Best Kids Books 2021

Reading is one of the best things you can encourage your child to do. It stimulates their love for learning, creativity, imagination and so much more. Only through the magic of reading can your child be transported to places of their wildest dreams while learning important knowledge, morals and social skills that serve them for the rest of their lives.

We can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get children excited about reading wherever possible, and it’s much more beneficial for them to read on paper, than on tablets. It is a welcome break for their eyes and minds to be away from electronics for a short period and to enjoy the English language the old-fashioned way.  

Finding the right books for your child can be challenging. There are so many available, so many subjects and so many authors, so how do you find the best children’s books for your kids? 

Well, if you head to a reputable book store, they should be able to tell you what the popular choices are, and which ones are the classics, but it’s much more difficult for them to recommend a book to you because they are adults. While people in bookstores may love literature, you don’t read children’s books and they aren’t as in tune with the latest releases as they are for the adult books. 

It has been a wonderful year for children’s literature once again with some instant classics hitting our shelves, and with the release of Sir Paul McCartney and Megan Markle’s debut children’s books also, there was some added celebrity pedigree thrown into the mix. 

Let’s have a look at some of the best and most popular children’s books of 2021.

Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen

This book is a wonderful lesson for children about not getting your own way in life all the time. We all have good days and bad days and it’s important for them to learn how to channel their emotions correctly before they enter ‘big school’. A beautifully illustrated picture book, it captures the imagination of youngsters and they will want to read it again and again!

The story centres around Barbara having a bad day. First, she can’t find her socks, then she has a suspicious pea for lunch, then she steps on a crack in the pavement. Her friends try their hardest to cheer her up, but then something awful happens! She drops her ice cream and huge WOBBLER clouds over her!

You and your children can enjoy this book by heading over to Kinokuniya’s Book Stores and placing an order – https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/Barbara_Throws_a_Wobbler_–_Paperback_-_softback/bw/9781780081366.  It’s also available in book stores across Singapore. 

Weirdo by Zadie Smith

Being different and embracing uniqueness is a trending theme in 2021 and it’s perfectly illustrated in Weirdo. This endearing story is about the power of being different and comes from two veterans in the children’s book game. Tipped to be a classic by all accounts this book will become a staple in your child’s reading routine. 

The story is based around Maud the Guinea Pig who loves to wear a judo suit. The people around her don’t understand why she wears the suit and some don’t approve of it. Mauda gets thrown into a new and confusing situation and has to make brave choices and go through some challenging encounters to find comfort in her individuality

You and your children can enjoy this book by heading over to Kinokuniya’s Book Stores and placing an order – https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/Weirdo/bw/9780241449608. It’s also available in book stores across Singapore. 

The Boys by Lauren Ace

This book is a follow up to the incredibly popular, ‘The Girls’ book that Lauren Ace previously released in 2019 and they both make excellent books for both boys and girls. This book explores the power of friendship and the complexity of human interaction and social skills in a way that’s beautifully subtle for children to understand. 

The Boys centres around the lives of four close friends, Tam, Rey, Nattie and Bobby who were so close they were like brothers. Although they are very different and enjoy different things, they are great as a team together. As they grow older and things stand in their way, they realise how much they need each other and how special their bond is. 

You and your children can enjoy this book by heading over to Amazon Singapore and placing an order – https://www.amazon.sg/Boys-Lauren-Ace/dp/1838911596

It’s also available in book stores across Singapore. 

Grandudes Green Submarine by Sir Paul McCartney

Grandudes Green Submarine is a companion picture book to Paul McCartney’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hey Grandude. It’s not every day that you get to read a book from one of the world’s most iconic music stars and one often wonders in these cases if the book will be up to par, but the Beatles frontman has actually delivered a wonderful children’s story for you and your kids to enjoy. 

This book is perfect for kids who love animals and exploration and it’s beautifully illustrated. It follows Grandude and Nandude and their various inventions and underwater experiments on a journey through highs, lows and eventually triumphs! 

You and your children can enjoy this book by heading over to Time’s Book Stores and placing an order – https://www.amazon.com/Grandudes-Green-Submarine-Paul-McCartney/dp/0593372433.
It’s also available in book stores across Singapore. 

The Bench by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex

Lastly, a debut and New York Times BestSeller. Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex dropped her first children’s book this year to widespread fandom. Its story closely follows the way she sees her own life with Prince Harry and her children and it’s a wonderful way to teach children about human emotion. 

It is a beautiful story that follows the special relationship between father and son, from the perspective of the mother. It features heartwarming storytelling and incredible illustrations that really connect with the reader and the message is both loving and deep. 

You and your children can enjoy this book by heading over to Amazon and placing an order – https://www.amazon.sg/Bench-Meghan-Duchess-Sussex/dp/059343451X
It’s also available in book stores across Singapore.