Welcome to our monthly book recommendations post for August! We’re making our way into cooler weather now, but we still did a lot of reading over the last summery month. So check out what books we enjoyed during August below!
Fiction
Pawprint Productions: Stop! Gangster Koala! – Jenny Moore and Berta Maluenda (pub. New Frontier Publishing)
Archie Snuggletum has landed his dream acting job at Pawprint Productions playing a pie-throwing gangsta. But when cute Archie bangs his head, he becomes Hoodlum PIE-Claw, his mean character from the show! It’s down to his mice co-stars, Meek and Squeak, to bring Archie to his senses.
It’s the first in a new series for young readers full of slapstick humour, and we look forward to Pawprint Productions’ next show!
Beastie Bros 2: Dungeons and Dragonflies – David O’Connell (pub. Scholastic)
There’s all kinds of events going on at the Bugtown Festival, including a tour of the anthill and a chance to see the ant queen’s jewels. Dribble and Dash join the trip underground, but they don’t expect to find themselves caught up in a theft, lost in the never-ending tunnels, and pursued by monster dragonflies…all while trying to solve a mystery and find a way out!
Full of mischief and brilliant comic-style illustrations, this is a rollocking great read that definitely lives up to the first book. We love this series’ wacky humour – as well as the unexpected ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ chapter in the middle of the story!
Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime – Jennifer Claessen (pub. UCLan Publishing)
A mysterious time-slip adventure set in Crete, during an era of Greek myths and strange Labyrinths.
Netta is unimpressed when her history-obsessed younger brother Remy gets to choose the family’s summer holiday to Crete, and even less so when she sees their villa. But straight away she finds herself slipping into strange vivid dreams of Crete thousands of years ago.
As time ticks by and Netta finds she’s being drawn even more into the life and fears of King Minos’ palace, she and Remy need to figure out what’s drawing her back into the past before she becomes trapped there.
Brilliantly capturing ancient and present Crete, and with likable characters full of spirit, this reimagining of the original myth is a thrilling read. We’re hoping to see more of Netta’s travels in the future – or rather, the past!
Undercover Angel: Crash Landing – Lisa J Allen (pub. Tiny Tree Books)
Meet Phoebe Speedwell (not her real name), trainee angel on her first mission on Earth.
Back at Angel HQ her destiny is ‘Disease Angel’, battling diseases in humans. She’s pretty certain that if she can ace her first assignment though, she’ll be able to swap destinies to something more to her liking…Love Angel perhaps? All she has to do is vanquish the demon, once she’s found them that is. Easy? Well, maybe not.
Trying to protect her identity, find demons and deal with someone who wants to be her friend, all while people are disappearing, tests Phoebe’s nerves and patience to breaking point in this hilarious modern day fantasy. And there’s more missions to come for this undercover angel!
Non-fiction
The History of We – Nikkolas Smith (pub. Rock The Boat)
A stunningly-illustrated book tracking the history of humankind from its origins in Africa to the global populations we are today.
Written as flowing prose rather than a simple book of facts, it is hard to explain just how captivating the paintings that accompany this poetic tale of humanity are. Each one has an explanation at the back of the book, describing how the image relates to our history and giving further context.
Journeying across land and sea, watching the changes – ever creative, ever exploring, ever striving – this is the story of us all. One that we all share and that, in its form here, we encourage you to share with others.
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! – Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker (pub. b small Publishing)
Another title in the brilliant science series ‘Nature Investigator’, this one takes children into the extraordinary world of bugs.
This book is full of intriguing bug facts, with descriptions of some lesser-known minibeasts, together with how they live, eat, and reproduce. It even covers some of the more annoying or creepy bugs, and why we need them in the world too!
With bold, clear illustrations that reflect the bounty of colour and variety found in the natural world, this is ideal for home and school to teach kids about the importance of even the smallest wildlife.
Dig! Uncover the Secrets of the Past With Archaeology – Ruth Hatfield and Sophia Watts (pub. Wide Eyed Editions)
Get to know what archaeology is and how archaeologists find out about the past in this fascinating and detailed book.
Here children will be able to see fantastic finds from different periods of history all across the world, how the finds were made, and the technology that helps bring that history to life.
Written by a real archaeologist, and with accurate depictions of various cultures, it gives a sneak peek into some history you might not yet know. It also has a useful section on how young readers can get involved and perhaps even join a dig themselves!
The Atlas of Languages: Words Around the World – Rachel Lancashire and Jenny Zemanek (pub. Macmillan Children’s Books)
There is just so much we don’t know about the 7,100 plus languages used around the world, but this book is here to help.
It covers some of the 250(!) language family trees, across six continents, each with its own section. These sections start with a map showing where the numerous languages are spoken, leading on to the charmingly-illustrated family trees and highlighting some of the languages on their many branches. It also has a section on sign languages, as well as language stats and facts.
Ideal for any budding explorer, or those just curious about how and where our languages developed.
Graphics
Unfairies – Huw Aaron (pub. Puffin Books)
Prepare to learn what fairies are really like – and it’s not pretty, nice, or magical! In fact, they’re mean. Really mean. At least the fairy tribes in the garden are, brawling and causing havoc and mayhem wherever they go.
Join Pip, a Root Store fairy with the attention span of a gnat, as he gets involved in sinister plots, dirty deeds and sly doings. And maybe even an ancient prophecy!
A fantastic new full-colour graphic series with a ridiculous sense of humour, perfect for Bunny vs Monkey fans and anyone who likes their comics full of potty humour!
The Rema Chronicles: Kingdom of Water – Amy Kim (pub. Scholastic)
Following on from book 1, Realm of the Blue Mist, Rema’s portals are all closed to Tabby. She’s determined to find another way home however, and to understand how things link to the history of Rema and the lost prince.
The Flood Festivals are well underway, and Tabby is overjoyed when Keeper Philip asks her to be his prayer partner. Only the Festival doesn’t go as planned. With threats gathering, who can Tabby trust?
This fast-paced, thrilling fantasy, with a touch of romance takes us back to the amazing world of Rema, but you will need to read the previous book first. With such gorgeous art, and a compelling, otherworldly story, that won’t be a chore though! Ideal for yrs 6-8.
Picture books
How To Train Your Teacher – Bethany Walker and Sophie Kent (pub. Scholastic)
Even teachers get nervous sometimes!
Meet Miss Piper’s class, and see how they help her through the first day of school; from remembering her numbers while doing maths, to making funny sounds for phonics, and even practising difficult situations.
Showing how much fun school can be, this is a bright and colourful picture book that is great for sharing and for settling young readers’ nerves about their first day!
This That What – Katy Ashworth and Colleen Larmour (pub. Puffin Books)
A wonderful book for helping children appreciate diversity in their classmates.
Kiki has a “hullaballoo” brain that is always on the go, whizzing and darting about, full of ideas and thoughts. At school she finds it hard to sit still and focus, until her teacher comes up with a way to direct her energy that wows her class.
With bold, messy illustrations that are ideal for conveying Kiki’s feelings, it’s a fantastic addition to help children understand those around them in class and at home.
Super Goat Girl – Tracey Baptiste and Dapo Adeola (pub. Puffin Books)
Super Goat Girl isn’t like the other children in supa-class, as her new classmates are quick to point out – after all what super powers has she got? It’s only when supa-class and their teacher, Miss Damsel, are under threat that they see what Super Goat Girl can really do, and how when they work together they make a ‘supa’ team!
A heart-warming tale about being yourself, trusting in your abilities, and the strength that comes from working with others.
No Swimming – Ross Collins (pub. Macmillan Children’s Books)
Rabbit is eager to go swimming and his new friend is equally eager to get him into the water.
Determined not to be put off by the murky depths, warnings from others, and the absence of fish, Rabbit’s ready to take his runup. But is it safe? Maybe he should ask a few questions first…
A hilarious, cautionary tale about the importance of paying attention to signs, heeding warnings, and not trusting strangers – even ones that seem friendly!
Troll Trotters – Paulette Dowle and Tim Brunt (pub. Tiny Tree Books)
The Trolls are in trouble! Not only is their rock house by the bridge crumbling away, but Ranger Ron has had enough of their antics and said that the Trolls are no longer welcome there. Can they find a new home that will suit them?
A funny, rhyming story full of wonderful and yucky descriptive words – we loved the onomatopoeia of “They’re rotten, rank and rancid, unkempt, unwashed, unclean”! Matched with suitably grotty, imaginative illustrations, this is good icky fun for young story lovers!
That’s it for August’s recommendations – join us on Threads/Instagram, Bluesky, or Twitter/X, and let us know what you’ve been reading!
If any of the books have grabbed your attention, then you can pick up a copy of them via our recommendations list below.
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If you’re looking for more book round-ups, check out our previous reviews here.
