Nine of the best children’s books for summer 2023
Recommended reads for the school summer holidays
- 1. One Chance Dance
- 2. Anchored
- 3. Can You Get Rainbows in Space?
- 4. The Adventures of Billy Shaman: The Rage of the Sea Witch
- 5. The House with a Dragon in It
- 6. Prehistoric Beasts
- 7. Stolen History: The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
- 8. Stateless
- 9. The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder
1. One Chance Dance
by Efua Traoré
An exhilarating tale about children working together to help each other on the streets of Lagos. Ages 8-12.
Chicken House, 336pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. Anchored
by Debra Tidball and Arielle Li
This comforting picture book about a big ship and a little tugboat focuses on the themes of separation and reunion, and how we carry thoughts of our loved ones with us wherever we go. Ages 0-5.
EK Books, 32pp, £10.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
3. Can You Get Rainbows in Space?
by Dr Sheila Kanani, illustrated by Liz Kay
A stylish book covering a dazzling array of topics from astronomy to zoology, and answering questions such as why some animals glow in the dark. Ages 7-9.
Puffin, 128pp, £14.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
4. The Adventures of Billy Shaman: The Rage of the Sea Witch
by Roland Chambers
The first in the series, this is the story of Billy, who is transported to the frozen north 2,000 years ago. It is narrated by a giant tortoise and has quirky illustrations. Ages 5-8.
Zephyr, 176pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
5. The House with a Dragon in It
by Nick Lake, illustrated by Emily Gravett
Foster child Summer is having lunch one day when a sinkhole appears in the sitting room, leading to a host of adventures. This is a magical wish-fulfilment novel with lovely illustrations. Ages 8-12.
Simon & Schuster, 240pp, £12.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
6. Prehistoric Beasts
by Dr Dean Lomax, illustrated by Mike Love
A pop-up book focusing on less-familiar prehistoric creatures. Each double-page spread features a regular animal alongside its ancient ancestor. Ages 3+.
Templar, 16pp, £16.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
7. Stolen History: The Truth About the British Empire and How It Shaped Us
by Sathnam Sanghera, illustrated by Jen Khatun
Filled with references to popular culture, this is an engaging guide to the empire, covering everything from the history of HP Sauce to the source of the word “zombie”. Ages 9+.
Puffin, 208pp, £8.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
8. Stateless
by Elizabeth Wein
This cleverly constructed murder mystery from the author of “Code Name Verity” is narrated by 17-year-old Stella, the only female pilot in an air race in 1937. Ages 12+.
Bloomsbury, 400pp, £8.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
9. The Case of the Lighthouse Intruder
by Kereen Getten, illustrated by Leah Jacobs-Gordon
The first story in the Di Island Crew Investigates series features a gang of easily distracted child detectives looking into a mysterious shadow on an island off Jamaica. Ages 5-8.
Pushkin, 224pp, £7.99; theweekbookshop.co.uk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump starts term with spate of executive orders
Speed Read The president is rolling back many of Joe Biden's climate and immigration policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pardons or commutes all charged Jan. 6 rioters
Speed Read The new president pardoned roughly 1,500 criminal defendants charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - January 21, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - early days, exhaustive executive orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A family tour of Rajasthan by train
The Week Recommends The 'cacophonous, kaleidoscopic' cities of India are fascinating to explore
By The Week UK Published
-
The best new cars for 2025
The Week Recommends From family SUVs to luxury all-electrics these are the most hotly anticipated vehicles
By The Week UK Published
-
Babygirl: Nicole Kidman stars in 'riveting' erotic thriller
The Week Recommends 'The sex and the silliness' is quite fun, but it's 'ploddingly predictable stuff'
By The Week UK Published
-
Smoked haddock soufflé recipe
The Week Recommends Velvety soft soufflé has a delicate and enticing flavour
By The Week UK Published
-
Forbidden Territories: an 'ambitious and ingenious' exhibition
The Week Recommends 'Extravaganza' of a show features an array of works celebrating 100 years of surrealist landscapes
By The Week UK Published
-
Jonathan Sumption shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The medieval historian recommends works by Edward Gibbon, Johan Huizinga and others
By The Week UK Published
-
A Real Pain: Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg star in 'uproariously funny' drama
The Week Recommends The film, dubbed an heir of Woody Allen, follows Jewish American cousins who travel to Poland in memory of their late grandmother
By The Week UK Published
-
Titaníque: 'outrageous' Céline Dion parody is a lot of fun
The Week Recommends 'Frothy' musical spoof of the blockbuster film with 'sparkling' performances
By The Week UK Published