Book recommendations for 4 year olds.

[AwfulBeryl]

My Dts are 4 and are interested in most things that other 4 year olds are interested in - space and rockets, Knights and Princess's, bin men.
They have out grown their toddler books now, but are still a bit young for chapter books. I think they really like to have colourful pictures along with a story.

I picked up an abridged version of The Lion the witch and the wardrobe at a book sale that they loved, but I don't really want to do that too much because I think it would be nice for them to read the full version in a few years time. I remember the first time I read books like Rebbeca's World and The Magician's Nephew and being mesmerised by the story. I don't think it would have the same impact if they already read the basic story.

Can anyone recommend other books they might enjoy ?

Tia

Manfred the baddie that should read!

We have had surprising success with Fact books. DD started by borrowing loads of books about people's jobs from the library, and before I knew it we were committed to reading the whole of a detailed Usborne account of pre-history, complete with the fish walking out of the sea and the mammals trudging back again.

Brambly Hedge stories are a bit longer, but fully illustrated.

I posted earlier on the thread but just came back to add paddington and Winnie the Pooh. Both v popular here.

Thanks again everyone, great suggestions.

Pedro the Brave
There's a yeti in the potting shed and Smelly Bill by Daniel Postgate
Percy the park keeper
Wonderwise series (non fiction collection from the Book People)
Usborne see inside flap books, esp see inside your body and see under the ground.

Traction Man
Claude books
Beatrix Potter

By the way, you'd be surprised. Sometimes they're more receptive to a longer book if they're already fakirs with the basic story, so don't dicount those condensed versions.

Alison Uttley has some sweet longer books like Enchanment.

A Necklace of Raindrops is a lovely collection of short stories.

DS 2 (4.5) and I love Dr Seuss - especially The Lorax and The Sleep Book

He still very much enjoys picture books (The Runaway Dinner and Iggy Peck Architect are his favourites, and will sometimes till ask for Where the Wild things are, Mog books, Graffalo etc).

We have tried slightly longer things, such as Hiccup the Viking who got seasick by Cressida Cowell which is like a shorter "junior" version of HTTYD, and a lovely reworking of Jack and The Beanstalk, some books of short stories (Jackanory ones that DH had as a kid).

Sharon rentta animal firefighters and animal doctors are lovely beautifully illustrated books. I can't remember author but 'mouse and the moon made of cheese' is lovely too. We also really like the lighthouse keeper series by Rhonda armitage, also wave the flag and blue the whistle

I am a new children's author. If you would like a book about daily routine eg brushing teeth with an adventure by a funny cheeky bean. Give Jolly Quickly The Jumping Bean a go. Available on Amazon and Waterstones. Can buy on eBay for personally signed copy.
Thanks Susan