40 children’s books have been selected for new starter packs which will benefit children supported by Beanstalk reading helpers in primary schools across England.
We've chosen these 40 fantastic books that will be used by our volunteers to kick-start reading engagement for the children they support.
This #BeanstalkTop40 has been handpicked by children’s literacy experts including Beanstalk staff, trained reading helpers and literacy consultant Marilyn Brocklehurst – founder of The Norfolk Children’s Book Centre. The selection process involved careful consideration of the types of books Beanstalk-supported children would find fun and motivational. These books will be provided to our Beanstalk schools as part of a starter pack resource to be used by the reading helpers volunteering in that school. Read more..
Getting hold of Beanstalk's Top 40
Below you will find the 40 books that Beanstalk has specifically chosen for reluctant and struggling readers - but these books can be read and enjoyed by all children. Don't just take our word for it, you can follow the links on each page to GoodReads.com reviews from thousands of avid readers.
We hope you will be able to find all these titles in your local library. If you're looking to buy the books and you are an Amazon customer, then please do register with Amazon Smile, select Beanstalk as your chosen charity and we will receive a donation worth 0.5% of the value of your order!
Children will delight in following the black cat's progress through the dark wood, into the dark house, and eventually to the surprise discovery at the back of the toy cupboard. Read more here...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 here...Read more
It's a field trip to the zoo! The teacher and students see parrots squabbling and cheetahs running. What they don?t see is the crafty anaconda that slithers out of its pond! Read more here...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 here...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 here...Read more
Most days everyone would agree that clumsy Eric is the opposite of a hero. But when a huge monster stomps down from the mountains, Eric might just get the chance to prove them all wrong. Read more here...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 here...Read more
Frog and Toad have captured the hearts of many generations and young readers. Follow their adventures in this book where they write letters, go swimming and tell each other stories. Read more here...Read more
A small boy who has been kidnapped by brigands, passes a dark and stormy night in their cave weaving for them incredible stories of their own exploits. Read more here...Read more
The title of the book provides a clear message, to encourage children to understand difference in people and to be more tolerant of others. This colourful book, a trademark of Todd Parr, details lots of situations, some that will make children laugh and some that will even make adults think. Read more here...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 here...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 here...Read more
The pages of this book are physically separated so that children can create stories from well-known Fairy Tales. Goldilocks can be intertwined with Little Red Riding Hood to enable children to make quick, funny stories! Read more here...Read more
This delightful book follows small, but brave, Norman, who just wants to visit his fathers’ graves. Disaster and trouble follows Norman wherever he goes. Read more here...Read more
This book is packed with animals, rhyming and silliness! This bestselling story will have children and adults in hysterics! Read more here...Read more
A schoolboy who finds everyday very ordinary suddenly has a very un-ordinary day as a new teacher, Mr Gee, arrives and challenges the children to use their imagination. Read more here...Read more
Imagine reading the story of the ugly duckling and a crocodile pops up trying to steal the words and pictures in the book! Where will the crocodile turn up next? Read more here...Read more
Mr Bear finds himself wide awake at a time he should normally be sleeping. Familiar noises, such as a ticking clock and Mrs Bear snoring, are keeping him awake. Will Mr Bear get peace at last and finally fall asleep? Read more here...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 here...Read more
A heart-warming story about a dog who wants to fly. This story will have children guessing all the way through the book as to whether dogs can really fly. Read more here...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 here...Read more
A plump fowl meets a very friendly fox, but the fowl shouldn't be fooled by the fox's charming invitations to dinner as he has a tasty plan for the fowl! Read more here...Read more
The pages of this book are physically split so that children can spend hours mixing and matching magical spells! Read more here...Read more
An original book that truly contains no pictures but lots of fun words for children to sound out. The one condition of this book is that it has to be read out loud. Read more here...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 here...Read more
Follow the Gaskitt family in this deligthful book. The amusing stories of the Gaskitt family include Mrs. Gaskitt finds a very peculiar package, Mr. Gaskitt loses a baby in a shopping cart and the family cat, Horace. Read more here...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 here...Read more
This fun and fascinating treasury features all kinds of families and their lives together. Each spread showcases one aspect of home life - from houses and holidays, to schools and pets, to feelings and family trees. Read more here...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 here...Read more
Once upon a time there lived a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued.One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister's fears. When he doesn't return his sister has to pluck up the courage to go through the tunnel too. Read more here...Read more
Lucy hears strange noises and is convinced that wolves are living in her walls. This is a perfect picture book for older children that has so many interesting and inspiring meanings. Read more here...Read more
This delightful rhyming book follows a mouse and bear who both just want to sit on the same chair! Read more here...Read more
A younger brother is told by his older, bossy brother to go and find mythical creatures. But can he find the fictional Snappenpoop? Read more here...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 here...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 here...Read more
This book uses pictures and simple words to challenge common stereotypes and beliefs. Read more here...Read more
A picture book that documents the changing landscape from a boy's bedroom window. Read more here...Read more
A fantastic book full of different rhymes to make you wriggle and giggle, shrug and sigh, snap like a crocodile and slither like a snake. Read more here...Read more
This truly original book allows the reader to choose a different experience every time you open the book. Read more here...Read more
Mr Gum is a very mean man, follow his hopeless plots and ventures in this funny book. Read more here...Read more