Children's books for Easter for 5-8-year-olds - gallery

The Great Piratical Rumbustification by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Quentin Blake, published by Orion The wild celebrations of a bunch of pirates are wittily captured in this hilarious, easy to read story. The pirates all long for a party; there is nothing they like better in the world than Pirate Stew, a devilish concoction made up by each pirate tossing in an ingredient, all washed down with Pirate Rum. But Pirates don’t just throw a party. They have to find one to steal before they can even begin… A welcome updated re-issue of this classic story, with perfectly matched illustrations by Quentin Blake. (5+) Photograph: Orion

My Own Special Way by Mithaa Alkhayyat, retold by Vivian French, published by Orion A touching story of how the youngest in a family finds her own way of proving that she’s a grown up too. Hamda’s big sisters say she’s too little to do all the things they do. How will Hamda catch them up? Hamda looks at her sisters closely; they all wear the veil when they go out. If she wears one, maybe she’ll be a big girl like them. How Hamda learns to tie her own veil is an entertaining and freshly told twist on the universal theme of keeping up with older siblings. (6+) Photograph: Orion

Under a Silver Moon by Anne Fine, illustrated by Lotte Klaver, published by Walker Under the light of a silver moon, two little boys are born; one is the son of the mighty Sultan, the other is the son of that same Sultan’s gardener. As little boys, Haroun and Akil are inseparable; both are growing up strong and healthy, until the fateful day Haroun is discovered playing in the garden by his mighty father, who decides that Haroun must learn to behave like a real prince. The more princely Haroun becomes, the more unhappy he grows. Who can find the magic key that will bring back his happiness? Anne Fine has written a gem of a story which is simple to read and very satisfying. (6+) Photograph: Walker Books

The Lying Carpet by David Lucas, published by Andersen Would you believe a talking carpet? When a statute of a little girl comes to life and begins a conversation with the tiger skin carpet on the floor below her she learns all kinds of things about herself and the world she inhabits. But is any of it true? Was she once real? Was the carpet once a handsome tiger? Above all, can she ever be real again? The carpet says it is lying, but who knows? This magical story, a journey of discovery to separate truth and imagination, is teasingly packed with mystery and philosophy, all lyrically shown in words and pictures. (7+) Photograph: Andersen

Small and Tall Tales of Extinct Animals by Hélène Rajcak and Damien Laverdunt, published by Gecko Press, (Bounce in UK) A feast of fact and fiction, this collection of creatures from around the world who have not survived into modern times is utterly fascinating. The stories of how they lived and, sadly, how they became extinct are thought provoking; without preaching, the book raises awareness of the need to conserve all species that have survived. Some, such as the Woolly Mammoth, the Auk and the Dodo are familiar, but many others, including the rather terrifying Giant Beaver and the engagingly long-beaked Echidna, a giant Australian creature which flourished before people settled in Australia, are less well known. The role of humans in all of these stories is largely dishonourable; from what they learn here, readers can become responsible. (7+) Photograph: Gecko Press

The Hundred-Mile-An-Hour Dog Goes for Gold! by Jeremy Strong, published by Puffin Long before Olympic fever took hold, Trevor’s dog Streaker was the fastest – and most uncontrolled – thing on four legs for miles around. Surely, he’s a shoe-in for Gold in the town’s Animal Games? But there’s one problem. Although Streaker is fast, he is also, according to Mum, less obedient than a carrot. Streaker needs some serious training. It’s a hurtlingly good read for those training to enjoy the Olympics. (7+) Photograph: Puffin