Hidden gems - books for 3 year old

[Marimaur]

Any recommendations for some hidden gems?

We have a lot of the classic ones or have got them out from the library (i.e Julia Donaldson books, Axel Scheffler, Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle) so looking for some surprise hits/not so well known ones you thought were great.

She has just turned 3 and loves storytime/going to the library, loves a pop up book but will sit still and listen to a longer picture book.

There’s no rhyme or reason to the stuff she’s interested in, so if you have a nice book you can recommend I’d love to hear it! Thanks

My recommendations are:
Last Stop on Market Street - Matt de la Peña
You Matter - Christian Robinson
Cool of the Pool - Tony Mitten

The dinosaurs that pooped… series

The little wooden robot and the log princess - by Tom Gauld

I’ve gone absolutely mad for this book recently- I’ve been sending to lots of friends with young children who have all loved it and found it a refreshing change from Donaldson & Scheffler. It’s got gorgeous illustrations with good diversity representation (the inventor is a woman, the queen is black). Lovely touching sibling tale with fun opportunities to make up your own stories along the way, and a happy ending.

Shirley Hughes picture books especially the Alfie and Annie Rose ones kept mine enthralled at that age.

We love books by Rachel Bright. Favourites are the lion inside, the squirrels who squabbled, way home for wolf, worrysaurus and hugasaurus. My DD asks for these over and over!

Also, Catherine Raynor books and Rob Biddulph.

For Christmas track down a copy of The Church Mice at Christmas.

The illustrations and storyline are beautiful and the introduction of Santa is fantastic. Thus was ny Christmas reading with my parents when I was younger and then I read it to my dc.

It's such a wonderful book.

My DS loved Oi Frog and Piranhas don't eat bananas at that age (and still does now!)

Wanda and the Alien, lovely illustrations and a nice story about friendship.

'My Mum and Dad make me laugh' by Nick Sharratt and 'Can't you Sleep Little Bear' by Martin Waddell.

Bringing Down the moon
Beaver and the echo

Anything by Mo Willems - Nanette’s Baguette, Knuffle Bunny, Don’t let the pigeon…

How the Borks Became

Maybe for a little older than 3 though, but my 4 year old loved it. It explains evolution/natural selection in a really easy way and a cute story. Nice rhymes.

Some Dogs Do and Hello Beaky! by Jez Alborough

Oliver Jeffers has done some wonderful books for that age.

I am Bat
Bear and the Piano

The Elephant and the Bad Baby

Again! By Emily Gravett

My DS loved this book from about age 4 to 6

Not Now Bernard by David McKee

DSs loved it and I loved it too: everything from the messages it portrays to their weird house decor.

Thanks all! Loads to look up x

Here we are by Oliver Jeffers.
Also the Crayon books by him too.

Seconding I Am Bat and Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas! They’re both really fun

Anna Hibiscus’ Song by Atinuke is really joyful and lovely
Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins

Penguin in Peril by Helen Hancocks. It's beautiful and funny.

The Hairy McLarey series of books have been an unexpected hit here. Best thing was they are 10 for £10 from The Works!

Nothing (Mick Inkpen)
Pudding (Pippa Goodhart)
These were 2 my dc loved. Youngest is 12 now and I can still recite Pudding word for word without looking

Sue Hendra too - Supertato, Barry the Fish with Fingers, Norman the snail with the silly shell.

Oh and Cuddly Dudley.