Top 5 children's books for summer

Looking for children’s books to keep them entertained over summer? Here’s Big Issue’s top picks.

Bird Boy by Catherine Bruton (Nosy Crow. £7.99) Age 9-12

A harrowing but hopeful tale about the healing bond between a troubled boy and the bird he saved.

Alyssa and the Spell Garden by Alexandra Sheppard, illustrated by Bex Glendining (Faber & Faber £7.99) Age 9-12

A fantastical tale in which young Alyssa discovers she has strong magical powers – but they don’t always do what she wants them to do!

The Cheat Book (vol 1) by RAMZEE (Hodder Children’s Books, £7.99) Age 8-12

A brilliantly funny children’s book about a shy refugee boy who works out how to blag his way through school, in and out of class. Recommended by How to Train Your Dragon writer Cressida Cowell.

Up High by Matt Hunt (Nosy Crow, £7.99) Age 2-5

A little boy feels like he’s flying when he’s on his dad’s shoulders. But a walk to the park proves some of the most interesting parts of nature can only be inspected if you’re small.

Champ by Payam Ebrahimi, illustrated by Reza Dalvand (Greystone Kids, £12.99) Age 5-8

This beautifully illustrated book tells the touching story of a young boy with an artistic spirit born into a family of experienced sports people who expect him to follow in their footsteps.

These children’s books are available to buy from The Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income.

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