It’s our final week celebrating this year’s Coventry Inspiration Book Awards shortlisted books, and we look at the second runners up. If any of these were your favourite books, do try my recommendations for what to read next.

Our last book in the What’s The Story category is the hilarious Frank The Pizza by Eoin McLaughlin illustrated by Mike Byrne.

Making friends isn’t always easy, and all Frank the Pizza wants is someone to accept him for who he is. So when he gets invited to a birthday party, his parents worry and warn him to be careful…but Frank is already planning his outfit. At the party, no one seems to get his jokes and he ends up lonely in the corner – until he meets Frances. As the night goes on, these new friends become more daring and suddenly the party takes an unexpected turn. Were Frank’s parents right? Is life dangerous when you’re delicious?

If you loved Frank The Pizza, do try Bun On The Run by Smriti Halls, illustrated by Chris Jevons the perfect story to have children giggling from the very first page. Bernard may look like an ordinary iced bun—perfectly round, perfectly squidgy, and topped with the brightest cherry—but he’s hiding a huge secret: he dreams of adventure!

Fed up with sitting on a plate in the baker’s shop, Bernard decides it’s finally time to make a run for it. What follows is a gloriously funny chase as he discovers that life outside the bakery is far more dangerous than he expected… especially when hungry humans start eyeing him up for tea.

Smriti Halls’ playful, rhythmic language makes this a joy to read aloud, and Chris Jevons’ bold, expressive illustrations bring Bernard’s big personality to life on every page. Children will love spotting the visual jokes, cheering Bernard on, and predicting what sticky situation he might end up in next.

Perfect for shared reading, this is a deliciously silly picture book that celebrates bravery, determination, and the power of a good sprinkle of sugar.

Our final book in Telling Tales is The Night Forest by Polly Ho-Yen and Illustrated by Sojung Kim-Mcarthy.

Polly Ho-Yen’s gently magical storytelling shines in this beautifully illustrated early chapter book, brought to life by Sojung Kim-McCarthy’s atmospheric artwork. Young readers follow Ziggy, who begins waking in a mysterious night-time forest whenever they fall asleep—whether at Mum’s or Dad’s house. What starts as something frightening slowly becomes an empowering journey as Ziggy learns to face their fears and understand the feelings stirred by moving between two homes. With its tender exploration of separation, night terrors and courage, this enchanting tale offers comfort and reassurance, making it a brilliant choice for children navigating big emotions.

The Wobbly Life of Scarlett Fife by Maz Evans and Chris Jevons Scarlett Fife has BIG feelings, the kind that don’t just bubble up, they blast out in spectacular, world‑shaking ways. Maz Evans has created another brilliantly funny, heartfelt story that takes a thoughtful look at anxiety, friendship and growing up, all wrapped in a fast‑paced, laugh‑out‑loud adventure.

Scarlett is trying her very best to stay calm, especially when her family has exciting (and slightly overwhelming) news to share. But the more she tries to squash her feelings down, the more they burst out in increasingly explosive ways – we’re talking collapsing vases, flying objects, and even an unforgettable incident involving 2,669 sugar cubes. Every wobble of worry seems to make Scarlett’s world literally shake, and soon she realises she can’t keep everything bottled up, no matter how hard she tries.

Maz Evans’ trademark humour shines through every chapter, perfectly balanced with warmth and empathy. Scarlett is a wonderfully relatable character for any child who has ever felt their emotions run away with them, and Chris Jevons’ lively illustrations add even more energy and heart to the story.

This book opens the door to important conversations about managing big feelings, while keeping young readers thoroughly entertained. Honest, hilarious and full of heart, The Wobbly Life of Scarlett Fife is guaranteed to make families laugh together – and maybe breathe a little deeper too.

Our final book for Hooked On Books is After by Padraig Kenny, illustrated by Steve McCarthy. This gripping dystopian adventure offers a powerful blend of hope, humanity and heart.

Jen and her dad journey across a silent, post‑technology world, searching for others after a mysterious collapse known as the Flood. But Dad isn’t quite what he seems—he’s an AI who survived by glitching free of the system, a secret Jen must protect at all costs. As they navigate empty landscapes and new dangers, the story explores what truly makes someone family, and where real threats lie.

Thought‑provoking yet full of warmth, this is a compelling read for confident readers in Year 5 and up who enjoy adventurous, emotionally rich stories.

If you loved After, do try TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum. Intelligent and insightful, TrooFriend is an enthralling tale of family, friendship and what it means to be human, with a sinister undercurrent that sweeps you along.

In a world where humanity is dependent on technology, to the extent of providing a safe replacement to human friends for children, we see the desperate need for human connection, be it from family or friends.

Sarah’s issues at home and school are exceptionally relatable, as are the decisions she makes to be popular. The use of Ivy to highlight the right or wrong of those decisions is subtly done as we see her begin to think for herself and become a sentient being, and helps to create the growing sense of unease underpinning the story.

Sarah grows throughout, from an angry, selfish child who doesn’t realise what she has and is fed up of being alone, to a caring, compassionate child who recognises her mistakes and owns them.

With themes of friendship, loneliness, morality, ethics around A.I., and what it means to be human, there are so many different discussions and debates that can arise. The news coverage of the growing crisis shows how quickly it can stir up panic within a populus, and how differing groups can be labelled very quickly, and those labels stick, whether proved or not.

Happy reading!

While we have celebrated our winners, we still have two books in each category to celebrate – our runners-up. So, over the next two weeks, we’ll look at what to try next if one of your favourites missed out on the top spot.

Our first runner up for What’s The Story is Letters To A Monster by Patricia Forde and Sarah Warburton. It’s a dark and stormy night, and Sophie knows that there is a MONSTER hiding under her bed. So, like any sensible child, she decides to send him a letter.

Dear Monster,
I know you are hiding under my bed. I hear you breathing. This is your last warning. Leave now or I will call THE MONSTER POLICE. I have their number.
Yours truly,
Sophie

As the letters fly back and forth, Sophie begins to wonder if Monster isn’t as scary as she thought. What if he’s the friend she’s been looking for all along?

If you loved Letters To A Monster, do try Billy And The Beast by Nadia Shireen, a story bursting with fun, bravery and just the right amount of monster mayhem. Billy and her ever‑reliable sidekick, Fatcat, are enjoying a peaceful woodland stroll when a terrible rumble interrupts their day… and it’s not Fatcat’s tummy this time! A Terrible Beast is on the loose, and he’s cooking up a Terrible Soup made from all of their woodland friends.

But he hasn’t reckoned with Billy. With her quick thinking—and a few handy tricks tucked safely in her magnificent hair—she sets off to rescue everyone, including some extremely cute bunny rabbits. What follows is a joyful, fast‑paced adventure packed with humour, heart and plenty to spot in the illustrations.

Nadia Shireen’s playful, energetic text makes this a fantastic read‑aloud, while her bold, expressive artwork brings every character and creature to life. It’s a brilliant mix of danger and silliness, and Billy’s determination makes her a hero to cheer for from start to finish. Billy and the Beast is a lively celebration of courage, kindness and outsmarting anyone who tries to cause trouble.

Our first runner up for Telling Tales is The Floofs Reach For The Stars by Penelope O’Neill, a fabulous tale of magical mysteries and friendship.

Meet The Floofs. A Floof is a Floof. Not a rabbit, not a rat, not even a mouse. Join them as they go on three adventures full of fun, new friends and just a little bit of magic. The Floofs are there to help each other solve problems of the cosmic kind. From figuring out why the stars in the night sky are disappearing and helping someone who finds themselves far from home, to joining a friend on their quest to find a quiet place to read their book. Whether the adventure is out of this world or a little bit closer to home, they are always fun when you have your friends to help you along the way.

If you loved The Floofs try Detective Beans and The Case Of The Missing Hat by Li Chen, a warm, whisker‑twitching mystery that young readers will race through with a smile. Beans, a determined kitten detective with a smart trench coat and an even smarter mind, wakes to discover the unthinkable: his detective hat is missing. With his loyal friend Biscuit cheering him on, he sets off across bustling Cat Town to solve the case.

What follows is a wonderfully playful adventure filled with colourful characters, comedic encounters, and just the right amount of mystery for primary readers. From suspicious birds to a magician who may or may not know more than he’s letting on, each stop on Beans’s journey builds excitement and keeps readers guessing. The graphic‑novel format, brought to life through Li Chen’s expressive artwork, makes this an excellent choice for children who enjoy visual storytelling or are building reading confidence.

At its heart, this is a story about friendship, bravery, and believing in yourself — all wrapped in humour and feline charm. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat would make a brilliant addition to any school or home bookshelf, and is sure to inspire a new generation of cat‑loving sleuths.

And finally, our first runner up for Hooked On Books is I.R.L. by Jenny Goebel, which is, quite frankly, the scariest book I’ve read for children!

Lucy is eager to leave her bullies behind and start over at a new school when she moves to Alaska with her parents. Her first days at school are all remote learning; how is she going to make friends when she can’t meet anyone in person? White Pine Secondary School is made up of just thirteen students who all seem really welcoming when they start chatting online. She grows excited about meeting her new friends I.R.L.!

But when she turns up at her school, she is met with a crumbling, abandoned building. There’s nothing there, apart from a tiny cemetery with thirteen small headstones poking out of the frozen ground. Headstones with some very familiar names on them…

If you loved I.R.L., try Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls by Phil Hickes, which is atmospheric, gripping and bursting with suspense, it’s perfect for readers who enjoy being just a little bit scared.

From the moment Lilian Jones arrives at her new school, a looming, icy, labyrinthine building packed with unsettling legends, it’s clear that this is no ordinary first day.

At first, Lilian’s biggest worries are getting lost and making friends, but the creepy tapping in the walls quickly shifts her focus. Add in whispered tales of students who mysteriously vanished, rumours of ghosts, and strange figures that appear at night looking exactly like the pupils themselves, and you’ve got a wonderfully eerie mystery that grips from the very first chapter.

Lilian is a relatable, determined protagonist, and her growing friendship group brings warmth and heart to contrast the school’s shadowy corners. As the strange happenings escalate, she realises that Shadowhall Academy is hiding secrets far more dangerous than anyone dares to admit, and her friends may be in real trouble.

Happy reading!