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choose your top 5

Read through the book descriptions below as a class. Which books sound the most fun or interesting, and which authors would you like to hear from?

Your teacher will let us know what you think, and your votes will be combined with other schools in the area to decide the final line-up for Book Tastic!

Welcome to Wild Town

Dom Conlon

Do you dare to come to Wild Town? You’ll find zebras dancing in Herbivoreville, or if you feel like a change, book into the Chrysalis Hotel in Fluttertown – no room service. Watch out for the tigers of Bengal Street in the Carnivore Quarter and maybe avoid the fish tank in number 3, Danger Close – it’s stocked with piranhas and electric eels. In Wolf Park you may come across a silent, stalking wolf and at the Wild Town Rec polar bears are pushing on the slide and orcas are in the paddling pool. While at the quiet end of town dormice are sleeping and grumpy Bertha the Bear is slumbering. One thing is certain – you will never be the same after a visit to Wild Town, and when you leave, the wild will go with you….

Welcome to the School of Gods

Thiago de Moraes

Dear Morris family, You are delighted to be informed that your child has been accepted for a place at the honourable School of Gods. The new term starts tomorrow. Please confirm your child’s registration at our earliest convenience. (Five minutes from now.) We look forward to seeing Oliver develop into a happy, confident young god, or die horribly in the process . . . Olly Morris, (mostly) normal kid, is living his (mostly) normal life when a Messenger to the Mighty Gods summons him to Gods School, where he is plunged into a class of unfriendly godlings. With no powers, no idea why he’s been chosen and a growing sense that nobody actually knows what’s going on, Olly can’t work out if this is the best or worst school in the universe . . .

Weird, Wild & Wonderful

James Carter

Welcome to the weird, wild and wonderful world of James Carter! Expect to hear the moon speak, explore a magic wood and play air guitar. You’ll meet wolves, elephants and a dung beetle; you’ll get close to a gorilla and sing a lullaby to a woolly mammoth; you might even meet an alien in a library.

Toad Attack!

Patrice Lawrence and Becka Moor

After a toad lands on his head as he leaves his house one morning, Leo is determined to find out where it has come from and why. Together with his friend Rosa, he needs to come up with some answers before the angry residents of Upper Dab take matters into their own hands and the toads become toast! A brilliantly quirky comedy caper with a diverse and inclusive cast of characters.

The Zoo Crew

Clare Elsom

If you’re one of a kind, you’re one of the Zoo Crew! Ryley loves his life at his family’s sanctuary for unusual animals. Who else gets to look after spotty zebras, green flamingos or kangaroos who can’t hop? From Cosmo the hyperactive sloth to Princess the dirt-hating aardvark, life is never dull when you’re part of the zoo crew! But when some ring-tailed lemurs join the zoo, it’s not long before there’s a fierce rivalry between them and the coatis – the zoo’s most mischievous residents. When Ryley wakes up one morning to find the lemurs missing, it’s all hands on deck for Operation Lemurs on the Loose!

The Flying Machine of Dreams

Kate Wakeling

Who will win the Magnificent Race of the Animals? Frog on roller-skates or zebra on a scooter? Find a morning moon, six ways to look at a leaf, beautiful bubbles and amazing shapeshifters. Have a feast of words, make a den and then guess the names of the night animals…

Star Cat

James Turner

In the deepest depths of space, there is only one crew brave enough to take on the universe’s most dangerous villains. Unfortunately, they weren’t available for this book, so you’ll have to make do with the crew of the STAR CAT. Join Captain Spaceington and his team as they blunder across the universe getting into all sorts of hilarious hi-jinks and escapades as Captain Spaceington tries to prove that he is worthy of the Bravest Captain Medal. Space has never been this silly!

Rapunzel is a Lettuce

Joseph Coelho

Come on a family camping trip with an outdoor feast, or have an adventure, just you and your dog; be a giant of learning, find a message in a bottle, sail the storyteller sea or travel to the centre of the earth. These are poems to fire the imagination, to take you exploring and help you find your own special place. Beginning with shorter, simpler poems and progressing gradually to more challenging verses, using many different forms, this is a poetry book that children can grow with, alongside teachers and carers – full of fantastic poems that are perfect for reading out loud and sharing in class as well as at home. Grouped into section headings Food, Families, School, Secret Messages, Special Places, Challenges, Plants, Journeys and Other Worlds, there really is something for everyone here.

Pooems

Kes Gray

From astronauts in zero gravity to Tudors with buckets and a window… From fairies to giants, lions to ants… Everyone has to go to the loo. POOEMS are rhymes that go there too!

Poetry Pizza

Simon Mole

Has your dad ever filled up the bath with 48 litres of lemonade? Have you ever seen a battle rapping badger? Have you ever felt so tired that you can only think in zig zags? Welcome to the poetry world of Simon Mole – a place of rhyme, rhythm, and wonder! Bursting with laughs, lyricism, and heartwarming moments, Poetry Pizza is a spellbinding collection of poems. From magical creatures that deliver marshmallows to your bedroom when you’re bored to a cure for the end of day blues, these poems celebrate the wonder of words, the joys of everyday life and the power of imagination. Funny, fantastical, and full of feeling – there’s a poem in here for everyone!

Max and Chaffy

Jamie Smart

It’s a rainy day on Animal Island when an egg falls from the sky and a strange new chicken chaffy hatches. Only problem is, it can’t fly! Can Max, Chaffy and friends save the day and return it safely home?

If I Met a Tiger (I’d Let It Eat Me)

AF Harrold

Ever wondered what you’d actually say to a tiger? Or what a beetle is thinking as it scouts your kitchen floor? Step into the wild, the weird, and the wonderful with If I Met a Tiger, a brand-new collection of poems from the imagination of A.F. Harrold. From the majesty of the wide world to the quiet mysteries of your own back garden, these verses skip between the laugh-out-loud funny and the quietly profound. Whether it’s a lesson in animal etiquette or a sideways glance at the natural world, Harrold’s trademark wit is perfectly paired with Magda Brol’s vibrant and charming illustrations. Brilliant, silly, and thoughtful, this is the perfect companion for nature lovers, poetry fans, and anyone who’s ever suspected that animals know a lot more than they’re letting on.

How to Grow Magic

Rachel Morrisroe

Welcome to Enchantment Street where magic really does grow on trees! It’s time for Mr Pottifer’s annual Pet Parade where everyone in Enchantment Street brings their magical animals together for an extra special celebration. But when a magical mishap unleashes a crew of tiny squashbuckler pirates, the whole day is thrown into chaos. Can Sarah and her friends stop the pesky crew? Or will the parade be ruined?

Gorebrah

James Stayte

Behold, Gorebrah! Mighty barbarian chef and creator of the most disgustingly delicious dishes with bestie and chef-in-training, Ovo. Can Gorebrah succeed in cooking up a rainbow falafel (while turning into a unicorn)? And will he dig out a quartz spud from the goblin dungeons while unearthing CORNFLAKES from Breakfast Valley?

Ghost and Toast

Phil Corbett

One’s dead! One’s bread! When Ghost arrives at a haunted mansion, what he doesn’t expect to find is a talking slice of bread. Introducing . . . Toast! But Ghost can’t remember anything from before becoming a ghost, so the unlikely duo team up to solve the mystery – though they may get distracted along the way . . . From hordes of evil pastries to ghost trains, to giant kittens and gingerbread houses, their adventures are never stale. But the conniving Croissant will stop at nothing to cause complete, confectionary chaos – will Ghost and Toast be able to resist their sugary temptation for mayhem?

Galaxy Runners: Jello Breaks the Universe

James Lancett

If you need something delivered in space with no questions asked, the Galaxy Runners are for you! Working against greedy Warp Co., siblings Kas and Fig run their plucky business with the help of Skipper, their risk-taking artificial assistant, and Mags, their volcanic hired security! They spend their time adventuring across the galaxy, escaping perilous dangers and making a quick space-buck along the way… Then, one day, they agree to transport a mysterious cannister across the galaxy. They soon discover it contains Jello – an adorable, gooey, shape-shifting alien being… with unexpected, life-changing powers. Which means greedy bad guys across the universe are soon trying to get their hands on him! Can the Galaxy Runners escape the clutches of Warp Co.? And where exactly will Jello and his super-poop end up…?

Dungeon Defender

Dave Rudden

Coin has had enough. He’s a Spawn in a dungeon crawler video game – servant of a powerful Boss monster, forced every day into battle against Adventurers who cut through him like he wasn’t even there. And yes, sure, he and all the others respawn – maybe he’ll be a Scuttling Horror next time? – but it still hurts. Now, if he were in charge… But then Coin gets his wish. He takes out an Adventurer. The Great Dungeon Apexria speaks to him. Promotes him to Dungeon Boss. Now he’s the powerful monster – able to choose his form, his lair, even command his own Spawn. He just has to survive his training. The Adventurers. And the other Bosses who are out to get him… What would you be if you could be anything? Monster? Villain? Hero?

Doodleworld

Adeola Sokunbi

Dara loves to doodle – but when her drawings don’t look perfect, she scribbles them out. Then, one stormy night, a lightning bolt zaps her straight into her sketchbook and into Doodleworld! With only her trusty pencil and sidekick Zigzag to help her, Dara will need to find The Golden Pencil to draw her way home. To do so, she’ll have to cross the Pencil Plains, raft down Watercolour Waterfall, squelch through Smudge Swamp and soar down Sticker Street – and all while dodging pesky scribble bugs at every turn! Can Dara stop chasing perfection and finish what she’s started? Or will she be stuck in Doodleworld forever?

Donut Squad

Neill Cameron

Get your creativity flowing as you learn how to make your stories come alive in this event by author of the Mega Robo Bros series, Neill Cameron. Neill will be hosting a draw-along inspired by his latest book Donut Squad Take Over the World where you can recreate some of the hilarious characters or design some of your own.

Dino Racers

Andy Day

Deep in a land where mountains rumble and volcanoes roar . . . Where deserts and oceans are alive with excitement . . . Dinosaurs gather for the most thrilling sport in history, to watch the . . . DINO RACERS! Join the dino racers as they compete in the two brand new races – the Ocean Cup, and the Yeti Cup. When Trexy discovers a fancy perfume that boosts the emotions of anyone who sniffs it, she’s sure she can use it to trick her way to winning the race – but will she be left splashing around at the start line, instead? And when the racers find themselves in in the fantastically f-f-f-freezing race track on Yeti Mountain, it’s not just the chilly conditions leaving the dinos shivering. There’s rumours of a monster in these mountains – one that might mean worse things than getting your wheels stuck in the snow!

Dadbot

Jack Noel

What do you get when you mix workaholic parents, a car boot sale and a mad scientist together? DADBOT, that’s who! With super-strength, hot chocolate on tap and a printer for a butt, Dadbot might be the most exciting thing Josh and Daisy discover – and he only cost £3! With this major parenting upgrade, Josh and Daisy’s summer holidays just went from dull to dynamite. But the evil Doctor Egg is lurking to steal Dadbot for his own plans of world domination . . . Can Josh and Daisy protect their new robo-parent before it’s too late?

Captain Sunshine

Alex Milway

It’s Bella’s first day onboard as Captain of the Sunshine! Bella was always going to follow in the same seafaring footsteps as her Aunt Bertha the walrus, but commanding a legendary cruise ship like the Sunshine is no easy task. It’s no ordinary ship – it’s a ship bursting with animal passengers! From penguins to rhinos, giraffes to parrots, life is never dull on board the Sunshine. Bella has a wonderful crew to assist her – from the weathered sea dog Mr Tatou, to the bossy passenger liaison officer Mrs Purrpot the cat, to Flip and Flap, the young penguin entertainment team – but has she really got what it takes to be Captain Sunshine? Full steam ahead for an unforgettable animal adventure!

Boss of the Underworld

Tor Freeman

Join Shirley and her giant cockroach friend, George, on a strange adventure through the Underworld. Will they triumph over scary foes, resist eating delicious things in the forest, navigate the Bog of Intense Emotions, and find their way into the dark sewers to confront the Green Menace?? There are many ways into the Underworld… but only one way out!

Books According to Dog and Owl

Piers Torday

Join Girl, her loyal companion Dog, and new arrival Baby Brother on a magical journey to discover books. Together, they explore the many joys of reading: for happiness, adventure, empathy and even future success. From the quiet magic of libraries to the warmth of sharing stories at home, their world, reflections, adventures and questions celebrate the beauty of a childhood shaped by books. But when the world feels full of distractions and the magic of books starts to fade, the arrival of the Story Owl reminds them – and us all – of the extraordinary power of reading…

Beano

Mike and Craig

Can a group of ten year old mates (and one scruffy dog) really outwit the most fiendish, cunning teachers in the universe and, after millions of years, finally make school cool?! When mysterious new teachers arrive to lay down the law at notoriously naughty Bash Street School, Dennis, Gnasher and friends finally face a classroom test they simply can’t afford to fail … Dennis and Gnasher are back for another adventure. Because I PLANNED IT. I PLANNED to become the world’s RICHEST ten-year-old. And you know what? It WORKED.

Astrosaurs: Chaos in the Cosmos

Steve and Toby Cole

Young stegosaurus Teggs is the new captain of the DSS Sauropod, a spaceship designed to defend the Jurassic Quadrant from evil, carnivorous dinosaurs looking for their next meal. With his crew, Ginni, Arx and Iggy, Teggs must defeat cunning raptors aiming to disrupt the Great Dinosaur Games, protect the last remaining plateosaurus eggs as they travel to their new home at the far end of the galaxy, and uncover the mystery lurking in the watery depths of Aqua Minor. From powerful pongs to egg-cellent explosions, missions never quite go to plan . . . but the Astrosaurs are always there to save the day!

Adventuremice

Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

When the Adventuremice discover an amazing floating town, they’re excited to meet the daring Aeromice that live there. But they soon learn that something is Very Wrong . . . Can they work out what’s happened in time to save Skytown from crashing into the sea?

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