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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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5
Skyrainlight · 22/07/2024 11:33

Zog

IlovetoKnitandRead · 22/07/2024 11:31

My son loved Shirley Hughes' books as a toddler, especially the Alfie and Annie Rose ones. The pictures are amazing.

Calicopromise · 22/07/2024 11:26

Bedtime Bear was a favourite in our house.

toomuchlikemyusername · 22/07/2024 11:23

Oh gosh yes...Oliver Jeffers! My son's absolute favourite was How to Catch a Star. We had (still have I expect) the CD to accompany it which was read by one of the McGann brothers. It was gorgeous! I can still hear it today 'Once there was a boy and the boy loved stars very much...' Such a gentle book, perfect bedtime reading.

spiderlight · 22/07/2024 11:22

Mine loved all the Hairy Maclairy books. His favourite was 'Rumpus at the Vet's'. He also loved Allan Ahlberg, especially 'The Runaway Dinner', 'Previously' and 'The Pencil'. Oliver Jeffers was a big favourite, especially 'Stuck' but also 'The Way Back Home', 'How to Catch a Star' and 'Lost and Found'. Another huge, huge favourite with all of us was 'Not Now, Bernard' - I actually bought a new copy of that last year when he was sitting his GCSEs and used it to help him with his anxiety! When he was very little, he adored 'Peek-a-boo Penguins', but yours might be a bit too old for it now.

OwlDoll · 22/07/2024 11:21

All the old favourites like The Tiger who came to Tea and Winnie the Witch. One my DD really enjoyed before she started school was Don't go to School by Myra Zepf.

Itsausername91 · 22/07/2024 11:20

Most have already been mentioned but also On the Way home by Jill Murphy - our copy was mine in the 90s and it's managed to follow me around for 30 years somehow!

Also meg and mog stories but might be a bit too simple for four year old

Charleymouse · 22/07/2024 11:19

Julia Donaldson a hit

Giraffes can't dance
and
What the Ladybird Heard
for interaction and looking for the tiny insects was always fun.

Six Dinner Sid
Cats Car
Mummy I lost My Purr (not exact title)
Biscuit Bear
Mrs McTatt

Katiepoes · 22/07/2024 11:19

Stickman! I can still recite that from memory and my toddler is now 14 😀
What The Ladybird heard is great, and The Singing Mermaid is an alltime great. Julia Donaldson was worshipped here!

Who's In The Loo was also a favourite., sadly also a truly horrific Dora The Explorer one, avoid those at all costs. Let's not even get started on the Disney Princess boxed set a misguided aunt sent...she loved, we wanted to burn them 😂

Zazz101 · 22/07/2024 11:19

Definitely agree with the tiger that came to tea

toomuchlikemyusername · 22/07/2024 11:18

Mine loved

Cars and trucks and things that go - Richard Scarry

Dogger - Shirley Hughes
We're going on a Bear Hunt -
Snow Bears Surprise by Piers Harper

We also had a couple of illustrated fairy tale compendiums which gave lots of re-reading opportunities.

Caerulea · 22/07/2024 11:15

Oliver Jeffers books - especially Lost & Found and The Incredible Book Eating Boy.

Shaun Tan's The Lost Thing was another favourite. Also his artwork is extraordinary, though some of the other books might be a little bleak for toddlers.

florasl · 22/07/2024 11:12

Pip and Posy and the Ten Minutes To Bed books are the most read here!

Sunflowersanddaffodils · 22/07/2024 11:11

An old favourite of ours is "Pass the jam, Jim" by Kaye Umansky and Margaret Chamberlain. I still have the copy my boys enjoyed when little, and still read it to children now. (My boys are in their 20's, the book was published 1993) Jim also appears in a book about having his haircut and one about going swimming but I don't have those so don't know their exact titles. Something like "Need a Trim, Jim" and Can you swim, Jim?

OkyDoke · 22/07/2024 11:10

Just to add a few more recent books...

Look Up/Clean Up
Shifty McGifty
Frank and Bert
King Lion
A Dress With Pockets
Mermaid Moon
Thunderboots

Pipadeepop · 22/07/2024 11:10

We loved,
Posy and pip books
giraffes can’t dance
Ian whybrow books - the tickle book, bedtime bear etc
jan ormerod. If you’re happy and you know it

Needmorelego · 22/07/2024 11:08

@haveatye oh god yes....
Giant Jam Sandwich is one of the best 🐝

Dweetfidilove · 22/07/2024 11:07

So Much - Trish Cooke

Didn't matter what else was read, this had to feature.

Needmorelego · 22/07/2024 11:06

The Happy Families series by Allan Ahlberg.
Topsy and Tim (we liked the 1990s editions).
Winnie the Witch.
(I hate Owl Babies 😂)

bebanjo · 22/07/2024 11:06

All Julia Donaldson
all Dr Seuss
far away tree

aldo go round charity shops, some
of our favourites I’ve never seen anywhere else, hedgehog howdedo, down by the cool of the pool,

padington
wombels

haveatye · 22/07/2024 11:05

Giant jam sandwich

haveatye · 22/07/2024 11:04

Jez albrough - hug, duck in a truck, it's a bear

Jon klaasen ones - I want my hat back

Most Michael Rosen books but especially a great big cuddle, my kids used to go mad for it at that age

I think the main thing is to have lots of books and act like they're a delightful treat:)

FrogletandMe · 22/07/2024 11:03

Oh Dear! By Rod Campbell
In a Minute by Tony Bradman
Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas

Eviebeans · 22/07/2024 11:02

My youngest grandson loves “not now Bernard” used to be his dad’s.
My big shouting day
You can’t scare a princess- good pictures
Open very carefully

Blackcountryexile · 22/07/2024 11:02

Can't You Sleep Little Bear? Martin Waddell
Peace at Last and Five Minutes Peace Jill Murphy