Summer Picks for Children and Teens 2026
Blog · Posted June 26, 2026
Our favourite books this summer….
A Little Slice of Sky by Lydia Corry (0-4 yrs)
In a bustling, crowded and overwhelmingly grey city, Max sits by his window with a view of concrete and glass and only a slice of blue sky to wonder upon. Then he is given a magical gift by an iridescently beautiful blue bird who visits his window sill. A tiny dropped seed takes root in the drabness and Max’s life is transformed as the seed metamorphosises.
The illustrations are busy and detailed showing the vastness of a big city and through this delightful picture book the sullen grey pages become increasingly joyful and vibrant.
It is such a delight to read and explore the images in this heartwarming book which brings together themes of loneliness, hope and connection in a story of the transformative power of nature.
Broken by X. Fang (0-4 yrs)
Oh No! Mei Mei has accidentally broken her grandmother Ama’s cup! What to do?! Then Mimi, the cat, is blamed. Mei Mei is scared of what will happen if she admits to breaking the special cup and tries to hide the truth inside her and herself in a closet. However, Mei Mei’s guilty conscience is an unbearable turmoil.
Bold and direct illustrations heighten the tension and drama but with warmth and humour ; Mimi has perfected an “I-know-what-you-did” stare… But in this warm and perceptive picture book there is ultimately no need to worry as Mei Mei learns that patches, repairs and love can fix mistakes.
This fabulous cinematic book will reassure little ones that mistakes aren’t the end of the world.
The Underwater Moon by Sandra Dieckmann (0-4 yrs)
Mouse lives alone with only the moon as her companion, but the silent moon never responds leaving her feeling very lonely. It’s only when a moment of frustration leads to its disappearance that Mouse finds herself in danger. But is Mouse all alone like she thought?
A beautifully written and illustrated picture book about the strength that comes from working together.
Waffles & Julius: No Hugs Please by Ed Vere (0-4 yrs)
A dog that loves hugs and a rather unamused cat. Waffles is a bouncy dog that would like nothing more than a hug from grumpy Julius the cat. Impatiently he tries different ways to get a hug from Julius. A warm and funny book with lively illustrations, just like Waffles!
Bear Worries by Natalia Shaloshvili (0-4 yrs)
Bear’s pursuit of a cookie is fraught with peril as absolutely everyone is determined to stop him reaching that cookie shop. This might be EVEN better than Bear – and that’s saying something. But all the relentless chuckling really set off my asthma…thanks Natalia!
Now You Know Your ABC by Casper Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt (0-4 yrs)
There you are learning the alphabet when suddenly you end up in France pursued by a wolf! A hilariously unpredictable way to get from A to Z…makes me laugh every single time.
Salty Dog and Pals – The Storm and other stories by Helen Stephens and Katie Chappell (5-7 yrs)
Life is more interesting if everyone is different, and these three definitely are. Salty the dog is fun and kind, Kitty the cat is spontaneous and adventurous and Bernard the duck is cautious and caring. Pick up a copy and see where Salty Dog and his pals take you.
The Adventures of Portly the Otter by M.G Leonard (5-7 yrs)
MG Leonard takes the little known character of Portly from the original Wind in the Willows and discovers his story. She has worked a small miracle in the storytelling, bringing alive the spirit of the classic with a charming freshness that is a treat to read aloud.
The day has come when Portly must learn to swim – great excitement all around, until it becomes clear that he’s not a natural (unlike his siblings) and actually Mr Toad’s rather smart new boat looks quite the thing instead. And so we’re off, in the company of all the old faces, through the eyes of our delightful hero, Portly.
The story is beautifully complimented by Polly Dunbar’s illustrations – I can’t think of a better summer read for a young family, ideally, sitting on the riverbank with a delicious picnic.
Edith: The Girl Who Was 100 Years Old by Catharina Valckx (5-7 yrs)
Edith has two gifts – the ability to animate objects and a life of eternal childhood. But watching your friends grow up and eventually die isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. So with the help of a dog and a lemon, she sets off in search of a fairy who might have some answers. Wonderfully strange and strangely wonderful.
Epic Football Comics: McTominay by Seth Berkett (non-fiction)
The world seems to have gone football crazy, football mad! But rest assured that Mainstreet is here to meet the literary football gap. In fiction and nonfiction there is a book for every age to fill the hours between World Cup matches.
McTominay is one of nine Epic Football Comics packed with facts, tactics and stats of football heroes. And boy! There are so many details in this dynamically illustrated comic book. A life story is interspersed with information about other football stars, leagues, techniques, managers, clubs and history.
There is so much to learn! Scott McTominay, the Scottish National team’s Player of the Year three years running, is a focused, brave and talented player and youngsters will enjoy learning about him in this fun paperback. I’m picking up Bellingham next…
Behind the Scenes: Airports by Laurence Hardisty, illustrated by Maxim Usik (non-fiction)
If you and your children are just about to fly off on your summer holidays then this is the book for you! Millions of people fly around the world every year and this shows you how it’s possible. How do air traffic controllers communicate with pilots? Which side of the road do planes drive on? Airports answers these and many more questions for inquisitive little brains. Fantastically informative (I learnt alot!) with great vivid illustrations.
An Epic History of Failure by Natalie Younger, illustrated by Ella Kasperowicz (non-fiction)
It’s good to know that the many and varied paths to success almost always go through failure on the way. And what is failure anyway? Maybe it just depends how you look at it… Educational, hilarious and morale-boosting.
Pirates: Build Your Own Treasure Island! by Sara Foster, illustrated by Sally Agar (non-fiction)
Who doesn’t love pirates? Learn what it was like to roam the salty seas in search of treasure… and what it took to get marooned. For all those with the soul of a buccaneer, this is great fun and just seriously cool.
The Horse Dreamer by Holly Surplice (8-12 yrs)
A girl and a horse.
Gorgeous illustrations on every page.
A tail of finding companionship when you really need it.
Simply a modern classic!
Circling the Stars by Laura Sheldon (8-12 yrs)
This is an empathetic exploration of coping with change and loss and finding hope.
Life is changing for Ani and, as she deals with the absences resulting from her parent’s divorce, her own life opens up as an unlikely relationship develops. Written in free verse that flows through the pages like a river there is an undefined rhythm to the words and gentle the unfolding story which pulled me along.
I can imagine reluctant readers enjoying the format and finding they are quickly turning pages, following Ani’s voice and being caught up in the unfolding friendship.
Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell (8-12 yrs)
Follow Christopher and Anya in this fantastical adventure story back into the Archipelago, the secret island where mythical creatures live . These two tenacious children are on a rescue mission, but they will not succeed alone. Dragons, sphinx and large crow-like birds, the Gaganas, help them on their journey. This beautiful novel tells the tale of greed, revenge and justice.
Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (8-12 yrs)
How much Matt Goodfellow says with so few words. After the death of his mum, Alfie now has six long weeks of summer ahead of him. Avoiding his friends and his dreaded stepdad, he instead follows where his bike takes him. But sooner or later, Alfie has to face up to his promises and allow himself to heal. Moving and beautiful, this one is truly special.
The Night I Borrowed Time by Iqbal Hussain (8-12yrs)
With six older brothers, sometimes Zubair just wants some peace and quiet. So when his grandma tells him about a family ability to travel back in time…he has no end of ideas of how to use it. But beyond the laugh-out-loud humour is a heart-warming tale of family, friendship and history. It shows us how our past shapes our present and why that’s so important to hold on to. A time-travelling adventure with a lot of warmth and wisdom.
And Now We Run by Nicola Penfold (8-12yrs)
Jelly is dreading the school trip – a whole week away from home and with her former best friend, stuck in the countryside. Lincoln is excited to be back in the hills where he spent so much time with his beloved brothers.
Things look up for Jelly when a sick bug keeps her nemesis away and the possibility of new friendships emerge, the great outdoors could even be fun… That is until the weather takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Through a misunderstanding Jelly and Lincoln are left behind at camp when the school group is evacuated, the water is coming and they must run to survive.
This is a cracking adventure packed with big heart, new friendships, bravery and some heart-stopping moments. Highly recommend for fans of Katherine Rundell and Michael Morpurgo.
Entangled by Emma Rea (8-12yrs)
Join Thomas in Venice this summer as he seeks to uncover the criminals who kidnapped his sister. He accompanied Tia on the trip that she won for her art but Thomas is more scientifically-minded, so he’s excited to learn about Leonardo da Vinci. Can he overcome his anxieties and race across the city in time to save his beloved sister?
Just know that whatever you do, don’t trust the adults!
The Lion’s Run by Sara Pennypacker (8-12yrs)
A gripping historical novel that doesn’t shy away from the threats imposed by Nazi occupation. Here there is also the timeless struggles of a boy growing up, making friends and trying to find his place in the world around him. A story of courage, resistance and love.
A Million Tiny Missiles All at Once by Lucas Maxwell (teen)
Elias decides to enter his school’s talent competition as a stand-up comedian. If he wins the pizza night prize, surely it will bring his family back together… But as Elias tries to bring his big brother Bo back from the brink of disaster, he somehow manages to push him further away. Maxwell shows us the world through the eyes of a neurodivergent 14 year old. At times this is heartbreaking, but also brings with it endearing hilarity. Those around Elias are also brought to vivid life – there was such a strong sense of community that I felt like I knew this chilly part of Nova Scotia myself.This is a slim title with a huge amount of heart. More than anything, it’s optimistic and feels wonderfully special. Not one to be missed.
Runaway Road by Sue Divin (teen)
Ezra has made a mistake. He’s fallen in with the wrong crowd and now they might have killed someone. Running away is something he’s done before so it comes naturally to him in this time of crisis. What he didn’t count on was being joined by those who love him. This stunning novel is a soaring ode to second chances. It’s about finding your family within the care system against all the odds. It celebrates difference on an unforgettable journey. Perfect for fans of Glasgow Boys.
Tom Burne has Left the Chat by Seán Farrelly (teen)
Jamie stumbles upon something unthinkable: a neat pile of clothes on the cliff edge left behind by Tom Burne, who has just taken his own life. Placed on top is his phone which Jamie takes, though he isn’t quite sure why.
He finds himself compelled to find out what happened to Tom through his online presence. But the closer he gets to knowing the real Tom Burne, the closer he gets to losing himself. This stunning debut explores what grief looks like in the age of social media and how people perceive us by what we leave behind.
In Case I Go Missing by R.N. Swann (teen)
Always the leader of their group, when Sarah goes missing it’s up to Fenny and Sam to find out what happened. With the help of some clues left by their friend, what they uncover is a town conspiracy and someone who will stop at nothing to cover their tracks…
Addictive and twisty, pick this up if you need a fast-paced summer thriller.
The Eternal Return of Clara Hart by Louise Finch (teen)
A powerful, honest and extremely readable dive into the pressures of being a teenager, especially a boy, in a time of toxic masculinity and normalised sexual abuse. It can be difficult to call out your friends who behave badly, but in this time loop novel, Spence has the chance ( many chances, over and over again!) to find his voice, do the right thing and be true to himself.
An important read for teens about friendships and relationships which isn’t preachy but hits home hard. A must read.
Fearless by Lauren Roberts (teen)
Fearless is the third book in the Powerless trilogy and follows the female and male protagonists, Paedyn Grey and Kai Azer from alternating points of view. The book is set in the Kingdom of Ilya where Elites hold abilities gifted to them by the plague – ordinaries without such luck are banished. Paedyn must prove her worth as an ordinary. Kai, the most powerful elite, must decide whether Paedyn is worth the risks he is forbidden to take.
The third in the Powerless trilogy pulls together aspects from the first two books and leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew. Fearless is a beautifully written romantasy novel that is hard to put down!