Wonderful and Magical: January Highlights at Better Reading Kids

As the holidays come to a close, you may be searching for the perfect read to get your child back into the school routine or engaging stories for varied ages to tide them over. From fantasy and adventure to encyclopedic tours of our weird and wonderful world, we’ve had some fantastic reads that should definitely be added to your kids’ TBR pile.

Here are the top titles that we read in January:

Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo, illustrated by Dani Pendergast

Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power. Discover The Darkling’s grand and sinister origin story in this must-have graphic novel prequel to the bestselling series, Shadow and Bone.

Recommended for ages 14+

Buy a copy of Demon in the Wood here.

Bluey: I Love My Family

Bluey and Bingo tell us why they love their family in this sweet and cheeky book. Over the course of this charming book, Bluey: I Love My Family teaches little readers that family is about the love we have for each other and the irreplaceable experiences we have with them.

Recommended for ages 3+

Buy a copy of Bluey: I Love My Family here.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Eighteen-year-old Maya dumped her cheating ex-boyfriend Jordy two years ago. So, when she receives a call to participate in Second Chance Romance – a reality show in which the now-famous Jordy re-dates his ex-girlfriends – she isn’t interested… until she realizes she can use this opportunity to exact her revenge.

Recommended for ages 14+

Buy a copy of Never Ever Getting Back Together here.

Grimwood by Nadia Shireen

After a run-in with the scariest street cat in the Big City, fox cub siblings Ted and Nancy flee for Grimwood, expecting to find refuge in the peaceful countryside. Instead, they are met with thieving eagles, dramatic ducks, riotous rabbits and an absurd game called Treebonk! Grimwood may be weird, but could it also be… home?

Recommended for ages 7+

Buy a copy of Grimwood here.

Rules for Vampires by Alex Foulkes, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

There are highs and lows to being a vampire. On one claw, you get cool powers like beastly strength and hypnotism and the ability to GRIMWALK.  On the other claw, however, vampires are bound by the Vampiric Laws. And unfortunately, 11-year-old Leo has just forgotten rule number one…

Rules for Vampires is the series that fans of Lemony Snickett and Skulduggery Pleasant will devour for breakfast.

Recommended for ages 9+

Buy a copy of Rules for Vampires here.

The Night We Got Stuck in a Story by Ben Miller

Lana and Harrison are staying with their grandparents when they discover their favourite tree is under threat. That night, a magical golden thread leads them up through the hollow of the tree into a storybook land. When Harrison is kidnapped by the evil Spider Queen, Lana must do whatever it takes to find him, save the villagers and restore the balance of the storybook world, before the night is out.

Recommended for ages 7+

Buy a copy of The Night We Got Stuck in a Story here.

The Dragon Realm Series by Katie and Kevin Tsang

When 12-year-old Billy Chan finds out his parents are sending him to a summer camp in middle-of-nowhere China he doesn’t know what to expect. There he meets fellow campers Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei and together they stumble upon an age-old secret: four powerful warrior dragons, hidden deep within the mountain behind the camp.

Beast Quest meets Percy Jackson in this epic new fantasy series.

Recommended for ages 9+

Buy a copy of The Dragon Realm Series here.

How Everything Works by DK Books

Have you ever wondered how an email gets to someone on the other side of the world in just a few seconds or why it’s a bad idea to stand under a tree during a thunderstorm? Each page of this mind-blowingly detailed and ambitious encyclopedia will guide you through the natural world and the technology that surrounds you.

Recommended for ages 9+

Buy a copy of How Everything Works here.

The World’s Wildest Places by Lily Dyu and Riley Samels

Embark on the journey of a lifetime to 20 of the world’s wildest places! Explore each environment, and learn about the keepers who are working to preserve them for future generations. Meet the animals and plants who call the wilderness home, and discover how you can take active steps to make a difference.

Recommended for ages 5+

Buy a copy of The World’s Wildest Places here.

Making Memories by Amy Tangerine

In a world where children are increasingly attached to their screens, and their memories often are only held digitally, this book offers a creative analogue solution. It is a fun how-to guide to engaging with the world around us through mindfulness activities and journaling tips.

Recommended for ages 9+

Buy a copy of Making Memories here.

It’s a Wonderful World by Jess French

The nature in our world is wonderful, and it’s up to us to take care of it. You may feel small, but your actions can make a big difference. This title encourages children to look after their world, but it doesn’t just focus on the problems – it teaches them proper ways of preserving and protecting the incredible biodiversity in our world.

Recommended for ages 5+

Buy a copy of It’s a Wonderful World here.

The Secret World of Plants by Ben Hoare

A timeless treasury of more than 100 stories from the incredible kingdom of plants, told by author and nature expert Ben Hoare. Plants are found almost everywhere on Earth, but to many people their lives are a mystery. Discover their secrets and what they mean to the people around them. This book is a must for any child interested in the natural world and the plants that grow in it.

Recommended for ages 7+

Buy a copy of The Secret World of Plants here.