A photo of a selection of children's crime books on a red background with a magnifying glass hovering over the book The London Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

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Children's reading lists

16 must-read crime and mystery books

We're Going On A Picnic

Rediscover this hilarious tale of three friend's on a picnic in this fabulous new edition

Pat Hutchins has always loved drawing and at the age of 16, won a scholarship to Darlington Art School. She is now one of the most popular picture book creators in the world with over 30 children's books published after the success of her classic Rosie's Walk.

It's a perfect day for a picnic so Hen picks some berries, Goose picks some apples and Duck picks some pears. Then the three friends set off to look for the perfect spot to enjoy their feast. 
 
But the three friends aren't the only ones who are hungry. As the picnic basket gets lighter and lighter, readers will be laughing harder and harder. 
 
A wonderfully funny tale from the creator of Rosie's Walk

Rosie's Walk

This timeless picture book by Pat Hutchins is now over forty years old and still a firm favourite.

This clever book teaches children how to read the different meanings conveyed by words and pictures, and how to make sense of a story for themselves.

The highly patterned red, orange and yellow graphics are as fresh and funny as they were in 1968 and will make 2-4s scream with laughter

The pictures tell an action packed story full of drama and surprise

This marvellous, perfect, utterly simple book has achieved iconic status, a true classic

All young children will enjoy the tale of Rosie the hen and her walk around the farm followed by a hungry but thankfully hapless fox

A delightful tale from the celebrated author

Rosie's walk around the farmyard, pursued by the hungry but clumsy fox, has become a beacon in the world of children's picture books, an ever-popular classic which generations have enjoyed. Children love the humour of this near-wordless story. One disaster after another befalls the poor fox while Rosie goes on her way, supremely unaware of the danger behind her. 
 
Now at a wonderful larger size, this re-issue wil bring the joy of Rosie's tale and Pat's bold artwork to a new generation of fans.

Don't Forget The Bacon

Pat Hutchins has always loved drawing and at the age of 16 won a scholarship to Darlington Art School. She is now one of the most popular picture book creators in the world with over 30 children's books published after the success of her classic Rosie's Walk.

'Six farm eggs, a cake for tea, a pound of pears and don't forget the bacon.'A young boy sets out to do the shopping, determined to remember his simple list but as the sights and sounds of town distract him he finds himself in a terrible muddle.

Titch

A TITCH storybook by award winning author, Pat Hutchins. Titch is the smallest and the youngest in his family. His brother Pete and his sister Mary have bigger biokes than Titch, kites that fly high-up in the sky and instruments that make much BIGGER noises. But when Titch plants a tiny seed thay all find out that starting off small is just the first stage of GROWING!!!

Follow That Bus

FOLLOW THAT BUS is a hilarious school adventure story.

What starts as an ordinary school outing turns into a madcap adventure for Class 3 when forgetful Miss Beaver accidentally switches her holdall with that of some bank robbers! The whole class is soon involved in a cops and robbers chase across country but emerge victorious when they capture the baddies!

The House That Sailed Away

Poor old Grandma! 
 
It had rained every day since she came to stay with Mother, Father, Morgan, the baby and Tailcat. But just as everyone was getting really fed up of being stuck indoors, the most amazing thing happened! 
 
Suddenly the house started to shudder and rock - and then just floated off down the street and off to sea. 
 
Before long, the family find themselves on the wackiest adventure ever! Hungry cannibals, blood-thirsty pirates, a kidnapping and buried treasure are just some of the hair-raisers in store. Will the family ever see dry land again or will evil One-Eyed Jake cut them into a million tiny pieces?

Pat Hutchins

Laurence Hutchins

Class 3 of Hampstead Primary School are off on a school trip to Paris! Morgan is the first to spot the bearded man in the black Citroen car, cruising behind their school bus, and feels sure he is following them. The plot thickens when a second mysterious bearded man appears on the ferry boat, Soon Class 3 find themselves entangled with a group of art thieves intent upon stealing the Mona Lisa...!

The Mona Lisa Mystery

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A series of children's modern classic novels by renowned 20th century children's writers. All the titles in this series have the A Puffin Book logo, contemporary-style covers, and child-friendly endnotes.

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16 must-read crime and mystery books

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