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!
