about the books: Staff favourites of 2014

The year 2014 is almost at an end. There have been so many books we have read and loved over the year...so we thought we would share.

Favourite Picture Books
As you can see, we love our picture books and you're never too old to enjoy them.

This book just ate my dog - Richard Byrne - Simple, funny, interactive

Zoom, zoom zoom - Katherina Manolessou - Bright, fun, classic

Some bugs - Angela Diterlizzi - Rhyming, bug guide, ladybird on every page

Use your imagination - Nicola O'Byrne - Funny, wolf as a librarian, fairytale retold

If you happen to have a dinosaur - Linda Bailey and Colin Jack - Great suggestions for using your dinosaur

My blue is happy - Jessica Young - Gentle, look at colours and the feelings they give

Oi frog! - Kes Gray - If a cat sits on a mat what do other animals sit on, very funny

A recipe at bedtime - Peter Bently & Sarah Massini - Just before bedtime, gentle rhythm

The Crocodile who didn’t like water - Gemma Merino - Being different is OK

Snow! - Emily Gravett (Bear and Hare adventure) - Simple, beautiful friendship

Alligator in an anorak - Daron Parton - Inventive alliteration and fun illustrations

Favourite Junior Fiction
A couple of very good books. The Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths is pretty good too, but you knew that.

The Kensington Reptilarium - N. J. Gemmell- Feral kids in a funny adventure

Navigating early - Clare Vanderpool - Friendship, adventure, exquisitely written

Favourite Young Adult Fiction
So many books, so hard to choose...

Wildlife - Fiona, Wood - Girl Relationships, finding your place, first love

Maggot moon - Sally Gardner - A dystopian unlike any other

Every breath - Ellie Marney - Crime thriller, humour, fizzing chemistry

Prisoner of night and fog - Anne Blankman - Gripping, WWII, set in Germany

We would love to know your favourites. And if you're high school aged, share them by entering our Love Summer competition http://bit.ly/summerYA

What now?