Posted on: 01/07/2025
It’s that time of year again where many schools the world over are finishing for the academic year, if they haven’t already done so. Adventures await, but these needn’t be expensive or even literal. A book is easily transported by a reader and can also be transportive for a reader: transformative, even, with the new worlds one can experience and the new connections that can be formed through reading. So, at Literacy Tree—as we always do at this time of year—we’ve curated a selection of books, each team member recommending one that will hopefully bring joy, inspiration and even comfort to children. Behold the beauty of the book!
The Lost Book of Undersea Adventure written by Unknown Adventurer and illustrated by Teddy Keen
(Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 5th June 2025)
‘Take a deep breath, you are about to enter dangerous waters…’
The Lost Book of Undersea Adventure is quite simply breathtaking. Beginning with copies of newspaper clippings and a washed-up bottle containing a letter and a mysterious journal, the Unknown Adventurer is introduced and we become embroiled in their explorations.
Following on from the previous release of The Lost Book of Adventure, the undersea edition acts as a prequel, with the journal believed to be from the same Unknown Adventurer on their earliest escapades as a young adult just setting out on their travels around the world. Deliberately designed to be kept anonymous for that heightened sense of mystery, explorer, illustrator and creator Teddy Keen has based the concept of The Unknown Adventurer series on his real-life experiences with people and places across the globe.
A combination of rich story-telling, factual information and how-to guides, this book is visually enthralling—from maps to letters, photographs to travel tickets, newspaper clippings to stunning sketches and diagrams, every page is a delight to pore over. Presented in the form of an artistic scrapbook complete with sketches, pencil shavings, smudged handwriting and sticky tape, the journal tracks 53 days of adventures across and beneath the sea and you could easily spend just as many days diving into every detail on each rich, mesmerising page.
An essential for any fan of The Unknown Adventurer series, this book would also be perfect for any aspiring explorer looking for an ocean adventure who also wants to build their knowledge of exactly how to ensure a successful expedition.
Once Upon a Journey written and illustrated by Nick Butterworth
(Harper Collins Children’s Books, 24th April 2025)
Having grown up with Percy and his friends, I was incredibly excited when I heard Nick Butterworth was treating us to a new instalment. In Once Upon a Journey, Percy salvages a car in severe need of TLC: no brakes, no windscreen, and most importantly—no engine. His solution? A set of sails! In the up-cycled motor, Percy and co. travel to Wildwood Heath...
Butterworth’s illustrations are wonderfully nostalgic. Expect comforting maximalism, intricate natural landscapes and a yellow car with primary-coloured sails. Each page brims with personality, but the picnic scene has to be my favourite. The more you look, the more you see: Fox rifling through the basket, Badger catching a frisbee and two mice investigating a tiny door. Despite the energetic cast of characters, the story has a sense of calm at its centre, opening and closing with rhythmic, rhyming verses. And when Percy’s car rolls into a pond (spoiler alert!), he does not panic. Where I might fret and flounder in the fading light, Percy pragmatically notes that nothing can be done until morning. He beds down, enjoys a magical glow worm light show, and trusts that all will be well.
Last summer, my friend’s car broke down as soon as we reached our campsite. I began to spiral: we were stranded, the holiday was ruined, and everything was awful! An hour later, our tent was up, the car was jump started and we were on the way to a mechanic—all was well with the world! It just so happens that in Percy’s story, everything works out okay too: his antlered friend Randolph rescues the car and the group head on home… until the wind pulls them in a different direction. Where might they end up next? ‘When the wind takes over, it’s anyone’s guess!’ Time to trust the process once more! The perfect story to lull any overthinker to sleep after a long summer’s day.
A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ voices share their life passions written by Simon James Green and illustrated by Ruth Burrows
(Harry N. Abrams, 6th May 2025)
For my summer bibliotherapy choice, I’m choosing A Year of Pride and Joy by Simon James Green and illustrated by Ruth Burrows. It’s not just a brilliant collection to dip into each week, but a reminder of the joy, resilience, and creativity that lives at the heart of LGBTQ+ lives.
Featuring 52 unique queer voices, each offering a passion, a pastime, or a story, it’s a celebration that simultaneously feels both powerful and gentle. There’s something so wonderfully affirming about reading real stories from queer people simply doing what they love, be it baking, swimming, painting, or marching. It’s refreshing to read stories that are not just about struggle or hardship (though those definitely aren’t erased), but that focus on the beauty of self-expression and everyday joy. Its central message is that you are enough, exactly as you are.
Ruth Burrows’s illustrations are full of warmth and energy, and the format—short, engaging entries alongside practical activities—makes it perfect for reading in bursts throughout the summer, but I can already see how it could be used in class too during LGBTQIA+ History or Pride Month. In a world that can sometimes feel uncertain, A Year of Pride and Joy offers a reassuring, colourful constant: queer joy is everywhere, and it’s something to celebrate.
Alice with a Why written by Anna James and illustrated by Matthew Land
(Harper Collins Children’s Books, 5th June 2025)
Dragonborn Written by Struan Murray
(Puffin, 1st May 2025)
Dragonborn is the first instalment of a new fantasy series written by Struan Murray, and it’s filled with mystery and magic. The story centres around a young girl, Alex, whose discovery of dragon magic within takes her on an unexpected journey where she discovers friendship, magic, and, ultimately, herself.
The shock of breathing flames and entering a world where she must train alongside other dragonborn children is well framed. The world-building aspect of this book is ideal for readers of fantasy series, as they can quickly step into the imaginatively written realm accessed through secret doorways, bridges and portals. It’s easy to vividly picture the scenes in the narrative due to the brilliant descriptions. The concept explores themes of family, loss, adventure, loyalty and self-discovery. Murray’s character development is subtle yet thorough; you’ll fall in love with the many characters and become quickly invested in what happens to them. The characters are kind, witty and there is a strong female lead.
I particularly enjoyed the fun idea that dragons are hoarders of precious items, which really hold value and meaning – perhaps all hoarders are dragons at heart? As the adventure unfolds, there is a sense of danger and tension when we are introduced to the powerful Drak Midna, and there is a time sensitive nature to the threat our main characters face. The addition of chapters written by the Professor is a wonderful touch!
There are twists and turns that keep you guessing – it’s a book that I simultaneously couldn’t put down but wanted to savour slowly. I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a sense of adventure and magic this summer. A middle-grade text that children and adults alike are sure to adore. Dive into the world of Dragonborn!
The First Year written by Matt Goodfellow and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
(Otter Barry Books, 10th April 2025)
Following the powerful verse novel The Final Year, Matt Goodfellow returns with The First Year—a poignant, lyrical sequel that continues the story of Nate, now navigating the unfamiliar and often overwhelming world of secondary school.
Where The Final Year captured the heartbreak and hope of Year 6, The First Year explores the emotional terrain of Year 7 with raw honesty and poetic brilliance. Goodfellow’s poetic voice remains as compelling as ever. His writing captures the inner world of a boy on the cusp of adolescence with rhythm, clarity, and emotional depth. Each poem is carefully crafted—some playful, others gut-wrenching—and together they build a narrative that feels both intimate and universal.
The book offers a perfect blend of accessibility and sophistication, making it ideal for UKS2 pupils, especially those approaching the transition to secondary school. In The First Year, we see Nate wrestle with shifting friendships, identity, and grief, all while trying to find his place in a much bigger pond. Goodfellow doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, but he presents it in a way that is both age-appropriate and deeply moving. For many children, this will be a mirror; for others, a window. Teachers and parents will appreciate the opportunities this novel provides for discussion—on loss, resilience, growing up, and the importance of being seen and heard. It’s a book that lends itself to classroom reading, guided reflection, and creative response.
Matt Goodfellow continues to prove that verse novels can pack a powerful emotional punch. The First Year is a gift for young readers at a pivotal point in their lives, and a valuable tool for the adults helping them through it. A must-have for every Year 6 classroom and home library. Don’t miss this one.
Donut Squad Take Over the World! by Neill Cameron
(DFB Phoenix, 8th May 2025)
If you are after a wild, laugh-out-loud comic adventure this summer, I would recommend giving Donut Squad Take Over the World! a read. From the very first page, this zany comic book launches into non-stop action and absurdity. Readers are introduced to the unforgettable members of the Donut Squad—Sprinkles, the enthusiastic leader (who absolutely does not want to conquer the world!), Justice Donut, the potty-mouthed Caramel Jack, the ever-worrying Anxiety Donut and, of course, Spronky—the most unpredictable of the bunch. Each donut gets their moment in the spotlight and the recurring jokes and unique personalities of each lead to many laugh-out-loud moments for the reader as they twig about where things might be headed next.
The book also features spoof-style adverts encouraging readers to buy ever more ridiculous Donut Squad merchandise and it all builds to a riotous final showdown against their bland but determined foes: the Bagel Battalion. Perfect for children across Key Stage 2 who enjoy comics, graphic novels and fast-paced, cheeky fun, this book is bursting with colour, chaos, and creativity. Neill Cameron cleverly breaks the fourth wall too (yes, a donut escapes the comic panels!) and even includes himself as a character in the story. It is bold, self-aware and is utterly full of sugary mayhem and madness!
Don’t Trust Fish Written by Neil Sharpson and Illustrated by Dan Santat
(Andersen Press Ltd, 3rd April 2025)
This debut picture book by Neil Sharpson will have you smiling the whole way through. With comical illustrations by Caldecott winner Dan Santat, where he has cleverly used typography and considered layout of text and image to create impact, it will not fail to impress. Without realising it, you will find yourself hooked, reading and looking at it, over and over again.
This witty book will have you fooled at the start, as it starts like any conventional non-fiction book providing you with facts about animal groups. However, you are suddenly stopped in your tracks when we get to fish. Sharpson begins listing the many reasons as to why they cannot be trusted, drawing us in to comedic questioning such as: what do fish do all day in the ocean? Are they plotting our doom? Why do they wear disguises? Why do boats sink in the ocean and not on land? This brilliant juxtaposition of fiction and non-fiction transports us to fantastical thinking that children can do so often and do so well.
Sharpson deliberately includes some more accurate facts about fish to keep children educated and in the know of course! As we head into summer, this book can be enjoyed by all ages including parents. A great story to share altogether just before bedtime or before a trip to the seaside. This will not fail to inform and entertain! A real triumph of a book!
A Home for Spark the Dragon written by Michael Sheen and Jess Webb and illustrated by Sarah Massini
(Penguin 5th June 2025)
Michael Sheen’s A Home for Spark the Dragon is a warm, heartfelt story that beautifully combines imagination, empathy, and the timeless themes of friendship and belonging. With whimsical illustrations from Literacy Tree favourite Sarah Massini, and gentle humour from Sheen and Webb, the book follows Spark, a small dragon who is in search of a place where he truly fits in after a storm destroys his cosy nest. Along the way, Spark encounters various challenges that highlight the importance of kindness, self-acceptance, and community.
This is an excellent read-aloud choice for younger children. It opens the door to rich discussions about emotions, differences, and the opportunity to have a powerful discussion about home and homelessness. I loved how the story gently addresses the universal feeling of not belonging, a concept that many of us experience as we grow and navigate school or new environments. Spark’s journey reassures young readers that it’s fine to feel different and that everyone deserves a home where they are accepted just as they are.
The illustrations are vibrant and expressive, perfectly capturing the warmth of Spark’s personality and the variety of creatures he meets. The artwork complements the text beautifully, making it a captivating reading experience and if you’re looking for a story this summer that nurtures empathy, self-worth, and a sense of belonging you will find Spark’s story both meaningful and memorable.
Publishing in association with homelessness charity Shelter, Puffin and the author Michael Sheen are proud to give £1 for every hardback copy of this book sold in the UK and Ireland to Shelter.
Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea by Emma Swan
(Usborne Publishing, 3rd July 2025)
Embark upon this—the first—adventure in a new series about a girl called Silver who, actually, I think is golden! Silver’s mum works on a cruise ship and living there, cruising the world is all Silver has ever known. Idyllic, you might think: all those exciting adventures to be had in exotic destinations. She’s even got a ‘cruise-ship family’ comprising various kindly staff-members and The Gang: a group of retirees who virtually live onboard the ship year-round.
But there’s a downside, too. During term time, she has lessons and even homework but there are only ever little children around and it can be quite lonely. The summer is a bit different, however: Silver is afforded much more freedom. Her mum is desperate for her child to make friends with someone her own age but when she meets wealthy Yana, we can see fairly quickly that it perhaps isn’t going to be plain sailing in terms of the friendship. Silver sets out to change herself so that she can be as cool as Yana and then maybe best friends. They get into all sorts of mischief that—ultimately—makes Silver realise what she values most.
Oh and there’s a teeny wee bit of detective work to do in order to clear her friend Perdu’s name after being accused of theft by Yana’s nasty, classist uncle and girlfriend—Paula with a P. Replete with little spaces throughout for readers to note thoughts and responses to questions at Silver’s behest, this is such a readable summer holiday book, whether you’re going away or not! Set sail on a voyage of self-discovery, where being true to oneself whilst also broadening one’s horizons, are the order of the day. Perfect for children in years 5 & 6.
Posted in: Literature Review
