As I was growing up reading was one of my favourite things to do. I remember reading so many exciting books, like the babysitters club, Goosebumps, Enid Blyton’s collections and of course Roald Dahls too. My parents would let me stay up for an extra half an hour each night to read and I remember not wanting to stop so a few nights, so I would hide my torch under my pillow and continue to read until I fell to sleep. I still read now at night, I try to read a few pages every night until I fall to sleep but now prefer to read my kindle- It’s easier to get comfy and warm with the kindle resting next to my bed. The task of choosing a few books to recommend has caused me a challenge but here are my recommendations below.

Lucy and Tom go to school by Shirley Hughes (4-6 years)

I remember feeling very nervous about starting school. My mum brought a picture book to help to show me that there is nothing to be worried about. It is about a brother and sister, Lucy is ready for school with her new satchel and uniform, but Tom is too young and is envious, he wants a new satchel and new shoes too. A lovely picture book about the brother and sister starting school.

Funnybones by Allan and Janet Ahlberg (5-7 years)

Janet and Allan Ahlberg were to the 80s what Julia Donaldson is to this decade. When I was small my parents fed me a diet of them and I loved pretty much everything they did. I remember first hearing this story one Sunday evening wrapped up in a blanket in front of the fire; I was hooked and read it over and over again.

Please Mrs Butler Poetry book (7-9 years)

When I was in Year 4 my Teacher at the time was Mrs Butler. She introduced this book to us and every day she would read a poem- and tell us why she liked it. She had convinced the class that the stories were based on events that had really happened to her and would make up more parts to the poems to create stories. It was wonderful. The poems are very funny and I remember many to this day. Some of my favourites in this collection- Of course Please Mrs Butler, Dog in the playground and more recently I have grown to like the poem Scissors (probably because I can relate to it so much now)

The Borrowers by Mary Norton (9-11 years)

The Borrowers are tiny people who live in the secret places of old houses - behind the mantle-piece, inside the harpsichord, under the kitchen clock. This book is mysterious and exciting and even a little sad- but I won’t spoil it for you. I think my parents regret letting me borrow this book from the library- it gave me a great excuse when things went missing or were moved. ‘’It must have been the borrowers.’’

One for grown-ups!!

One Child by Torey Hayden

This one is a tear jerker. Torey Hayden is a special educational needs teacher and she writes books based on real life events. These books are not for everyone. There are parts of the story that will make you angry, some parts that will make you cry with sadness but you will also cry tears of happiness. This is Torey Hayden’s first book and only took her 8 days to write. There is a sequel to this story and I highly recommend all her books. The children in her books stay with you; Torey Hayden has a website that updates you on the lives of children in her books.