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Original poster

What book did your toddler children love you reading to them?

236 replies

JimandPam · 22/07/2024 10:45

My two boys are at the age where they are absolutely loving story time before bed. They are 2 and 4 so a great age to enjoy a good story

We have really exhausted our book collection and I wondered what story you cherished reading your children at this age/they cherished you reading to them?

We have all the classics but I've been surprised when gifted books I would never have bought myself as they gone down so well

I know it is cheeky using AIBU but I wanted to put an order in World of Books tomorrow for the weekend!

So what were your much loved books?

OP posts:
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s3tut0y3r · 22/07/2024 20:46

Your children could join the summer reading challenge at the library. They get a certificate and medal at the end and it's free! There are also other events at libraries throughout the summer. And libraries often have air con! So it's a good trip out

onlyhereforthefood · 22/07/2024 20:41

My 2.5 year old is loving: all Julia Donaldson, The Tiger who Came to Tea, Dear Zoo, Elmer

Definitely stealing inspiration from this thread as I've read all of the above to death!

Drizzlethru · 22/07/2024 20:19

Pip and Posy books
Hairy McLairy
Peepo
Mog
The tiger who came to tea

Whataretalkingabout · 22/07/2024 20:17

Would you like a foreign language book? BOBO DODO. In French.

My three children adored this book. It was a library book that I special ordered because they enjoyed it so much. It is a collection of stories , chapters actually, the illustrations basicly tell the story of the life of a little bear named Bobo.

redwinechocolateandsnacks · 22/07/2024 19:02

Fix it Duck!
Pants
Dinosaur Roar

ladymalfoy45 · 22/07/2024 18:58

We had the Julia Donaldson books and all the Linley Dodd books.
Christopher ( fucking ) Nibble. I really hate that guinea pig. It was one of the free ones from nursery (reading trust?).
My DH would read the good stuff then I was left with the story of a guinea pig who grows dandelions.

Meadowwild · 22/07/2024 18:52

JimandPam · 22/07/2024 10:59

Yes to Owl Babies! This was one of the ones that surprised me!

We were given it and I thought it was such a rubbish story (although beautiful illustrations!) but the boys love it and often request it!

Show quote history

I had completely forgotten about Owl Babies and thought the same - stunning pics but rubbish story, yet they loved it.

YYY to all Julia Donaldson stories, Mog, Alfie, Tiger who came to Tea, Harry the Dirty Dog, also Richard Scarry - What do People do All Day? That got 100s of requests.

LadyVioletCrawley · 22/07/2024 18:49

Fix it Duck

Myfluffyblanket · 22/07/2024 18:42

Captain Toad and the Motorbike
Burglar Bill (best book ever)
The Cat in the Hat
Each Peach Pear Plum (and anything else by the Ahlbergs)
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
(by Helen Oxenbury and Eugene Trivizas)

Wordsmithery · 22/07/2024 18:41

JimandPam · 22/07/2024 10:51

Yes he is just about to start! Great suggestions thanks

Show quote history

My (now adult) children loved the Hairy Mclary tribe, Each Peach Pear Plum, Dogger (always made me cry), Tiger who came to Tea, the Large family (elephants) series and the Percy the Park Keeper series. They were and still are huge book lovers

stuffyoursandbox · 22/07/2024 18:35

You choose. Different every time

Abitlosttoday · 22/07/2024 18:34

All the Pip and Posy books, from about 2-4. Then good for learning to read. They're a bit funny, very gentle.

Everleigh13 · 22/07/2024 18:30

We recently discovered The Baby Beast by Chris Judge in the library and I love it. DD enjoys it too 😁

sunflowrsngunpowdr · 22/07/2024 18:26

scarecrow22 · 22/07/2024 10:59

Slinky Malinky

Same family as Hairy Mac, but even better. One of the best on so many levels. How many toddler books have a "rapscallion cat"? I rest my case!

100% I like those ones as much as the kids (maybe even slightly more)

RedOnyx · 22/07/2024 18:14

I forgot:

  • Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins
  • The "I Thought I Saw a..." books. There's Panda, Dinosaur, Crocodile... Not sure what else.
  • Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
mrstnov13 · 22/07/2024 18:03

Tyrannosaurus Drip

Catsinaflat · 22/07/2024 18:01

I know it isn't Christmas but one of my DS most favourite stories is Jesus' Christmas Party by Nicholas Allen. Worth getting !

TeamPolin · 22/07/2024 17:27

Rainbow Rob
Hippos Go Beserk
all the Topsy and Tim books

snoopyfanaccountant · 22/07/2024 17:22

Hippos go Berserk

Loopzy · 22/07/2024 16:52

The Lion Who Wanted to Love
Dinosaurs Galore!
The Dog Who Could Dig

FranticFrankie · 22/07/2024 16:42

Any by the Ahlbergs: The Jolly Postman with the little letters inside
Kipper- The Blue Balloon /Mick Inkpen
Jane Hissey Bear books- I’ll always remember Henry Isiah
Farmer Duck (poor guy)
Mr Magnolia- DD used to shout ‘Boot!’
Owl Babies
Plop- the owl who was afraid of the Dark
ah memories

DeclansAFeckingDream · 22/07/2024 16:32

The Dancing Tiger by Malachy Doyle. Such a gorgeous book, I always got a catch in my throat at the end.

emmaw1405 · 22/07/2024 16:28

Wow Said the Owl -Tim Hopgood
The Very Busy Spider - Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see - Eric Carle
How to Catch a Star - Oliver Jeffers
Lost and Found - Oliver Jeffers (this is also a great film!)
The Way Back Home - Oliver Jeffers
Up and Down - Oliver Jeffers

(my eldest is 17, youngest 13 and they have kept all these!)

skippy67 · 22/07/2024 16:20

Faster faster little red train.
Going on a bear hunt.
Do you dare?
Room on the Broom

BakewellGin1 · 22/07/2024 16:17

Room on the Broom
Baddies
Smedds and Smooth
Gruffalo
Bear Hunt
Burglar Bill
Jack and the Bean Stalk
Tiger Who Came to Tea
Where the Wild Things Are
A Squash and a Squeeze
Oi Frog
Each Peach Pear Plum
Ten Minutes to Bed Little Dinosaur