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  • beanstalk-top-40
  1. Our reading tips
  2. Our Top 40 books

Coram Beanstalk Top 40

We've chosen 40 fantastic books as suggestions for our volunteers to kick-start reading engagement for the children they support.

How the books were chosen

This #CoramBeanstalkTop40 has been handpicked by children’s literacy experts including Coram Beanstalk staff, 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 Coram Beanstalk-supported children would find fun and motivational. Some of these books will be provided to our Coram Beanstalk schools as part of an engagement pack resource to be used by the reading helpers volunteering in that school.

Getting hold of Coram Beanstalk's Top 40

You can see the 40 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 Top 40 list here

Donate today to help us provide more books like this to our reading helpers

Oi Frog!

Oi Frog!

This book is packed with animals, rhyming and silliness! This bestselling story will have children and adults in hysterics! Read more

Published: 28th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Amazing Animal Journeys

Amazing Animal Journeys

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
We're Going on A Lion Hunt

We're Going on A Lion Hunt

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Frog and Toad are Friends

Frog and Toad are Friends

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Flip Flap Jungle

Flip Flap Jungle

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Once Upon an Ordinary School Day

Once Upon an Ordinary School Day

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Dave's Cave

Dave's Cave

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

Published: 27th April, 2018

Updated: 26th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
You Choose

You Choose

This truly original book allows the reader to choose a different experience every time you open the book. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Window

Window

A picture book that documents the changing landscape from a boy's bedroom window. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Max and The Midknights

Max and The Midknights

An exciting medieval graphic novel about 10 year old Max who dreams of becoming a knight. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
There's A Bear on My Chair

There's A Bear on My Chair

This delightful rhyming book follows a mouse and bear who both just want to sit on the same chair! Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
There's No Such Thing as A Snappenpoop

There's No Such Thing as A Snappenpoop

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Secret Science

Secret Science

Dara O Briain shares the science behind what's really happening in what you think is your boring, normal, everyday life. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Tidy

Tidy

Tidy follows Pete the badger who loves to tidy up and eventually destroys all nature until he realises its true benefit. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Covers of My Book Are Too Far Apart!

The Covers of My Book Are Too Far Apart!

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Great Big Book of Families

The Great Big Book of Families

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Tunnel

The Tunnel

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Children who Smelled a Rat

The Children who Smelled a Rat

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Book with No Pictures

The Book with No Pictures

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Tadpole's Promise

Tadpole's Promise

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Some Dogs Do

Some Dogs Do

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Press Here

Press Here

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Norman the Norman from Normandy

Norman the Norman from Normandy

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
Mixed Up Fairy Tales

Mixed Up Fairy Tales

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
The Big Book of Magical Mix-Ups

The Big Book of Magical Mix-Ups

The pages of this book are physically split so that children can spend hours mixing and matching magical spells! Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Little Beauty

Little Beauty

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Lottie Potter Wants an Otter

Lottie Potter Wants an Otter

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
It's Okay to be Different

It's Okay to be Different

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Dear Zoo

Dear Zoo

A classic children's book that introduces young children to an array of animals that they might find at the zoo. Read more

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Archie's Unbelievably Freaky Week

Archie's Unbelievably Freaky Week

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Class Two at The Zoo

Class Two at The Zoo

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

Published: 26th April, 2018

Updated: 26th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Me and Mister P, Maya's Storm

Me and Mister P, Maya's Storm

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

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Cloud Busting

Cloud Busting

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

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Running on Empty

Running on Empty

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

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 20th June, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
Planet Omar, Accidental Trouble Magnet

Planet Omar, Accidental Trouble Magnet

Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar.You might not know him yet, but once you read this books you'll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose! Apparently...! Read more

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

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

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 18th November, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
You're a Bad Man Mr Gum!

You're a Bad Man Mr Gum!

Mr Gum is a very mean man, follow his hopeless plots and ventures in this funny book. Read more

Published: 25th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
  • Coram Beanstalk engagement packs
I Don't Like Poetry

I Don't Like Poetry

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

Published: 20th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd October, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
The Laugh Out Loud Joke Book

The Laugh Out Loud Joke Book

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

Published: 20th April, 2018

Updated: 8th June, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Related topics:
  • Coram Beanstalk Top 40
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Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2019 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719.
All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.
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This website is administered by Coram Beanstalk as lead partner in the Story Starters programme. Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2017 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719. All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.

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With schools resuming full service from March 8th we are preparing to work with schools to provide much needed support to children. Our reading helpers will return as soon as both schools and volunteers are ready. We also have other ways to support so if you are interested please contact us here