Nine must-read books for your child
Encourage your kids to read from an early age and set them up with a lifetime love of books and learning. If you are looking for some inspiration to get your children reading, we’ve pulled together a list of 9 must-read books.
Early years
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
‘Magic Beach’ is a much loved Australian classic, perfect for parents to read aloud at storytime. Magic and reality come together in this perfect day at the beach. A wonderful, imaginative book for those kids (and adults!) who equally enjoy pictures and words.
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
Lovely story about a little boy, a lost penguin and a misunderstanding. Children and adults will love the simple and evocative illustrations. Curl up and read this with your child and enjoy watching the friendship grow between penguin and human.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
‘Beautiful Oops!’ is a bright and fun board book to read with your kids. This sweet, interactive book celebrates mistakes and shows how they can lead to beautiful opportunities. Little fingers will love lifting the colourful flaps and interacting with the pop-ups on every page.
Primary school
Wonder by R J Palacio
‘Wonder’ tells the remarkable story of August, a 10-year-old boy with a facial anomaly. Told from multiple perspectives, the book delves into the lives of his family and classmates and the way that meeting Auggie has changed them. Great discussion starter on a range of topics such as the impact of bullying and the value of empathy and kindness.
Alice-Miranda series by Jacqueline Harvey
Go to Paris, Japan, the sea and school with Alice-Miranda in this funny and fun series for primary school students. Alice-Miranda’s strong friendships and her positive outlook make these enjoyable reads. Everyone will love this smart, thoughtful problem solver.
The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
This book is a laugh-out-loud delight. The ‘13-Storey Treehouse’ is a fun combination of text and drawings. Join Andy and Terry on their adventures through an incredible, and very distracting, treehouse!
High school
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
This autobiographical book is a must-read for teens. Malala became a symbol for peace when she stood up for freedom of speech and education in extraordinary, and terrible, circumstances. ‘I am Malala’ is a powerful and inspiring read that shows how one person can make an enormous impact.
Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
A normal teenage boy turns unusual teenage spy in this gripping series by Anthony Horowitz. Lovers of action will fly through these books. Alex is smart, capable and daring and it’s fun to see how he pulls himself out of the dangerous situations he finds himself in.
Woo’s Wonderful World of Maths by Eddie Woo
Join Eddie Woo, one of our very own NSW teachers, on a journey through the wonderful world of maths. This one is a great gift for the teens in your life – even the ones who claim to hate maths! With his trademark joy and humour Woo shows how maths is essential to our everyday life in so many ways.