Summer reading for children at New Mersey

From September 2011 New Mersey Shopping Park in Speke will be working with the National Literacy Trust and local primary schools to organise a series of fun events, giving children the opportunity to choose books of their own to keep.

The Young Readers Programme, which is funded by British Land, owners of New Mersey Shopping Park, is aimed at helping children to acquire the skills they need to develop as readers. It shows them how to choose books that engage them, and where to find books once the project is over.

So we asked WH Smith, who will also be involved in the programme, to recommend some enjoyable reading for children during the summer holiday. Here are some of their choices, chosen because they are entertaining and enjoyable as well as being well-written and illustrated. They are all available at the WH Smith store on New Mersey Shopping Park.

3-5 year olds

The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson
Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andrae

5-7 year olds

Taylor and the Talent Show Fairy – Daisy Meadows (from Rainbow Magic Series)
Horrid Henry and the Greedy Gulp – Francesca Simon

7-11 year olds

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Ugly Truth – Jeff Kenny
Mr Stink – David Walliams

11-14 year olds

Cherry Crush – Cathy Cassidy
Birth of a Killer – Darren Shan

14+ year olds

Passion – Lauren Kate
Doctor Who – Dw- Borrowed Time
I Shall Wear Midnight – Terry Pratchett