We're delighted to announce this year's book collection for The Big Friendly Read, Summer Reading Challenge 2016. There are two lists - one for younger children and one for older children - comprising 72 titles in total. Many of the books in the collection are new reads which will be published this summer, and many of them will be displayed in libraries while the Challenge is running.

The 2016 collection includes a range of genres: non-fiction, fantasy, poetry, and contemporary children's fiction are all well-represented, so there's something to excite every young reader.

The younger collection (ages 4-7)

The younger collection contains a fantastic mix of books selected from 18 different children's publishers. Titles include the latest instalments in Pamela Butchart's Wigglesbottom Primary series and the new Little Legends series from Tom Percival. The dream team of Michael Rosen and Tony Ross also make an appearance with their new title Bilal's Brilliant Bee, while Kes Gray returns with Daisy and the Trouble with Piggy Banks.

The younger collection includes picture books for the youngest participants - Lion Practice by debut author and illustrator Emma Carlisle features alongside the delightful Oliver and Patch by the ever popular Claire Freedman. For those developing their reading skills, the list offers a variety of early reader titles including Nick Ward's Superbot and the Terrible Toy Destroyer.

Have a look at the full list

The older collection (ages 8-11)

The older collection introduces readers to great new authors such as Chris Callaghan - author of The Great Chocoplot - and Stewart Foster, author of The Bubble Boy. There are plenty of old favourites too, with new titles from Christopher Edge - The Many Worlds of Albie Bright - and Jo Cotterill - A Library of Lemons. Will Mabbit returns with Mabel Jones and the Forbidden City and David O'Doherty and Chris Judge are back with Danger is Still Everywhere. For readers of graphic novels the older collection includes Evil Emperor Penguin, while this year's non-fiction titles include Rubik's Quest: Beat the Game and Jon Hegley's poetry collection I Am A Poetato.

Less confident readers will enjoy books such as Honey and Me, written by Karen McCombie for dyslexic-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke, and more confident readers will love The Baking Life of Amelie Day. Of course The Big Friendly Read book collection would not be complete without Roald Dahl's The BFG, illustrated by Quentin Blake, which is joined on the list by the Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary to inspire and delight readers.

Have a look at the full list

Selecting the books

Publishers from across the country sent us over 200 finished books, manuscripts, and top secret early proofs to consider for the 2016 collections. With help from librarians and children from Chatterbooks children's reading groups, we carefully narrowed the submissions down to just 72 titles.

Get involved

Take a look at the Summer Reading Challenge website for competitions and activities all year round.