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Children's books

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Original poster

Your top five books for under 3s?

91 replies

Smithagain · 02/02/2008 21:43

I run a toddler group and I'd like to upgrade our book collection.

If you had to draw up a list of the five all time greatest books for children aged about 18 months to three years, what would you include?

I'd like to have some things that the mums (first timers in particular) might not have come across yet, but should have on their bookshelves!

OP posts:
wheelybug · 02/02/2008 22:29

Dear zoo
Each peach pear plum
peepo
gruffalo
hairy mclary

Washersaurus · 02/02/2008 22:29

Oh, Meg and Mog books too

Washersaurus · 02/02/2008 22:28

Duck in the Truck, Duck's Key etc

Eric Carle books - Hungry Caterpillar, The Seahorse etc

The Snail and the Whale

DS1's current favourites are two books I hadn't heard of before -

Big Black Dog
The Biscuit Bear

He also loves -

The Tickle Monster, Bedtime Bear, Christmas Bear....but these are totally impractical books for children as the tabs are instantly broken by little hands

Thomcat · 02/02/2008 22:28

We're Going on a Bear Hunt is numero uno in this house for my 2 and 6 yr old.

PeterDuck · 02/02/2008 22:26

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evenhope · 02/02/2008 22:18

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Each Peach Pear Plum

Peepo

Where the Wild Things Are

The Elephant and the Bad Baby ("he never once said please!")

CaliAndiemcdowellFrau · 02/02/2008 22:16

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hatrick · 02/02/2008 22:16

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hairtwiddler · 02/02/2008 22:14

No, I think a 4.5yr old would like it. It's about a biscuit who comes to life, and bakes himself lots of friends. The pals come to a sticky end but Biscuit Bear is ok!
Habbibu bought it for DD, and we love it.

BigBadMouse · 02/02/2008 22:13

In no particular order of preference...

The very hungry caterpillar

The very lazy ladybird - not mentioned so far from what I saw but my two love this and do all the actions

The tiger who came to tea

Tiger (Nick Butterworth)

Gruffalo / Gruffalo's child

This is what is pulled off our bookshelf most often when it comes to bedtime

also Emler and Mr Men series too but you only wanted a top 5

seeker · 02/02/2008 22:07

The Jolly Postman
Peepo
Can't You Sleep Lttle Bear
A Million Chamelions
If you Give A Pig a Pancake

CaliAndiemcdowellFrau · 02/02/2008 22:05

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Waswondering · 02/02/2008 22:02

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seeker · 02/02/2008 22:01

The Gruffalo (and all the others by HER! - especially The Whale and the Snail)

Dear Zoo

The Hungry Caterpillar

Where the Wild Things Are

The Big Big Sea

tassisssss · 02/02/2008 21:59

CS - you're right!

CaliAndiemcdowellFrau · 02/02/2008 21:59

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hairtwiddler · 02/02/2008 21:59

Shoe Baby
Hooray for Fish
Biscuit Bear
Kiss Goodnight Sam
Lost and Found

hatrick · 02/02/2008 21:59

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ChasingSquirrels · 02/02/2008 21:58

thats Oh Dear I think Tasssis - ds(2) loves it.

calvemjoe · 02/02/2008 21:58

Oh yes, dd(16mnths) and ds(3yrs10mths) both love Dear Zoo and We're going on a Bear Hunt. And DS loves all the Thomas Books, Mr Men, Little Miss.

twinsetandpearls · 02/02/2008 21:58

Bear Hunt
Eat your peas, I used to use this at toddler group and they loved it.
Also used one called something along the lines of ten in a bed.
So much
Very Hungry Caterpillar
Ten Little Monsters used to have them screaming with delight.

ChasingSquirrels · 02/02/2008 21:57

oh yes I had forgotten that wibbly pig one - will have to have a hunt through the books for some more that ds2 will enjoy.

tassisssss · 02/02/2008 21:57

our current favourite (for 16 month old dd) is called something like Buster at the Farm and involves Buster looking for eggs and visiting lots on animals. Is card and has flaps (a winning combination).

jumpyjan · 02/02/2008 21:56

Tell me something happy before I go to sleep (so sweet)

morocco · 02/02/2008 21:56

everyone hide from wibbly pig