Looking for new books for your children?

It can be overwhelming deciding what to buy at the book store. So many books! So many fun, colourful covers! So much money spent, you want to be sure it’s a winner! We share top tips on how to select books for your children.

Did you know there is a Five Finger Rule when it comes to deciding if a book is too easy, too hard or just right for your child?

Plus we get the lowdown on all the best books coming from Penguin Random House from now until December 2025 with Children’s Sales Representative Shinola Govender. Hint: A Taylor Swift toddler book is on the cards, a gripping new book in the Percy Jackson follow up series, a new Refiloe Moahloli How Many Ways book, a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, a new Lottie Brooks book, new graphic novels and a fast-paced Afrofantasy book for tweens. So much to look forward to!

Find the books mentioned in the podcast, below.

Find us on Apple and Spotify. Follow us on @booktreetalk

Read more on the books mentioned:

Pop Up Peekaboo: Taylor Swift

By Dorling Kindersley

Ages 0-3

Strictly for fans. Yes, this is a first toddler book about Taylor Swift. Start them young! Covering key moments in her career, from writing songs to wowing the crowds, you have to see it to believe it! Little hands can lift big flaps and see five peekaboo surprises pop up from the pages.

This That What

By Katy Ashworth and illustrated by Colleen Larmour (Puffin)

Ages 3-5

Perfect book to explain a neurodivergent brain. Meet Kiki – whose brain goes a mile a minute – and sometimes she wishes it would just stop! This joyful and emotional rhyming story celebrates the different ways our brains work, offering ways to help direct Kiki’s creativity and energy.

Read more here.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Party Pooper

By Jeff Kinney (Puffin)

Ages 8-12

It’s Wimpy Kid Greg’s birthday – and you’re invited to the chaos. In Partypooper, the 20th book in Jeff Kinney’s global smash-hit series, Greg Heffley is planning the ultimate party – for himself. But when the guest list grows, the decorations flop, and the surprises backfire, this birthday bash turns into a total blowout―just not the kind Greg had in mind.

Tell Your Own Fairy Tale

By Adam and Charlotte Gullian

Age 3+

This entertaining picture book lets YOU choose the story.

With over 60 magical and funny story options to choose from on every page, from noble princesses and big bad trolls, a gingerbread house and glistening palaces, how many fairy tales can you tell and will everybody live happily ever after?

Simon Gets Sneezed

Written by Adam Kay and Illustrated by Henry Parker (Puffin)

Yes, snot is the hero of this story!

The hilarious new picture book from the record-breaking Adam Kay and Henry Paker. Unlike most heroes, Simon is a piece of snot. He lives with his family in the left nostril of a girl called Phoebe. Follow Simon on his hilarious and extremely slimy adventure as he learns about everything snot does to protect our bodies – a fascinating and uplifting journey of self-discovery about how brilliant and important he really is.

Spots Bedtime Walk

Original series by Eric Hill (Puffin)

Ages 0-5

Use the ‘magic torch’ to help Spot find lots of hidden animals on his bedtime walk! Spot and his family are camping in the garden, and it’s nearly time for bed – but he’s not tired! Join him on his bedtime walk and see how many animals you can discover along the way.

How Many Ways Can You Say Thank You?

By Refiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald (Puffin)

A sure fire winner from author of the popular How Many Ways Can You Say Hello? series that will teach your children to say Thank You! in all the different South African languages, including sign language. Ages 3-6

Read more here.

Alan King of the Universe

By Tom McLaughlin (Hodder Children’s Books)

Guest reviewed by Cedric. A hilarious graphic novel about an orange cat called Alan and his trusty side-kick Fido, who are mismatched partners in Alan’s quest for world domination. Perfect for fans of Dog Man age 7-12.

Read more here.

Adia Kelbara and the High Queens Curse

By Isi Henrix (Usborne)

Ages 9-12

The second book in the fast-paced and witty Afrofantasy series following twelve-year-old Adia Kelbara, who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom once more. Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and The School for Good and Evil.

Ms Rachel: 100 First Words

By Ms Rachel (Ladybird)

Teach your little ones their first 100 words with this board book from You Tube’s favourite teacher, Ms Rachel.

Read more here.

Lottie Brooks Vs The Ultra Mean Girls

By Katie Kirby (Puffin)

Ages 8-12.

Just when Lottie thought life might be going back to normal, everything goes wrong again! Amber’s hanging out with the Ultra Mean Girl Gang at school and is completely ignoring the Queens of Eight Green. Mum’s gone back to work and expects Lottie to ‘help around the house more’, Bella keeps biting everyone and Pot Noodle will not stop sniffing every dog’s bum. DISASTER!

Nico di Angelo Adventures: Court of the Dead

By Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro (Penguin Random House Children’s UK)

Ages 9-13

From the best selling author of the Percy Jackson series comes a new standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters from the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Nico di Angelo is pretty familiar with the realms of death, being the son of Hades and all. So when a desperate voice starts plaguing his dreams, Nico is convinced it’s coming from the Underworld and belongs to an old friend – a reformed Titan called Bob.

Then an ominous prophecy leaves Nico in no doubt – Bob needs his help and Nico must rescue him. LGBTQ + friendly.