The Bedtime Story Finder

Splash

By Claire Cashmore

This inspirational story is about MBE and Paralympic gold medalist, Claire Cashmore, who was born without a left forearm yet never let that get in her way of succeeding. Splash is based on Claire’s fear of water growing up and how she overcame her fear despite being differently-abled. Filled with fun and positivity, Splash teaches that fear can be overcome and nothing will get in your way of achieving your dreams.

Never Take A Bear to School

By Mark Sperring and Britta Teckentrup

This funny story about the adventures of a boy on his first day of school or nursery is bound to settle any anxieties your little one may have.

The Everywhere Bear

By Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb

If your little ones loved The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb, then they will love this story. Their latest collaboration, The Everywhere Bear, offers another heart-warming read, this time about the adventures of a classroom bear who finds himself washed out to sea and loaded onto a lorry (amongst other things). Ideal for ages 3+

The Astounding Broccoli Boy

By Frank Cottrell Boyce and Steven Lenton

A brilliant new offering from Frank Cottrell Boyce the award-winning, bestselling author of Millions and Cosmic—The Astounding Broccoli Boy is another hilarious, heart-breaking, and completely original novel. Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for anything. Don’t be scared, his favourite book says, be prepared. And Rory aims to be. What’s more heroic than that? Ideal for readers aged 8 and over. Illustrated by Steven Lenton.

Triangle

By Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

From the award-winning team behind Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, and illustrated by Jon Klassen, the Kate Greenaway-winning creator of This Is Not My Hat and I Want My Hat Back, comes the first tale in an exciting new trilogy. Meet Triangle. He is going to play a sneaky trick on his friend, Square. Or so Triangle thinks… Visually stunning and full of wry humour, this story will delight fans of Barnett and Klassen’s quirky styles.

Crocopotamus

By Mary Murphy

This bright and colourful split page board book is perfect for encouraging little ones to mix and match. Young children will love to mix up the heads and tails of different animals to invent hilarious new ones, whilst developing their matching skills as they work out how the animals should look.

The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon

By David Almond and Polly Dunbar

This is a fabulously life-affirming read, bursting with adventure, courage and joy. We follow Stanley Potts, an ordinary young boy with a huge adventure ahead of him, as he faces all sorts bizarre challenges – will he be bold enough to dive into his own destiny and turn his life around? An exciting and inspiring read for children age 8 and over.

The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas

By David Almond and Oliver Jeffers

This is a fabulously life-affirming read, bursting with adventure, courage and joy. We follow Stanley Potts, an ordinary young boy with a huge adventure ahead of him, as he faces all sorts bizarre challenges – will he be bold enough to dive into his own destiny and turn his life around? An exciting and inspiring read for children age  8 and over.

A Child of Books

By Oliver Jeffers

A newly established firm favourite here at The Reader! This poignant and exceptional picture book explores worlds within stories and the imagination, and reminds all of us of the power of stories to shape and change us. Familiar threads of well-loved tales from long ago weave through the book in Oliver Jeffers’ exquisite illustrations, as we are encouraged to unlock our imaginations and set sail on a journey brimming with tales and words. Ideal to share with children age 4+, this book can be appreciated as a piece of artwork in its own right.

The Promise

By Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin

This poignant and deceptively simple story conjures up an image of a world in which humans and nature can live in harmony. Laura Carlin’s powerful imagery combines with Nicola Davies’ text to create a clear and strong message about the power and value of nature. A moving and thought provoking story to share with children age 5+.

The Extraordinary Mr Qwerty

By Karla Strambini

This beautifully illustrated tale of self belief explores the necessity of being true to our sense of creative conviction, and celebrates individuality, the power of big ideas and perseverance. Ideal for children whose imaginations are brimming with ideas, but who may need just a little encouragement to let them spill out. A brilliant read for children age 5 and over.

The White Book

By Elisabetta Pica and Lorenzo Clerici

Combine an inquisitive little boy, some brightly coloured paint and plenty of imagination, and who knows what will unfold? This fresh and unusual picture book manages to delight and amuse without using a single word. Strong visual storytelling combines with plenty of humour and bold artwork to create a unique story for tiny readers aged 2 and over.

The Matchbox Diary

By Paul Fleischman and Bagram Ibatoulline

This warm and detailed story offers a stunning insight into the past, and explores the ever-relevant concept of immigration. Exquisitely illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, this sensitive tale will appeal across generations and is the ideal story to share with older children.

Seen and not Heard

By Katie May Green

This magically atmospheric story, full of mischief and joy, is ideal for free-spirited children with huge imaginations. We meet a spooky gaggle of children who live in picture frames on the walls of an old house, causing mayhem and hilarity when they escape from their frames during the night while everyone in the house is asleep! A really original concept, beautifully written and delicately illustrated.

The Big Princess

By Taro Miura

A fresh, witty fairytale from Japan, this story features a Princess who keeps on growing due to a magical spell which she has fallen under. Can the King figure out how to break the spell and save his beloved princess? A magical tale with fold out pages and fabulously contemporary geometric illustrations. Suitable for 5-8 year olds.

What Happens Next?

By Tull Suwannakit

Join Ellie and her Grandma on a curious adventure as they hear about the Little Bear and Grandma Bear who travel on a bus, go to the fairground, play hide and seek and meet many friends along the way before drifting off to sleep, tucked up in bed.  Children will love this curious tale of adventure and the beautiful illustrations really bring the story to life.  A lovely bedtime story suitable for children aged 4-7.

Melissa’s Octopus and other Unsuitable Pets

By Charlotte Voake

Step into the wonderfully imaginative world of Melissa and her friends along with their unusual and ‘unsuitable’ pets.  A colourful and creative adventure that will engage children’s imaginations and make them smile.  Suitable for children aged between 4 and 7 years old.

King Baby

By Kate Beaton

This hilarious book featuring plenty of witty illustrations offers a brilliantly fresh take on the blessings and demands of having a new baby in the family.  King Baby certainly is the King, conquering many challenges including the arrival of ‘Queen Baby…’. Ideal for children aged between 4-8.

Let’s Go to Nursery

By Caryl Hart and Lauren Tobia

Join friends Billy and Bee in the first instalment of a brand-new “First Experiences” series set in the urban city centre. Today let’s go to … nursery. A reassuring introduction to nursery, this delightfully rhythmical read-aloud text for the very youngest of readers is paired with gorgeously fresh artwork by Lauren Tobia. Ages 1+

The Most Wonderful Things in the World

By Vivian French and Angela Barrett

When a king and a queen promise to marry their daughter Lucia to the man who can show them the most wonderful thing in the world, suitors descend on the palace bearing gifts – but nothing feels quite right. A shy young man helps them to realise exactly what the most wonderful things in the world really are. Vivian French’s and Angela Barrett transport readers to this enchanting and romantic fairytale city.

Du Iz Tak?

By Carson Ellis

A wonderful exploration into the natural world and the drama that unfolds in even the humblest back garden! The beautifully detailed illustrations and playful language will enchant children, and we soon find ourselves speaking “Bug” … Du iz tak? What is that?

Frog and Beaver

By Simon James

Frog and his friends live happily on the river until Beaver comes along and is adamant that he will build the biggest and best dam that anyone has ever seen. When the dam stops the water, how will Frog help beaver to understand the impact of his actions? A lovely tale exploring friendship and community with an underlying environmental message.

Alphonse That is Not Ok to Do

By Daisy Hirst

Daisy Hirst’s playful depiction of the joys and trials of getting a younger sibling is both sensitive and emotive. The unique illustrations, full of colour bring a sense of humour as we relate to little Natalie’s struggles with the troublesome, but wonderful Alphonse.

Trees

By Lemniscates

A beautiful portrayal of the simplicity and necessity of trees captured in way that every child will be able relate to. Truly a breath of fresh air.

Albert’s Tree

By Jenni Desmond

Follow the lovable Albert’s quest as the small bear goes on a mission to cheer up his best friend… a tree! Jenni Desmond creates a memorable bear of a character with a heart of gold.

Home

By Carson Ellis

Where is your Home? Where are you? Home might be in a house in the country. Or a flat in the city. Or even in a shoe! So many possibilities… all called home. Embark on this beautifully illustrated journey of discovery to explore the meaning of ‘home.’

Once Upon a Northern Night

By Jean E. Pendiziwol and Isabelle Arsenault

This soothing wintery tale is as good as a lullaby. Enjoy the soft poetry with your child, as the world outside your bedroom window paints you a snowy picture to share. Beautifully written and imaginatively captured in its illustrations, this story is a perfect bedtime read for any child age 4-10.

Black Cat, White Cat

By Silvia Borando

Enjoy a tale of understanding as daytime-loving Black Cat and  nighttime-loving White Cat share their worlds with each other. This simple and cleverly illustrated story is excellent for 2-5 year olds and for developing tolerance through learning that other people live differently.

Isaac and his Amazing Asperger Superpowers

By Melanie Walsh

This brilliantly positive book will help any child understand Asperger Syndrome. Whether your child is just starting at nursery or primary school, this book will give any child a great foundation for understanding children in their groups who think and act a bit differently to them. Great for children aged 3-6.

Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure

By A. L. Kennedy and Gemma Correll

Follow the weird and wonderful adventure of Badger Bill as he (and his stubby but shapely legs) endure kidnap and danger. Can Uncle Shawn overcome all the odds with a sort-of-plan involving dancing, Mother Mole and an electric fence? And what will become of the four very depressed llamas doomed to become llama pies? This very random adventure story is great for any child from 7-10 with a lively imagination. Its fast pace and short chapters make it ideal for bite-sized bedtime reads over a few evenings.

Before After

By Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui

Acorn – Oak. Caterpillar – Butterfly. Ice cube – Puddle. This book of paired illustrations is excellent for Early Years children, learning about how things grow, move, fade, and change.

No Place Like Home

By Jonathan Emmett

Join Mole in his search for a better home than his hole. This quaint tale for 3-7 year olds provides lots of scope for fun with animal voices, as well as opportunities to chat about whether or not. A lovely reminder that, sometimes, there really is just no place like home.

Bringing Down the Moon

By Jonathan Emmett and Vanessa Cabban

Join Mole on his nighttime adventure to grab hold of the moon. The problem is, “It’s not as near as it looks!” A soothing tale, with plentiful opportunities for having fun with animal voices – a perfect bedtime read for 3-7 year olds.

Lots

By Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton

This exquisitely illustrated non-fiction book explores the vast array of creatures which call our planet ‘home’. This is a brilliant introduction to the concept of biodiversity for children aged 5 and over, and is guaranteed to enchant both children and adults alike.

Lighter Than Air

By Matthew Clark Smith and Matt Tavares

Telling the inspiring true story of the world’s first female pilot, this book will fascinate slightly older children who are hungry for new facts. Suitable for children aged 6-11, this book will show adults and children that the sky truly is the limit!

Also an Octopus

By Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Benji Davies

How is a story built? Often through a series of ‘What Ifs’… ‘Also an Octopus’ is a lovely walk through the process of building stories. We meet an octopus who is desperate to go to space in a rocket ship, but who encounters many obstacles, as well as many helpers, along the way. This story will engage children in dreaming up possibilities, and inspire them to believe that inventing their own stories in only a couple of ‘What If’s?’ away. Suitable for children age 4-8.

Goodnight Everyone

By Chris Haughton

Little Bear can’t sleep. Join him on a late night trip through the forest, looking for a playmate.  Perhaps the walk will do him good? The book beautifully explores constellations, helping little ones to recognise star patterns in the night sky!  Suitable for children age 3-7.

The Black Book of Colours

By Menena Cottin and Rosana Faria

This sensory book will allow your hands to do the imagining as you see the world through your fingertips. Descriptions and pictures of the flowers, leaves and raindrops – also presented in braille – will help you see the world in a way you never have before. Suitable for all ages, as the sensory pictures will be great for little ones and the braille will help older children (and adults) to learn a new skill.

Return

By Aaron Becker

In the final part of the Journey trilogy, the grey army has designed a weapon to destroy all crayon-made objects. Will our heroine be able to finally destroy the grey army once and for all? Or will her father’s shock appearance put spanner in the works?

Quest

By Aaron Becker

A wordlessly captivating adventure book for children from 5-10. In Part Two of the Journey trilogy, our heroine teams up with a boy who owns another magical crayon. Can they together collect all 6 magical crayons hidden around the kingdom before the grey army destroys them forever?

Journey

By Aaron Becker

A wordlessly captivating adventure book for children from 5-10. A regular girl finds that her favourite crayon brings what she draws to life! After finding a portal to another world, she fights to escape the clutches of an army who will stop at nothing to halt this crayon of creativity. (Part One of the Journey trilogy)

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

By Joan Aiken

A much loved classic. This is the kind of book that had me reading with a torch under the covers: it may have a dark aspect to it but it was certainly one I could not put down. Despite the Wolves outside, the real danger is Miss Slighcarp who takes over Willoughby Chase and unfairly punishes cousins Bonnie and Sylvia. The first book in a series of twelve (see The Wolves Chronicles), this is great for children who enjoy getting stuck into one particularly fascinating world.

The Savage

By David Almond

A boy learns to deal with the death of his father and the bullying that has followed by writing his own story about a Savage living in the nearby woods. Initially this is a secret, but when one night his baby sister is heard crying, he decides to share part of the story with his mother and sister to try to cheer and comfort them. But the more he writes, the more the lines between reality and fiction begin to blur. He writes about getting his own back on the bully, only to find the next day that the bully bears the marks of the attack. How can this be? Has the Savage come to life? In another trip to the woods, the boy ends up learning more about himself than he had expected. A graphic and emotive story, you’ll be best placed as a parent to consider when your child is ready for this one.

The Animals of Farthing Wood

By Colin Dann

The underlying message of Dann’s 1979 novel – the importance of protecting our wildlife, and of working together – is timeless and of particular prevalence today. When their woodland home is threatened, due to planning for new human homes, a group of animals must work together to find another place to live. Taking an Oath of Mutual Protection, the animals, some of whom are born enemies, must club together to protect each other on their journey to an idyllic nature reserve, White Deer Park. Dann handles the realities of this adventure beautifully, with dangers, both natural and manmade, dogging the animals at each stage of their journey. At an age when big questions about death and the circle of life are first coming into children’s awareness, Dann deals with the harsh realities of life with a delicacy that captures the often cruel truth, but triumphs in the hope and determination of the animals’ mutual protection.

Captain Underpants

By Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Captain Underpants, a hugely successful series, centres around two fourth graders (Year 6s in UK), George and Harold, and Captain Underpants, an unlikely superhero, whom the two boys have created in a comic strip. But when the two boys hypnotise their megalomaniac headmaster, Mr Krupp, Captain Underpants accidentally becomes a reality. The absurdity of this story is utterly delightful with plenty of toilet humour, opportunity to try out evil villain laughs, and an appealing comic books style. With 14 books, three spin offs and the film rights on Dreamworks Animation’s desk, this is a series that you won’t be able to get enough of.

The Silver Sword

By Ian Serraillier

Set in Poland during the 1940s Nazi invasion, The Silver Sword, based on true historical events, begins with Joseph, a Polish headmaster, arrested by the Gestapo and taken to a prison camp, from which he later escapes. But upon returning to Warsaw, Joseph finds his family gone (his wife has also been arrested, and the three children are in hiding) and their home destroyed. A paper knife (The Silver Sword), once belonging to his wife, now lies in the possession of a pickpocket called Jan. Joseph leaves, intending to follow his family to Switzerland, where he assumes they have fled. But Jan and The Silver Sword form the central thread of the story, as the boy befriends the three children and joins them in their journey in search of their parents. An exciting, tense and often exhilarating story, The Silver Sword follows one family’s challenging journey to safety, and finally back to each other.

Fortunately, the Milk

By Neil Gaiman

Anyone familiar with Gaiman’s penchant for the bizarre and unusual in Doctor Who or Coraline, will love Fortunately, the Milk. A truly absurd story, spun by the father of two children awaiting his return from the corner shop with milk for their cereal, Gaiman carries the reader through a labyrinth of time and space to encounter a series of fascinating and sometimes terrifying characters, all of whom are bent on preventing the father from making it home with the milk intact. With aliens, pirates, dinosaurs, wumpires and a Volcano God making an appearance, this fantastical book begs to be read aloud in various ridiculous voices, and will delight parents and child alike with its off the wall humour.

The Iron Man

By Ted Hughes

The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff. How far had he walked? Nobody knows. Where did he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows.’ A great classic modern fairytale, The Iron Man opens as an enormous, mysterious being arrives in a small, unnamed town and proceeds to wreak havoc by consuming any metallic item in its path. But rather than try to understand it, the adults in the village hatch a plan to simply bury the giant creature. Overwhelmed by fear and anger, their reaction to the creature is fuelled by panic and selfishness. However, it is little Hogarth who works instead to understand the creature’s motives, and create a solution that will bring about harmony for all. A beautiful tale of understanding and tolerance, this story is brimming with intrigue, mystery and suspense, but has a strong and human moral at its heart.

Tom’s Midnight Garden

By Phillippa Pearce

One of the best children’s books ever written – and worth reading no matter how old you are – Tom’s Midnight Garden is full of magic, mystery and adventure and keeps you guessing until the very end. Tom is sent away for the summer to stay at his aunt’s and uncle’s house and prepares himself for a long spell of deep boredom. Then, one night as he lies awake he hears the grandfather clock in the hall strike – thirteen! He rushes downstairs and out of a back door which usually leads to a scruffy yard, but now opens onto an enchantingly beautiful garden – which unaccountably disappears during the day. Is he dreaming? Is the girl he meets there real or a ghost? Is he the ghost? Beautifully written and full of depth and excitement, this book will entrance you – and its last poignantly moving lines will stay with you forever.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

By C. S. Lewis

A truly magical book which children will never forget – a gift they will take with them into adulthood. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent to stay at a big old house with an eccentric professor and accidentally stumble into Narnia through the back of a wardrobe – a frozen, snowy land in which it is always winter, but never Christmas’. This is a book full of adventure and imagination, with great characters like Mr Tumnus the Faun, the icily terrifying White Witch and Aslan, the great and mysterious Lion whose arrival signals a great change in the land, as well as a great sacrifice. Deep and layered, as well as a real page-turner, The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe is a wonderful introduction to The Chronicles of Narnia even though it is the second book in the series. It will leave you and your child eager to read the other 6 together!

Billionaire Boy

By David Walliams

Joe Spud, at twelve, is pretty much sorted with everything you could want in life. A grand-prix racetrack in the back garden (tick), A robot dog from Japan (tick)… Every computer game in the world (tick)… A crocodile (tick)… Another crocodile (tick)… ‘ The list goes on! But friends? A big emphatic cross next to that one. Children will be racing to join Joe on his journey to discover something money can’t buy, with writer and comedian David Walliams keeping the laughs coming whilst deftly touching on death, bullying, and the value of true friendship.

Cloud Busting

By Malorie Blackman

Write a poem / About / Someone near to you, / Dear to you.’ Mr Mackie’s homework assignment has the class groaning in despair: everyone, that is, except Sam. So begins a beautiful novel written entirely in verse – Sam’s poem and tribute to his friend Dave, now absent. A brilliant story to read aloud, especially with its irregular line endings, lending the words a natural conversational rhythm, as well as emphases that both you and your child will find thought-provoking. But Cloud Busting will not only challenge childrens’ ideas of what a poem should or might be. In two devastating chapters – What Should’ve Happened’ and What Did Happen’ – it will also challenge them to consider the cost of not being true to yourself.

Artemis Fowl

By Eoin Colfer

I remember discovering Artemis Fowl soon after it was published (I was twelve), then later surreptitiously reading the eighth and final book of this sci-fi fantasy series in a shop (I was, er, twenty-three). Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl may inhabit a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of Dublin, but he is already primed for his first big money-making scheme: divest the fairyfolk of their pot of gold’, by kidnapping a fairy and waiting for the ransom to arrive. What he doesn’t bet upon is Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance) Unit, who is to be assisted by technologically adept centaur Foaly, and a whole host of outlandishly unforgettable characters. This fast-paced, wise-cracking adventure, described by the author as Die Hard with fairies’, is a guaranteed gripping read for young readers – and any older ones…

Flour Babies

By Anne Fine

It’s time for the boys in Room 8 – the class of difficult cases and underachievers – to learn what their teacher Mr Cartright has in store for their science project. There isn’t a maggot farm or exploding custard tin in sight; more’s the pity. But what’s this – a six-pound bag of flour for each boy, to be cared for over the next three weeks as if it was a real live baby? Needless to say, not all of the flour babies make it (Robin Delaney drop-kicks his into the creek), but for Simon Martin it’s the beginning of his appreciating mum’s efforts in a new light, and confronting buried feelings about dad – who hasn’t stayed around. With extracts from Simon’s project journal charting his growing attachment to his flour baby, this is a refreshing tale that will encourage young readers to reflect on and explore their own feelings about family.

Gangsta Granny

By David Walliams

Could it be? Does Ben’s Grandma really want to steal the Crown Jewels? Find out in this hilarious and moving tale fit for young and old alike. Take a ride on another classic Walliams rollercoaster, and discover the keys to this book’s success, amongst its funny lists and silly words.

The BFG

By Roald Dahl

Don’t be fooled by his size! When Sophie is carried from her room in the middle of the night and taken to Giantland, she believes her cards are marked. However, more mousey than murderous, Sophie is in the good hands of her midnight captor, the BFG. His fellow giants, on the other hand, are not as friendly and have a penchant for chiddlers blood. Sophie must prevent their gluttonous massacre. With the help of the snozzcumber, munching BFG, they set out to stop the Childchewer, Bonecrusher and the rest of the terrifying giants from swallowing the children of England.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

Young Hugo lives unnoticed within the walls of a Parisian train station – until a series of encounters with a strange and bitter old man places Hugo at the centre of the discovery of the magical new art of cinema. Its blend of visual and written stories lends this book the wonderfully unique experience of reading a film. The eerie and evocative black and white illustrations draw the reader into Hugo’s shadowy world of mysterious bookshops, clockwork men and the forgotten genius who first pioneered the use of visual effects in film.

The Twits

By Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of the best children’s writers there is. His immensely imaginative worlds are only matched by the despicableness of his characters, and none more so than The Twits. These two especially unscrupulous characters are dirty and smelly, and spend their days thinking of ways to be horrible to each other and mean to animals. But now the animals have had enough, and a lively alliance between birds and monkeys is set to challenge the Twits and their smelly ways.

The Worst Witch

By Jilly Murphy

Mildred Hubble tries her best but never has much luck when it comes to her school work. Unfortunately she attends Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, and her trouble with the broom and disastrous potions lesson seems to make her officially the worst witch! Yet something is brewing and Mildred may yet be an unlikely hero. Following its publication in 1974 the book has gone on to become one of Puffin’s most successful titles.

The Crowstarver

By Dick King Smith

From the writer of The Sheep-Pig, the original inspiration for the feature film Babe, this is a moving story which, in Dick King Smith’s characteristically simple and engaging style, will take young readers on a magical journey. Spider, mysteriously found in a sheep pen, has been raised by a farmer and his wife. As he grows up it becomes apparent that Spider is quite different to the other children, and yet he has a fantastic ability to communicate with the animals he has grown up around. Making him perfect as a Crowstarver, Spider goes on to find his niche in this rural English community.

Kit’s Wilderness

By David Almond

A deep and multi layered book, Kit’s Wilderness touches on a host of powerful emotions. Kit has recently moved to Stoneygate, an old mining town with a tragic past. His grandfather, ill with Alzheimer’s, tells him stories of bygone days in the mine and the children he once played with. As his grandfather’s health starts to deteriorate, Kit gets drawn into dark games themed around Death with the town’s local children. Set in a stark and captivating environment, you’ll find this a gripping read from beginning to end.

Zog

By Julia Donaldson

Accompany Zog, the hapless young dragon, as he makes his way through dragon school. Zog is helped out by a mysterious young girl; though she turns out to be a princess, this is not your usual fairytale princess but a strong little person who knows what she wants. There’s a great rhythm to the rhyming language of the book; plenty of opportunity for silly voices, and wonderful illustrations to explore with your little ones. I’ve been reading Zog to my son since he was two, and at five years old, this is still one of his favourites.

The London Eye Mystery

By Siobhan Dowd

A mystery novel, The London Eye tells of Ted, a boy with Asperger syndrome, as he investigates how his cousin, Salim, could seemingly have vanished from inside a sealed capsule on the London Eye. Rich in emotion and filled with twists and turns, this is the ideal story for young readers who like to be kept on their toes, whilst also giving them the space to think about some serious situations and feelings. This novel has won many children’s literature awards, and within only a couple of pages, you’ll quickly see why!

There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom

By Louis Sachar

Bradley Chalkers sits at the back of the classroom, all alone: everyone ignores him and he ignores everyone else, including his teachers. In this powerful novel, the reader gets to explore how new friendships and the magical world of books enable Bradley to take on some of the challenges he faces, until the Bradley we see by the end is a very different boy to the one whom we meet at the start of the story.

The Selfish Giant

By Oscar Wilde (retold by Fiona Waters)

A beautiful retelling of an important 1888 classic. Away for some years, our giant returns to find his garden full of happy children, delighting in its beauty. Unhappy with this development, he quickly erects a sign: Trespassers will be prosecuted’. The giant however becomes even sadder than the children themselves when he discovers that now it is always Winter. How can he make the Spring return, and can anything prompt him to change his own heart and mind? The imagery in this story I know gave me an early love of words: The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver.’ An enriching tale, it speaks to the common, universal need to be able to open up our lives to others. ‘I have many beautiful flowers,’ the giant finally admits; ‘but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all.’

Meerkat Mail

By Emily Gravett

Get out a large suitcase from the spare room, fill it with cushions, and sit your little one right in the middle of it before reading aloud from the beautifully illustrated Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett. Sunny the meerkat is a young adventurer with a great love of eating beetles on toast (with insect larvae… Yum). He lives in the dry, hot Kalahari Desert, but he has been starting to get itchy feet. He wants a different lifestyle, with new experiences, until – that is – he finds himself inside very new experiences. A charming tale about discovering that often, home and the safety of family is far too underrated.

Unreal!

By Paul Jennings

Lucky lipsticks that have you kissing animals; ice cream that can help rid you of spots; even cow dung custard – all of the above are present in Paul Jenning’s wonderful cornucopia of quirky short tales. Be warned, some stories have a ghostly edge… .I distinctly recall at least one skeleton on a dunny! Jennings’ stories are just plain hilarious for young readers, and his whimsical tales offer more twists than a ride on a rollercoaster.

Mr Big

By Ed Vere

A true friend can come in any shape or size.’ A wonderful, touching story reminding us not to judge by appearance. Mr Big feels all alone in the world – being a big’ gorilla is a byword for scary to all the other animals. Yet on discovering a piano in a music shop, a piano looking every bit as alone as him, Mr Big channels his sadness into playing some truly beautiful Jazz. Jazz that drifts out into the night sky to attract some real cool cats playing at The Blue Note… . A great book. What grown up can resist getting the chance to read out lines like Hey man, that cat can play!’ and He’s cooking Daddio!’

Quest

By Aaron Becker

Enter into the magical world of the quest, where each new crayon is ready to take you on the next amazing adventure. Map in hand, you must overcome the soldiers in the castle whilst avoiding being seen. You have only one another to rely upon. With not a word to be found in this book, you’ll find the pictures here will transport you to places you might never even have dreamed of.

Tin Forest

By Helen Ward

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of an old man, who dreams of exchanging the bleak grey place in which he lives for a colourful universe, home to the most wonderful creatures. The old man spends his days making the very best of his situation, until one day, thanks to a brilliant idea and a moonlight wish, things begin to change. Its striking illustrations and original, uplifting story make this clever book feel magical. The Tin Forest can be enjoyed on many levels and by all ages. I thoroughly recommend it!

Flotsam

By David Wiesner

An amazing, colour-filled book, this will change the way you walk on a beach for ever! A great gift for anyone who can’t go to the beach without making for home with pockets stuffed full of little sea-borne objects. Imagine finding an old camera, the film still unused, and being taken into another world as you gradually develop the photos afterwards. There are no words in this book but you’ll find that this only leaves more room to your own and your child’s imagination.

A Bear Called Paddington

By Michael Bond

Enigmatic yet oh so loveable, read about the adventures of one of the nation’s favourite bears: as Paddington, all the way from Darkest Peru, enters into his new life living in London with his adoptive family the Brown’s. He might be a bear but Paddington manages to capture the innocence of childhood, and of encountering the world anew through fresh eyes. Bringing back childhood memories of that unforgettable and sometimes befuddled bear, with his famous love of marmalade sandwiches – kept under his hat of course – you’ll treasure some daily reading time as you get to share this once again with your own children.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

By Mac Barnett

One Monday, Sam and Dave decide to dig a hole, planning not to stop until they find something spectacular! They dig this way and that, stopping only for chocolate milk and animal biscuits, but the “spectacular something” seems somehow to evade them. Perhaps they should ask their clever but silent dog for a clue? A funny book with plenty of visual surprise, it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for something just a bit different, and you’ll have great fun studying the expressions on the faces of Jon Klassen’s all-knowing animals, each depicted with wonderful colour.

Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears

By Emily Gravett

This multi-layered treat of a book will entrance young readers, with more and more to discover at the turn of every page. There are some big words in here as the mouse tries to document his very own litany of fears, offering lots of opportunities for little ones to identify with the same fearsome troubles. But in a succession of beautiful illustrations this lovely story will have each one of us learning not only that we are not alone in our fears, but that the things we are afraid of might not be as frightening as we had once thought.

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

By Alex T. Smith

Full of energy, you’ll be reminded with this book of the fairy tale classic, Little Red Riding Hood, though Alex Smith’s twist places Little Red in an African safari landscape, this time keen to avoid being eaten by a lion. Colourful and delightfully fun, you’ll find there’s a whole array of exotic creatures to be discovered before you even get to him. At the crux of the story however, Little Red – more feisty perhaps than ever – will help your little ones think about the value of manners, as she manages finally to teach that naughtily hungry lion a lesson.

Peace at Last

By Jill Murphy

The hour is late and it is definitely time to sleep. Slowly, very tiredly, you make your way up the stairs and get into bed, ready to fall asleep. But why can’t Mr Bear fall asleep? Mrs Bear is going SNORE, SNORE. Baby Bear is playing aeroplanes: NYAAOW. Will Mr Bear ever get any peace? You’ll love sharing this book, with plenty of noises to get the children joining in, and repetitions that will have them hooked from the youngest age. A book that has stood the test of time, and one that we are confident is here to stay.

Up and Down

By Oliver Jeffers

Picking up the story from Lost and Found of the newfound friendship shared by a boy and a penguin, the lovely illustrations in Oliver Jeffers’ sequel, Up and Down, help to tell of the latest journey our penguin is keen to embark upon: now it is all about learning to fly! For anyone who has ever wanted to prove the impossible, this is a tale of the appeal of adventure; of the ups and downs which can often come with a friendship, and of how we might lose and yet still find one another once more.

Aliens Love Underpants

By Claire Freedman

One that never fails to get children giggling, this is a book about what happens in and around the washing line when you’re not looking, giving an oddly brilliant answer to the perhaps familiar problem of those missing underpants. The story will no doubt add to the fun and fascination that underwear probably already holds for your child. Enjoy sharing some bedtime frivolity together; you’ll all love it!

The Great Dog Bottom Swap

By Peter Bently

Hilarious, inventive, and wonderfully fun to share with a child, or indeed with anyone you can find, this book attempts – you might say ambitiously – to answer the age-old problem of why dogs sniff each other’s bottoms. It is the night of the summer ball, and all the dogs have their tickets ready. Like all well brought up dogs they hang up their bottoms in the bottom cloakroom, but disaster soon ensues … Find out what exciting things happen at the dogs’ ball, and the ultimate answer to our great doggy puzzle.

My Dog is a Carrot

By John Hegley

A brilliant collection of really funny poetry that proves particularly popular with boys, the contents of this book are extremely creative and unusual, with one poem describing the trials and tribulations of living with a pet dog with a serious wind problem… Not for the faint hearted, the book’s subject matter and attention-grabbing use of print and visual clues mean that even the most reluctant of readers will often find something to grab them in this outstanding collection.

Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts

By Roald Dahl

Told through a fantastical and gruesome lens, these memorable rhymes give a fantastic way for children to explore some classic fairytales and fables in a completely unorthodox way. Dahl reimagines Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White, Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, providing in this book a sure staple for all children’s bookshelves: indeed, many parents are likely to remember enjoying these grisly tales first time round!

The Little Prince

By Antoine de Saint Exupéry

One of the most beautiful and thought-provoking children’s books available, The Little Prince’s perfect blend of writing and illustration makes it just as enjoyable to read as an adult, as for a child. The story begins with its author, an aviator, crashing his aeroplane in the Sahara desert. Whilst attempting to repair his aeroplane, our Little Prince appears, having travelled to Earth from asteroid B-612. Sharing the strange tales of the people and planets he has seen along the way, the Little Prince takes us on a wonderful journey across the cosmos, leaving all of us hoping that one day he will be able to return.

The Enchanted Horse

By Magdalene Nabb

A magical story of a shy, lonely girl who, seeing a small, old and worn horse in the window of a junk shop, simply must take it home. What Irina doesn’t yet know is that this is an enchanted horse; after she takes extra special care of it, at night it will spring into life. Yet real horses are harder to look after than toys, and problems are soon to arise…With beautiful illustrations and a touching message, this classic will have your own little special ones enthralled.

Goodnight Mister Tom

By Michelle Magorian

A story which tells the tale of the Second World War experienced through the eyes of those children who were evacuated to the countryside. One of the most touching and powerful children’s books ever written, it tells the story of Grumpy Tom Oakley who takes in young Willie only to form an unlikely friendship which helps to enrich both of their lives. Yet no one was safe from the ravages of the war, and circumstances conspire to split them apart.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

By Roald Dahl

A brilliant example of Roald Dahl’s ability to produce a magical animal world. The story follows Fantastic Mr. Fox whose sticky fingers find their way into three nasty farmers’ larders, much to their displeasure. Thus commences an epic chase as the farmers seek to catch the fox and his family. But Fantastic Mr. Fox makes a living out of outsmarting despicable farmers, and he makes a comeback with a particularly Fantastic solution.

Matilda

By Roald Dahl

Published in 1988, Matilda is one of Roald Dahl’s best loved stories. Life isn’t always fair for children, but for one little girl it’s time to take matters into her own hands. A genius surrounded by stupid parents and a bullying headmaster, her magical powers give her the chance to teach them all not to underestimate children.

The Snowman

By Raymond Briggs

This children’s picture book contains no words but has long captured the imagination of children and adults everywhere. The iconic pictures tell the story of a boy’s Christmas adventure as his snowman comes to life, and takes him to explore the wonders of a white Christmas on their way to the North Pole.

Funnybones

By Allan Ahlberg

A book which will never grow old, this is a story of what happens at night when we’ve all gone to bed, telling the adventures of a big skeleton, a little skeleton and their skeleton dog as they come out to play. A must read for any young children just starting to read, Funnybones is a story full of humour and fun, which will stay with you your entire life. Bold pictures bring this story to life as you follow the skeletons on their midnight walk.

The Cat in the Hat

By Dr. Seuss

A funny book that teaches children how to have lots of good fun! Written and illustrated by Dr Seuss, this is a story of two children’s adventures with their pessimistic goldfish and The Cat In The Hat, a man sized cat with a red and white striped hat. Join them as they beat the boredom of a rainy day, in fantastic rhyme that simply rolls off the tongue.

The Animal Boogie

By Debbie Harter

This brilliant rhyming story is great for getting children singing and dancing, learning through music and movement, and having a chance to burn some of their exuberant energy (hopefully reminding you of yours!) Deep in the Indian jungle, children from all over the world have come together to jump, hop, shake and flap. Joining the animals, the children will soon know how to boogie just like them! With songs that are easy to read, and bright illustrations to enjoy, this book cannot fail to engage your fun-loving little ones!

This Little Chick

By John Lawrence

It’s the little chick’s first day playing on the farm. His brothers and sisters all want to stay nestled up with mum but he’s out for adventure. Join him as he learns to imitate the sounds of animals of all shapes and sizes in fantastic rhyming verse. Hop along with the frogs, follow the sheep about and strut out with the smelly pigs. John Lawrence, a wood carver as well as illustrator, brings this story to life in bold and bright images that will delight and amuse children and parents alike.

Michael Rosen’s A to Z of Nonsense

By Michael Rosen.

Two wonderful poetry collections by the ever-popular Michael Rosen, recent Children’s Laureate. In A-Z, Rosen brings together the best children’s poets from Agard to Zephaniah, and all in between. This is a great introduction to poetry for children of any age. The Book of Nonsense on the other hand is full of Rosen’s own poems, and you’ll find this pure, delightful nonsense. Covering all sorts of topics, and using repetition, rhyme and exuberant wordplay, this collection will appeal to any child’s sense of humour, and to the child in all of us.

Wonder

By R. J. Palacio

August “Auggie” Pullman is a ten year old boy with a facial disfigurement. After being home-schooled for most of his life, his parents are keen to enrol him in a regular school, to Auggie’s utter trepidation. Each chapter of the book is narrated by a different character (though Auggie’s voice is most prominent), showing very clearly the mixed reactions of all who come into contact with Auggie. Wonder is a brilliant novel about friendship, bullying, accepting others, and most importantly accepting yourself.

The Daydreamer

By Ian McEwan

A bizarre and often forgotten book, McEwan’s novel is split into seven short stories about ten-year-old Peter Fortune. Peter is a daydreamer, and slips into a fantasy world regularly. But the line between reality and his imagination becomes more and more blurred, as he fantasises about wiping out his entire family with invisibility cream, and then swapping bodies with the cat! For young fans of creepier stories, this will be well worth a read.

Kensuke’s Kingdom

By Michael Morpurgo

When Michael’s parents both lose their jobs, they opt for a more hopeful mode of escape and set off on an adventure sailing around the world on their yacht, Peggy Sue. One night, Michael is on lookout with his sheepdog Stella Artois, but he falls into the water … eventually to wash up on a deserted island. Struggling to survive on his own, Michael wakes up daily to a bowl of fish, fruit and fresh water. Who is leaving the food for him? Is there someone else on the island? And will he ever see his parents again? This story of a modern-day Robinson Crusoe is subtly told, but Morpurgo writes with plenty of feeling and drama, which will keep you very firmly hooked.

Millions

By Frank Cottrell Boyce

A true modern classic; set in a fictional time as England is about to change from pound sterling to the Euro, two brothers discover millions of pounds in cash, with seventeen days left to spend the money. Damian, the younger brother, believes the money has come from God and should be used for doing good. But his older brother Anthony has other ideas, and starts using the money to bribe classmates, even looking into real estate. Unbeknownst to the brothers, the money came from a train robbery, and the robbers are looking for their money… will they be able to catch up with the brothers before time finally runs out?

Cosmic

By Frank Cottrell Boyce

Twelve year old Liam is very tall for his age. So tall that he constantly gets mistaken for an adult, which Liam finally realises the benefits of when he wins the chance to go to Infinity Park, the best theme park in the world. However Liam has entered the competition as his Dad, so he persuades school mate Florida to go along as his daughter. Arriving, they find out this is not just a theme park, but a training station to send the first children into space… and soon Liam finds himself as the only “adult” on a rocket full of children, on its way to space. This hilarious novel perfectly balances the silliness of the tale with a heart-warming message about the relationship parents can have with their children.

The Dark

By Lemony Snickett

Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark lives in the basement, and doesn’t visit Laszlo in his room. Until one night… it does. Follow Laszlo as he journeys into the dark … to face and conquer his fear. The tension of Snicket’s words are perfectly paired with Klassen’s deceptively simple yet beautiful pictures, in this truly unique picture book. Perfect for children who might want something a little spookier to dig into, or for encouraging those who struggle with that familiar fear of the dark to overcome it.

Play Time

By Julia Donaldson

Playtime (or even bedtime) will soon be bursting with creativity, as this book helps transform tales, old and new, into short plays for children to enjoy reading and acting out loud. Featuring old favourites such as The Billy Goat’s Gruff’ as well as more contemporary writing, there’s guaranteed to be something here for everyone. Accompanied with useful guidance on target age, length and characters, this collection makes the idea of having a go at this at home hugely accessible, and will bring great joy to both young and old(er!) alike!

Mia’s Story

By Michael Foreman

A delicately realised story, beautifully conveying the power of family and community, and the possibility of hope – even in the most straitened of circumstances. Living in a house made of the city’s discarded refuse, Mia has been given a dog found by her father, but when Poco runs away, Mia is led all the way up to the peaks of the snowy South American mountains in search of him. It is there that she makes a wondrous discovery; marking the start of a new venture, and the beginning of a new life for both Mia and her family.

Journey

By Aaron Becker

A lonely girl in an ordinary world finds a magic pen that becomes for her the key to an extraordinary world. She draws a door onto her bedroom wall, and through it escapes into a land where wonder, escapade and danger abound. Pen in hand, she manages to pull out of her imagination the elements she needs to continue on her journey; to escape from danger and ultimately to find what she had been looking for all along. Luminous colour and fine detail bring this wordless picture book to life, and you’ll find young readers swept along on a wonderful adventure as you explore each picture together.

The Heart and the Bottle

By Oliver Jeffers

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her… Then one day something happened which made her take her heart and put it in a safe place. But after that, it seemed that the world was emptier than before. Would the girl know how to get her heart back? A moving tale exploring themes of love and loss, this book lightly indicates how the actions we take to protect ourselves may simultaneously hold us back from living our lives. Ultimately uplifting and life affirming, we are reminded that there is always hope. Oliver Jeffers, an award winning artist, beautifully captures in his illustrations the special relationships that can exist between people and the worlds in which we live.

Slog’s Dad

By David Almond

Dave McKean’s artwork turns David Almond’s short story into a wonderful graphic novel/picture book hybrid. Slog’s dad is dead, but Slog is certain that the man sitting on the bench across the square is him, come back to see Slog, like he said he would. In the spring. A deeply moving tale, it explores not only grief and loss but also the most surprising sources of hope and comfort. The book’s collage of images provides an insight into Slog’s memory, as well as the depths of his heart and soul as he both remembers his dad and connects with the stranger on the square.

The Sea Tiger

By Victoria Turnbull

The Sea Tiger is Oscar’s best friend, though also his only friend. They do everything together – explore the ocean, visit the sea circus, even hitch a ride to the surface to look at the stars. But Oscar is not a Sea Tiger, and the Sea Tiger knows Oscar is going to need a new friend. This delicate story shows us a cautious and shy Oscar, used to observing and taking another’s lead. Through the Sea Tiger, he finds strength within himself to explore a new friendship. The lightness of touch in Turnbull’s illustrations makes for a beautifully soothing tale, perfect for sharing together.

Wolves

By Emily Gravett

A book within a book about what could happen if a story really were to come to life. Rabbit visits the library to ‘burrow’ a book. So absorbed is he in his reading that he fails to notice his companion during the journey home and walks right into trouble. With a darker comic twist about to emerge, readers will be reassured by the second, alternative ending, presenting a vegetarian wolf and the promise that no rabbits were eaten in the making of this book’. That said, whatever did happen to the copy that Rabbit borrowed? The library fine increases day by day…

Not Now, Bernard

By David McKee

A funny story to be enjoyed by child and parent alike, this is also a more unusual one for our list. Parents will find in this book a cautionary but classic tale for modern times, one that is sure to make you think. When you were growing up, did you ever feel that nobody would listen to you? Bernard’s parents are very preoccupied. In fact, they are so busy doing their own thing that a monster reading comics, breaking toys and even eating Bernard up, goes every bit unnoticed! Written and illustrated by the same name that brought us Elmer the Elephant, King Rollo and Mr Benn, McKee’s recognisable cartoonish style will have you quickly drawn in. _

The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it Was None of His Business

By Werner Holzwarth

It’s one thing to have a pigeon poop on your head from above, but it’s a total shocker for the Little Mole, whom upon poking his head from his burrow one morning, is hit on the head by a lump of brown, smelly ‘business’. Quite outraged by the incident, the Little Mole makes it his business to find out who the poo belongs to. From rabbit pellets to steaming patties no animal’s excrement is left unidentified. Join Little Mole on his quest to find the perpetrator and take stinking revenge.

The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon

By David Almond

A wonderfully intriguing tale of courage and friendship sure to spark young imaginations. Journey with Paul and Molly as they follow their hearts and enjoy a highly irregular and fantastically unusual journey to find out if the moon really is just a hole in the sky. This story, in both prose and full-colour pictures, will linger in your minds for a long while.

Ketchup on your Cornflakes

By Nick Sharratt

Would you like ice cubes in your bed? Custard on your toast? The funniest of books, this will keep your little ones engaged and entertained for hours. A fantastically simple and original idea, the pages string together as a series of moveable flaps, all in a bright and colourful format, which are designed to inspire a wildly random range of culinary concoctions. Most enjoyable – for young and old alike.

Handa’s Surprise

By Eileen Browne

Gorgeously illustrated, and spectacularly colourful, Handa’s Surprise offers to take you and your child on a delightful Kenyan journey as Handa makes her way to a friend’s village to share some fruit with her. With cheeky stealth, a host of creatures take the opportunity to help themselves to Handa’s fruit, but at the end of the book she is to receive a lovely surprise … An engaging celebration of diverse cultures, of friendship and of nature in all it’s glory, your children won’t be able to help joining in and trying to tell Handa what’s behind her!

Mr Majeika

By Humphrey Carpenter

None of the Year Three pupils at St. Barty’s Primary are thrilled to find themselves back at school on a rainy Monday morning, after the Christmas holidays … that is until they see their new teacher Mr. Majeika whizz by the window on a magic carpet! Pandora, Melanie, the twins Thomas and Pete, and class-clown Hamish Bigmore soon discover that they are in for the most exciting school term ever. I first discovered these books myself in the school library, off the back of an ITV adaptation of the series starring Stanley Baxter. I was instantly hooked. Still as magical as ever, you’ll find this is a great one to read with children just as their own reading skills are starting to emerge.

The Pirates Next Door

By Jonny Duddle

Life in the gloomy seaside town of Dull-on-Sea is for Matilda exactly how it sounds, but all that changes when the Jolley-Rogers, a pirate family, move in next door. As Tilda and Jim Lad, the pirate son, begin their swashbuckling adventure, pirates start to turn the whole town upside-down. The townsfolk of Dull-on-Sea are soon awash with gossip as the pirates cause carnage, but will they change their tune when they discover the pirates’ secret? My three-year-old godson absolutely loves pirates, and we had great fun reading about the Jolley-Rogers together in this highly engaging picture book.

From Head to Toe

By Eric Carle

From the writer of the classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar – among 70 other books – comes another beautifully illustrated picture book, this time introducing children to lots of different animals. Our fascinating characters include a penguin, a giraffe and a buffalo, and as we are shown how these animals move, children will be encouraged to see if they can move their bodies in the same way. A fun book for you and your child to share, this is a great option whether just before bed or when you’re all still full of the day’s energies.

The Black Dog

By Levi Pinfold

Levi Pinfold’s Black Dog is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I’ve ever come across. Involving every member of the family in its tale about the Hope household, this is a heartwarming look at facing your fears; how when you really do this can make them so much smaller, and how they might even become something you come to love. ‘ “He doesn’t seem fierce at all now I really look at him,” said Mr Hope. The rest of the family agreed.’

The Houdini Box

By Brian Selznick

Young Victor is the ultimate wannabe Houdini, although his failed attempts at recreating his idol’s famous feats of magic – escaping from locked trunks, walking through walls – have driven his mum to send him off to his aunt. So when Victor happens to meet a conjuror in a train station, it feels like just the opportunity he has been waiting for – to garner some trade secrets from a real professional. When Victor finally receives a letter inviting him to Houdini’s house, he arrives only to learn that his hero has died, but still – his widow gifts Victor with a small box. What secret from beyond the grave does the box conceal, and will Victor ever open it… ? Brian Seltzer’s black-and-white etchings and economical language bring the enigmatic Houdini fully to life, in a tale for which your children will gladly suspend their disbelief.

The Colour of Home

By Mary Hoffman

Hassan’s Year 1 teacher might want him to feel at home’ at his new school in America, but after having fled war-torn Somalia with his family, the last thing Hassan can see in this cold land of dull greys and browns is somewhere akin to home. But an art project gives Hassan an opportunity to tell his story, and recapture his old life, and it is in doing so that he gradually begins to settle into his new surroundings. Karin Littlewood’s illustrations are a joyful riot of colour, anticipating the moment when Hassan will freshly appraise his new home, opening his eyes to its warmth and beauty. Kids will be riveted by this book’s emotional truth, and transformative power.

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

By T. S. Eliot

Who goes by names such as the Mystery Cat’, the Hidden Paw’, and even the Napoleon of Crime’? Which moggy has a cup of tea With perhaps a drop of Scotch while he’s keeping on the watch’? And just how do you address a cat in the right and proper manner? The legendary T.S. Eliot is on hand to introduce us to the wonderful, secret and mysterious world of cats, in the poetry collection that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats. A treasure for cat-lovers and children of all ages, with lines you’ll enjoy ruminating over for long afterwards – just like our feline friends in profound meditation’ on the sofa.

Tales from Outer Suburbia

By Shaun Tan

This wonderfully evocative collection of fifteen (very) short stories will have both you and your young readers poring over the stunning illustrations. Ordinary suburban life is quietly disrupted in fifteen extraordinary ways: a deep-sea diver roams the streets, a water buffalo gives directions, and a tiny alien called Eric comes to stay as an exchange student. Shaun Tan brings a flavour of the bare, remote Australian outback to his surreal tales, each of which ask us to look again at the world, and reconsider the people who don’t seem to quite fit in. Look out for when the text and the pictures are telling different stories!

Room 13

By Robert Swindells

Daylight makes us forget our dreams, or else they seem funny – even the scary ones’. But Felicity Fliss’ Morgan knows better than to trust her mum on this one. The next day her Year 2 class head to Whitby, to one particularly creepy guest house, with 12 (or perhaps 13) rooms, in the ultimate spooky school trip – an excellent story for sleepovers! Can Fliss save the class from a certain vampiric resident? Robert Swindells’ staccato sentences will be great fun to deliver, especially with a torch to hand. Expect shivers and squeals, and make sure your kids are the type who can still sleep easy…

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Rocket

By John Boyne

This book stands out from the crowd for its magnificent title alone, but your child will soon discover why its hero is head and shoulders above the rest. Barnaby Brocket is a boy who can float – much to the horror of his parents, who would rather he didn’t make a fuss and obeyed the laws of gravity like everyone else. But Barnaby experiences the ultimate betrayal when his parents (almost literally) cut him loose at the age of eight, leaving him to float into the blue – and encounter a hot air balloon! So begins Barnaby’s journey, in which he is to be joined by a whole host of new friends, in a celebration of finding and accepting yourself just as you are.

The One and Only Ivan

By Katherine Applegate

Ivan is a gorilla of few, but well-chosen, words. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he’s used to us peering at him through the glass – but make no mistake, he’s been watching us too. In my size humans see a test of themselves. They hear fighting words on the wind, when all I’m thinking is how the late-day sun reminds me of a ripe nectarine.’ But Ivan’s thoughtful life of resignation abruptly changes, with the imminent arrival of a baby elephant. His elderly elephant companion, injured by cruelty in captivity, asks him to ensure the baby doesn’t suffer her own fate. Katherine Applegate’s powerful story is inspired by a real Ivan; she explains: I wanted to give him someone to protect, and the chance to be the mighty silverback he was always meant to be.’ Expect tears before bedtime – but they may well be your own!

Goggle-Eyes

By Anne Fine

Kitty is on the war-path: mum’s got a new boyfriend, and Kitty is adamant he’s not going to have an easy time of it. Can she succeed in driving Goggle Eyes’ Gerald away, or will she realise he’s not all that bad once you get to know him… ? Kitty’s emotional journey plays out in the context of her telling her own story to comfort fellow classmate Helen, who dislikes her prospective stepfather and who is sitting in the school cloakroom in tears. The positive framing of the story will help any young reader appreciate the often hilarious developments in Kitty’s tale, as well as accommodate potentially new family dynamics in their own lives.

Skellig

By David Almond

I found him in the garage on a Sunday afternoon… I thought he was dead.’ Ten-year old Michael is having a difficult time, on all fronts. He’s just moved into a decrepit house where an old man died and wasn’t discovered under the kitchen table for a week. His parents are distraught over his new baby sister, who is seriously ill due to complications from an early birth. And now here’s this man – is he a man? – in the garage at the bottom of the garden. The award-winning debut novel from David Almond, Skellig is atmospheric, even claustrophobic, and packs an incredible emotional punch as we journey with Michael through his isolation and grief to a truly miraculous and uplifting ending…

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

By Lewis Carroll (illustrated by Helen Oxenbury)

In contrast to John Tenniel’s original depictions of Alice’s escapades down the rabbit hole, Helen Oxenbury brings us a modern Alice in a simple blue dress – finally free of that Victorian petticoat – and sets the visual tone for a warmer, more accessible presentation of this now classic story. Helen herself remembers how her mother read it to me when I was about eight and many of Carroll’s jokes and much of his wonderful nonsense went over my head, but she must have passed on her enthusiasm, because I have read it many times since then and my enjoyment grows with each reading’. With the story laid out here so beautifully, it won’t be hard to become engrossed whatever your age.

Josie Smith

By Magdalene Nabb

Josie Smith, at five and three quarters, is unapologetically herself, and brimming with ideas and schemes – even if these never seem to go quite to plan. There are three short stories to enjoy here, cataloguing Josie’s adventures as she gets a surprise for her mum’s birthday, runs away from home and steals a ginger cat … If your kids fall in love with Josie and her exploits, there’s a whole series to enjoy as she grows older, life grows more complicated and the stories grow steadily longer – meaning your little ones will be able to develop, in all senses, alongside her.

Horrid Henry and the Mummy’s Curse

By Francesca Simon

Our favourite young anti-hero, Horrid Henry, is back in a collection of four stories as we join him getting banned from the supermarket for life, visiting a shark-infested’ swimming pool for a lesson, attempting some homework…and playing a terrifically spooky prank on his sanctimonious little brother, Perfect Peter. It’s Halloween and Henry hears the spine-chilling story of the ancient Egyptian mummy’s curse – but is Peter safe from it? Could it be that the mummy – or Mum – is closer to home than Peter realises? Francesca Simon brings her signature wit to tales of sibling rivalry and small-scale rebellion, in the perfect series to give even the most angelic child an opportunity to relish a little naughtiness!

Sylvia and Bird

By Catherine Rayner

Sylvia, as the only dragon in the world, is terribly lonely. That is, until she meets Bird. This most unlikely of friendships blossoms, until Sylvia starts worrying that ultimately they may be too different from each other. Will Sylvia risk everything for the chance to find some of her own kind on the moon? Or will she realise the value of true friendship before it’s too late? A gentle foray into big questions about who we are as individuals and what makes a friend, this book is also a feast for the eyes, with Catherine Rayner’s signature watercolour style giving us the unique shimmer-shiny dragon’ Sylvia, in blends of turquoise and aquamarine.

The Book with No Pictures

By B. J. Novak

You might be tempted to judge a book by its cover, and assume that The Book With No Pictures would be a rather boring one to read with young children. But here you’d be wrong! Star of the TV series The Office B.J. Novak takes a playful approach to reading aloud: Here is how books work: everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say. No matter what.’ Soon you’ll be shouting funny made-up words, spouting nonsensical phrases and delivering lines in a robot monkey’ voice. Your little ones will be in stitches in no time – as no doubt will you!

Beegu

By Alexis Deacon

From the get-go Beegu makes an impression, a sweet little alien sprawled dramatically across the bottom of the page, her crash-landed spaceship steaming in the background. The beautifully understated opening – Beegu was not supposed to be here’ – sets the tone for a moving story about a lost child looking for her mum, who finds acceptance and friendship along the way amongst the small ones’ of Earth, despite a hefty language barrier. With several pages that manage to speak volumes without any use of words, this is a book that will encourage your kids to think creatively about how different experiences might make us feel, whilst the unwelcoming attitudes of the adults in the story will no doubt give us bigger ones’ pause for thought.

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

By Peter Brown

Peter Brown dedicates his book to tigers everywhere’, in a delightful romp of an adventure that wittily celebrates that occasional walk on the wild side. Mr Tiger is a nattily-dressed, respectable sort of fellow going about his business, in a city populated by similarly civilised jungle animals. It’s all a bit grey, and, well… boring. So imagine his friends’ shock when Mr Tiger casts aside his top hat and tails, tries out a ROAR or two and abandons his orderly life for the wilderness! The question is, for all his new-found freedom, will Mr Tiger find things a bit lonely out there… ? A beautifully-illustrated caper that will give both you and your kids the chance to practise your own ROARs!

Max at Night

By Ed Vere

The sequel to Max the Brave has our plucky young kitten on the prowl once again – though this time not for a mouse, but the moon! Max appears all ready for bed: having drunk his milk, brushed his teeth and cleaned behind his ears. But where is Moon to say goodnight to? Running throughout this charming book, there is a beautifully evocative night sky to guide your little ones all the way to its peaceful conclusion. You’ll find in the gentle whispering of polite Moon Goodnight Max… And thank you very much for coming’ an extra surprising and yet still soothing touch.

The Odd Egg

By Emily Gravett

All the birds had laid an egg. All except for Duck.’ Not to be outdone, Duck makes sure he finds one of his own, but whilst this huge egg is in his eyes beautiful, all speckled with green spots, it is most certainly not a duck egg, and the other birds are less than impressed. Eventually the day arrives when each of the eggs begins, one by one, to Creak Crack’ open… A beautifully-drawn and suspenseful story, with a delightful cast of various different birds, an exciting surprise reveal and a fetching knitted scarf. The illustration on the last page says it all, and will have you squeakily trying out the voice of the newly hatched little creature.

Giraffes Can’t Dance

By Giles Andreae

A wonderfully heart-warming story of Gerald, a giraffe who longs to dance along with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but who struggles to find his own rhythm and – like so many of us – the confidence to get into his own flow. Full of beautiful illustrations, there is lots to spot on every page of this book, and the words themselves are a great mix of both inspiration and fun. This is a great story for enabling discussion of feelings of embarrassment, shyness or being left out, with a lovely positive message to inspire each one of you to get up and don your dancing shoes!

Oh No, George!

By Chris Haughton

A captivating little tale of George the dog and his struggle to be good, when all he really wants to do is eat cake and chase cat! Full of detailed, emotion-filled pictures, and a plot which you’ll love involving your little one in and chatting about, the book finally finishes up with a dramatic cliff-hanger ending. Perfect for reading aloud together.

The Tiger who Came to Tea

By Judith Kerr

It’s not everyday that a tiger calls at your door, wanting to join you for tea. But that is exactly what happens to Sophie and her mummy in this delightful classic of a children’s story. Watch the greedy tiger as he eats all the food, and drinks all the water (not forgetting all of daddy’s beer!) and see how Sophie’s family react to this unusual guest. A lovely story for all the family to enjoy.

Where the Wild Things Are

By Maurice Sendak

Join young Max on an adventurous encounter with numerous and wonderfully Wild Things; to be filled too, of course, with lots of wild rumpus! This is a hugely popular classic which encourages children’s imaginations whilst allowing for lots of interaction as they pretend, naturally, to be Wild Things themselves. Packed full of adventure, with beautiful language and a story which will promote lots of discussion, this is a fantastic read to help release the wild side in any and all of us!

I Want my Hat Back

By Jon Klassen

A cautionary and hilarious tale of what happens if you steal a hat from a bear… Beautifully and simply illustrated, children and adults alike will love to solve the mystery of who stole the hat! Great for reading aloud, with lots of different characters and expressions as well as some incredibly dramatic moments, and a stand-off like you have never seen before.

Silly Verse for Kids

By Spike Milligan

For kids and adults alike these funny poems will be a joy to share aloud and to return to time after time. Written to amuse his own children, and often inspired by overheard snippets from their own imaginary worlds – a place where grown ups might rarely be privileged enough to enter – this collection resounds with the sheer pleasure of words. You’ll find a wealth of nonsense classics here such as On the Ning Nang Nong’, but you’ll also be able to discover some new ones; all accompanied by Milligan’s distinctive cartoon illustrations. A great introduction to poetry – share with your own children and rediscover the child in you!

The Red Tree

By Shaun Tan

Spare, poetic text and beautifully intricate painted illustrations reveal the inner fear and isolation of a young girl – who could be any one of us – as she struggles to get through the day in a world where nothing makes sense, and everything seems to be going wrong. That is, until the unseen hope, foreshadowed by a tiny red leaf on every page, is realised and we find it breaking through and blooming into a red tree growing right in front of us on the final pages. This is a story of how we can all feel alone and utterly hopeless at times, but of how hope is there – somewhere – even if we can’t always see it. It is waiting to break through and blossom for all of us. A brave, powerful and inspired rendering of what so often remains unsaid within each one of us, regardless of age.

Peck Peck Peck

By Lucy Cousins

From the creator of Maisy comes the delightful story of a young woodpecker as he journeys through his first day learning to do what woodpeckers do best – peck, peck, peck! After his daddy shows him how, he flies from place to place perfecting his peck, pecking more and more holes right through the pages, until it’s time for bed. The clever rhyming text is a real joy to read aloud and the bright, bold illustrations make this a great book for sharing and interacting with, especially as the holes little woodpecker makes just happen to be the perfect size for little fingers! All the things little woodpecker pecks through will help build vocabulary too and perhaps even inform future reading as he pecks right through a copy of Jane Eyre!

The Mouse and his Child

By Russell Hoban

What are we, Papa?’ the toy mouse child asked his father. ‘I don’t know,’ the father answered. ‘We must wait and see.’ Profound, funny, imaginative, unique, The Mouse and His Child follows the spell-binding adventures of a wind-up tin father and son who are broken, thrown away and then imperfectly mended by a tramp. They set out on a path of great adventure and peril on a quest to become self-winding, but, despite its dangers their journey provides opportunities for self-discovery and acts of heroism which they would never have experienced had they stayed whole and had never left the house they were bought to perform’ in. A book full of layered meaning and cracking puns which can be read over and over and will keep yielding new delights as your child moves into adulthood.

I Like This Poem

By Kaye Webb and Antony Maitland

This is a fantastic anthology of poems chosen by children for children and is divided up by age from 6-7 year olds to 14. Each poem has a fascinating little note with it from the child who chose it which will inspire you to be adventurous in your own choices: the youngest child chose Double, double, toil and trouble’ from Shakespeare’s Macbeth! There’s fun and nonsense from Pam Ayres, A.A. Milne and Lewis Carroll, as well as hauntingly beautiful poems like Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ by Robert Frost and a taste of classics by W.H. Auden and Robert Louis Stevenson. A lovely way to finish each day – and a book to treasure for years, rediscovered and revisited as your child grows older.

Each Peach Pear Plum

By Allan and Janet Ahlberg

Each Peach Pear Plum, I spy Tom Thumb!’: so begins this beautifully illustrated, delicately coloured picture book, which is full of lovely and funny little details for you to enjoy and pore over with your baby or toddler. Every page has a rhyme and encourages excited chatter as the challenge is to spy the character hiding somewhere in the picture who then appears on the following page, so after we’ve spotted Tom Thumb we turn over to see: Tom Thumb in the cellar, I spy Cinderella’ and so on. It’s fun to search for the characters together and also to chant the rhymes and there’s a lovely final picture where everyone comes together to eat plum pie and your little one will love spotting everyone. A book you’ll share over and over again, finding something new each time.

Stick Man

By Julia Donaldson

This delightful tale follows the misfortunes of the father of the Stick household, Stick Man, as he desperately seeks to be reunited with his loved ones back in the family tree. This fast paced and easy to read adventure soon has children joining in with the storytelling, and the charming illustrations provide a wonderful accompaniment to each funny episode on Stick Man’s journey. Beware though, it may not be long before you find sticks sneaking in to the kids’ beds for a snuggle!

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

By M. Rosen

Stumble trip! Stumble trip! Stumble trip!’ Join this intrepid family on their adventure through a deep cold river, thick oozy mud and a big dark forest: on a mission to catch a bear! There are many different obstacles to face through the course of the journey, and the pace of Rosen’s writing combines beautifully with the book’s well-loved illustrations to create an experience so vivid that we can almost feel the wind whistling through our hair, and the damp seeping into our socks as we splash, tiptoe and squelch our way from page to page. Perfect for sharing, there is lots of repetition in this story to delight little ones, and the real challenges faced by our bold characters are bound to spark excited discussion amongst older readers. One not to be missed!

Meg and Mog

By Helen Nicoll

The 1970s Meg and Mog series began with this very first episode in which Meg the witch and her cat, Mog, cast a spell at a Halloween Party, one that goes off with a bang! The simple elements of this particular story, as it follows Meg’s morning routine of dressing and then eating breakfast, are wonderfully brought to life here by the beautifully bold illustrations by Jan Pienkowski. With short little sentences on each page, and loud sound effects almost bursting out of the illustrations, this picture book is still the perfect choice for little ones as they take their first steps in learning to read.

Green Eggs and Ham

By Dr. Seuss

Few children’s writers can rival Dr Seuss’s magical mastery of weaving a message into the seemingly ridiculous. Would you try a dish of green eggs and ham? Sam-I-Am is on a mission to persuade the other unnamed character in our story to taste this very delicacy, despite the repeated protest from his respondent that he won’t like it. Sam-I-Am’s persistence, in wacky rhymes and repetition, does eventually pay off however, and to the recipient’s surprise, he does actually quite enjoy it when he finally begins to tuck in. This book has something to say not only to young fussy eaters, but perhaps also to those of us who have lost the knack of trying new things for ourselves. Simple, colourful and full of the charm of Dr Seuss’ signature style, you’ll enjoy discovering how this book makes absolutely maximum use of its total of only fifty words.

My Dad’s a Birdman

By David Almond

The topsy-turvy world that David Almond creates in this warming tale suggests just how much parents may need the kind of imaginative play that we usually save for our little ones; especially when life throws up its challenges. Understated and thought-provoking, this story will make you question why we ever allow imagination and creativity to wane as we grow up.

Mr Biff the Boxer – Happy Family series

By Allan Ahlberg

A 24-page book about fellow boxing rivals Mr Biff and Mr Bop, Mr Biff the Boxer is a book I recently passed to a young person who does boxing. It really allowed him to begin a relationship with reading – something he never felt he had prior to this. The book’s illustrations help to tell the story of his family’s efforts to get Mr Biff back in shape, in time for the annual charity match. It’s a great choice for those just beginning to grasp the written word for themselves, with a relaxed comic flow to the writing, and ample repetition as it builds.

The Slightly Annoying Elephant

By David Walliams

With plenty to amuse both parent and child, David Walliams’ book comes in a large hardback with vivid colours and big elephant-sized pictures. It tells the story of a persistent elephant whose visit causes mayhem, but who is still loveable nonetheless. A delightful read with younger children, and a gift for those who at the end of the day might need to be nudged into a smile.

The Great Paper Caper

By Oliver Jeffers

There’s a peculiar mystery going on down in the woods: tree branches keep disappearing and the animals’ houses are being destroyed. Bewildered, the animals rally together in a determination to catch the branch-thief. Suddenly, one of them spots a clue: a paper aeroplane. Where did this come from? The police are called and eventually the culprit is caught. But what happens next? Join in this detective hunt and help the creatures of the forest solve the Great Paper Caper to find the missing link!

The Day the Crayons Quit

By Drew Daywalt (illustrated by Oliver Jeffers)

What happens when your colouring crayons decide that they don’t want to be used anymore? This is a brilliant, funny story about a little boy who opens his desk one day to discover that his crayons are missing and in their place is a pile of notes written from his crayons – they’ve all decided to quit! No longer content with the status quo, fed up of being overworked or forgotten about, they go on strike. Read about life from a crayon’s perspective and find out what the little boy’s solution is to winning his crayons back. This story will encourage creativity and a healthy resistance of the norm!

This is Not My Hat

By Jon Klassen

A follow-on to I Want My Hat Back, this story is about a little fish who steals a hat from a big fish and thinks he can get away with it. He believes he’s perfectly justified in stealing the hat because he thinks it suits him better than it did the big fish. But the big fish notices the missing hat and chases after the little fish. The little fish hides and, although a crab has seen him, he trusts the crab to keep his secret safe. But will the crab stay true to his word? What will happen to the little fish?!

All The Best

By Roger McGough

From Zombies to cling-film you know you’re in safe hands with one of the nation’s favourite poets, and here Roger McGough has drawn from his own various collections the perfect anthology for sharing at bedtime. A fantastic selection of over 100 of his best-loved poems, you’ll enjoy discovering some favourites to read aloud, alongside other lesser known titles too. Packed throughout with fabulous Lydia Monks illustrations, we’re sure that this collection will bring you hours of poetical fun together!

Pig Heart Boy

By Malorie Blackman

Cameron Kelsey is running out of time. He’s thirteen and needs a heart transplant. He wants to be able to do all the normal things a thirteen year old can do, but with no human donor available Cameron is given the option of being involved in something groundbreaking, and given a pig heart transplant which will save his life. Cameron agrees, and all seems well… .at first. A powerful and thought-provoking story for older children, Pig Heart Boy deals with a number of important issues including friendship, loss and the desire to fit in.

Clockwork

By Philip Pullman

Clockwork guarantees to keep you on the edge of your seats. The great clock of Glockenheim proudly displays its clockwork figures at different times of the day or year, and the prospect of a new one made by the clock-maker’s apprentice has people travelling from far and wide for its unveiling. On the eve of this great event, a number of townspeople gather in the local inn to hear the latest story of Frtiz the novelist, famed for his hair-raising tales. From this point on we’re taken on into an adventure where life – and the story – slowly start to merge… a tale to be truly enjoyed by children and adults alike, and which will have you gripped in its magical spell throughout.

Mr Stink

By David Walliams

A fresh new children’s writer to hit the shelves, David Walliams’ books have quickly become bestsellers. In the novel Mr Stink, 12 year old Chloe is intrigued by the local tramp, but knows she shouldn’t talk to strangers (and suspects if she gets too close her eyes will well up with the smell!) But when Mr Stink finds himself in trouble, Chloe takes the plunge and hides him in the garden … This is a lovely story suitable for reading aloud to younger children, but there are also moral concerns here which could in a very natural way help older ones to think and speak about the judgements we can make of people, and of what lies beyond our own stereotypes.

The Lonely Beast

By Chris Judge

In this lovely little story we’re introduced to The Beasts’ – who are very, very rare. So rare in fact that there is only one in each country on the planet. They enjoy all manner of activities like walking in the snow, reading a good book, baking cakes and, of course, eating cake too! One particular Beast wakes up to find himself one day feeling suddenly very lonely, and so he sets out to do something about it. Over land and sea the Beast travels looking for a friend – but will he find one? And when he does, will it make him happy? Great for sharing and reading aloud, The Lonely Beast will have you doing the actions alongside our brave, black friend as he travels the world in search of what every one of us needs.

The Snow Dragon

By Vivian French

Set in a divided medieval world, the South ruled by ferocious Fire Dragons and the North by peaceful Snow Dragons, this beautifully illustrated story follows the adventure of a young boy who comes from the land in between – that of the Twolegs. When the most royal Fire Dragon calls for the prophecies of The Book’, he is keen to know if one day Fire Dragons will rule over the entire world. But he is not to receive the answer he had been hoping for… Upon hearing a Twoleg will seal his doom he takes out his violent anger on those of them who are left. Tuft escapes, and we follow his journey as he seeks out the last of the Snow Dragons in a desperate bid to restore peace.

Spells

By Emily Gravett

Full of magic, this laugh-out loud story has beautifully crafted pages of illustrations that you’ll simply love getting the chance to share. What Frog really wants is to be able to turn himself into a handsome prince, and with the tattered book of spells he’s just found, this seems just about to be possible. You’ll need to help Frog try and piece together the right spell from the torn pages of the book. And when some of the spells don’t quite work as intended, our Frog will be getting a little more than he bargained for!

Voices in the Park

By Anthony Browne

A really interesting and insightful story allowing us – through words and pictures – in to the perspectives of four different people as they take the same walk in the park. This is a book that will get children thinking about the opinions we form of people, how they as children might be able to see things in a refreshingly different way to grown-ups, and how the different lives we lead might make us behave quite differently from each other. It’s a great one too for trying out a different voice for each of the characters you meet: have fun sharing and reading this one aloud!

Be Good, Gordon

By Angela McAllister and Tim Archbold

A book with the perfect recipe for bedtime fun in a story simply bursting with life: Gordon is a child who, old before his time, always behaves impeccably – that is until a new babysitter is thrown into the mix – one who certainly does not. Lily Jigg-Popsicle’s only interest is in dreaming up ways to enjoy crazy play: from pirate ships and springy rocket launch pads to midnight feasts and mud dancing. Can Gordon be led astray … and will his parents notice anything on their return?

Singing to the Sun

By Vivian French

This is a wonderfully crafted fairy-tale with charming illustrations, making each page a real treat to share. A king obsessed with power marries a woman obsessed with wealth, and here begins our magical tale. When their own young prince finds himself needing to seek out a bride, he stumbles upon a life-or-death test posed by a faraway king, the happy survivor of which will be rewarded with the king’s permission to marry one of his three daughters. With the help of a friendly jester, the prince is able to survive the challenge – but which princess will he choose, and will she choose him in return?

Ready to Sing (Ladybird)

By Ladybird Books

Warm up your vocal chords and get ready to sing along with this fun packed book filled with all the nursery rhymes you could need, including the full version of each one with all the words. Little ones will love being able to learn some more songs and rhymes with this colourful and beautifully illustrated squishy covered book. And it’s sure to remind you of your own childhood favourites as well as other less familiar or long forgotten gems.

A Surprise for Tiny Mouse

By Petr Horá_ek

Join tiny mouse on one BIG adventure! Explore her world with your little one in this interactive wheel-spinning story as she discovers different types of weather. Tiny Mouse loves to play outside, listening to the crackle of leaves in the wind and nibbling on corn in the sunshine but when the rain comes out, Tiny Mouse escapes to her mouse hole … Can you find the reason she’d want to come back out? This is a beautiful story with a surprise to come at the end!

Because a Fire Was in my Head: 101 Poems to Remember edited

By M. Morpurgo

Whether little or big, this is a poetry anthology for each one of us to keep to hand; one that you can grow up with, and grow into. Morpurgo has been exhilaratingly bold in his selections, as Shakespeare’s When icicles hang by the wall’ sits alongside Spike Milligan’s playful rhyme On the Ning Nang Nong’; and W. B. Yeat’s Song of Wandering Aengus’ might be followed by the playground favourite Oranges and Lemons’ or the nursery lullaby The Owl and the Pussycat’. This is a collection which embraces life to the full, but is also not shy about including poems that speak to those more difficult and universal human experiences – in W. H. Auden’s Stop All the Clocks’ – or moments of reflection as in Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’. With a poem here for everyone, this is a collection you’ll want to keep for life.

Hansel and Gretel

By the Brothers Grimm (Ladybird)

You’re very, very hungry; deep inside a wood, and you stumble upon a house made of gingerbread, all decorated with sweets. What do you do? In this wonderful retelling of the Grimms’ classic story, young Hansel and Gretel face just this problem. Help your little one confront the likes of the wicked witch, owner of said gingerbread house, and see if you can think of ways to help Hansel and Gretel escape from her clutches. A story which will leave you feeling that little bit braver about facing your own fears, in the knowledge that however small you may be, you can still defeat your enemies and arrive back home in time for tea.

Three Little Pigs

By Nicola Baxter

Fairytales can delight at any age, and Nicola Baxter’s retelling of a much loved classic makes this book ideal for introducing little ones to the genre’s captivating Once upon a time’. Your child will love joining in with the repeated chants of Little pig, little Pig, let me come in’ as the Big Bad Wolf tries to catch each of the three, who are all the while courageously trying to make a safe home for themselves. One pig builds his house of straw, the other of sticks, and the last one of bricks. Which house might your little one choose to live in? Or will you together come up with ideas for a different kind of house to keep out such terrible intruders as the Big Bad Wolf? Have fun trying to outwit him; your eager little listeners will never forget it!

The Enormous Crocodile

By Roald Dahl

Over thirty years on, Roald Dahl’s characteristically witty narrative, and weird and wonderful sense of humour still retains a timeless appeal. A nasty crocodile plans ways of disguising himself so that he can get to gobble up some children, but is repeatedly scuppered to great comic effect by other more friendly, and impressively valiant jungle animals. Dahl’s masterful combination of prose and rhyme is accompanied once more by Quentin Blake’s trademark illustrations, giving this story a classic finish.

Sharing a Shell

By Julia Donaldson

Take a sunny trip to the seaside, where you can delve into the wonderful world of shells and the colourful creatures who nestle inside them. This heart-warming story tells of a loveable if somewhat reclusive hermit crab who is overjoyed when he finds a new shell to make his home in, but much less happy about the idea of having to share it with others. For our hermit crab it is a difficult thing to learn but he soon comes to discover that sharing is a much better option than having to face the world alone. The book helped me and my four year old speak about why having friends and sharing with them are really good things to do; I recommend it!

The Unforgotten Coat

By Frank Cottrell Boyce

One of the first children’s’ books I read as an adult, that I really just read for myself! The Unforgotten Coat is laugh out loud funny; try keeping a straight face whilst reading about two Mongolian lads learning Liverpudlian Scouse’. Julia caringly seeks to guide these two class mates through their new home of Bootle, and the Polaroid photos in the book will make you feel like you are on that same journey. This book is a powerfully moving account of the experience and effects of immigration, perceived through the eyes of a child, and is perhaps even more important today than when it was first published five years ago.

Shark in the Park

By Nick Sharratt

Timothy Pope, Timothy Pope, looks once more through his telescope… and this is what he sees. Timothy is in the park and keeps thinking that somehow he can see a shark! But surely that fin is just a cat, or perhaps dad’s hair? A brilliant book for doing the actions and for getting your little one to join in too. Pages with cut out holes will have children eager to be the one to turn the page, and the first to find out if it really is a shark or not. Just beware of leaving your child overly excited before turning off the light; both my son and I tend to be left a little hoarse from shouting There’s a shark in the park!’

Monkey Puzzle

By Julia Donaldson