Once upon a time: The 100 books every child should read, part 2
FROM picture-book classics to teenage tales, there’s something for everyone in part two of our authors’ guide to the world’s 100 best children’s books
Illustrator Korky Paul created the Winnie the Witch stories
Picture books
Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann These cautionary tales were written by a German doctor for his children in the 19th century, but have lost none of their impact.
Traction Man is Here by Mini Grey This book is full of the wild imaginative details and comic-strip energy that define all Grey’s picture books.
Brian Wildsmith’s Animal Gallery by Brian Wildsmith His paintings allow us to step into lush landscapes and come face to face with hood-lidded hippos, graceful giraffes, skittish penguins and more.
Mrs Armitage on Wheels by Quentin Blake For freewheeling joy and inventiveness, this classic picture book is hard to beat.
Ages 6-10
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel These warm, funny stories say so much about friendship.
Cakes in Space by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre Illustrated in lovely amber tones, this is a deliciously silly book.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame This enduring tale of adventure and loyalty is perfect for reading aloud on long winter evenings.
Dixie O’Day: In the Fast Lane by Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy Canine capers in a beautifully designed package from a mother-and-daughter author/artist team.
Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski As someone who’s lived on three continents, I find this fascinating and a visual feast.
Age 11+
The Rising by Tom Moorhouse Following the perilous adventures of a family of voles, this is a really thrilling piece of storytelling.
Korky’s latest book is Winnie’s Big Bad Robot (OUP, £11.99).
Queen of Teen award winner Cathy Cassidy has sold more than a million books in the UK Picture books
Black Dog by Levi Pinfold I bought this haunting but ultimately reassuring story to give as a present, then couldn’t bear to part with it.
Song of the Golden Hare by Jackie Morris Simply the most beautiful picture book ever, this has awesome artwork and an enduring story.
The Story of Christmas by Jane Ray This has been a family favourite for years, with all the magic of the Nativity perfectly captured in jewel-bright images and words from the Gospels.
Ages 6-10
A Boy Called Hope by Lara Williamson Warm, heartbreaking and hilarious in turn, this is a fabulous book about love, families and making sense of life.
The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce Laugh-out-loud funny, heartfelt and full of humanity and warmth, this is just wonderful.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Every list needs a classic, and this one is dreamy, surreal and packed with magic.
Age 11+
Popular by Maya Van Wagenen Teen author Maya found a 1950s guide to popularity and decided to follow its advice for a whole school year. The result is fascinating.
Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Willow Chance, a 12-year-old child genius, is a uniquely engaging narrator. It’s inspiring, uplifting and offbeat – a real treat.
Dandelion Clocks by Rebecca Westcott Strong, sensitive and brilliantly written, this is an emotional read about six difficult months in the life of 11-year-old Olivia.
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch This powerful, moving novel is probably the best thing I’ve read all year. It’s packed with strong themes, all tackled with huge sensitivity and care.
The latest instalment of Cathy’s Chocolate Box Girls series is Sweet Honey (Puffin, £12.99).
Top 10 Facts About Children's Books
Novelist, poet and ex-Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen has won numerous literary awards
Picture books
So Much by Trish Cooke This is a warm, fun story about how we get on in family set-ups with all our little ways and favourite sayings.
Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan by Michael De Souza Like all the Rastamouse books, this is funny, cool, punchy and full of jokes.
Ages 6-10
Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner First published in 1929, this is an exciting story about a boy who loses some money and, along with a group of new friends, manages to corner the thief.
Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon I’m not going to pick out one of these: they are all outrageous and brilliant for the way they make fun of parents like me.
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl This is one of the great (and very few) books about a boy’s love for his father, told in a non-sentimental way.
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey Start at number one and work through these wonderful stories of two little boys who love drawing but end up getting into lots of trouble.
Tom Gates by Liz Pichon Another great series about a boy who tells us his tales of woe, mishap and fun at school through cartoons.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins This trilogy is a great read for anyone over 10, introducing us to a world where the powerful are not good and the good are not powerful.
Age 11+
People Might Hear You by Robin Klein This book is well worth digging out for an insight into what could happen if you ended up in a house full of people who have hundreds of rules on how to behave. Would you be able to escape?
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr This tells the story of a girl and her family escaping from Berlin when the Nazis come. It’s very realistic and moving.
Michael’s latest book is Good Ideas: How to be Your Child’s (and Your Own) Best Teacher (John Murray, £16.99).
The creator of Horrid Henry, Francesca Simon has sold 20 million books in the UK
Picture books
This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen A terrific story about a little fish who steals a big fish’s hat and kids himself that the victim hasn’t noticed.
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan and Janet Ahlberg No one touches the Ahlbergs for memorable brilliance. I’ve probably read this book more than 1,000 times for its absorbing pictures with hidden characters and lovely rhyming fairy tales.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown I don’t think a better bedtime book has ever been written. I just love the way the pictures darken as we say goodnight to everything in the room.
Suddenly! by Colin McNaughton Preston the Pig bounces through his day, oblivious to the salivating wolf who is tailing him in this absolutely perfect picture book.
Ages 6-10
The Wrong Pong by Steven Butler This hilarious book is about a timid boy who gets snatched down the loo by trolls. It’s fierce, funny, imaginative and warm-hearted.
Half Magic by Edward Eager My all-time favourite book as a child, this is about an ordinary group of squabbling siblings who discover a magic coin.
Two Weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman A work of comic genius about an Australian boy who goes to England so the Queen can find a doctor for his brother’s cancer.
The Falcon’s Malteser by Anthony Horowitz A wonderfully funny spoof of Raymond Chandler’s crime novels.
Age 11+
Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce When the clock strikes 13, Tom goes back in time to the garden that once existed behind his concrete yard. This story always has me in tears.
Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce A funny and imaginative novel about eight-year-old Damian, who finds £2 million – the proceeds of a robbery – just before the pound is abolished.
Francesca’s latest book is Do You Speak English, Moon? (Orion, £7.99).
Steve Cole is the new writer of Young Bond, following in the footsteps of Charlie Higson
Picture books
Beegu by Alexis Deacon This tale of an extraterrestrial is given depth and pathos by heart-twanging illustrations.
Olivia by Ian Falconer Degas, Jackson Pollock and a piglet co-star.
Ages 6-10
Doctor Who and the Daleks by David Whitaker The first ever Doctor Who novel sings with intelligence and imagination.
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper There’s a freshness to this tale of Simon, Jane and Barney that cracks like a clap of Cornish thunder.
The Box of Delights by John Masefield “The wolves are running… perhaps you could do something to stop their bite?” A timeless fantasy.
Age 11+
Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence This post-apocalyptic novel from the 1980s was banned by many libraries at the time. Raw and thought provoking, it deserves reappraisal.
Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr Crisply written, understated and eerie, the way its dream world starts to feel more important than reality is more resonant than ever.
Strange Boy by Paul Magrs A bittersweet novel about growing up, this is a poignant mix of disintegrating family life with Marvel superheroes, sexual stirrings and magic realism.
Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner An extraordinary, brutal, dizzying and disturbing fable set in an alternate 1950, this will stay with you for ever.
The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Adams’ genius is in melding the epic with the banal to make you think.
Steve’s first Young Bond adventure Shoot to Kill (Doubleday Children’s, £12.99) has just been published.
For the above titles, check expressbookshop.co.uk. Photographs: Caroline Leeming. Styling: Rachel Hale. thanks to Flora. Wrapping Paper, £8; Ribbon, £6; Garland, £8, all The White Company (020 3758 9222, thewhitecompany.com). Flora wears: Top, £10; Tutu, £20; Tights, £7 for two pairs, all Next (0333 777 8000, next.co.uk)
