Today is World Book Day! The annual worldwide celebration of books and reading created by UNESCO in 1995. Celebrated in more than 100 countries, World Book Day's mission is to change lives through a love of books and reading. Specifically focusing on encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure. SPCK fully believes in the power of reading to transform lives and strives to create books that children will love to read and engage with.
The theme for World Book Day this year is Read Your Way. Explaining this year's theme, the charity said: "World Book Day 2024 will celebrate that children are more likely to enjoy reading when their choices are championed, and we make reading fun."
With over half of children (56% percent) now saying they don't enjoy reading - the lowest level since 2005 - and one in seven UK primary schools reportedly not having a library or a library space, it's more important than ever to support children in learning how to love reading.
We've compiled below some of our bestselling children's books that we're sure children will enjoy!
Bestselling author, Tom Wright invites you to read and hear afresh 140 of the greatest stories of the Bible and discover how they join together to tell the greatest story of all time!
My Big Story Bible takes the adventure of reading a children’s Bible to a new level. As you'd expect from Tom Wright, the narrative bursts with lively storytelling and a deep love for the original scriptures, while the vibrant illustrations on every page will delight young readers and help them to imaginatively understand the key events of the Bible.
A multi-million selling children’s Bible told in 365 great stories of the Old and New Testaments
One of Lion Hudson's most successful international best-sellers, The Children's Bible in 365 Stories tells the Bible narrative in detail and depth.
Popular children's author Mary Batchelor retells old favourites as well as significant lesser-known stories from the Old and New Testaments. It includes sections that most children's Bibles do not have space for: poetry, wisdom literature, prophets and the New Testament letters. The result is a very readable and very thorough children's Bible - with an episode for every day of the year. Evocative illustrations by John Haysom reflect the mood and content of each story.
The multi-million selling children's Bible for home and school in a super-readable edition for every child.
Engaging children worldwide, this multi-million selling children's Bible is now available in a super-readable edition to help every child unlock the enjoyment of reading Bible stories.
Attractively presented, this rich storytelling starts with the creation, through the story of the people of Israel and the life of Jesus, to Paul's shipwreck and arrival in Rome. Accompanied by appealing and colourful illustrations, these timeless stories can be enjoyed by all children reading alone or with the help of an adult.
A picture Bible to get involved in the retelling of Bible stories with children.
"Wherever I go, I meet many children (and adults), who love getting involved in the telling of stories. Active participation is at the heart of this Act-Along Bible!"
Professional storyteller, performer and award-winning children's author Bob Hartman has made interaction central to the retelling of these 29 Bible stories.The interactive narrative will keep children fully involved in the storytelling, while having plenty of fun, humour, and creativity to help become familiar and recall special Bible moments.
Katie Piper OBE invites young readers aged 3-5 to join Teeny Mouse as she goes on a big adventure and discovers that all you need to be brave is right there inside of you.
A fun and engaging picture book exploring some of the extraordinary women found in the Bible.
Journey with Teeny Mouse as she discovers that All You Need to try out new things is a little bit of courage and faith in yourself and in others.
A perfect read to share with young children fearful about trying new things.
All You Need is an uplifting and empowering picture book for children written by bestselling author and TV presenter Katie Piper OBE. Delightful and atmospheric pictures bring to life Teeny Mouse's adventure, enabling readers to step into the journey with her.
A themed storybook about children's emotions to encourage young children to overcome jealousy and anger, bring joy, find peace, and learn to persevere through imitative behaviour.
Explore how to manage strong feelings and emotions with young children. Children can struggle to understand and express their emotions and feelings. See! Let's Be Me! contains five different stories, helps them to relate to the children's experiences in the book and then see how best to deal with these feelings. They will also know that whatever they are experiencing and going through, they are loved and valued.
Gemma Hunt's See! Let's Be series encourages young children to understand how to act and behave in everyday situations through observing good examples by adults and inspired by Bible stories.
A bestselling classic retelling of a traditional tale linking to key events in Jesus' life, perfect for sharing with children during Easter, Christmas, and as a family.
Featuring beautiful illustrations from Tim Jonke, The Tale of Three Trees is a bestselling classic children's book inspired by a traditional folktale that tells the story of Jesus's life from a new and unusual point of view. That of three trees, who discuss what they want to become when they grow up. When they are felled, it seems as if all their dreams are over. But their wishes come true in a way they never expected, each tree is destined to play an important part in key events of Jesus's life.
A fun and engaging picture book exploring some of the extraordinary women found in the Bible.
The Bible is filled with so many incredible women, and it's time we were introduced to them!
Meet Deborah, the only female judge of Israel; Lydia, successful businesswoman and early Christian; Prisca, skilled tentmaker and determined missionary; and Rahab, quick-thinking, fearless protector of her family.
This is only a few of the extraordinary women you can find in the Bible, so let's go and meet even more and learn how to be as amazing as them!
'The Little White Horse was my favourite childhood book. I absolutely adored it. It had a cracking plot. It was scary and romantic in parts and had a feisty heroine.' - JK Rowling
A beautifully written fantasy story filled with magic, a Moon Princess, and a mysterious white horse. Little White Horse and the delightful heroine, Maria Merryweather, are sure to be loved by all children.
Following in the great tradition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Wind in the Willows, Terry Waite's Tales of Tommy Twitchnose introduces a new children's character that both children and adults will treasure for years to come.
Meet Tommy Twitchnose, who lives with his wife and two children in a cosy little house under the floorboards in a converted barnhouse. Tommy and his family have a happy life, foraging for scraps of food and doing up their home with bits and pieces dropped by the humans who live above them.
'Julia Golding’s Jane Austen Investigates offers a gripping detective story with an abundance of Easter eggs for Austen fans... This is a delightful riff on the wit and irony of Austen’s works; of her wonderful juvenilia, especially.' -David Taylor, Associate Professor, Faculty of English, University of Oxford
Jane Austen turns detective in this spooky historical adventure by award-winning author Julia Golding!
The first book in the heart-warming and hilarious Antigone Kingsley series - a perfect coming-of-age companion for girls aged 10 plus going through the highs and lows of growing up.
'Antigone Kingsley by author Marina Magdalena, is the first book in this coming-of-age series that makes the perfect companion for tweens and teenage girls going through the highs and lows of growing up. Filled with positive role models, healthy self-exploration, fruitful relationships, vulnerability and good humour, you'll love journeying with Tig as she faces the social pressures, spiralling emotions, burning desires and grand disappointments of teenage life!
A collection of 12 folk tales from all over the world about courageous girls.
These twelve folk tales from all over the world have been specially selected as they feature strong, adventurous heroines. Some are funny, some make you think, and some – like the story of Fearless Mary – keep you on the edge of your seat with scares and surprises.
Meet Louisa Freya, the brave dragon slayer, funny and clever Sigrun, and honest and humble Scarface as well as other heroines from Serbia, Norway, China, Japan, South Africa, and Indonesia. Amy Scott Robinson's distinctive voice, expertise and experience as a performance storyteller makes this a unique and fascinating collection, aimed at readers aged 7-9 years.
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mysterious white horse. Little White Horse and the delightful heroine, Maria
Merryweather, are sure to be loved by all children.