Best kids' books by best-selling adult authors

Up in the Tree by Margaret Atwood

(£7.99, Bloomsbury)

The Handmaid's Tale author wrote this playful, rhyming picture book for preschool children in 1978. A simple message about the importance of choice and freedom is communicated through the story of two children who make their home up in the branches of a tree. When the ladder they rely on to get back to the ground is destroyed, some of their freedom disappears, too – until they have an ingenious idea...

Theodore Boone by John Grisham

(£7.99, Hodder)

John Grisham has sold over 275 million books worldwide, and his legal thrillers aren't just for adults. Thirteen year old Theodore Boone dreams of becoming a great lawyer and knows every judge, policeman and court clerk in his small town. When he's dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial, only Theo can make sure justice is done – but can this half-boy, half-lawyer pull it off? Pacy, page-turning reading.

The Wee Free Men: A Tiffany Aching Novel (Discworld Novels) and The Time-Travelling Caveman by Terry Pratchett

(£7.99, Corgi Childrens) / (£14.99, Puffin)

Introduce children to the work of Sir Terry Pratchett, the creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, with the first book in the Tiffany Aching Series. We meet Tiffany at age 9 – she wants to be a witch when she grows up, and she's resourceful and determined enough to get the pointy hat she craves. But first there's a battle to fight (and a horde of unrule fairies to deal with)... Funny, engaging and a great entry book into the comic fantasy universe of Discworld.

Or why not try out Pratchett's trademark humour and imaginative world-building with a brand-new collection of short stories, fully illustrated by Mark Beech? From the highest mountains to the deepest depths of the sea and even off-planet, there are adventures galore for readers of The Time-travelling Caveman (£14.99, Puffin).

The Rover Adventures by Roddy Doyle

(£7.99, Scholastic)

No grown-ups will turn down the chance to read some Roddy Doyle out loud and the bonkers, entertaining adventures of Rover the wonder-dog and the eccentric but lovable Mack family will become a firm favourite for bedtime. Expect silliness and a whole lot of poo!

My Granny is a Pirate by Val McDermid

(£6.99, Orchard Books)

My granny is a pirate!
She's sailed the seven seas.
She captured many pirate ships
But was always home for tea.

Best-selling crime novelist Val McDermid's first children's book is a rhyming, witty and wonderful joy to read. Find out about the exploits of a swashbuckling gran and her dog, Jolly Roger – from singing sea shanties to fighting off ghosties, this fierce and funny pirate makes a big impression.

Duckling: A Fairy Tale Revolution by Kamila Shamsie

(£12.99, Vintage Children's Classics)

Kamila Shamsie, acclaimed author of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2018-winning Home Fire, explores life as an ugly duckling in feminist fairy tale Duckling.

Reimagined for modern boys and girls, the story of the "ugly duckling" is about "...a duck unlike other ducks. A raincloud-duck, with the heart of a lion, who struck out into the world on her own…"

Cast out from the flock, the odd duckling will need all her bravery and curiosity to survive. Her journey is a search for belonging, and her reward is the discovery that she has the right to be different.

Other authors in the Vintage Classics Fairy Tale Revolution series include Jeanette Winterson, who leads her readers into the woods with Hansel and Greta.

WILD SYMPHONY by Dan Brown

(£12.99, Penguin)

Dan Brown, internationally best-selling author of The Da Vinci Code, makes his children's book debut with a musical picture book. WILD SYMPHONY features music composed by the author, which you can access through a free app which uses augmented relaity to play the compositions for each page. Your guide is Maestro Mouse, and you'll meet whales, cheetahs, beetles and swans, all with some wise words to share. Susan Batori's beautiful illustrations complete a wonderful read-along experience.