Kids: Reluctant readers

If your tamariki haven't caught the reading bug yet, the books on this list may pique their interest! Here you'll find books that are funny, large text, pictures, cartoons, and maybe something short and sweet.

Updated July 28, 2025
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Madeline
Bemelmans, Ludwig
Paper Book
"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines the smallest one was Madeline."     Nothing frightens Madeline--not tigers, not even mice. With...
Flat Stanley
Brown, Jeff.
Paper Book
In this 50th anniversary edition, join Flat Stanley and the rest of the Lambchop family on the adventure that started it all!  Kids love Flat Stanley--even reluctant readers. And for parents and teachers, each Flat Stanley book delivers multicultural adventure, plot and character...
Ted rules the world
Cottrell Boyce, Frank
Paper Book
When the Prime Minister begins making Ted's great ideas a reality, he suddenly has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders ... A hilarious comedy caper from Waterstones Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Ted thinks there's something fishy going on. Ever since his...
Super sub
Gibbons, Alan; Shephard, David
Paper Book
Bengo is the best player Smithy's ever seen, so why is he always left on the bench? An action-packed football story accompanied by fascinating facts and historical detail about famous substitutes. New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on...
The 13-story treehouse
Griffiths, Andy
Paper Book
Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it's not just any old treehouse, it's the most amazing treehouse in the world! This treehouse has thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around...
Boing boing
McCall Smith, Alexander
Paper Book
Jane has always been just a little bit different - she has springs in her knees! Support severely struggling readers with this hi-lo adventure with a spring in its step. Jane has always been just a little bit different - she has springs in her knees! She wins all the high...
The worst witch
Murphy, Jill
Paper Book
Catch up on Mildred Hubble's magical adventures at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches with these reissued editions featuring energetic new covers. Mildred Hubble is starting her first year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches -- and making a mess of it! She can't ride her...
Big Nate : in a class by himself
Peirce, Lincoln.
Paper Book
Now an animated series from Paramount + & Nickelodeon! For fans of the hilarious Diary of a Wimpy Kid series: Get ready to meet Big Nate! In the very first novel in the New York Times bestselling series, Big Nate is in a class by himself! Nate knows he's meant for big...
Ottoline and the yellow cat
Riddell, Chris.
Paper Book
An exciting new character-based mini series for young readers.Introducing Miss Ottoline Brown, an exceptionally inquisitive Mistress of Disguise, and her partner in crime, Mr Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve . . . Ottoline lives in a stylish apartment in Big City...
Clever cakes
Rosen, Michael
Paper Book
Two super-smart kids triumph in these perfectly packaged tales with a twist from multi-award-winning and bestselling author Michael Rosen It pays to be able to think on your feet, especially if you're about to be eaten alive or cheated out of a valuable prize! And in...
Sideways stories from Wayside School
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
Bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Louis Sachar knows how to make readers laugh. And there are laughs galore in perennial favorite Wayside School Is Falling Down! This is the rack-size paperback. Yum! Miss Mush is dishing out her famous Mushroom Surprise in the Wayside School...
Horrid Henry
Simon, Francesca.
Paper Book
Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 to 5 Horrid Henry is the very first collection of stories about the master of mischief (and the funniest kid in the universe) including: Horrid Henry is dragged to dance class. Horrid Henry competes with Moody Margaret to make the...
The invasion of Crooked Oak
Smith, Dan; King, Chris
Paper Book
Stranger Things meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers in this thrilling sci-fi adventure with an ecological twist. Something sinister is happening in Crooked Oak ... Ever since the fracking site closed, Nancy's parents have been acting weird. Their eyes are blank, they...
The story of Matthew Buzzington
Stanton, Andy; Collins, Ross
Paper Book
Matthew Buzzington must grapple with an unusual superpower in this riotous, laugh-out-loud adventure from the bestselling author of the Mr Gum series. Matthew Buzzington has a superpower - he can turn into a fly! It's just that it hasn't happened yet, which is pretty...

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