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Our reviewers and their children this month are: Abbie C – Lowen, 6 Helen E – Rowan, 7 and Maisy, 3 Nicola M – Gwen, 10 Filiz T – Oya, 7.
Meet the Mubbles Liz Pichon, £9.99 Macmillan
Although this isn’t a book I’d naturally be drawn to, Lowen grabbed it from the pile straight away and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, he read it several times, and I’m sure it will be revisited again and again. He loved the characters (particularly the oddball), the colourful illustrations, and the songs. His dad and I felt the same—it was clearly a really fun book, but we were hoping for a stronger story to go with the engaging pictures. Abbie
Unicorns in Uniform Tracy Curran, £7.99 Uclan Publishing
“Although Mum wouldn’t buy this, I love it and really enjoyed it.” – Lowen
Lowen read this one independently and really enjoyed it—particularly the characters and vehicles (even the witches and wizards). This book would suit any child who enjoys stories about rescues and adventure. We especially liked the section at the back about what’s inside a real fire engine and the quiz, which we did together. Abbie
Mythical Tales Laura Sampson, illustrated by Lilla Bölecz, £16.99 Templar Books
This was the book that I was drawn to straight away—the cover and overall feel are beautiful, and I know it’s one we will treasure. Lowen really enjoyed it, sitting curled up until he had finished the whole thing! It’s a great mix of stories from all over the world, including some darker ones (which so often appeal to small boys!). I especially loved the introductions to each story and the author’s note about the importance of myths. This would also make a truly beautiful gift. Abbie
University of Cambridge: Nature Heroes Lily Dyu & Jackie Lay, £12.99 Nosy Crow
This informative book tells the stories of 20 amazing people working to save nature all over the world. Gwen has already read it twice, cover to cover, and as a result has done some further independent research on some of the inspirational people featured—Jane Goodall and Sylvia Earle, to name just a few.
The book has an eye-catching, colourful cover, and Gwen particularly likes the funky style of the black-and-white illustrations and photographs. It carries a brilliant and uplifting message for young people: it only takes one person to stand up for their beliefs and inspire others to join them, and when we work together, we can make a difference.
This is a timely book that I know will be read again and again, sparking discussion and further study. It would also make a great gift for a child aged 9–12 who is passionate about nature. Nicola
Whole Whale Karen Yin, Illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff, £14.99 Barefoot Books
This bright, funny book packed with animals was a hit with both my children. It begins with an almost empty page featuring a single spider, then gradually fills with cheerful cartoon animals as you turn the pages. The rhyming text lists each new arrival and playfully asks if the book can also fit a whole blue whale: “A croc, a hawk, a shark, a snail … But can we fit a WHOLE BLUE WHALE?” The answer is yes—after a little squeezing, the final fold-out reveals the giant mammal surrounded by a menagerie of partying friends.My children loved spotting the antics: a monkey hanging from an elephant’s trunk, a bear playing a trumpet, a sheep sliding down a rainbow. One to enjoy when you need to shift the mood with something light hearted. Helen
Where the Dead Live Sam Fern, illustrated by Rômolo D’Hipólito, £14.99 Templar Books
This beautifully illustrated book explores how the dead are celebrated and remembered, from ancient times to modern traditions, folklore, and mythology. It opens with a striking world map showing the origins of each festival, which Gwen loved referring back to.
The book is divided into three sections: soulful celebrations such as Samhain, All Souls’ Day, and Día de los Muertos; crypts, tombs, and catacombs from Paris to Rome; and ancestral afterlives like the Greek underworld and Norse mythology.
Although the subject could feel heavy, the tone is light-hearted and engaging. Gwen (age 10) enjoyed most of it, though some parts felt “a little eerie and scary.” We found it a fantastic book to read and discuss together, best suited to ages 9–10+. Nicola
YOU Decide YOUR Adventure: Join Bear Grylls on the Ultimate Expedition Bear Grylls £14.99 DK
"If you go camping, it would be very useful." – Oya
Go on an adventure through mountains, grasslands, cliffs, forests, and water rapids with this guidebook. It’s ideal for children who love the outdoors, scout trips, camping, and expeditions. The author, Bear Grylls, the UK’s former Chief Scout, shares practical tips on climbing, building shelters, mountain biking, and asking for help. I especially liked that children can influence the outcome of the story by making decisions at the end of each chapter. The interactive book is also packed with fascinating nature facts. Reading age: 7+ Filiz
Nature's Journeys: by sea and sky Lela Nargi, illustrated by Xuan Le, £12.99 Templar Books
This is an absolute gem of a book. We knew we’d love it from the moment we opened the first page — it’s brilliantly written, and the illustrations are rich and beautiful. We both found it completely fascinating. Lowen was reeling off fact after fact from this book for days after first picking it up, and I know it’s one he will return to again and again. It would make a truly special gift for any child interested in the natural world — perfect for parents to read with younger children, as well as for kids who are already reading independently — and it has pride of place on our nature bookshelf at home. 5/5 stars Abbie
Mycelia £27.99 Ravensburger
The aim of this strategic game is to move your dew drops off your board and into the Shrine of Life, a lovely 3D cardboard centrepiece. This is done by playing your deck of mushroom cards. Since receiving it, we’ve played the game several times and enjoyed it as a family — myself, my husband, our 21-year-old, and our 10-year-old. This well-designed game has plenty of elements, with a mix of luck and strategy to keep everyone happy. Gwen, age 10, particularly loved the charming artwork and quirky anecdotes on each mushroom card. The shiny dew drops also added to the magical feel. Setup takes a little time initially, but a bonus is that the 3D board fits back inside the box fully assembled, ready for next time. The game is aimed at ages 9+, which feels accurate. Gwen found the rules straightforward, and I think a slightly younger player could join in if teamed with an adult. The game can even be played solo — a big bonus, though we haven’t tested that mode yet. We would definitely recommend this, especially for nature-loving families who enjoy board games with a little bit of magic. Nicola
Where Did They Go? Emily Bornoff, £8.99 Big Picture Press
This is a really lovely book. I really liked the overall theme and messaging - it was a really clever way of highlighting the issue of extinction. We did find it a very speedy read (as the creatures are easy to find compared to some similar books in the genre) and sadly, once you know where the creatures are, there's not as much information to then draw you back into the book again - I feel like there was a trick missed there. I would definitely buy it for a slightly younger child as a gift. Abbie
The Wild Robot on the Island Peter Brown, £12.99 Piccadilly Press
Although we are spending less time reading picture books now in favour of longer form stories, this book caught both of our eyes straight away - the cover and the illustrations are gorgeous. We haven't seen the film or come across the other wild robot books as yet so this was a great introduction. We pored over the pages, picking out all the lovely detail in the pictures. We both loved the story too - I defy any parent not to feel touched when Roz's baby gosling flies the nest. I felt quite teary at the pictures of her waiting for him to come back! We are already planning on exploring some of the others in the series. It would make a lovely gift for those who are starting to read independently. Abbie
Dadbot Jack Noel, £8.99 Piccadilly Press
"The best book in the world, because it has action, adventure, thunderbolts, and robots." – Oya
This was by far Oya's favourite book among all the books sent to us, because she's a fan of children's comics. I liked the book's message, emphasising the value of spending quality time with your children. I read one chapter with her, it's really funny. I also loved the illustrations so much, they are cartoon-style, much softer and pleasing to the eye than some other children's comics, which are much darker in style. I definitely recommend this book to other children who are comics fans! I believe that comics can also grow a love of reading. Reading age: 6+ Filiz
Little Seed Hector Dexet, £16.99 Post Wave Publishing
My first impression on picking up this delightful book was that it was absolutely beautiful — and it did not disappoint. Little Seed tells the story of a sunflower seed: dropping to the ground in autumn, lying through the seasons, then growing into a huge sunflower the following summer.
My two-year-old adored exploring the vibrant pages, happily shouting “seed!” as I read the story. The book is filled with big fold-out pages revealing different creatures and nature scenes, alongside tiny flaps hiding bees, bugs, and flowers. It’s an ideal introduction to the life cycle of a seed, perfectly capturing the beauty and wonder of this process as the little seed grows into a tall, radiant sunflower.
The text is simple and short, told in the seed’s own voice: “I unfold my tender green leaves. I am turning into something new.” But it’s the vibrancy and interactivity of the illustrations that truly bring the story to life for young readers.
With its colourful artwork, lift-the-flap surprises, and peek-through pages, this book is utterly captivating for toddlers. I’ll be recommending it to friends, as it makes a wonderful gift for children aged one to four. Helen
