Learning to read is a vital skill – not all children will become book-lovers, but the aim of reading education is for all children to be able to access written information, whether that’s a novel, a recipe, a sign on the motorway, a letter, or a text message.
For each age group below, there is a carefully-curated selection of books – traditional and modern, fiction, non-fiction and poetry – to cater for most tastes!
0-3 years (baby and toddler)
3-5 years
5-8 years
9-12 years
12+ (teenage and young adult)
For children who struggle with reading, just moving down an age bracket is not sufficient; their understanding and contextual needs are often still age-related, and reading ‘baby’ books is damaging for their self-image, confidence and willingness to read. I have included a range of books for older children who find reading challenging below. Similarly, with a child who is a prodigious reader, moving up a bracket can mean the texts cover content which is not age-appropriate. There’s a section for them, too!
Struggling readers
Advanced readers
Teacher Recommended 