Reading charity Booktrust has unveiled the shortlist for the Best Book awards, a brand new prize in the wonderful world of children's literature.
There are five different age categories and a special sixth prize for best tech book, recognising the growing importance of digital storytelling. The list is awash with funny books this year, but you can also find some horror, adventure and coming-of-age tales.
You have plenty of time to read the shortlisted books and vote for your favourite on the Booktrust awards website – the final deadline for votes is 20 June! The winners will be announced during Children's Book Week on 2 July 2014. Which books do you think should win?
0 – 5 years: Best picture book
1. Do Not Enter the Monster Zoo by Amy Sparkes, illustrated by Sarah Ogilvie (Red Fox)
A little boy wins a prize to run a zoo for a day! But this is no ordinary zoo, and the task is not as straightforward as he had thought... The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud allowed and brought to life by colourful illustrations.
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
2. Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books)
Site members Damyanti, Bryn (5) and Freya (2) wrote a wonderful review of Lucy Cousins's story. "Each time we read this book it is accompanied with deafening shouts of "peck, peck" with brief pauses for giggles... a truly fabulous family read."
3. The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty (Alison Green Books)
A rabbit called Eliza Brown is determined to solve the mystery of the disappearing bedtime storybooks.
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
4. The Storm Whale by Benji Davies (Simon and Schuster)
This story was beautifully reviewed for Guardian children's books by Damyanti and Bryn (5) "This is an enchanting story about a little boy called Noi. Noi is very lonely until he discovers a small beached whale to care for... we both loved the illustrations which conveyed the warmth and tenderness of the story beautifully."
6 – 8 years: Best story
1. Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Sarah McInytre (Oxford University Press)
The adventures of Oliver Crisp, on a journey to find his missing explorer parents. Reviewer SF Said found that the book's "appeal lies in its details, which show an irrepressible imagination, much like that of a wide-eyed child explorer who can't help looking at the world and wondering 'what if … ?"'
2. Penny Dreadful is a Record Breaker by Joanna Nadin, illustrated by Jessica Mikhail (Usbourne)
Penny Dreadful returns in a hilarious attempt to get her name in the record books.
Read Joanna Nadin's top ten laugh-out-loud reads for young readers here!
3. The Great Galloon by Tom Banks (Hot Key Books)
Our reviewer called Tom Banks's first novel "a rollicking adventure on board an airship', which 'has the makings of a great romp"!
4. Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephen Pastis (Walker Books)
Timmy Failure is a young schoolboy who runs a detective agency called Total Failure Inc. Brilliant children's author Philip Ardagh thinks "Timmy Failure is a fabulously fun read and the line drawings are a treat. It's original and quirky, with real heart." Site member superspy agrees: "This book is hilarious."
9 – 11: Best story
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney (Puffin)
The eighth exploit in the Wimpy Kid series. Greg finds it hard to makes friends in middle school when his best friend Rowley gets a girlfriend and ditches him. Reviewer AgentRedfort enjoyed the book. "It is very addictive and enjoyable with a few twists and turns along the way."
2) The Jade Boy by Cate Cain (Templar)
A tale of mystery and magic. Jem works as a kitchen-boy for a powerful Duke and knows nothing of his own family. But everything changes when the Duke receives a from Count Cazalon.
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
3) Lockwood and Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud (Doubleday)
Read Beth's review of this book about "a team of psychic investigators who destroy and contain ghosts through their agency... This was absolutely excellent. I loved the story, the amount of suspense and creepiness was exactly right to keep me reading page after page very quickly." You can listen to Jonathan Stroud reading a Lockwood and Co story he created with site members: The Dagger in the Desk.
4) The Mysterious Misadventures of Clemency Wrigglesworth by Julia Lee (Oxford University Press)
Julia Lee's first novel follows 11-year-old Clemency Wrigglesworth on her journey to Victorian England from India. Our reviewer found the book to offer "an ensemble of offbeat characters, plenty of jaunty dialogue and a plucky heroine who will appeal to both boys and girls".
9 – 11: Best fact
1. Not for Parents: How to be a Dinosaur Hunter by Scott Forbes, illustrated by James Gulliver Hancock (Lonely Planet)
This imaginative travel guide will lead you across space and time in a quest to hunt dinosaurs!
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
2. Operation Ouch!: Your Brilliant Body by Dr Chris van Tulleken and Dr Xand van Tulleken (Little Brown Young Readers)
Based on the popular TV series, taking us on a crazy tour of our own brilliant bodies! Find out how your brain works in this extract from the book!
3. The Romans: Gods, Emperors and Dormice by Marcia Williams (Walker Books)
Marcia Williams uses a cartoon-strip approach to teach us more about the antics of the Ancient Romans.
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
4. Space in 30 Seconds by Clive Gifford, illustrated by Melvyn Evans (Ivy Kids)
Who knew that a journey into outer space could be quick! This book is for readers who want to know more about the universe they live in.
Have you read this book? Send us your review!
12 – 14: Best story
1. Dead Romantic by C J Skuse (Chicken House)
"Dead Romantic is a modern-day retelling of Frankenstein...the book is about Camille and Zoe's quest to build Camille a boyfriend." Our site member reviewer recommends the strange tale: "I read this book in one sitting. Well, I was technically lying down but you get the gist. It was really that good".
2. Heroic by Phil Earle (Penguin)
Two brothers, Jammy and Sonny, are ex-gang-members who are posted to fight in Afghanistan. Reviewer Beth found the book challenging but rewarding: "There are some horrific scenes in it but the descriptions are amazing and it makes you feel like you are right there with them."
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Penguin)
Hazel is a 16-year-old girl who is diagnosed with cancer and joins a support group. Reviewer molliebookworm was very moved: "Expect to laugh, cry and smile throughout this masterpiece by the amazing John Green. I highly recommend this book."
4. You Don't Know Me by Sophia Bennett (Chicken House)
Sash and Rose's band starts out as a bit of fun. But when a video of their music is stolen, fame and friendship become a lot more complicated. Reviewer wonderfulbookshelfforme "really enjoyed this book because it has a mix of sad bits, happy bits (and some funny bits too) but not just that; it tells you about cyber bullying."
0 – 14: Best tech
1. Axel Scheffler's Flip-Flap Farm by Axel Scheffler (Nosy Crow)
What happens when you bring together Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, and a book-apps company? Alex Scheffler's Flip-Flap Farm! It's an app that allows you to create new animals from two halves (pig + sheep = shig) with strange and hilarious consequences!
Have you read this book or played the app? Send us your review!
2. Signed Stories: The Lark in the Ark by Peter Bently, illustrated by Lynne Chapman (ITV SignPost)
Join Noah for a game of hida-and-seek with the animals on the Ark!
Have you read this or played the app? Send us your review!
3. Little Red Riding Hood Illustrated by Ed Bryan (Nosy Crow)
A fairytale app, bringing movement and beautiful illustrations to the classic story!
Have you read this? Send us your review!
4. The Slightly Annoying Elephant by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross (Harper Collins Children's Books)
Following the success of his Gangsta Grannies and Demon Dentists, David Walliams has created his first ever picture book about a huge blue elephant who turns up on Sam's doorstep and announces he's there to stay.
Have you read this? Send us your review!
Remember the Best Book award is judged by readers. You have time to register and read the shortlisted books – and then vote for your favourite on the Booktrust website by 20 June! The winners will be announced during Children's Book Week from on 2 July 2014. Which books do you think should be victorious?
We would love to hear from book groups who are getting involved in the Booktrust's Best Book awards. Please email us at childrens.books@theguardian.com and let us know what you're up to!
