The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer

This short and very funny book is a likely future classic for the younger age group. Two troublesome boys are sent to the library each day as punishment for their various misdemeanours. The librarian in charge is the dreaded Spud Murphy, about whom many rumours abound. By the end of this clever story, the boys see both Spud Murphy - and the pleasures of reading - in a very different light.

This could be horribly preachy in the wrong hands, but the story is so funny, that even if they notice the message, children are unlikely to be offended by it. Libraries are not obvious venues for hilarious adventure. But this book exploits all the possibilities to the utmost.

Good for:

• boys and girls from 7-9
• reading aloud to younger primary kids
• reluctant boy readers

If you like this, you might like:

• Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine
• The Worst Kids in the World by Barbara Robinson
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Bloom

The Family from One End Street by Eve Garnett

This is a real classic - the story of the large family of a dustman and a washerwoman, set in the 1930s. It has humour, lightness of touch and a cast of captivating characters, from the mischievous twins Jim and John and cinema-loving Joe, to the dreamy, academic Kate and the down-to-earth oldest child, Lily-Rose. One of the first children's stories to feature a working-class family, it is affectionate rather than gritty - but feels authentic in detail and dialogue. Struggling to pay for a school uniform, shrinking a valued customer's silk blouse, or a Bank Holiday expedition are typical episodes leading to excitement and adventure.

Good for:

• Readers of 8-10
• boys and especially girls
• readers interested in historical periods and "real-life" adventure

If you liked this, try:

• Eve Garnett's two excellent sequels
• Private: Keep Out by Gwen Grant - tales of a feisty working-class heroine, in a large family in 1950s Sheffield
• The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tyler by Gene Kemp - humorous and down-to-earth flavour, but a more recent setting
• Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian - another classic which evokes ordinary life

Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine

This is a superbly funny and wickedly witty read! The story is told by the Killer Cat himself, always in trouble with his family for bringing dead birds and mice through the cat-flap. Then comes the day he arrives with the corpse of Next Door's rabbit... There is a brilliant twist at the end too, when we find out whether Tufty is quite as villianous as he appears.

This is short, distinctive, readable and with a voice all its own. A sure-fire laugh-out-loud success with children in younger primary.

Good for:

• early readers, especially 7-8 year olds
• girls and boys
• reading aloud in the early primary years

If you liked this then try:

• the sequel, also by Anne Fine
• Crummy, Mummy and Me by Anne Fine
• The Worst Kids in the World: Christmas Pageant by Barbara Robinson - similarly wicked humour

Harriet's Hare by Dick King-Smith

Harriet is a farmer's daughter, who is happy helping her Dad on the farm, but also lonely because her mother is dead. One day she meets a talking hare - who just happens to be a visitor from Outer Space. Wiz the hare has magic powers, and decides to transform Harriet's life.

This book is simply told with a lovely humour and an unhurried feel. It conveys wonderfully a sense of the English country-side and the rhythms of farm life. The story has just enough mystery to keep the reader hooked and its conclusion is warmly satisfying. Warmth and reassurance ooze out of this story.

Good for:

• girls especially, but boys will enjoy the alien theme and unsentimental approach
• that difficult early reading slot, 7 and 8 year olds especially
• reading aloud - a good classroom novel

If you liked this try:

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - the ultimate farm animal story
• The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith
• The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson - another animal story for the same reading age, whose warmth is never sentimental
• The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - about another little girl who loves her father, living close to nature

First Post

Welcome. This Blog is all about great children's books.

There are two aims. Firstly, to highlight some fantastic children's books, and most especially those with sticking-power. There is always lots of attention given to newly published books. If those are your interest you will find plenty of web-sites, plus review coverage in the papers. But it can be hard to separate the hype from the real quality. This blog will not ignore new books altogether, but will focus instead on those 24 carat reads which are still easily available, but are not the subject of publicity and aggressive marketing. They are simply long-lasting Great Reads that children love.

Secondly, this blog aims to signpost Where To Go Next. If you enjoyed a book, in other words, BookLady will make some suggestions about other books you might enjoy. If you, or your kid, suddenly happen upon a book you really love, it can be frustrating not to know where to go from there. Come to this blog and find out!

And I will also do my best to signpost audiences for each book. Parents, teachers and child readers - I hope to help anyone who genuinely wants to make reading fun.