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Top 5 books for children under eight, chosen by author Truly Johnston

Five books to keep curious young readers busy

Truly Johnston, author and winner of the Bath Children’s Novel Award 2022, picks her favourite books for children under eight to get lost in during the summer holidays.

Mission Microraptor by Philip Kavvadias

Two boys on an action-packed mission to save a rare, newly hatched microraptor. This funny adventure will make you want a pet dinosaur. 

Grimwood by Nadia Shireen 

A bonkers forest world with a vivid cast of characters, lively drawings, a charismatic lead fox and a raving raven. There are four in the series now so something children can get well into. 

The Thames and Tide Club: The Secret City by Katya Balen 

As a Londoner who grew up in an estate near the river, this book speaks to me. I can fully believe the Thames foreshore holds treasure related to a secret underwater world (with a wildly furious porpoise princess!) A lighter read with fun characters. 

Read more:

Cloud Soup by Kate Wakeling

Poetry is a great way for children and younger readers to explore language. This brilliant collection by Wakeling plays with words and imagery on subjects from cake to Chagall and has a range of fun, thoughtful and inventive poems in different styles. 

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The Shell Keepers by Truly Johnston

(OK, yes, it’s mine – but it’s a goody!) With themes of heritage, environmental protection and a whole parallel world of tiny people living in shells, this family seaside adventure is a great summer read for children to escape into. 

The Shell Keepers by Truly Johnston is out now (Chicken House, £7.99).These titles are available to buy from the Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support the Big Issue and independent bookshops.

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