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It’s the last half-term of the school year and only six weeks left until the summer holidays. Hooray! Mother Nature has been blowing hot and cold air this past month so, while we can’t guarantee the weather, at least these books set in London should keep budding bookworms entertained this week – whether indoors or out.
‘My Name is Victoria’ by Lucy Worsley
This right royal adventure is written by Lucy Worsley, TV presenter and chief curator at the Historic Royal Palaces. It tells the story of a young girl, Miss V Conroy, who is sent to Kensington Palace to act as a playmate for 11-year-old Princess Victoria. Little does she know she is being trained by her father to spy on the future Queen. Recommended ages: 9+
‘The Royal Rabbits of London’ by Santa and Simon Sebag Montefiore
This book tells the story of Shylo Tawny-Tail, a country rabbit who stumbles across the diabolical ‘Ratzis’ and overhears their evil plan to photograph the Queen in her nightie. In this fantastical adventure, Shylo sets off to London to enlist the help of the Royal Rabbits of London who live in a warren under Buckingham Palace. Together, they must save the Queen from this dastardly plot.
If your budding bunnies like the sound of this, there’s a Royal Rabbits Afternoon Tea at the Grosvenor House Hotel until the end of June. Every family booking includes a goodie bag with a free copy of the book. Recommended ages: 7+
‘The London Eye Mystery’ by Siobhan Dowd
Siblings Ted and Kat watch their cousin Salim board the London Eye, but when it lands half an hour later, he is nowhere to be found. The police have no luck finding Salim, so Ted and Kat launch their own investigation into what happened to their cousin, following a list of clues all over the city. Recommended ages: 9-11
‘Who Was Princess Diana?’ by Ellen Labrecque
Read the tale of the shy girl who married a prince and became the People’s Princess. Recommended ages: 8-12
‘The Painted Dragon’ by Katherine Woodfine
In Edwardian London, a priceless painting, on loan to Sinclair’s department store from His Majesty the King, is stolen. Sleuthing duo Sophie and Lil set out to uncover whodunit. This fast-paced historical novel is perfect for budding art lovers. Recommended ages: 9-12
‘Peppa Goes to London’
Peppa finally makes it to London! Oink your way around the capital with the Queen who takes Peppa and her friends on a magical double-decker bus tour. Recommended ages: 3-5
Need more stuff to do this half-term? Check out our handy guide.