the run.The city is...

A Sunday Times Best Book for Children 2023A hilarious and heart-warming new adventure from Sara Pennypacker, the best-selling author of Pax, with illustrations by Caldecott Medal-winner Matthew Cordell Leeva Thornblossom loves to learn: her local...