Broken by X. Fang 
(Pushkinn Press, 7th May 2026)

Throughout the 90s, my siblings and I were sent to our grandparents’ house, who lived in a small, rural, village in El Salvador to spend our summers. They are some of my most cherished childhood memories, where my siblings, cousins and I allowed our imagination to run wild - finding anything to entertain ourselves. However, there were always accidents! More importantly, ones that we would dread Abuelita would find out about. How does one hide a bump on a younger brother’s head? Considering all the times she had warned us not to push him whilst he was on the hammock. It was a difficult one to hide and get away with! When I picked up this book, it transported me to those wonderful summers with my abuelita. 

The Fluffy Futon by Yuichi Kasano
(Gecko Press, 2 June 2026)

This is a charming picture book, perfect for children aged 3–4 years. When Grandma hangs her fluffy futon out in the warm sunshine, her cat can’t resist curling up for a nap. One by one, Grandma, the chickens, the dog and the other farm animals all join in, creating a cosy, gentle story full of warmth and repetition that young children will love.

The story has a familiar, comforting rhythm that reminds me of a Julia Donaldson book, but with its Japanese setting, illustrations and storytelling, it offers children a refreshing glimpse into a different culture. The soft, expressive artwork beautifully captures the peaceful atmosphere, making this a lovely book to share at bedtime or during quiet story times.

Wordless picture books were a relatively new concept for me when I started at Literacy Tree two years ago. It was a genre I hadn’t really engaged with as a child, probably because I had absorbed the idea that once you reach KS2, you’re supposed to “move on” to longer chapter books. Discovering books like The Arrival by Shaun Tan felt completely liberating. I began to understand just how much storytelling, inference, imagination and emotion can sit within a book without words. So, when I saw The Octopus, a new title from Chinese author-illustrator Guojing, I felt immediately drawn to it. Guojing is an award-winning illustrator and concept artist. Her wordless picture book The Only Child, based on her own childhood experiences in China, was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book.

Where are you, Eddie? by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Gill Smith
(Walker Books, 12 March 2026)

For those of us who are familiar with ‘The Sad Book’ by Michael Rosen, we will be all too aware of the raw emotion Michael shares in response to the loss of his son, Eddie. Well, Rosen has written a sequel of sorts and presents his everchanging grief as a conversation between him and his cat, Meg. Eddie loved cats and Michael observes that, ‘cats seem to know a lot…and they often look as though they’re trying to tell me something.’ So, Michael has imagined a conversation about Eddie with his cat. 

The resulting book is ‘Where Are You, Eddie?’ and is a profoundly moving and ultimately hopeful picture book that explores one of childhood’s most difficult experiences: the absence of a loved one. Through Rosen’s characteristic warmth, honesty and carefully chosen words, readers accompany the author as he searches for Eddie with Meg, his beloved cat. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is a sensitive exploration of grief, longing and the questions children ask when someone they love is no longer there.

Ban Ban's Bakery by Elena Hiroko Magee
(Do Re Mi Books, 7th May 2026)

From independent publisher, Do Re Mi Books, and debut author-illustrator Elena Hiroko Magee, Ban Ban's Bakery is my summer recommend read. The adorable, doodle-style illustrations and soft pastel palette drew me in straight away, but it's all the little details that really won me over. I loved spotting the family photos on the fridge, the "No. 1 Gran" mug, and all the tiny touches that make Ban Ban's world feel so cosy and lived-in.

The delicious double-page spread of cakes and pastries is enough to make sweet-toothed readers salivate! Young readers will also love how interactive the story is. They can help choose the perfect spot for Ban Ban's bakery, pick their favourite treats, and even join in the hunt for the strawberries needed to finish Ban Ban's special cake.

Play Proud by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Izzy Evans
(Beaming Books, 5 May 2026)

We're already huge admirers of both Rob Sanders and Izzy Evans at Literacy Tree. Rob's Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution. and Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag have long been favourites for the way they make LGBTQ+ history accessible, engaging and inspiring for young readers, while Izzy Evans completely won us over with the joyful, imaginative and heartwarming My Mummies Built a Treehouse. So, when we discovered Play Proud, it immediately found a place on our summer reading list.

This vibrant picture book celebrates LGBTQ+ athletes past and present, introducing children to a wonderfully diverse range of sporting role models through energetic, rhythmic text and bold, expressive illustrations. Sanders' writing moves along in beautifully crafted couplets, creating a sense of momentum and celebration that mirrors the determination and achievements of the athletes featured. 

The Shipwreck Atlas by Jo Arnold and Philip Harris
(Wide Eyed Editions, 7th May 2026) 

When summer arrives it always feels as though there’s more time to read and I feel a pull towards the ocean. The Shipwreck Atlas is the perfect companion because not only is it ocean themed – diving below the depths of the Seven Seas to discover more about underwater wrecks – but you can dip in and out of it as you like. Jo Arnold has carefully crafted a story of sunken ships that will captivate the minds of readers both young and old(er). With roughly 80% of the world’s ocean yet unmapped, it’s an intriguing glimpse into what lies beneath. There are detailed facts about familiar wrecks, such as the RMS Titanic, and thoughtfully written pages about fated vessels with links to colonialism. Indeed, any references to underwater wrecks are written responsibly, with consideration given to many being graves or crime scenes. 

Scream (if you wanna go faster) by Peter Morris and Roozeboos
(Cicada, 21st May 2026)

In this glorious publication, worthy of display upon any coffee table, the history and science of amusement parks is explored. By way of introduction, the reader is invited to ‘Hold on tight’ because ‘the ride starts here.’ We’re then introduced to the fact that both the fun and fear that can be experienced when hurtling at high-speed along a rollercoaster track or whirling at at a velocity that humans perhaps shouldn’t whirl at, is a deliberate scientific pairing…The ‘miracle of steam’ and its roots in the Industrial Revolution is explained tremendously effectively: there are cogs and cranks, pistons and power. We’re also introduced to the so-called ‘father of the fairground ride’, Frederick Savage. Bored of ploughs and all things farming, his real passion lay in inventing fairground rides… he realised that horse-powered rides could be bettered by the introduction of steam-power. 

B is for Bibliophile by O.E. Zelmanovich and illustrated by Lauren Simkin Berk
(Enchanted Lion Books, 12th May 2026)

B is for Bibliophile is a joyful, visually rich celebration of books and reading, offering an invitation into the world of publishing and books.  Presented as an alphabet of literary delights, each page of this compendium pairs a letter with a publishing concept or bookish facet that will inform and delight book lovers, young and old alike.

The text is intentionally concise, allowing the illustrations to take centre stage.  This balance offers plenty of opportunities for children to learn, infer, explore and make meaning through visual narrative as much as through written language.  It is very much a book that rewards returning to time and again; you will undoubtedly spot something you missed previously, such is the richness of the artwork (hint: take a peek beneath the dust jacket!)

They Sent a Cat to Saturn by Valerie Bloom and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
(Otter-Barry Books Limited, 2 July 2026)

As a teacher, I first came across Valerie Bloom through A Caribbean Dozen: a well-thumbed anthology that lived on my desk for three years. They Sent a Cat to Saturn is another brilliant collection from Bloom, beautifully illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max, whose Stars with Flaming Tails I already adored. We’re in awe of anything Ken Wilson-Max creates (Astro Girl is a huge Literacy Tree favourite).

Hats off to Charlotte Hacking and Otter-Barry Books for curating a collection that feels both joyful and deeply authentic. Valerie Bloom’s poetry has always balanced warmth, humour and honesty, and this anthology celebrates the richness of Jamaican voices alongside poems on all manner of subjects, in all shapes and sizes. Every poem has a distinct personality, inviting readers to laugh, reflect and recognise something of themselves.

The Ministry of Manners by David Solomons and illustrated by Hazem Asif 
(Bonnier Books Ltd, 7th May 2026)

This dystopian middle-grade novel centres on siblings Alfie and Margot Hawthorne as they grow up under the rule of the Ministry of Manners. In this society, politeness isn’t just encouraged – it is the law. At first, a world where everyone is polite might sound wonderful. But what happens when politeness stops being about respect and instead becomes a tool for control? 

When Margot’s increasingly outspoken resistance to the regime leads to her being taken away by the Ministry, both she and Alfie are thrust into a dangerous world of inner conflict, underground resistance groups and unexpected family secrets.

Max and Ella, Stuck Together by Kristina Rahim
(Nosy Crow Ltd, 7th May 2026)

Max and Ella, Stuck Together by Kristina Rahim is a heartfelt and engaging middle-grade novel that explores family, identity, friendship, and belonging. The story follows Max, who has just completed his first year of secondary school and is preparing to meet Hari, the man who was the donor for his two mothers, for the first time, and Ella, who is preparing to move up to secondary school and is Hari’s daughter. When their lives unexpectedly become connected, both children struggle to understand what this new relationship means. Their different personalities lead to conflict at first, but as they spend more time together, they begin to appreciate each other's strengths and form an unlikely friendship.

The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia by Leia Ham
(Puffin, 7 May 2026)

Sparrow has grown up in the shadow of her older brother, Ainsley, a powerful fire mage. Her own magic pales in comparison, but she's determined to hone her abilities at Zenith Academy. We join Sparrow as she starts at the school, makes new friends (and enemies), and begins to unlock the power that has been lying dormant within her.

When students mysteriously start losing their magic to the so-called "Magedrain Fever," Sparrow is convinced there's something more sinister at play. With her new friends, Lyndon and Orla, she sets out to uncover the truth. I loved spending time with this sleuthing trio and can't wait to follow their next adventure in Book 2. Now comes the hard part: patiently waiting until 2027, when we as readers will be invited back to Zenith Academy.