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Original poster

(Non Julia Donaldson) book recommendations for 3YO

59 replies

Books11 · 06/04/2024 07:44

We LOVE Julia Donaldson and have quite a collection of her books now. Can anyone recommend anything else that is as engaging for my 3YO?

OP posts:
FU40 · 06/04/2024 08:28

Chickenrunning · 06/04/2024 08:01

The Storm Whale (and sequels)

We love The Storm Whale too.

Charlie and Lola ad infinitum over here at the moment. They are great, tbf.

Millersmerkin · 06/04/2024 08:23

Mo Willems pigeon books and knuffle bunny series

Evolutionarygoals · 06/04/2024 08:23

Loads of good suggestions!
I'd add The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser
Also, DD loves the books by Marc Barnett and Jon Klassen (circle, square, triangle, extra yarn)
Ooh, and The Cave by Rob Hodgson

ShoesoftheWorld · 06/04/2024 08:15

Judith Kerr's Mog books
They All Saw a Cat
A House is a House for Me
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Meg and Mog as above, real winner at that age
Sandra Boynton's books are fun
Yes to Peepo, also Bye Bye Baby and The Baby's Catalogue
Dr Seuss - Green Eggs and Ham, The Car in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish

Original poster
Books11 · 06/04/2024 08:13

This is brilliant, thank you so much everyone!

OP posts:
Doingmybest12 · 06/04/2024 08:11

Princess Smartypants

PiggyPlumPie · 06/04/2024 08:06

PuppyMonkey · 06/04/2024 07:55

Peepo!!

The greatest book ever.Grin

My youngest is 19 and I still have this book. It is wonderful!

cliffdiver · 06/04/2024 08:05

The Great Dog Bottom Swap

Rainallnight · 06/04/2024 08:04

Love this thread.

Dear Zoo
Each Peach Pear Plum
The Button Book (SO much fun)

redteapot · 06/04/2024 08:03

Love a lot of the ones above!

Will also add:

Anna Hibiscus Series (the picture books, not the chapter books yet)
The Girl and the Dinosaur

MultiplaLight · 06/04/2024 08:01

Oi frog
Where the wild things are
Ned the fisherman
The Johnny duddle pirate ones
Meg and mog
Jim and the beanstalk
The stoat, the goat and the boat
Who stole my hat?
The giant jam sandwich
Eric carles other books aside from caterpillar

Chickenrunning · 06/04/2024 08:01

The Storm Whale (and sequels)

Dollmeup · 06/04/2024 08:00

The hairy mclairy books are good, there's quite a few of them.

spriots · 06/04/2024 08:00

I adore My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Patterson

It's about a 3 year old having a bad day "And then my biscuit BROKE" absolutely gets into the mindset of a 3 year old and the illustrations are hilarious

Popskipiekin · 06/04/2024 07:59

Catherine Rayner does beautiful books - we loved Solomon Crocodile, Abigail the giraffe.

We picked up a book called Marcello Mouse in a charity shop - recommend going there (or library as above PP!) to just see if anything takes DC’s fancy.

Funnybones books, which took me back to my own childhood. Where the wild things are, ditto.

Chris Haughton books can be for much younger than 3, but still adored by ours until older than that.

Oliver Jeffers.

Not sure when mine started to love the “book with no pictures”. Mine are 9 & 7 now and won’t let me get rid of that one.

Hope you find some good ones!

ArghhWhatNext · 06/04/2024 07:58

All those mentioned above, plus the Little Red Train books by Benedict Blathwait. Fabulous detailed pictures to talk about.

babybythesea · 06/04/2024 07:58

I was going to say Shirley Hughes too. The Alfie books - Alfie gives a hand, Alfie gets in first. Dogger.

Quentin Blake - Mr Magnolia.
The Giant Jam Sandwich.
John Burningham - Mr Gumpy. Would you rather (this one is brilliant).
Jill Murphy - Peace at Last, the Large Family.

froomeonthebroom · 06/04/2024 07:57

Can't remember the exact titles but Class Two at the Zoo/Class Three all at Sea were favourites here.

lancslass17 · 06/04/2024 07:57

There's a (fill in the blank) in my book by tom fletcher

We go to the library and get a selection some he likes some he doesn't but good way to explore.

Doingmybest12 · 06/04/2024 07:56

Pass The Jam Jim

Zapx · 06/04/2024 07:56

Elmer
Hairy MacClary
Funny Bones

PuppyMonkey · 06/04/2024 07:55

Peepo!!

The greatest book ever.Grin

supertatos · 06/04/2024 07:53

Also if you don't already have it I recommend the nspcc pantosaurus book

HelpMebeok · 06/04/2024 07:53

Two year old loves

were going on a beae hunt
the tiger who came to tea
dear zoo
Rosie's walk
hairy maclary books
goodnight moon

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 06/04/2024 07:53

Any of Shirley Hugh's work. Dated perhaps but lovely. The Tiger who came to tea. A camel called Doug, The Wonky Donkey all come to mind