It can be difficult keeping the kids busy over summer. You need something for them to dive into and become devoted to over the long, lazy days. Here are the first books in some absolutely guaranteed, tried and tested series' for readers aged from 6 to 12 that will have kids (and adults) utterly addicted.

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Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood

This addictive early reader series about a crack team of crime fighting pigeons is a lot of fun for emerging readers. Highly illustrated and with not too much text, this series will keep them laughing out loud as they turn the pages and improve their readings skills at the same time.

There are currently eight books, with a TV series on its way.

For ages 6 and up.

The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

This bestselling series of books is about two very silly guys named Andy and Terry, who build themselves a dream treehouse with all the fun features you could ever want – every flavour of ice cream ever, a bowling alley, a shark tank and sooo much more.

With easy to read text, these legendary books come out once a year and are credited with teaching many kids how to read just for the fun of it. There are twelve books in the series, with the thirteenth and final due in 2023.

For ages 6 and up.

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The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

Four fearsome creatures – a shark, a wolf, a piranha and a snake – vow to do good deeds for the community. But it’s not quite that easy when the world assumes you are a baddie, despite all your efforts to change your reputation.

This is a charming, highly illustrated early reader series about fighting against your own nature and stereotypes to change the ending of your story. With sixteen books in the series so far and a feature film made in 2022, the Bad Guys are hugely popular for good reason.

For ages 6 and up.

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Barkly Mansion and the Weirdest Guest by Melissa Keil & Adele K. Thomas

This series about a quirky mansion where four dogs live, alongside their diverse animal neighbours, and the gorilla that unexpectedly moves in is an utter delight. Lots of fun wordplay and animal dynamics will have the kids laughing out loud.

There are three books are in the series so far, with more to come.

For ages 6 and up.

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

This is the story of two young wizards – a boy and a girl – who have been taught to hate one another, but must overcome their differences and work together.

Set in an exciting magical world, and highly illustrated with lots of drawings throughout, this is an action-packed series of four books that fantasy and adventure readers will adore.

For ages 7 and up.

Friday Barnes: Girl Detective by R.A. Spratt

Friday Barnes is a genius codebreaker and when she catches some bank robbers, she uses her reward money to attend an exclusive boarding school.; there she finds even more mysteries to uncover.

This brilliant, funny series has ten books so far and avid readers are looking forward to number eleven's release in February 2023.

For ages 8 and up.

Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

This series about four clans of wild cats living in the forest is wildly popular and crazily addictive. There are at least seven separate arcs (presented as companion series') and many stand-alone novels and graphic novels. Warriors: Into the Wild is where it all begins. When a domestic cat named Rusty chances upon the wild cats, it is the beginning of an incredible adventure that will change the warrior clans – and Rusty – forever.

For ages 8 and up.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Hugely popular for good reason, this adventure series about a half-boy, half-God is written in a witty, contemporary voice but features mythic Greek Gods and ancient creatures. It is funny and action packed, with the added bonus of readers surreptitiously getting an education in Greek mythology.

There are six books in this series and more series that not only feature Greek, but also Egyptian and Norse mythology.

For ages 8 and up.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The classic fantasy series that has spawned a million spin-offs is still well worth reading in its original format.

You could start in the order they were written and read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe first, where you meet Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, who travel from their own land into the magical land of Narnia to help break its enchantment by the White Witch. Or you could learn how Narnia was first created and the adventures of Polly and Digby in The Magician’s Nephew. It doesn’t matter which you start with. Each of the seven books are unique and magical adventure stories that have captivated children for over 60 years.

For ages 8 and up.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

This series about the very unfortunate orphaned Baudelaire children is thrillingly dark and darkly hilarious, with narrator nods to the reader and a quirky sensibility.

Constantly pursued by their villainous uncle, in numerous elaborate disguises, who seeks to obtain their fortune, the Baudelaires are nevertheless very resourceful and excellent at escaping. With 13 unlucky volumes in this series, this is perfect for kids who love language and a gothic, quirky story.

For ages 9 and up.

The School for Good and Evil by Somain Chainani

Every four years, two girls are whisked away to the magical school for good and evil, where one will learn the ways to become wicked and the other will learn to become a hero. When it happens to best friends Sophie and Agatha, they believe they know which school they are headed to, but it turns out they are wrong.

With six books in the series and a Netflix film, these fractured fairytales are a highly addictive read.

For ages 10 and up.

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

When cursed child, Morrigan Crow, is swept away to the magical world of Nevermoor just before she is going to be sacrificied, she thinks all her troubles are over. But her protector, Jupiter, has brought her there to compete in the deadly trials to enter the secret Wundrous Society.

Filled with magical creatures and brilliant characters, this series currently has three books, with a fourth to come in 2023.

For ages 10 and up.