Wonderful wonderful books for 5 year olds

[redtreesummer]

I am currently present buying for my nearly 5 year old and would love to hear you fantastic, very favourite children's picture book recommendations, we are stuck in a bit of a Julia Donaldson rut (having said that The Whale and the Snail and (Sob) The Paper Dolls are much loved here.

I was recommended an absolutely wonderful book called The Beasties on another thread and realised there is a whole world of wonderful books out there. Please tell me your favourites

You Choose. Every bloody night for what seemed like most of my life.

"Traction Man Is Here" and its sequels. So funny and clever. A Year 1 teacher of my acquaintance got a Traction Man complete with knitted onesie (see story) to keep in her classroom and the kids adored it.

Brambly Hedge !!

The absolutely most popular favourite with the little ones I've worked with (literally hundred of them over the last 15 years) is this one:

www.waterstones.com/book/the-last-noo-noo/jill-murphy/jill-murphy/9781406331844

It's really not well known, so while most children have the 'Large family' series at home (also excellent!) this one is new to them. They always love it!

And the Train Goes, by William Bee was a huge hit with all of us, and snails to find on each page!

Don't let the pigeon drive the bus- funny

The magical yet- inspiring text with beautiful pictures. This one is new it may only be available in hardback

We have many, many favourites… I’ve attached some pictures of some of them. We love rhyming books.
“You can’t take an elephant on the bus series”
“Poo in the zoo” and it’s sequel
Fairytale hairdresser books
King’s Birthday Suit

For slightly longer books, we like the “Bear and Rabbit” books…

Following

The Supertato books went down well with mine and haven't been mentioned yet. Also some of the Chris Riddell books like Wendel's robot and the Emperor of Absurdia.

Iggy Peck Architect
Ada Twist Scientist
The Lorax
Supertato series
The only lonely panda
Alfie series
The bear and the piano
Funnybones
I want to be in a scary story
The hairy toe
The DK find out books - great non fiction for this age on volcanoes etc
Chapter books:
Gobblino the witches cat
Rabbit and bear

Based on a recommendation on here, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel.
DC (and me) also love Gemma Merino, especially The Cow Who Climbed a Tree.
Thomas the Train Engine and Friends also still popular.

How could I forget Izzy Gizmo?

Claude books by Alex T Smith. They are very illustrated short chapter books rather than picture books so make a good link. And quite funny.

Mrs Armitage on wheels
Room on the Broom
Courtney
Cops and Robbers

You Choose was a firm favourite here for years.

Franklin’s Flying Bookshop and Franklin and Luna go to the Moon by Jen Campbell are lovely. Also Billy’s Bucket and Hectors Trainers were huge favourites with my boys at that age .

Coming home
Snow Dragon
Dasher
Snow Angel
Grumpy Badgers Christmas
Brambly Hedge
Shirley Hughes Seasons

Are all wonderful

At five I'd start the transition into chapter books. One chapter a night. Best ones we've found:
All the Roald Dahl books
Magic wishing chair (Enid Blyton)
The Book Without Pictures
The Faraway Tree

Also The Invisible and Corduroy

Thanks everyone, I have a wonderful reading list now that will last a year or so! I was reminded yesterday to include Solomon and Mortimer which is lovely