15 new kids books to read for World Book Day 2024

'There is something about me, something different you see. I have fur and four legs, but a dog? No, not me!'

Meet Crocodog, a scruffy little hound who feels like he was born in the wrong bones. Join him as he finds the courage to celebrate his differences and become the creature he longs to be.

Full of heart, character and imagination, this is a story about the joy of individuality and the importance of staying true to yourself, no matter what you look like on the outside or what others expect of you.

Suitable for any age.

A special World Book Day novel, TV's Rosie Jones' beloved character Edie Eckhart returns.

It's the start of Year Eight and there's a new girl in Edie's class from America! Edie can't wait to get to know Mia and her twin brother, Benjamin. This is Thrilling with a capital T! Especially as Mrs Adler sits Mia next to Edie in class.

Mia has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids. She seems shy and Edie knows how scary it can feel to join a new school. Maybe Edie can be the jam to Mia's jelly? It's time for... THE FRIEND MISSION!

Suitable for ages 9+.

This charming book tells three tales of Mr Bear in different seasons throughout the year. Join him on his day out, enjoy his best day with him and celebrate Christmas, too with Mr Bear's Christmas, as seen on the BBC and narrated by Stephen Fry.

Suitable for any age, but recommended for young readers aged 0-6.

If you've got a little foodie in the family, then this story is combined with interactive recipe making.

When Penelope found out her beloved sheep were under threat from some unknown invaders she had to do something to protect them. Enter, the power-packed flying pizzas!

Join Penelope and her gang of baking buddies in making pizzas from scratch, with simple step-by-step instructions and full-page beautiful illustrations. And see how they save the sheep, and the day, with their power-packed flying pizzas.

For ages 2-7 years.

From bestselling authors Greg James and Chris Smith comes their latest adventure – Super Ghost.

When world famous superhero Dr Extraordinary gets blown up inside a giant robot, twelve-year-old Sonny Nelson is devastated. A world without heroes is totally rubbish!

But things take an even more extraordinary turn when Dr Ex returns and is invisible to everyone except Sonny!

A fun-packed novel for ages 8-10.

Loved by David Attenborough and King Charles, this book is all about saving the bees!

Ziggy the honey bee is happily buzzing from flower to flower, yet as time goes on she realises the flowers she loves are making her sick. Can the farmer and his children save the bees before it is too late?

A positive, inspiring, beautifully illustrated story based on real events about the problem of habitat loss with a happy ending, facts about bees and ideas for the future.

Suitable for any age, but especially primary school age readers.

A great book for helping kids to deal with their worries, The Anxious Knight tackles topics like anxiety, worry and fear.

Join Sir William on an epic quest to recover the magic sword. But more stands in his way than the evil sorcerer and his monsters. Sir William carries a secret; underneath his shining armour and behind his shield is someone who is struggling with overwhelming anxiety and fear.

The anxiety threatens the success of his mission, and he must find a way to overcome it to retrieve the magic sword. On his journey, he will learn about anxiety and fear, discover the power of talking about your worries and find ways to quieten his mind.

Suitable for children aged 3 and up.

It wouldn't be World Book Day without Jacqueline Wilson, so it seems fitting that her latest novel is released on the day itself.

When dad tells Luna and her little sister Aurora that they're moving to live in a real tower, it's almost like they've stepped inside a fairytale.

But everything is not as magical as it first seems. The tower needs patching up, dad still doesn't have a job and they're not even allowed in the room up at the very top.

When it's time to start at their new school, Luna quickly finds a friend, but six-year-old Aurora absolutely hates the children in her class. She prefers to spend her time with her imaginary friend Tansy. Aurora's make-belief life causes problems for them all – and it seems like Aurora really believes Tansy exists...

Is there really a curse on the tower – and will Luna be able to break it?

Suitable for readers aged 9-12.

If you fancy creating a personalised story for World Book Day, then The Sleepytown Express could be just the ticket.

This tale will help to soothe your child every bedtime with a calming sleep story and song, that takes them on a gentle train journey all the way to Sleepytown.

Add their name, plus names of their friends and family to make it a really special story.

Suitable for ages 0-7.

This World Book Day, join Dr Sheila Kanani as she discovers a weird and wonderful cast of animals who have travelled into space, from Ham the chimpanzee to Félicette the cat, and the 60,000 jellyfish who have orbited the Earth (did you know you can also get jellyfish-shaped galaxies?). You'll meet the microscopic creatures that can survive in the vacuum of space, and wonder – could aliens really exist?

This fantastical journey into the wild and surprising realms of space weaves together astronomy, physics and biology, and is sure to inspire space-obsessed and animal-loving kids everywhere.

Suitable for readers aged 7-9.

In this second novel by Jeroo Doodhmal, Pip & Henry are scouting around their home, looking for the Naughty Bug that’s making everyone sick. Along the way they meet many other friendly bugs and creatures learning about the important role they play in the world. Can Pip & Henry send the Naughty Bug away and stay safe?

Inspired by the environment, this story is suitable for tots under five.

With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place this year, this book is all about what would happen if humans didn't compete and animals took over!

Join Woodpecker Will and the animal kingdom as they travel to Japan. The animals have a wonderful time and you will too! There are lions (Leo & Cleo), gorillas (Guy & Gloria), lizards (Lennie, Bennie and Jan) all doing their best and having the time of their lives.

A story to delight children of all ages with humour and glorious illustrations.

Frank’s dad Hank has some pretty outdated views and is always saying, man up, and, don’t cry like a girl. In fact Hank tells his son that crying is not something men do at all. But Frank can see his dad is hurting after a park mishap, and following the advice of his good friend Florence, tells him 'let it out, have a cry, don’t keep it inside, It will help you feel better, you’ll see.'

 From the award-winning team behind She’s Not Good for a Girl, She’s Just Good! and The Queen Engineer comes the third beautifully illustrated rhyming story, that teaches children it’s ok to feel sad, and tackles the outdated views that toxic masculinity place on society.

Suitable for all ages.

This book was written by author Joanna and illustrated by her daughter Maya.

Goldfish always comes up with inventive ideas to play tricks on other animals. The problem is, he can’t remember long enough to carry them out. Thankfully, Elephant – his best bud – doesn’t forget a thing. Together, they’re a dream team until a plot to steal Lion’s crown proves too tempting for Elephant to share. Will they overcome their differences and learn to use their joint talents for good?

Suitable for ages 3-7.

Rose gets a cold and explains to her younger friend, Olivia, that she has 'lost her nose'.

Olivia, being four, takes this literally and sets off on a mission with her brother, Theo, to find Rose’s nose.

After an unsuccessful mission, Theo and Olivia get an unexpected education on how to breathe better and why breathing habits matter.

Written by Jane Tarrant, a healthy breathing educator, this funny, informative storybook designed to educate kids (and their parents) on how to breathe better and why breathing habits matter.