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

I've just been in to say goodnight to my youngest (12) and he had out Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat (it's another Sue Hendra one). Hadn't even mentioned this post to him!

I loved all the Oliver Jeffers books

I also think the Snorgh and the Sailor is an excellent book with beautiful philosophical strand woven through it that adults can appreciate

Definitely sue hendra. We love no bot and Keith the cat, supertato
Little red
Odd dog out by rob biddulph
Meg and mog
Oliver jeffers
Supermarket zoo and the albie books
The perfect pet and the perfect present

The Snail and the Whale, Julia Donaldson.

The 'Hat' series by Jon Klassen.

Books by Chris Haughton - all nice.

Books by Peggy Rathman, esp Goodnight Gorilla, and Officer Buckle and Gloria.

Books by Rosemary Wells - Morris's Disappearing Bag and the Yoko books, Max and Ruby books, McDuff books, and more.

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude, by Josh Funk. Truly lovely book.

Waiting, by Kevin Henkes.

Building our House, by Jonathan Bean.

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse, Mac Barnett.
Also, Extra Yarn.
Great books.

Books by Zachariah Ohora.

DD and I love Gemma Merino's stories. Our favourite is The Cow Who Climbed a Tree, but also try The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water, The Sheep Who Hatched an Egg and Harry in a Hurry.

Beautiful illustrations too.

The Bustletown series. No words, just loads to look at and follow on every page. DD loves them.

Monsters Not Allowed by Tracey Hammett. I loved reading that aloud and I loved the illustrations.

Six Dinner Sid was a favourite, as was Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems.

Also The Witch's Kitchen, a pop up book featuring rabbit plops and goblin wee.

Thanks for this OP, I have a 3.5 yo DD who loves story books too so this is great for me as well. Might get her one or two for Easter.

Have you tried the Mog books?

Mog, Emily Brown books, Moomin stories (the younger children's ones), Mr Wolf's Pancakes, anything involving Slinki Malinki.

3-5 is the best age for bedtime stories!

I agree on Chris Haughton - oh no George is a life lesson in a brilliant book.

We loved a bit lost and shhh, we have a plan too, he's wonderful. He'll never too oh no George though.

We've got the little crab and goodnight everyone too...

They seem to have recently created picture books based on the Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton - Moonface's story and Silky's story. My 3 year old DD loves them.

Some favourites in our house are the Richard Scarry books, Pip and Posy and Spot the Dog (or anything with flaps for that matter). We also like lots by Jill Murphy with Meltdown and On the Way Home being favourites and also anything by Oliver Jeffers.

This series of books! Plays known selections of music and children really enjoy pressing the buttons

YYY to the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel.

Another glorious Lobel book is Owl at Home.