As The Reading Agency launch its Summer Reading Challenge 2025 with a special Story Garden theme, we’re joining in with the festivities with our list of books that celebrate the wonders of nature – and the limitless adventures that lie in wait in the wilderness – ready to be enjoyed by young readers of all ages.
So whether you’re venturing into the Great Outdoors or spending the day engrossed in a great book filled with magical creatures and untamed landscapes, get exploring this summer and enter the Story Garden…
The Wood Where Magic Grows – Andy Shepherd
In The Wood Where Magic Grows, brothers Iggy and Cal discover a whole new world high in the treetops at the end of their garden. Get lost in the magic of nature, with the first title in an enchanting new series by the bestselling Andy Shepherd.
The Great Pollination Investigation – Deborah Hocking
Take a look inside a flower and find out what all the little parts do! With gorgeously bright artwork by Deborah Hocking, fact-packed text checked by the experts at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and flaps to lift, this innovative nonfiction picture book is an immersive and exciting read for ages 4 and up.
Bessie’s Bees – George Kirk & Ana Gomez
Bessie’s head is full of bees, absolutely buzzing with them. And that is just fine. Until one morning, Granny takes them somewhere new. . . NURSERY! This empowering story gives voice to the often complex experiences of growing up with ADHD through the visual, accessible metaphor of bees.
Natural World
How do you measure an earthquake? Which is the longest river in the world? And which special fungus glows in the dark? Discover everything there is to know about nature’s most wonderful creations in this fact-filled guide to Earth.
Little Lim and the Golden Treasure – Frann Preston-Gannon
Nestled between the pink morning sky and the sparkling sea lies a small green island where our story begins… Head to the enchanted world of Tidepool with our intrepid explorer Limpet Pebble! A tale of the wonder of nature, with beautiful colour illustrations.
Come Back, Gosling – Anne Booth & David Litchfield
Once upon a time, there was a little girl and a gosling who loved each other very much – and loved reading books together even more. But when a story comes between them, the girl and the gosling must learn that honesty and trust is what’s needed to make their friendship fly.
Animal Homes
Immerse yourself in nature and discover where your favourite animals live in this gorgeously illustrated book, perfect for curious kids. Lift the giant flaps to uncover some of the most amazing animal homes around, from bird nests to burrows and everything in between.
The Wild Robot – Peter Brown
Now a major motion-picture, Peter Brown’s heartwarming and action-packed modern classic of a illustrated novel explores what happens when nature and technology collide, as robot Roz finds herself alone on a remote island with only the animals for company.
Time Runs Like A River – Emma Carlisle
Time runs like a river, never resting, moving steadily on. But if we notice how different each minute can be, we can appreciate them before they are gone. Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this lyrical picture book from Emma Carlisle explores the concepts of time and change through the ebb and flow of a river.
