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Children’s books with cosy, gentle drawings of animals

40 replies

tokajlover · 25/11/2023 14:17

I am looking after something quite specific, but hoping mumsnetters can help!

I have an 18-month-old little girl who loves picture books with animals, but prefers gentler stories with old-fashioned, cosy illustrations of animals living their lives (think Beatrix Potter and the Brambly Hedge, or even stuff like Can’t You Sleep Little Bear/Old Bear etc.)

I am basically looking for books like the above; even if they have gone out of print will look for second-hand editions, stuff like The Foxwood Tales which was recommended to me recently would be perfect. It’s fine if they are longer books as they will grow with her and she likes having chapter books read to her while eating or at bedtime. Most of the stuff I am looking for will be out of print so that’s why I am relying on your childhood memories of books you liked that I might find second-hand!

Thank you!

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Cheeesus · 16/01/2024 16:26

The Little Mouse series are lovely books.

https://amzn.to/422qEgh

Children’s books with cosy, gentle drawings of animals
mathanxiety · 16/01/2024 16:21

Books by Jan Brett have wonderful illustrations and lovely stories.

watchingsmurfs · 23/12/2023 19:36

A more modern one but Ruby Flew Too is a nice, gentle one that always makes me cry

Philandbill · 23/12/2023 19:35

The Frog and Toad books by Alfred Lobel are gentle and funny.

birdglasspen · 23/12/2023 19:32

Chapter book. Tum Tum and Nutmeg series, pictures similar although the stories aren’t so gentle prehaps.

Hedjwitch · 29/11/2023 20:15

Percy the Park Keeper are lovely gentle books. Dd2 adored them . For her 30th birthday this year,Dd1 bought her a first edition of One Snowy Night...she was over the moon!

Wanttobekind · 29/11/2023 20:13

We love Percy the park keeper and the little hedgehog books.

also smudge’s grumpy day is wonderful
for teaching about being cross but parents/carers not going away because of it.

herbygarden · 29/11/2023 19:41

House in the Woods by Inga Moore, one of my favourites ❤️

ivegotthisyeah · 29/11/2023 19:20

What about that gorgeous little short film that was on last Christmas with the horse, little boy etc in was just beautiful they made it into a book but I can't remember what it's called!

JamieFraserskneewarmer · 29/11/2023 19:11

Time for Bed by Mem Fox (illustrations by Jane Dyer) has beautiful drawings

MargaretThursday · 29/11/2023 18:58

These aren't books that are animals as people but the illustrations are beautiful, and the stories lovely and gentle:

Amazon.co.uk: Kim Lewis: books, biography, latest update

First Snow was particularly popular among my dc, but they also loved Floss, My friend Harry and one that I can't see on that page "The Last train", although I'd say that one is definitely older, age 4-6 I'd say.

StarlightLime · 26/11/2023 17:02

The Blackberry Farm ones by Jane Pilgrim?

Xiaoxiong · 26/11/2023 16:59

My DCs liked the Foxwood Tales which are quite Brambly Hedge in their illustration style.

www.amazon.co.uk/Foxwood-Treasury-Bk-Tales-S/dp/009176579X

Papillon23 · 26/11/2023 16:56

Seeing Richard Scarry reminds me that I also used to like the ant and bee books (have also loved Beatrix Potter etc) but they are cartoons rather than that sort of old fashioned painting/drawing.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 26/11/2023 16:18

Richard Scarry

DoggyDooDooDoo · 26/11/2023 16:15

Ohhhhh I know another one - Pookie! Very old now but you do find them on eBay and some were reprinted in living memory.

Papillon23 · 25/11/2023 21:30

It will be too old for her for now I think, but I have a centenary edition of the wind in the willows, illustrated by Robert Ingpen and it's really beautiful.

Evenstar · 25/11/2023 21:29

My children loved Rene Cloke’s illustrations too

Children’s books with cosy, gentle drawings of animals
Evenstar · 25/11/2023 21:28

The Medici books illustrated by Molly Brett are lovely, example of pictures below

Children’s books with cosy, gentle drawings of animals
Dustinsdart · 25/11/2023 21:25

Pip and Posy are modern books but are beautifully written and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (illustrator of the Gruffalo) and are aimed at toddlers & preschoolers with really lovely and relevant stories about friendship e.g. negotiating sharing, taking turns, feeling left out etc. Would highly recommend- of all the books I read to my kids when they were small, these are the ones I will keep for my future grandchildren.

Another lovely story that both my children really enjoyed & which also has lovely illustrations of animals is ‘Don’t wake the bear, hare’. My youngest is now 9 and still loves to hear this even now.

LylaLee · 25/11/2023 21:21

There were 23 Beatrix potter books and children love repetition.

AllTheWeatherAllTheTime · 25/11/2023 21:19

This is what you need - Peter Rabbit and friends in new stories themed around the seasons, just utterly lovely. We adore our copy, plus the tales are much gentler if yours is like mine and has no threshold for peril whatsoever :D

www.waterstones.com/book/peter-rabbit-tales-from-the-countryside/beatrix-potter/9780241529898

BoleynMemories13 · 25/11/2023 21:12

Rabbit and Hedgehog have quite a vintage feel.

More modern but the following are all lovely gentle animal tales with gorgeous illustrations:-

Bamble the Badger books by Peter Bently
Percy the Park Keeper by Nick Butterworth
Little Hedgehog series by M Christina Butler