We have loved reading this summer and we have found some real gems! Here are a list of our favourites!
Our Favourite Chapter Book
The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farock A thrilling adventure book jam-packed with peril, poachers and an endangered leopard! I read this to my two boys and we finished it in 2 days because we were all hooked. Although this is recommended for older children (from 9 years up) we read the book together and I was able to address the more sensitive topics. The boys loved it and we continued to read more of Farock’s books.
Jamie Johnson Skills From Brazil by Dan Freeman
If your child is a football fan, this is the book to read! My boys are currently football obsessed and loved the book. It is a captivating and entertaining novel that kept us on the edge of our seats.It tells the story of an aspiring young footballer named Jamie Johnson who has the opportunity to play in the football capital of the world, Brazil. A fantastic book that any football fan will enjoy!
The Secret of Spiggy Holes by Enid Blyton
One of our favourite authors of all time, Enid Blyton, never disappoints. We loved reading The Secret of Spiggy Holes! Mike, Peggy, Nora and Jack are having a fabulous summer at the Cornish seaside. While out exploring the Spiggy Holes caves, they discover a secret passage leading to the Old House on the cliff. The Old House leads to adventure and mystery. This book was hard to put down. Another great read!
Our Favourite Picture Book
The Rhythm of the Rain by Grahame Baker-Smith
It’s been a wet summer this year and this book has been a perfect companion to learn more about the water cycle in a fun and magical way. From the tiniest raindrop to deepest ocean, this book celebrates the water cycle beautifully and captures the remarkable movement of water across the earth in all its majesty.
Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson
This is always a popular story for summer! It is a charming underwater tale of friendship and fun. Perfect for reading alongside any beach themed activities!
The Truth About My Unbelieveable Summer by Benjamin Chaud
The children have absolutely loved this book and it inspired them to let their imaginations run free! We used this book at the end of Micro-School last term and after sharing the story we were filled with a variety of wonderful stories! This book is full of mischief and fun. What a wonderful adventure we all went on!
Our Favourite Non-Fiction Book
Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds by DK
This is a great encyclopaedia of the plant kingdom. We refer back to this book regularly and there is always something new. The boys particularly love referring back to the encyclopaedia to find out about new, tropical fruits they would like to try! Since we purchased this book, we have made many trips to Whole Foods to find out more about fruits such as star fruit, dragon fruit and (my personal favourite) mangosteen! Make sure you have a magnifying glass with this one!
Forest School Adventure by Dan Westall and Naomi Walmsley
What a wonderful, practical handbook to have during the summer holidays or anytime you are planning an outdoor adventure! It is full of fantastic ideas for play, craft, and learning about the natural world around them. The activities are great for all ages and children will have hours of fun with this book!
British Butterflies by Victoria Munson
This year we have been fascinated by butterflies. We loved looking after caterpillars and observing them transform into a beautiful butterflies. It was emotional saying goodbye and there were many highs and lows but what a great experience for us all. Since looking after butterflies we have loved finding out more about different species. This book has been a great reference.
I hope our summer favourites have given you some great book ideas. Please do share any book recommendations with us too. We would love to hear from you!