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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Beautiful Children's Books

32 replies

CoffeeChocolateGin · 19/05/2022 22:59

I'd like to buy a really lovely book as a Christening present. Something that will stand the test of time, something that is beautiful to look at. I originally thought an anthology (Aesop, Grimms etc) but completely open to other ideas.
The child is one so ideally something that can be enjoyed by a toddler but will also be something lovely to look through as an older child.

Any suggestions?

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MrsHGWells · 19/05/2022 23:04

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
by Charlie Mackesy

Someaddedsugar · 19/05/2022 23:06

A classic like Velveteen Rabbit?

showmethegin · 19/05/2022 23:08

I read "The wonderful things you will be" as a reading at our godsons christening and gave the book as a gift.

Blinkingbatshit · 19/05/2022 23:08

Brambley Hedge by Jill Barklem

Waterfallgirl · 19/05/2022 23:08

Someaddedsugar · 19/05/2022 23:06

A classic like Velveteen Rabbit?

Was just coming on to say this - I have a lovely copy with a velveteen cover - such a great book .

glebaisaword · 19/05/2022 23:09

My kids adore the illustrations in Egg and Pip (or Pip and Egg?). Not sure about the test of time but the pages really are beautiful to look at. It doesn't show when you see them online but in person they're lovely. We have the paperback but if there's a hardback it might be a nice gift.

Nannyamc · 19/05/2022 23:12

The Beatrix Potter illustrated hard back is a lovely gift.

Sgtmajormummy · 19/05/2022 23:12

I love the original illustrations of The Wind in the Willows done by E.H.Shepard, the same artist who did Winnie the Pooh, but I saw a beautiful modern version recently.
I’ll link it on Amazon.

PushingAnElephantUpTheStairs · 19/05/2022 23:13

The Lost Words is gorgeous.

CoffeeChocolateGin · 19/05/2022 23:22

These are great suggestions, thank you!

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GetOffTheTableMabel · 19/05/2022 23:23

The illustrations are beautiful. The words, however, are quite dark and disturbing in some tales (like Squirrel Nutkin) and children do not enjoy sitting and listening to them as a rule. The same is true of Wind In The Willows. Gorgeous to look at. Absolutely not something a child is likely to sit and listen to, or read themselves.
illustrations by Jan Pietrowski are beautiful.

CoffeeChocolateGin · 19/05/2022 23:24

You've sparked a memory with this one! I had one very similar as a child.

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Fleur405 · 19/05/2022 23:25

Oh the places you will go by Dr Seuss

TheDuchessOfBeddington · 19/05/2022 23:32

I got my first niece a folio copy of “A little Princess” with illustrations.

PicniKTime · 19/05/2022 23:35

www.wob.com/en-gb/books/ben-hoare/anthology-of-intriguing-animals/9780241334393?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZeUBhDyARIsAOzAqQJpxqHJoIE-UpmOe6uOQC-Rh0zkyypGQ2RTLAvgX-HROiBxN1qjUYUaAudxEALw_wcB

we have this. It’s beautifully illustrated. Stands test of time. They’ve looked at it at all ages.

AugustSeptemberOctober · 19/05/2022 23:39

PushingAnElephantUpTheStairs · 19/05/2022 23:13

The Lost Words is gorgeous.

I second this, it's a beautiful book.

Also, I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree. It's full of nature poems that can be dipped into, both classic and modern.

MsJuniper · 19/05/2022 23:40

Lots by Marc Martin is beautiful and much loved by my older child so it has longevity.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1783704659/ref=cmswwrawdooMW1RY7C2KKDZQM06EC3W

AugustSeptemberOctober · 19/05/2022 23:40

Sorry quote didn't work - I meant to second the suggestion of the Lost Words.

SkankingWombat · 19/05/2022 23:53

I agree with a PP, the Brambly Hedge series are indeed beautifully illustrated. My DCs have my childhood copies and love pawing over the details as much as I used to.
Less suitable for toddlers, but would be fine to read to an older preschooler and perfect once they become readers themselves, is the Chris Mould illustrated version of The Iron Man.

scrivette · 20/05/2022 00:09

The Shirley Hughes Collection (all the stories in one book).

It's a lovely book with beautiful illustrations, the stories are good and they include poems in them.

My DC love them and have done since very small. They are a pleasure to read out loud.

BunnyBerries · 20/05/2022 00:21

The Mog Treasury. It's big and the illustrations are beautiful and the sentences are simple and perfect for a child learning to read themselves too, not just be read to. Not to mention, kids love adventure tales about animals like cats! So it won't just sit on a shelf.

Emmelina · 20/05/2022 01:44

My children have a copy of this, it’s absolutely gorgeous inside.

Beautiful Children's Books
CoffeeChocolateGin · 20/05/2022 12:50

Thank you, I love these suggestions...may end up purchasing more than one!

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