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These picks by the School Reading List team are compiled monthly and highlight new releases and editions of picture books, fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults.

**Book of the Month**
Month	Title	Description
August	The Star Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček	The Star Whale is a visually stunning large format hardback collection of 40 poems, each beautifully paired with Petr Horáček’s vibrant illustrations. Celebrating the wonders of the natural world, from pangolins and bats to lions and a Titanosaurus, The Star Whale invites both enchanting imagination and deep contemplation. This inspirational book is a delightful read for young naturalists and a fantastic resource of nature poems for KS1 and KS2 teachers. An astoundingly beautiful book. Read our full review.
September	Butterfly Wings: A Hopeful Story About Climate Anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude	Florent is a sensitive 10-year-old who worries about the future of the planet, his family and the environment around him. After talking through his fears with his mother, he is able to confront his anxieties. It’s a heartfelt paean to children who care deeply about the world they live in. A stunningly illustrated large format hardback verse story, Butterfly Wings is perfect to read, share and discuss with KS2 classes. Highly recommended for children aged 8+.
October	The Last Tiger by Petr Horáček	When a proud tiger is captured, he soon realizes freedom is more important than strength or power. Beautifully realized with gorgeous illustrations, this immersive modern fable will mesmerize EYFS and KS1 children. It’s also an ideal book to read to a class and inspire cross-curricular artwork and creative writing. A stunning picture book.
November	Afterward, Everything was Different by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng	The Stone Age life of a group of hunter-gatherers is depicted first-hand through the narrative drawings of a young girl who sees and appreciates everything that happens around her. Atmospheric, immersive and thought-provoking, this is an ideal resource for Stone Age topics, a hardback work of art to pore over, and a source of inspiration for creative writing in KS2. A stunning wordless picture book. Highly recommended.
December	I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon	A wide-eyed yellow creature searches for the perfect friend in this boldly illustrated picture book. Uniquely attention-grabbing, the story twists are fused with a powerful fable of friendship and thinking before you act. With shock, awe, laugh-out-loud surprises and a meaningful message, I Just Ate My Friend won’t be forgotten in a hurry by younger children.
January	Are We There Yet? by Sven Völker	Butterfly joins Bear Butterfly joins Bear on a long journey of self-discovery, surprises and reflection in this boldly illustrated picture book for 3-7-year-olds. Children will ponder decision-making, choices, goals and the meaning of life in this thought-provoking narrative journey into the importance of friendship and trust. ‘Are We There Yet’ is a wonderful book to read, share and discuss with EYFS and KS1 classes.
February	The Crown by Emily Kapff	When a girl from a not-too-far-away future finds an old picture book depicting our present day, instead of wearing a makeshift crown made from the pickings of landfill waste, she begins to imagine a world filled with life, wonder and joy. Mesmerizing and startling, the incredible illustrations and lyrical text will move all who read them. ‘The Crown’ is a powerful text with an empowering environmental message to read and discuss with children in circle time and PSHE lessons. Highly recommended.
March	Kind Crocodile by Leo Timmers	When a good-hearted crocodile ventures away from the pond to explore, the other animals are very scared! But each animal soon sees a different side to this friendly crocodile. A very clever and stylish picture book, the charming illustrations are filled with expression and character. Great to encourage inference and questioning with younger children, ‘Kind Crocodile’ is a wonderful book to read and share over and over again with children under 3.
April	The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward, illustrated by Karin Littlewood	Follow the life of an Orangutan and her family in tropical Sumatra as they experience raising young, living in harmony with nature and the impact of humans. A great text to read and share with EYFS and KS1, this beautiful and moving picture book uses powerful and thought-provoking images to explore themes of environmental protection, habitat destruction and species extinction. A spectacular and memorable work of art, The Emerald Forest is highly recommended for school libraries.
May	Lifesize Deadly Animals by Sophy Henn	Younger children will marvel at the vibrant life-sized depictions of super deadly animals including a caiman alligator, shark’s teeth and a slow loris. Part of a life-sized series including dinosaurs and baby animals, this is a spectacular large-format picture book to share in nursery and EYFS classes. Highly recommended.
June	Five Bears by Catherine Rayner	When Bear notices another bear while walking, the two bears bond and focus on what each of them has in common. By the end of the story, there are five bears, each unique, and celebrated for their inclusivity and warm-hearted togetherness. Cleverly written to be positive and gender-neutral, this will be a useful text to explore in circle time and PSHE when discussing friendships and how to relate to people who are not the same as us. The artwork is exquisite and we particularly liked ‘Other Bear’ with wild hair, and the recurring and vibrant watercolor collaged leaves.