Choosing a book for your child Welcome to the Parents' Pages of www.HarperCollinsChildrensBooks.co.uk. Through these pages, it is our aim to help you, parents and other carers, with the selection of the right books for your children. The bond of book sharing There is no doubt that some of the most intimate moments between adult and child are spent during the sharing of a book. From the earliest times in a child's life books can play a part and, as the baby grows through childhood to become a young adult, the books you share with them will become common bonds that can never be broken; a link that will survive all the ups and downs of growing up to last for a lifetime. Selecting the right book for your child What are you looking for? Maybe you are looking for a book to read aloud to your child or perhaps for something for a child to read alone. Don't be too strict about ages. Some new readers will like books which were read aloud to them when they were younger – especially favourite stories. Less experienced readers may be able to tackle a more difficult text if the subject or genre is what they enjoy. Make choices according to what your child will want to hear or read rather than by age. Below you will see a list of our selections. Find the section which best suits your needs but also look back and beyond the age range to give yourself a wide choice of books for your child. Books for your baby Books to share and enjoy with babies and toddlers from birth to four years There are few things more comforting than cuddling up with your baby sharing a book. It doesn't matter how soon you start reading to them. It has been recognised for years that babies need books and the sooner they see books as a part of their every day lives the more likely they are to take to reading later on. As they become toddlers they reach a stage when children love to hear familiar stories read over and over again so make sure you select books that you can also enjoy 'hundreds' of times. This is perfect time to introduce some 'classics' for younger children and to discover some recent favourites. All books – not just stories – will offer enjoyment, comfort and learning experiences to your child. So look for stories, songs, nursery rhymes, caption books, books you can 'read' in the bath, books you can chew, books you can play with – in fact, any book that takes your fancy. Michael Rosen - Oww! Perfect bedtime reading , with animal sounds. Peter Curry - Transport board books For any little child mad about cars, trucks, planes etc. Henrietta Branford - Six Chicks A counting story with a farmyard background; ideal for bedtime - or any other time of day. Colin McNaughton - S.W.A.L.K. A book that stars Preston Pig, a great favourite and a good friend to all beginning readers. Richard Scarry - Cars and Trucks and Things That Go A book to introduce the concept of non-fiction. Lots of information to look at and talk about. (Back to top) Books for your young child Books to share and enjoy with children from five to seven years while they are learning to read and books for them to read by themselves All parents are keen for their children to become confident readers. While children are learning to read there can be an anxiety that reading at home may interfere with school experiences. However, one of the most supportive things any parent can do is share books regularly with their children – especially by reading aloud. Even when children have begun to read for themselves, it is still important that they listen to you read. Reading stories aloud to your child continues to be a most rewarding and highly valuable activity. It is important that children who are just becoming readers return to old favourites that give them confidence as well as pleasure. They may now be able to tackle the books that you used to read to them when they were younger. Don't forget that reading practice that comes home from school can be complemented with any books your child can tackle with confidence.  Reading should never be allowed to become a chore. Make sure reading together retains the intimacy and delight experienced before they started school. Jez Alborough - Captain Duck The antics of Duck and his friends provide humour, suspense and delight for adult and child alike. Nick Butterworth - After the Storm This is just one book in a wonderful series of stories about Percy the park keeper and his animal friends. Judith Kerr - Mog the Forgetful Cat The delightful stories of Mog the cat have been favourites with young children for years. The last in the series, Goodbye Mog, is an uplifting way to encounter the loss of a much loved pet – but don't read it before you know all the other lovely stories. Another book by Judith Kerr which is an absolute must for all young children is The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Emma Chichester Clark - I Love You, Blue Kangaroo The beautifully illustrated story about Lily and her favourite toy, Blue Kangaroo, will appeal to any all. Nick Butterworth - Q Pootle 5 Science fiction for the under sevens; Q Pootle 5 will delight both adults and children. Brian Patterson - Zigby Hunts for Treasure This series is perfect for very young boys and girls with its bright colours and simple text. Dr Seuss - Fox in Socks The Dr Seuss books have attracted young readers for years and will continue to do so. Michael Bond - A Bear called Paddington The duffle-coated bear has captivated children for years. Even if children are able to read this book alone, remember it is great to share the experience by reading it aloud. (Back to top) Books for young readers Books for children from seven to eleven years including books for you to read aloud Once children can read for themselves they need a constant supply of books that support their new found skills. At the point at which young readers are able to read an entire book for themselves they need plenty of encouragement. Books for newly independent readers need to: be well-written and enjoyable to read be well within the ability of the reader have unthreatening amounts of print on a page have an unrestricted but easily accessible vocabulary have lively, engaging illustrations Continue to read aloud to your child. The sharing of a great story inspires newly independent readers to tackle more challenging books. Annie Dalton - Lilac Peabody and Sam Sparks This feisty fairy helps kids to help themselves and every story has a positive moral - perfect for children beginning to read longer stories. Ian Whybrow - Little Wolf’s Book of Badness This book introduces you the delightful and rebellious character , Little Wolf. Jack Prelutsky - A Pizza the Size of the Sun Thoughtful and funny poetry for kids by the US number one children’s poet. Ros Asquith - Trixie Tempest’s ABZ of Life Trixie is passionate about horses, music, vegetarianism and football. She has definite ‘girl power’ appeal to any reader who is pre-teen going on twenty! Maeve Friel - Witch-in-Training: Flying Lessons A series about Jessica the Witch with a fun, humourous text that will appeal to little girls. Lynne Reid Banks - The Indian in the Cupboard An intriguing novel either for the confident young reader or to read aloud to your child. C. S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia The classic stories still have a charm of their own which should be enjoyed during childhood. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a perfect read aloud as well as a riveting read for the confident young reader. (Back to top) Books for young teen readers Many youngsters go through a 'reading is boring' phase in the early years of adolescence and, for parents, children's growing up can feel more like them growing away. It is sometimes hard for caring adults to accept that the books that appeal to young teenagers seem more to do with recent fads and fashions than a journey towards becoming readers of good literature. No need to worry. The books on this list combine popular appeal with quality writing. Michael Morpurgo - Cool! A football story with a difference Diana Wynne Jones - The Merlin Conspiracy A powerful narrative of alternative worlds and magical intrigue by the author of the popular Chrestomanci novels. Annie Dalton - Angels Unlimited: Making Waves This is the seventh book in a best-selling series starring Mel Beeby, the trouble shooting angel. Darren Shan - Cirque du Freak The beginning of the chilling saga of Darren Shan, the vampire prince. Not for the faint hearted! Wendy Cooling (ed) - Centuries of Stories A marvellous selection of stories by outstanding authors which celebrates the Millennium with variety and style. Nicky Singer - Feather Boy Set in an all too brutal reality, this tale has a mystical feel about it which makes you wonder whether Robert really will fly. (Back to top) Books for older teen readers and adults These days some wonderful books are written with readers of fifteen and over in mind. Some are so good that readers of any age will appreciate their quality. These are sometimes referred to as 'crossover' books i.e. books which bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood. Choose these for yourself as well as any young adults in the family. Michael Morpurgo - Private Peaceful A searing account of a young soldier's life during the First World War. Well worth reading whatever age you are. Margaret Mahy - The Changeover Suspense and romance in this classic tale of the supernatural by an outstanding story teller. Judith Kerr - Out of the Hitler Time The moving chronicles of a family’s escape from Nazi Germany and consequent life in England, are based on Kerr own experiences. Sam Hutton - Special Agents: Final Shot Thrilling story in a series involving three teenagers fighting crime on the streets of London. This one will especially appeal to sports fans. Garth Nix - Sabriel The first book in a fantasy trilogy, this is a spellbinding story that has excitement, drama and humour. It’s fast-paced with vivid descriptions and will leave you anticipating the next one! (Back to top) Books for reluctant readers What is a reluctant reader? Usually just a young reader who hasn't found their particular preference in books. Reluctance is not disability*. Many youngsters are perfectly capable of reading but, for variety of reasons, they don't choose to do so. Children can become reluctant readers if they have found that the books they are offered doen't appeal to their personal interests. They just haven't had a broad enough experience of what is available.  Offer them variety – non-fiction, media and film spin-offs, picture books, 'list' books, graphic novels – and encourage browsing through catalogues and websites. * It is important to be aware if your child's reluctance to read is actually associated with experiencing difficulties when learning to read. If your child has difficulty reading, seek help from school and try to identify any problems. School may also offer advice about books and your local library may have collections of books with high maturity of content but less challenging literacy levels. Colin and Jacqui Hawkins - Aliens Joke Book Joke books can engage the most reluctant reader and this one, along with others for Pirates and Vampires, is full of hilarious, groan-worthy jokes. Jez Alborough - Guess what Happened at School Today A great collection of 'alternative' poems about life at school. Will appeal to the most subversive scholar from seven to thirteen. Margaret Mahy - The Gargling Gorilla Three stories in one book. Not so daunting for the less confident reader than one long read. Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore - The Lost Diary of Eric Bloodaxe, Viking Warrior All the ‘lost diaries’ are amusingly written but historically accurate accounts of key moments in history. Fiona MacDonald - Ancient Egyptians Links with TV and film makes this beautifully illustrated non-fiction book attractive to young readers who prefer facts to fiction. Andy Serkis - Gollum A must for any Lord of the Rings film fan. Groovy Chick - Bang of the Door Any savvy pre-teen will enjoy the variety of titles about this popular licensed character. (Back to top) Books to help at special times It is often far easier to talk about sensitive subjects through the medium of a book. A book can raise issues, provide empathy and allow for a gentle exploration of potentially painful situations. The following books can be shared across a wide age range so look for one if you feel some support will help your child cope with a difficult time. Judith Kerr - Goodbye Mog Losing a treasured pet can be heartbreaking. This final story in the series of books about Mog the cat provides comfort and optimism for anyone experiencing bereavement. Tony Ross - I Don’t Want to go to Hospital Going to the hospital can be scary for little ones. Nobody likes to go there, including the Little Princess. This book takes a humourous but reassuring look at what to expect. (Back to top)