What are your “must have” children’s books?

[RWK29]

DS1 is 10 weeks old and very alert and already LOVES a bedtime story 😊 hoping to build him a lovely collection of books! He has quite a few already but looking for recommendations of “must have” children’s books that your little ones loved?

The Gruffalo is a firm favourite with DS already. Also enjoyed The Snail and The Whale 😊

Hairy Maclary, Slinky Malinki, Supermarket Gremlins, All Julia Donaldson.

The paper dolls makes dh weep every time he reads it.

Also the usbourne sounds books are good for when your DS is interested in pressing buttons! Night sounds and Farm sounds are our favourites ☺️

The Alfie stories by Shirley Hughes. Agree with pp who said the artwork is brilliant!

Also, Hairy Maclairy and Richard Scarry books are fab.

The wonky donkey is a firm favourite in our house. There are a few follow ups too ☺️
The tiger who came to tea.

We’re going on a bear hunt, goodnight moon, the tiger who came to tea, the gruffalo and a big book of fairy tales (jack & the beanstalk, Goldilocks, 3 little pigs etc) have been the biggest hits in this house. Both children absolutely loved/love these.

Also vote for Hairy McClairy, my nephew loved it - had it read to him so many times he could remember it and used to turn the pages whilst reciting it pretending he could read.

Don't let the pigeon drive the bus.

Stephanie's ponytail. This one is the best book in the world.

The baby catalogue by Ahlburg was a massive favourite for both my girls - especially when they were developing language skills as I would ask them to point at things before they could say the words. Very old fashioned but at 3 and 4 they still love that book now!

The Baby’s Catalogue.
Wherever you are, my love will find you.
Dear Zoo.
Peace At Last and Whatever Next by Jill Murphy.
The Little Red Train series by Benjamin Blathwaite.
Shirley Hughes. Everything she has ever written is perfect.
I’m going to have a hard time deciding which books to keep hold of for grandchildren.

Some favourites of my two little people:

Peepo
giraffes can’t dance
Peace at last
We’re going on a bear hunt
Where the Wild Things Are
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
The Hungry Caterpillar
Each Peach Pear Plum
Rabbits Nap/Postman Bear/Foxes Socks
HandS Surprise
Ten Little... Dinosaurs/Pirates/Princesses
Where’s Mr Dog series

Another vote for Peepo and Each Peach Pear Plum.

My son adored the Little Red Train books as the pictures are so detailed.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Any Mog book.
Hairy McLairy
Spot the dog
Perky the Pukeko
Stuck in Poo

The Oliver Jefferson books
Dear zoo
Where’s Spot

The very hungry caterpillar was all I read to my eldest when she was little. She’s a real bookworm now!

Both loved a book called ‘you choose’ where the pages are filled with pictures and you choose things like...where would you live? Who would be your family? What furniture would you have? What clothes would you like to wear? The illustrations are beautiful and it helps to get that bond while reading making it two ways.

DH and I love reading Oi Frog to my 5 month old - can do all sorts of silly voices and she laughs away
Also second Giraffes Can't Dance
The Runaway Pea is fun too

The ‘Pip and Posy’ books; e:g. ‘The little puddle’.
The ‘Blue kangraroo’ books - e.g. ‘it was you, blue kangaroo’.

Lots of good suggestions upthread. You choose was a favourite with mine for years.

Also any of the Percy the Park keeper books and some of the other Mick Inkpen books - there are some really funny ones about School Nativities and School Trips.

For when they are older the various Pooh Bear books are lovely. Ivor the Engine was very popular here too.
The Walter de la Mare "Seasons" poems are beautifully illustrated books, full of flying witches and shimmering moons!

Hairy Mclary, dear zoo, each peach, blue kangaroo

Lots of fantastic books mentioned already.

Hooray for Fish by Lucy Cousins
Maisy series also by her
Slinki Malinki by Lynley Dodd
Funny Bones by Allan Ahlberg
One Ted Falls Out Of Bed by Julia Donaldson
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
Kipper's Year by Nick Inkpen
Charlie and Lola series by Lauren Child
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andrae
Doing The Animal Bop by Jan Ormerod

Anything by Maurice Sendak - where the wild thing are and outside over there are my favourites

The Smartest Giant in Town and Robot the No Bot were also great!

Great suggestions here - I'd also add Sandra Boynton, especially Not the Hippopotamus and Are You a Cow?

Rachel brights books are great and I love the OI frog book series as does 8 month DD