An image of a selection of children’s books about the Second World War on a dark blue background with a fighter plane illustration

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Children's reading lists

The best children’s books about the Second World War

A Slice of the Moon

The brand-new action-packed story of one family's journey across the world from much-loved author Sandi Toksvig.

Writing in the voice of a child and supporting the radicals against the establishment, Sandi Toksvig leaves an impression of courage in the face of adversity.

History is brought convincingly and absorbingly to life

Sandi Toksvig’s mini-epic is a roller-coaster of a read that races headlong through an important slice of history bringing it vividly to life as it does so . . . Sandi Toksvig brings alive important-to-know radical history by dressing it up in a fine coat of adventure.

Well researched and accurate . . . Fascinating

Slim is an engaging character who makes friends with all kinds of people along the journey, facing up to danger and grief with great courage. There are important themes running through the book, including the power of storytelling, literacy, freedom of speech, and equality . . . It’s also a good, pacey story written with humour and understanding, and well lined up for the next instalment

Following a first-class degree from Cambridge, Sandi Toksvig went into the theatre, where she both wrote and performed before becoming one of the founder members of the Comedy Store Players. She is well known for her television and radio work, as a presenter, writer and actor. She has written many books for children.

Because of the potato me and my family left our home and travelled 6,000 miles to find a new life . . . 
 
Slim Hannigan and her family are poor but happy. Theirs is a life filled with love and laughter - and a pet pig called Hamlet. 
 
But things change overnight, and suddenly they find themselves facing hunger and danger like they have never known . . . So they leave their village in Ireland to journey to America where, they hope, family and fortune await them. 
 
Slim soon finds herself living a life that feels just like one of those far-fetched stories her Da has always told. Can one brave girl keep her family together no matter what is thrown at them . . . ?

Super-Saver Mouse To The Rescue

Lively beginner reader tale about Boris, a mouse who lives on the London Underground, and his boisterous cousin, Kicker.

Following a first-class degree from Cambridge, Sandi Toksvig went into the theatre, where she both wrote and performed before becoming one of the founder members of the Comedy Store Players. She is well known for her television and radio work, as a presenter, writer and actor. She has written four books for children including Unusual Day, published by Young Corgi in 1996.

Boris is a mouse who lives on the London Underground. He shares his station with wise grandfather Garibaldi, his swaggering cousin Kicker and his best friend, Heavy Duty, the station cleaner. Kicker and Boris love football and when they see a brand-new football rolling down the station platform towards them, they can't resist the temptation to start a game. Their footballing exploits end up taking them all over London on their biggest adventure yet.

Girls Are Best

From the co-founder of the Women's Equality Party, actor, comedian, writer, presenter, producer and all-round national treasure Sandi Toksvig, this interesting, funny book is full of facts, tales and information on women who changed the world.

The book to buy for daughters . . . It would make a fine stocking filler with its lively, entertaining, illustrated snippets about the great women in history and the restrictions that they overcame, and will arm readers for arguments about gender equality

A little ego-boost for the girls . . . a reminder, from the Bayeux Tapestry to gladiatrices, no less, of women's achievements, told in Sandi's trademark zany, accessible style

My grandchildren will be getting this in their stockings . . . It's funny and full of facts that may surprise parents too. In a world of hollow celebrity it is a timely polemic that warms my feminist heart

There's a mass of facts and information of all kinds . . . The result is a book which will make girls realise that anything is possible - and that women have already done most of everything already!

Would make fascinating reading for men too . . . Girls are Best is packed with fascinating facts with which to wow friends. It is an education and a revelation, a great book to dip in and out of and to learn from

It has never been more important to remember the girls and women who were written out of history. Just because we don't know about them and aren't taught about them in schools, it doesn't mean they weren't there. They achieved great things, concocted wonderful inventions and won battles. In this book, Sandi Toksvig tells us about the sheroes that have been ignored or overlooked, despite the fact that they changed our world. 
 
Perfect for fans of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, this is the book to show young people that anything is possible.

The Littlest Viking

A wonderfully funny tale from the award-winning writer and comedian Sandi Toksvig

Simple language, snappy chapters plus injections of wit ensure that this light-hearted tale will be enjoyed by a wide age range

When Amber, the littlest Viking, set out from Scandinavia to seek her fortune she must have got lost on her way! Now she's in Pegwell Bay with no one but her pet squirrel for company. When Katie, Gary and Joshua find her stranded on the beach, they decide to look after her. Now there's a Viking living in their garden! 
 
Having a Viking in the family isn't always easy. But when the garden is threatened by a nasty neighbour, Amber has some unusual - and hilarious - solutions to their problems . . .

Hitler's Canary

An extraordinary story of immense courage and daring rescue, based on real-life events experienced by Sandi Toksvig's family during the Nazi occupation of Denmark in the Second World War.

1940. Copenagen, Denmark. The German troops have invaded. 
 
A must-read account of immense courage during the Second World War, for children. Based on real-life events experienced by Sandi Toksvig's family during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. 
 
Ten-year-old Bamse Skovlund and his best friend Anton have been ordered to stay out of trouble. 
 
It soon becomes clear that trouble isn't just going to pass any of them by. 
 
Jewish Danes are subject to appalling treatment by the German occupiers, and every day are at risk of being taken away to concentration camps in mainland Europe. 
 
The Skovlund family are determined to fight against Nazi occupation. And if this means participating in one of history's most dramatic rescue missions, then it's time to take a stand. 
 
A tale of resistance in Nazi-occupied Denmark. The book is inspired by the stories told to Sandi Toksvig by her father, Bamse. 
 
Praise for Hitler's Canary: 
 
'An extraordinary story... truly life-affirming.' Michael Morpurgo 
 
'There are not many classic children's novels about the Second World War but this is one of them.' The Times 
 
'Racily written and full of comic incident as well as suspense.' The Independent 
 
'Brilliantly told... never loses sight of the child's view of war.' The Guardian

There are not many classic children's novels about the Second World War but this is one of them. Toksvig's enchanting and inspiring tale reminds us of how even the smallest people made a difference

There are several heart-stopping moments but overall the story is told with a light touch and many moments of humour

On the evidence of this warm and enlightening tale, Sandi Toksvig is as skilled at writing for children as she is for adults . . . Toksvig manages to lace the action with plenty of humour but without trivialising the momentous events

A must-read for any pupil studying World War II and any pupil looking for a truly remarkable "real-life" story to inspire and delight

Following a first-class degree from Cambridge, Sandi Toksvig went into the theatre, where she both wrote and performed before becoming one of the founder members of the Comedy Store Players. She is well known for her television and radio work, as a presenter, writer and actor.

1940. Copenagen, Denmark. The German troops have invaded. The Second World War rages on. 
 
Ten-year-old Bamse Skovlund and his best friend Anton have been ordered to stay out of trouble. 
 
It soon becomes clear that trouble isn't just going to pass any of them by. 
 
Jewish Danes are subject to appalling treatment by the German occupiers, and every day are at risk of being taken away to concentration camps in mainland Europe. 
 
The Skovlund family are determined to fight against Nazi occupation. And if this means participating in one of history's most dramatic rescue missions, then it's time to take a stand. 
 
A tale of courage and love in Nazi-occupied Denmark based on accounts from beloved author and comedian Sandi Toksvig's own family. The book is inspired by the stories he told to her by her father, Bamse.

The Troublesome Tooth Fairy

The entertaining story of a trainee tooth fairy from popular writer, comedian and broadcaster, Sandi Toksvig.

A charming and intriguing tale for all children of tooth-losing age, just the right length and style for early readers, or perfect as a bedtime story

Following a first-class degree from Cambridge, Sandi Toksvig went into the theatre, where she both wrote and performed before becoming one of the founder members of the Comedy Store Players.  She is well known for her television and radio work, as a presenter, writer and actor. She has written four books for children including Unusual Day, published by Young Corgi in 1996.

When Jessica loses her first tooth, Granny tells her to watch out for a trainee tooth fairy. That shimmering little creature might look the part in her purple and silver outfit but she's not too sure of her job. As Granny knows, the trainee tooth fairy has been known to whisk away more than just the lost tooth... 
 
Jessica and her granny, stars of UNUSUAL DAY, are back in another entertaining story from popular writer, comedian and broadcaster, Sandi Toksvig.

Sandi Toksvig

11-year-old Slim Hannigan and her family left their home in Ireland to travel to America - in search of a better life. It has been so long and such a journey that Slim Hannigan and the rest of her family can't even imagine what home looks like anymore. And there are many, many miles across America for them to travel before they reach their destination. 
 
Between them and the home of their uncle lie thousands of miles of dangerous land, wild animals and strangers who do not wish them well. Slim has to draw on bravery like she's never known to keep her family together and to keep them moving forward.

Sandi Toksvig

The End of the Sky

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