May seems to have seen our Wimbledon Kids having plenty of school holiday days! Why not keep them entertained this Bank Holiday with one of our wonderful children’s book choices from our Culture Editor, Janie Smith?
Kids of all ages are going to love being the first to read these brand-new releases and then share their stories with their friends. With lively illustrations and catchy prose, they’re a colourful array of kid-friendly reads. We have a very helpful bookstore in the village who will be delighted to help you get your hands on a copy of any of these books for your little darling.
Dolly May and the Enchanted Garden by Carrol May Coleman Nelson
Dolly May is an inquisitive and bright little girl who loves learning and having great adventures. She lives at the top of Mount Olive on the beautiful Island of Jamaica with her Grandma Majji and, with her friends, loves nothing more than playing in Granny’s mystical garden.
Grandma Majji has the best games and, with her help, she encourages them to dream big and achieve all that they desire. Through teaching them about the achievements of positive role models of the past, she shows them that they too can become anything they want to be from becoming a deep-sea diver to an astronaut – there’s no limit to their imagination.
This is not only a beautifully written book with gorgeous illustrations, but it gives children the chance to discover historical figures from different walks of life without even realising they are learning.
PERFECT FOR: Inquisitive children aged 6 to 9.
The Secret Dragon by Ed Clarke
For your young explorer, girl or boy, The Secret Dragon is an enchanting yarn about adventure and friendship. Ed Clarke spins a seamless tale with spellbinding science and a little bit of magic…
Whilst out fossil-hunting one day, wannabe paleontologist Mari Jones finds a tiny dragon on the beach. She’s mystified because dragons aren’t alive any more – they’re extinct, aren’t they? All Mari wants is to be a real scientist, so she takes the dragon home and embarks on finding a scientific explanation for its existence. The problem she faces is whether she can keep her new impish friend a secret long enough to discover the answers.
Unfortunately for Mari, this is one secret that is going to be difficult to keep. And as she starts to form a deeper bond with the mischievous dragon, she might have to admit that, when it comes to friendship, science might not have all the answers…
Another delightfully illustrated book in the Puffin imprint that will captivate any Key Stage 2 child.
PERFECT FOR: Readers aged 8–11.
The Girls of Firefly Cabin by Cynthia Ellingsen
The perfect story for tweens, based around friendship, secrets and rivalry. Four young girls – Lauren, Isla, Jade and Archer – meet on the first day of summer camp, and friendship magic is made in Firefly Cabin. If only they could immortalise their summer memories by winning the contest to be the face of the camp’s website. But it won’t be easy: not with rival cabins, distracting crushes, and of course, the girl’s own secrets getting in the way. Can friendship – and the Fireflies – triumph over all?
This is a lovely book that can be enjoyed by older primary-aged girls and young teenagers without being too grown-up.
PERFECT FOR: Tweens aged 10–12
Here’s hoping your children spend many happy hours lost in fiction this bank holiday and beyond…
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Written By: Janie Smith | Arts & Culture Editor
Instagram: @SW19Culture
Twitter: @SW19Culture
Email: cultureeditor@ladywimbledon.com
About The Author
Janie Smith
Janie Smith is a cup full of sass and the Culture Queen isn’t letting anything limit her. Whether she’s jet setting around the world or catching up on the latest shows she always has her ear to the ground.