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Children's books

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Original poster

What are your “must have” children’s books?

114 replies

RWK29 · 11/01/2021 21:11

DS1 is 10 weeks old and very alert and already LOVES a bedtime story 😊 hoping to build him a lovely collection of books! He has quite a few already but looking for recommendations of “must have” children’s books that your little ones loved?

The Gruffalo is a firm favourite with DS already. Also enjoyed The Snail and The Whale 😊

OP posts:
Whirlwind14 · 11/01/2021 21:37

The Oliver Jefferson books
Dear zoo
Where’s Spot

Mylittlepony374 · 11/01/2021 21:37

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Any Mog book.
Hairy McLairy
Spot the dog
Perky the Pukeko
Stuck in Poo

Beecham · 11/01/2021 21:37

Another vote for Peepo and Each Peach Pear Plum.

My son adored the Little Red Train books as the pictures are so detailed.

Whirlwind14 · 11/01/2021 21:36

Some favourites of my two little people:

Peepo
giraffes can’t dance
Peace at last
We’re going on a bear hunt
Where the Wild Things Are
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
The Hungry Caterpillar
Each Peach Pear Plum
Rabbits Nap/Postman Bear/Foxes Socks
HandS Surprise
Ten Little... Dinosaurs/Pirates/Princesses
Where’s Mr Dog series

Doyouwantanothercuppa · 11/01/2021 21:35

The Baby’s Catalogue.
Wherever you are, my love will find you.
Dear Zoo.
Peace At Last and Whatever Next by Jill Murphy.
The Little Red Train series by Benjamin Blathwaite.
Shirley Hughes. Everything she has ever written is perfect.
I’m going to have a hard time deciding which books to keep hold of for grandchildren.

boomboom1234 · 11/01/2021 21:35

The baby catalogue by Ahlburg was a massive favourite for both my girls - especially when they were developing language skills as I would ask them to point at things before they could say the words. Very old fashioned but at 3 and 4 they still love that book now!

nevernotstruggling · 11/01/2021 21:32

Don't let the pigeon drive the bus.

Stephanie's ponytail. This one is the best book in the world.

Gally123 · 11/01/2021 21:32

Also vote for Hairy McClairy, my nephew loved it - had it read to him so many times he could remember it and used to turn the pages whilst reciting it pretending he could read.

1wokeuplikethis · 11/01/2021 21:32

We’re going on a bear hunt, goodnight moon, the tiger who came to tea, the gruffalo and a big book of fairy tales (jack & the beanstalk, Goldilocks, 3 little pigs etc) have been the biggest hits in this house. Both children absolutely loved/love these.

MrsBtobe1208 · 11/01/2021 21:31

The wonky donkey is a firm favourite in our house. There are a few follow ups too ☺️
The tiger who came to tea.

NovemberR · 11/01/2021 21:31

The Alfie stories by Shirley Hughes. Agree with pp who said the artwork is brilliant!

Also, Hairy Maclairy and Richard Scarry books are fab.

ExcavatorHater · 11/01/2021 21:30

Also the usbourne sounds books are good for when your DS is interested in pressing buttons! Night sounds and Farm sounds are our favourites ☺️

ilkleymoorbartat · 11/01/2021 21:30

The paper dolls makes dh weep every time he reads it.

shivbo2014 · 11/01/2021 21:29

Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki, Supermarket Gremlins, All Julia Donaldson.

Mrsbrownsgargoyle · 11/01/2021 21:29

Each Peach Pear Plum
Peepo

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 11/01/2021 21:29

Say goodnight to the Sleepy Animals (there were a few other similar ones. All were really calming)

Puff the Magic Dragon

Julia Donaldson... Our favourites were Paper Dolls, Stickman, Squash and a Squeeze, Gruffalo/Gruffalo Child, and the What the Ladybeard Heard series.

AWeeBit · 11/01/2021 21:29

Oh and for when he's older, a poetry and colouring in book that's by an indy author, Colour and Rhyme. www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Rhyme-Poetry-Design-Yourself/dp/B08Q71CY6F/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=colour+and+rhyme&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1610400545&sr=8-2

Mrsdoubtfireswig · 11/01/2021 21:29

All the Julia Donaldson books - the ‘favourite’ rotates every few weeks
That’s not my...
Flap books - dear zoo, foxes socks etc
The mr men collection (that and little miss books on offer in Aldi at the mo £20)
Gerald the giraffe
Elephant me
My big shouty day
One snowy night
Plus big books of nursery rhymes / stories
Tiger that came for tea
Mog the forgetful cat
Also books by Todd carr for explaining different family types, adoption, diversity etc - brightly coloured and lots of pictures - DS loves these

ExcavatorHater · 11/01/2021 21:28

I have a 2 year old who seems to hate all the classics 🙈

However he loves the book series by Tom Fletcher. There's a dragon in your book is a favourite, and The dinosaur that pooped the bed is another.

At least he likes reading, that's what I try to tell myself 🤣

FippertyGibbett · 11/01/2021 21:28

Hairy McClary from Donaldson’s Dairy and The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Premiumm · 11/01/2021 21:28

The Bob Graham Books - eg Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten.

glasshalfsomething · 11/01/2021 21:27

Most of above plus

Calm Down Boris
Car car truck jeep

WildCherryBlossom · 11/01/2021 21:27

These are some of the books that we will never ever get rid of even though my children are all a bit too old for them now:

Judith Kerr: Mog, The Tiger Who Came to Tea and others.

The Elephant and The Bad Baby "Rumpeta, rumpeta, rumpeta all down the road"

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Where The Wild Things Are

How to Catch a Star

Julia Donaldson (Smartest Giant and Sharing a Shell were the most read in our house but I know The Gruffalo is most children's favourite)

AWeeBit · 11/01/2021 21:27

Anything by Shirley Hughes for the artwork alone, but I always get a bit choked up at the end of Dogger. Very sweet.

CaughtInTheCovid · 11/01/2021 21:26

The Paper Dolls
Monkey Puzzle
Tiger who came to tea
Hairy McClary
The Girls
A piece of cake