Picture Books That Will Captivate Young Children Aged 5-10 yrs

 1. 'The Dream Keeper' by Anna Walker

"As a child lies awake frightened in the dark, a determined turtle embarks on a journey to reach her, bringing a dream." As an opening line this is brilliant! I can't wait to read this to some young children. 

Anna Walker uses just 77 words to tell her story! But of course, her images also tell the story in ways that beautifully combine words and pictures. The pictures have a 'furriness' to them that makes you want to touch the page, and the soft pastel colors add an ambience that is just right for the story.

The little girl wonders in her bed "What if there lives a Dream Keeper". Now here's an opening line that stops me short to look closely at the two page spread. What is she imagining? I search the pages for clues. Later she plays with her toys on the floor and ponders and imagines a turtle walking on its two back legs with a lantern on a stick, and he is also holding a bottle with sparking lights. Could these be fire flies?  

 

He jumps into a boat and rows off shore. But oh no! A storm approaches, and a huge whale like creature emerges from the darkness!! The little girl wakes!? There is a knock at the door. Now she seems to be part of it all and then. You'll have to get the book to find out more!   

  

This is a remarkable book that children as young as 3 years old will find captivating. In fact much older children aged up to 6 years will want to revisit it again and again!

Another classic from Walker Books!

 2. 'Feathers of Farwood' by Jayne McIntyre

Jayne McIntyre holds a Bachelor of Journalism and works as a marketing manager on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. She was named Professional Business Woman of the Year finalist in the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Awards. She is also a member of the Queensland Writers Centre, and recently completed a Writing Residency at Varuna. Tamlyn Teow provides a wonderful cover for a book that wonderful!

This is a book that children 8-12 will love.

Eva loves their quirky house and she also likes Farwood, but she is an outsider and has no friends, until she meets a new boy called Harvey. 

Like Her, Harvey also has secrets, and he becomes her staunchest ally and partner in a mission to find the mysterious and long-hidden book that will reveal answers. Not only to help the girl and her family, but all those who are in the grip of the 'Gripps'. This is a memorable book! Some of its key embedded themes are friendship, resilience and persistence even when the victim of racism.  

3. Two Wonderful Children's Books by Alisa Tikhova 

Alisa Tikhova is a Ukrainian children's author, who has written a number of wonderful children's books. The books are in her Prince Universe series. They are hard to find but if you look online you will come across this very talented author. 

The books are highly engaging fairy tales that explore kindness, forgiveness, and emotional growth through the adventures of a young Prince who befriends a misunderstood Monster and a comforting Shadow. I'll review two of her books in this post while I try to hunt down some of her other books.

"The Prince and the Shadow" is a captivating children's fairy tale that delicately explores themes of loneliness, emotional safety, and personal growth. Set in a luminous castle, a young Prince encounters a warm and comforting shadow, guiding him through the complexities of his emotions. This beautifully illustrated picture book fosters emotional awareness, self-acceptance, and the courage to grow, offering solace during lonely moments. It is perfect for sensitive children, and will serve as a meaningful tool for parents seeking to engage in conversations with their children about feelings and inner strength. It is a tender tale of companionship, resilience, and the inner light we all possess. 

4. The Prince and the Shadow by Alisa Tikhova 

Once again, children aged 4-7 will love this book, irrespective of what part of the world they come from. It is a gentle children’s fairy tale for ages 4–7 about loneliness, emotional safety, and growing up.

In a quiet castle full of light, a young Prince discovers something unexpected — a Shadow. Not scary. Not dark. But warm. This is a tender fairy tale about companionship, resilience, and the light we carry inside.

The Prince and the Shadow is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand difficult feelings and find comfort within themselves.

The story gently teaches young readers and listeners many things, Including how to gain: 

• emotional awareness
• self-acceptance & courage to grow, and
• comfort during lonely moments

It is perfect for: 

• bedtime reading
• sensitive children
• parents looking for meaningful emotional learning books
• conversations about feelings and inner strength.

 

Four Children's Books That Children Aged 5-12 Will Love!

 1. 'Imagine' by Alison Lester

This is a special 35th Anniversary Edition of this timeless picture book for readers aged. Alison Lester is one of the great writer illustrators of our time. The readers are invited to join in an imaginary journey into wondrous world of land and sea, ice and snow, quite bush, African plains, and even prehistoric swamps. 

Children aged two to nine years of age will never tire of exploring and reading this wonderful new edition.

2. 'One Day' written by Shirley Marr & illustrated by Michael Speechley

 This delightful picture book encourages the reader to look at the world differently. Shirley Marr is a well known multi award winning writer. Michael Speechley's wonderful illustrations help to bring the book and story to life. Children aged 3 to 7 years will enjoy read this book over and over.

3. 'The Terrakeet' by Jo Van Der Borgh & illustrated by Jo Beasley

"In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of the Pincer Sea. live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be. They 'lomf' and fish and fish and eat and gope that they will never meet THE FRIMBULITIC TERRAKEET!"

Children will want to hear this story again and again. After all, it combines legend, adventure bravery and unexpected friendship. 

4. ''The Secret Lives Of Dragons' by Prof Zoya Agnis & illustrated by Alexander Utkin 

Now this is a picture book for older readers. While it IS a picture book, it is at a language level that will stretch primary aged readers. It is suitable for children aged 11-12 it takes us into the realm and secret lives of dragons! These dragons live "deep in the cold mountains of a distant land". Here was a kingdom seemingly lost in time. This fictional guide to dragons will engage the reader instantly. 

The illustrations of Alexander Utkin are stunningly colourful and evocative. Children will ponder and talk about the images to one another, and I suspect read the book together. This book will be one of the most borrowed book in any classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

6 New Picture Books to Bring Joy & Laughter

1. 'Merry Christmas, Little Wombat!' Written & Illustrated by Charles Fuge

This book is a wonderful take on an Aussie Christmas. A group of animal friends decide to have their own special Christmas at the beach. The fun starts with a lucky dip for all the goodies in Mrs Roo's pouch! Joey the baby Kangaroo went first and pulled a wooden whistle from mother's pouch. Echidna was next, but Mrs Kangaroo suggested perhaps Little Wombat should dip into the pouch - out came a shaker!

Soon everyone had an instrument and the party on the beach began. The band marched and sang "Oh Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree" and even Platypus, and Rainbow Lorikeet joined in. Mother wombat came with goodies to eat and Echidna was decorated to act as the Christmas tree, with a Starfish on top!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE" they all cheered!  

2. 'Mr Santa', Written & Illustrated by Jarvis

When a little girl wakes up one Christmas Eve, she is very surprised to see Mr Santa delivering gifts! As you would, she gives him a cup of tea, she makes sure he has wiped his shoes, and gives him a tour of house. It's a great chance to ask him questions. Lots of questions!

Can Santa eat clouds? Does he stop at traffic lights? Is his belly button an innie or outie? Does he like cats or dogs? Can reindeer talk? 

And the little girl just knew her brother was on Santa's list as a 'naughty boy'! Finally, Santa takes her to visit his house!

With his signature warmth and visual humour, Jarvis channels the excitement and joy of every child who has dreamed of meeting the love able guy who personifies the most magical night of the year. The little girl had just one question later, "was it real"?

Such a lovely book. Children aged 3-6 will love it!

3. 'Socks: A Kid's Christmas Lament' by J.D. McPherson & illustrated by Anika Orrock

JD McPherson is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Her illustrator Anika Orrock is a writer and cartoonist from Nashville, Tennessee. This alone should tweak your interest! I'm sure many a child (and adult) has opened their presents to find the good old 'standby' gift of SOCKS!! Handy for the Dad or Granddad, who are hard to choose gifts for, but a little kid?!?!

In this book, the author "pays hilarious homage to a stereotypical bad gift―and its disappointed recipients―in a deftly extended picture-book version of his song."

One very disappointed little boy searches everywhere for his presents while Mum & Dad are still in bed. But no! Not socks again?!# He rummages through the laundry, but even there he finds just dirty sock. If only he'd peeked inside the dryer.

"Brought to energetic life in droll, retro artwork by Anika Orrock. Anika illustrated the album cover and liner, Socks will prove a perfect fit for anyone who has ever gotten stressed over holiday gift-giving―and everyone, big or small, who’s come to appreciate the love wrapped up in even the humblest present. Includes a QR code to the Socks song".

This is a very funny book that is beautifully illustrated by Anika Orrock, who makes a special contribution to the work with her hillarious illustrations.

4. 'Don't  Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh' Written & Illustrated by Mo Willems

Mo Willems is well known to readers of children's books. He is a #1 best selling New York Times bestselling, and winner of many awards as an author and illustrator.

We often feel as if there are no more new and novel Christmas stories to tell, but no! When Santa ducks off to wrap some presents, and says to Pigeon "can you watch things for me?" Pigeon sees an opportunity and thinks, "can I drive the sleigh!?!" In fact, he ponders, "it would be a Christmas MIRACLE!" Now what could go wrong? He's sure he can do Santa stuff! He could drive the sleigh. But "where's the clutch? Or the steer-y thing? Or the honky thing? What even makes it go?"

But when he notices a horrible smell and comes face-to-face with a big reindeer, he rushes home to take on a more modest task. He will deliver some wonderful Christmas eggs!

This would be a wonderful book to read to children aged 3-6. The three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems' delivers his ninth Pigeon book, and as usual, it will be well loved by many children.

5. 'The Welcome Cookies' Written by Kaye Baillie & illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan

Everyone loves a cafe. They might look a little different in Australia to cafes in France, England or the USA, but we love the fact that this special community 'hub' is there for us.

A visit each Friday was thing that meant normal, special, something always there. So, when she went on holidays for four weeks, it meant missing out on "four whole visits to the cafe". What to do? She decided to paint a surprise picture for Mrs Plum. But when she arrives home and skips to the cafe to give it to Mrs Plum, Mabel finds the café under renovation by someone new.

As the weeks go by she continues to miss her favourite cafe and Miss Plum’s smiles. Some weeks later, the café reopens, again and Mabel reluctantly visits it with her mother. Will this new place provide Mabel with the same joy she felt in the old place? And will she accept its differences?

In 'The Welcome Cookies', Mabel witnesses what she perceives to be the destruction of a place she loved. But the story shows how even though we can mourn the loss of a place and miss seeing people, if we open ourselves to new things, they can offer new beginnings and a chance for new friendships. The story also shows how a child has the power to make someone feel special and welcome.

What a special picture book! You won't be able to read it to your children without a smile on your face. And your children will want to return to it again and again. Simply fabulous!

With sensitive illustrations giving life to Mabel’s emotional responses, the book will have young and old alike wanting to visit their local café to taste the welcome cookies.