Reading for pleasure articles

If your child loves animals, conservation and the great outdoors, these are the books that will move them and inspire them. Dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits and even beetles feature in primary teacher and prolific children's literature reader Scott Evans' roundup of the best books for children who love reading about wildlife.

If your child, like millions of others worldwide, is spellbound by Hogwarts and dreams of shopping for school supplies in Diagon Alley and being sorted by the Sorting Hat, they might find any non-Potter reads unappealing. We asked primary teacher and children's literature reviewer Scott Evans to share his picks of the best books for J K Rowling fans to ensure that the reading magic continues.

Bring books to life for book lovers of all ages, from pre-school to teenagers, at one of the world's best literary festivals. Meet authors, learn writing and illustrating skills at a workshop or take part in a debate – there are a wealth of bookish activities on offer for families throughout the year, and many of them are accessible online from anywhere in the world.

Is your child a tennis ace? We've rounded up the best books for Wimbledon fortnight and beyond, so they can read their way into the world of volleys, rallies and Grand Slams.

Beautiful picture books, an evil Ice Queen, an adventure in the jungle and an evocative journey back in time make these books the perfect reading selection for ten year olds who are exploring the world around them (and the world within themselves too).

The Normans ruled England after the Anglo Saxons and are famous for battles and conquests, kings and knights and for building some of our most well-known castles, such as Windsor Castle and the Tower of London! Chosen by primary teacher Scott Evans, these tales, some based on true events and some mythological, travel back to a time of towers and tapestries...

Take a step back in time when Britain was being regularly invaded to find out more about the fearless raiders who travelled by sea in their long ships to settle here and who have left their mark on today's society. Primary school teacher and children's literature lover Scott Evans shares his pick of the best Viking historical fiction that will capture children's interest in this most interesting and exciting (and sometimes bloodthirsty!) of times.

Terrifying ogres, nasty pirates, a rainforest adventure, two evil toy thieves and a ghostly boarding school make these books the perfect choice for sharing with your eight year old. Snuggle up and get reading!

Ancient secret societies, a Stone Age boy and an Edwardian girl, a planet terrorised by jelly-like creatures and a 'practically perfect' nanny make these books the ideal twentieth-century classic reading choices for children in Key Stage 2.

A cunning fox, a haunted room, a terrifying cat, a broken time machine and a princess who fights crime make these short, accessible chapter books perfect for building young readers' confidence.

Reading doesn't always have to involve books. We've rounded up the best apps for children who are learning to read, ranging from traditional tales to interactive games that will improve their reading as they play.

Armoured bears, flying witches, adventures on the rooftops of Paris, a magical shop and an island with a terrifying secret make these books perfect for eleven year olds looking for a challenging, enthralling read! You might be tempted to dive in yourself, too...

We could tell you that reading and – even better – learning poetry by heart, will do wonders for your child’s memory, vocabulary and writing. We could tell you that reading and reciting poetry is now a key part of the National Curriculum. Or we could simply say that reading a brilliant poem might give your child a great deal of pleasure. Here are some of the best children’s collections out there, chosen by poet Emma Harding.

Our classic books picks cover a wide range of subject matter and historical periods, but what they all have in common are great story-telling, excitingly unfamiliar worlds, and colourful characters to root for. Our lives may have changed significantly since these books were written, but their portrayal of the pleasures and anxieties of growing up remains as relevant as ever. By Emma Harding

How does historical fiction transport children to the past? Tom Palmer, author of football and history best-sellers, shares his love of kids' historical fiction and its ability to introduce us to the lives of the people who came before us. Settle down with a book and step back in time...

When it comes to encouraging children's love of books and reading, teachers (and librarians!) are the experts. We asked Ashley Booth – reader, Year 6 teacher and passionate advocate of children's books – to share his tips for teachers (and for parents!) on igniting a love of reading in primary-school children.

Travel back in time to the dawn of England and find out more about the Anglo Saxons, their stories and their lives. Teacher and literacy expert Ashley Booth shares his pick of the best historical fiction set in the time of King Alfred, including different retellings of the epic Anglo Saxon poem Beowulf.

A rooster who wears skinny jeans, a greedy tiger, a gang of skateboarding fairies and a yoga-teaching giraffe make these hilarious picture books for six year olds the perfect reading choice!

This collection of recommended books to read with your seven year old includes some lovely poems about the great outdoors and nature, a spooky collection of ghost stories, an exciting adventure into an Egyptian tomb and a journey into the magical, wintry land of Narnia. Curl up together and enjoy!