Take a look at our favourite illustrated picture books for young readers, as part of our autumn Go Wild! programme – all free to borrow with your library card!
Find out more about our Wild Reads programme and explore our suggested books for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.
Jungle Adventure
Lily Murray
Imagine if you could have an adventure in the jungle. What if you could have MILLIONS of them?
With this story-building book, readers aged 5+ can create their own jungle-inspired adventures, over and over again. Just read the question and choose from the vibrant pictures on the page to build the story.
Once you’ve finished, turn back to the start and make different choices to build a completely new tale. There are millions of possible combinations and endless stories to be told! And can you find the cheeky penguin hidden on each page?
The Wilderness
Steve McCarthy
The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the wet and the wild, the thrill of exploring the outside world. All that is – except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book.
But tomorrow, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called ‘The Wilderness’! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit lost.
But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend.
We’re Going to Find the Monster!
Malorie Blackman and Dapo Adeola
Join two intrepid adventurers as their imaginations transform their house into a wild wonderland – and their big brother becomes a mighty monster.
A joy to read-aloud with its cumulative refrain, and full of funny, relatable characters, this is a contemporary celebration of creativity, fantasy and family.
The Wild Robot On the Island
Peter Brown
Roz is not where she’s supposed to be.
Roz the robot wasn’t designed to live in the wilderness. But when she washes up on an island, she must learn from the animal inhabitants and adapt to her new, natural surroundings, and before long, the island begins to feel like home.
The Grizzled Grist Does Not Exist!
Juliette MacIver
It’s the class trip to Dismal Hills wilderness. The children aren’t worried about the legendary Grizzled Grist who lives here; they’re excited to show off their outdoor skills – foraging, climbing, trapping.
No one’s impressed with Liam’s skill of hiding. But it turns out a hider can see what others think does not exist.
The Camping Trip
Jennifer K. Mann
Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully (New sleeping bag! New flashlight! Special snack mix made with Dad!) so she knows she is ready when the weekend arrives.
But she quickly realizes that nothing could have prepared her for how hard it is to set up a tent, never mind fall asleep in it, or that swimming in a lake means that there will be fish… eep!
Will Ernestine be able to enjoy the wilderness, or will it prove to be a bit too far out of her comfort zone?
Hike
Pete Oswald
In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they’re going on a hike.
Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive – and closer than ever – as they document their hike and take their place in family history.
In detail-rich panels and textured panoramas, Pete Oswald perfectly paces this nearly wordless adventure, allowing readers to pause for subtle wonders and marvel at the views.
The Mice of Mushroom Forest
Zanna Goldhawk
Deep within the darkness of Mushroom Forest, Fox’s towering shadow sends the small creatures scurrying away in fear.
All except for Inky Mouse, who is brave and curious, and longs to explore the world beyond her burrow.
But can Inky convince her sisters to take courage and experience the wonders of the woods for themselves?
Wild Wild Wood
Anna Kemp
In a beautiful, green, wild wild wood lives a gentle mole. But then a ‘sold’ sign appears in the wood one morning, and Mole decides to write a firmly worded letter to Barry Bristlethwaite of Burnum Buildem Real Estate: their home is not for sale!
But when diggers arrive the next morning, Mole and his friends must activate Plan B! Will they be able to save their wood?
‘Wild Wild Wood’ is an empowering, rhyming tale about the power of using your voice.
Wild Footprints
Judy Wise
Each unique creature leaves a special trail. And each and every one tells an extraordinary tale. Follow in the footprints of some of Earth’s most majestic creatures and magnificent minibeasts.
Along the way, you’ll learn that some footprints are more harmful than others. Though humans have damaged many ecosystems, we too have the power to change our ways.
This rhyming text culminates in an uplifting and empowering finale with a powerful and prevailing message of hope.
Wild
Katja Balen
A little girl loves playing in the woods and rejoicing in the wildness all around her. She sees secrets in the stars and stories in the earth.
But one day she moves to the city. Surrounded by tall, grey buildings, she feels disconnected and alone. She has lost her wild.
Or has she? Maybe she will find wildness where she least expects it.
The Wild Wood
Sally Morgan
Join Bud the bear, as he embarks on a magnificent journey through the seasons of the Wild Wood. Along the way, he’ll see flowers bloom, birds migrate, snow fall in soft flurries, spiders weaving webs, tadpoles transforming into frogs, caterpillars becoming colourful butterflies and much more.
Seasonal checklists appear at the end of every chapter, so little adventurers can discover and tick off many magnificent spectacles in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, including animal footprints, nests, beetles, birds and beyond!
For the eagle-eyed there are six rare woodland creatures to find hidden in the pages.
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