The team at Woodbridge Library share some of their favourite picture books for older readers! Browse our staff recommendations and pick up a copy from your local library.
Want more suggested books? Take a look at our recommendations or explore more of the National Year of Reading campaign.
Godfather Death
Sally Nicholls and Julia Sarda
When a poor fisherman chooses Death to be godfather to his son, he’s sure he’s made a good choice – for surely there’s no man more honest than Death?
At the christening, Death gives the fisherman a gift that seems at first to be the key to the family’s fortune, but when greed overcomes the fisherman, he learns that nobody can truly cheat Death…
A soul-stirring reimagined Grimm tale by award-winning author Sally Nicholls and hauntingly illustrated by Júlia Sardà which will spellbind and thrill readers of all ages.
The Journey
Francesca Sanna
What is it like to have to leave everything behind and travel many miles to somewhere unfamiliar and strange? A mother and her two children set out on such a journey; one filled with fear of the unknown, but also great hope.
With haunting echoes of current affairs this beautifully illustrated book explores the unimaginable decisions made as a family leave their home and everything they know to escape the turmoil and tragedy brought by war. This book will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
The Arrival
Shaun Tan
What drives so many to leave everything behind and journey alone to a mysterious country, a place without family or friends, where everything is nameless and the future is unknown. This silent graphic novel is the story of every migrant, every refugee, every displaced person, and a tribute to all those who have made the journey.
The Arrival has become one of the most critically acclaimed books of recent years, a wordless masterpiece that describes a world beyond any familiar time or place.
One Day
Michael Rosen and Benjamin Phillips
Eugène Handschuh was a Jewish member of the Resistance in occupied Paris. After he was captured by the Nazis, he was placed on a convoy to Auschwitz.
Against all the odds, with the help of strangers and fellow members of the Resistance, Eugène and his father escaped the convoy and survived – when so many others did not.
Former Poet Laureate Michael Rosen was inspired to tell this story after discovering his father’s uncle and aunt were on the same convoy as Eugène, but never returned.
The Midnight Giant
Luke Pearson
Hilda finds her world turned upside down as she faces the prospect of leaving her snow-capped birthplace for the hum of the megalopolis.
Her mother, an architect, has been offered a prestigious position in the bustling city of New Oslo that she would find hard to reject – besides which Hilda’s 90-minute trek to school every day is far from ideal. As she seeks ways to stall her mother’s decision, Hilda conspires with the beings of the mystical Blue Forest to delay the inevitable.
Will they help or hinder her? More importantly, who is the mysterious Midnight Giant?
Luna and the Treasure of Tlaloc
Joe Todd Stanton
Buried amongst the treasures in Professor Brownstone’s vault, lie his most prized possessions – a humble collection of books. Filled with stories from his ancestors, they contain tales of fearless fighters, unlikely heroes and legends from years gone by.
Get ready to meet Luna Brownstone: the most devious Brownstone of all. When a tragedy strikes her family, she decides that she will only ever look out for herself. She runs away, and begins her search for riches to steal.
Whilst travelling, she stumbles across a village ravaged by drought and hears rumours of a palace filled with great gold treasures. When a young girl, Atzi, volunteers to journey to the palace of the rain god Tlaloc with an offering to save her village, Luna develops a cunning plan: befriend Atzi, steal her map, and find the god herself.
Working together to find the palace Atzi finds herself in danger; Luna needs to decide what matters most.