Finding top children’s books to read on holiday
Collaboration
As half-term is fast approaching, I’m collaborating with Travel Republic on their holiday reading campaign, inspiring travellers to read whilst away. Pre-kids I used to pack a few books for myself when going on a beach holiday, but when we go abroad now I fill my bag with children’s books instead. Here’s an overview of my favourite holiday reads for children:
Young children
Peppa Pig: Peppa’s First Sleepover
When we were holidaying with friends in France, the children felt they were having a sleepover every day, and the little ones loved reading Peppa Pig: Peppa’s First Sleepover (Ladybird Books, £4.99). A perfect holiday read when going away with friends!
I want to go first! by Richard Byrne
For a fun beach read with colourful illustrations, I think the new I want to go first! book by Richard Byrne (Oxford University Press, £11.99) is a good choice. The unique book tells the story about a little elephant who needs help from readers to get to the front of the line, and the whole family can join in and help make sounds to support the main character in the book. An innovative picture book that turns reading into a game.
Primary Schoolers
Marge and the Great Train Rescue by Isla Fisher
I love books that make us laugh, and Isla Fisher’s latest book Marge and the Great Train Rescue, which came out in August, had us giggling and smiling all the way through. The book includes three stories about crazy babysitter Marge, who looks after Jemima and Jakey and take them on a trip to the zoo. Big Girl has become a big fan of the Marge books, and I think the hilarious books make amazing holiday reads for children.
The New Adventures of Mr Toad: Toad Hall in Lockdown by Tom Moorhouse
At the end of the summer I took Big Girl and Big Boy on a trip to Wakehurst Gardens to see The Wind in the Willows, and one of the reasons I wanted us to go see the show was the fact that we had loved reading The New Adventures of Mr Toad: Toad Hall in Lockdown (Oxford University Press, £5.99) on holiday. Toad Hall in Lockdown, out in August, is the second book in a new series that takes inspiration from Kenneth Grahame’s classic The Wind in the Willows. In the new book, recommended for children aged over 5, the action is brought right up to date and the animals go on a new adventure to keep Mr Toad safe. A fast-paced and funny holiday read for both boys and girls!
The Fintastic Diary of Darcy Dolphin by Sam Watkins
When Big Boy was napping and Big Girl and I were relaxing on our sunbeds on a holiday in May, I read Darcy Dolphin for her. There are two Darcy Dolphin books, and The Fintastic Diary of Darcy Dolphin (Egmont, £5.99) is my favourite. The book, which is written in a diary-style, is easy to follow and brings readers into the world of Darcy, a whimsical, school-aged dolphin, who is kind and impulsive. The book is charming and funny, and I think it makes a great holiday read for primary schoolers.
Young Adults
A Kalle Blomkvist Mystery: Living Dangerously by Astrid Lindgren
When I was growing up I remember reading the Kalle Blomkvist books by Astrid Lindgren on holiday, and I was excited to see the second book by the Pippi Longstocking author published by Oxford University Press this summer (Oxford University Press, £6.99). There is a murderer on the loose in Living Dangerously, and the detective story is recommended for older children.
For more suggestions for holiday reads for half term. see suggestions from the Travel Republic beach book club. There is a separate section for children’s books, featuring 15 of their top children’s holiday reads.
Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration with Travel Republic. I have received some of the books recommended to review from the publishing companies
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