Where do you start when a child claims they 'don't like reading'? We've chosen a selection of fantastic books we think are likely to interest children who aren't yet big fans of reading.
Some of these titles feature in the book packs we send into schools for our volunteers to use with the children they are supporting.
This collection of books has been handpicked by children’s reading experts including Coram Beanstalk staff, reading helpers and children's book expert Marilyn Brocklehurst, founder of The Norfolk Children’s Book Centre. The selection process involved careful consideration of the types of books Coram Beanstalk-supported children would find fun and motivational. Find out more about how we select Beanstalk Brilliant Books here.
You can see the books that Coram Beanstalk has specifically chosen for children who haven't yet fallen in love with books and reading below - but these books can be read and enjoyed by all children. You can follow the links on each page to GoodReads.com reviews from thousands of avid readers or check out some reviews from Beanstalk children here.
You should be able to find the books in your local library. You can buy most of the books through Bookshop.org - just check out the book lists on our page here and Coram Beanstalk receives a 10% donation on your purchases!
Buy books from the Beanstalk Brilliant Books list here
Donate today to help us provide more books like this to our reading helpers
This book is packed with animals, rhyming and silliness! This bestselling story will have children and adults in hysterics! Read more
Every year, billions of animals move from one part of our planet to another. Share the adventure with jellyfish, red crabs, free-tailed bats and wildebeest to learn more about these fascinating journeys. Read more
In this beautifully illustrated rendition of a well-known children's chant, two sisters are looking not for a bear, but for a lion-a lion that lives on the African savanna. Read more
Frog and Toad have captured the hearts of many with their powerful tales of friendship. Despite their differences of appearance and character, or perhaps even because of them, Frog and Toad share a strong, enviable friendship that has stood the test of time. Read more
Flip Flap Jungle invites the reader to create their own animal and make it roar! The possibilities are endless enabling children to create their own animals, such as an ‘Antilla’ (Ant/Gorilla)! Read more
Something strange is going on down at the farm - is that a full moon in the sky? Will Farmer Greg get to the bottom of the ghostly goings-on? Read more
Dave lives in a very nice cave, but he starts to wonder whether there is a better cave for him out there. He packs up his belongings and adventures out to find the perfect cave for him. Read more
This truly original book allows the reader to choose a different experience every time you open the book. Read more
A wordless picture book that documents over time, the changing landscape from a boy's bedroom window. Read more
An exciting medieval graphic novel about 10 year old Max who dreams of becoming a knight. Read more
This delightful rhyming book follows a mouse and bear who both just want to sit on the same chair! Read more
Anisha is set to be a bridesmaid for Aunty Bindi's wedding when a ransom note appears. Uncle Tony will only be freed if the wedding is called off. It's all down to Anisha to save the day! Read more
Dara O Briain shares the science behind what's really happening in what you think is your boring, normal, everyday life. Read more
Tidy follows Pete the badger who loves to tidy up and eventually destroys all nature until he realises its true benefit. Read more
This delightful book explores the fibs we tell children and the fibs that children tell us about reading and books in a fun picture book. Read more
Take a tour through 200 countries in this exciting travel book. Learn amazing facts about countries you've never even heard of! Read more
Mr and Mrs Bold are just a normal couple living in a semi-detached house and going out to work EXCEPT they're actually hyenas! Read more
Follow the Gaskitt family in this delightful book. The amusing stories of the Gaskitt family include Mrs. Gaskitt who finds a very peculiar package, Mr. Gaskitt who loses a baby in a shopping cart and the family cat, Horace. Read more
An original book that truly contains no pictures but lots of fun words to make everyone laugh. The one condition of this book is that it has to be read out loud. Read more
The reader is welcomed into a beautiful friendship between a caterpillar and a tadpole in Tadpole's Promise, but can the tadpole keep his promise to caterpillar? Read more
Want to know how to talk the patter of a pirate? Discover all the foul facts about pirates - all the gore and more! Read more
This isn’t just a book – it’s a game in a book that entices even the most reluctant of readers! It involves the reader carrying out different tasks in order for the pages to turn. Read more
This delightful book follows small, but brave, Norman, who just wants to visit his father’s graves. Disaster and trouble follows Norman wherever he goes. Read more
Rabbit borrows a book about wolves from the library. He can't put it down! But soon a sinister figure with sharp claws and a bushy tail starts to creep right off the pages. Read more
The pages of this book are physically split so that children can spend hours mixing and matching magical spells! Read more
A very special gorilla is taught a very special skill: sign language. He appears to have everything he needs, but one day he signs that he is sad and needs a friend. His keepers bring him a tiny cat called Beauty and the two of them become inseparable. Read more
Lottie Potter really wants an otter and heads to Trotter’s Otter shop to buy one. This wonderfully funny rhyming book is filled with plenty of tongue twisters which children and adults will love trying to read out loud together. Read more
It's 6 o'clock and time for tea - but wait! What's that? It's a runaway pea! Read more
A classic children's book that introduces young children to an array of animals that they might find at the zoo. Read more
Which bug can survive being squished by a sledgehammer? Where can you see a red waterfall? Which countries have the oddest superstitions? Read more
Archie is an accident waiting to happen. He can't help it. In just one week at school, he is accused of murder, gets trapped in the staff cloakroom without any clothes, and somehow manages to turn himself into a dog. Read more
They do say that fact can be stranger than fiction and that's certainly true in these unbelievable but true football stories. Read more
Granny Anne helped Maya learn English when she first arrived and a beautiful friendship grew. Mister P, the lovable polar bear arrives just in time to support Maya as Gran is beginning to lose her memory and put herself on danger. A beautiful tale of Maya's fear of losing her Gran just as she is starting to feel a part of the family. Read more
Sam doesn't want to be friends with Davey, he thinks he's 'a moron'. But after Davey saves Sam's life, the pair become friends. Written entirely in verse and told from Sam's point of view, this is an extra-ordinary tale of life-changing friendship. Read more
11 year old AJ's grandad holds the family together and when he dies, AJ becomes a young carer for his parents. "The thing that makes me different from other 11 year old boys, apart from my running, is that my parents have learning difficulties. It's no big deal. Really it isn't. I don't look after them. We look after each other." Read more
Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar. You might not know him yet, but once you read this book you'll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose! Apparently...! Read more
All Tom Gates wants to do is get tickets to see his favourite band when they come to town. It's not easy when he's up against Delia, his weirdo big sister. Read more
Mr Gum is a very mean man; follow his hopeless plots and ventures in this funny book. Read more
A brilliant collection of poems covering everything from fried chicken to computer games, and from Grandpa's beard to talking to your dog. Even if you don't like poetry you will love these poems! Read more
The Laugh Out Loud Joke Book is jam-packed with over 300 hilarious jokes written and selected by bestselling children's author, Michael Rosen. Read more