Children’s books with cosy, gentle drawings of animals

[tokajlover]

I am looking after something quite specific, but hoping mumsnetters can help!

I have an 18-month-old little girl who loves picture books with animals, but prefers gentler stories with old-fashioned, cosy illustrations of animals living their lives (think Beatrix Potter and the Brambly Hedge, or even stuff like Can’t You Sleep Little Bear/Old Bear etc.)

I am basically looking for books like the above; even if they have gone out of print will look for second-hand editions, stuff like The Foxwood Tales which was recommended to me recently would be perfect. It’s fine if they are longer books as they will grow with her and she likes having chapter books read to her while eating or at bedtime. Most of the stuff I am looking for will be out of print so that’s why I am relying on your childhood memories of books you liked that I might find second-hand!

Thank you!

Seeing Richard Scarry reminds me that I also used to like the ant and bee books (have also loved Beatrix Potter etc) but they are cartoons rather than that sort of old fashioned painting/drawing.

My DCs liked the Foxwood Tales which are quite Brambly Hedge in their illustration style.

www.amazon.co.uk/Foxwood-Treasury-Bk-Tales-S/dp/009176579X

The Blackberry Farm ones by Jane Pilgrim?

These aren't books that are animals as people but the illustrations are beautiful, and the stories lovely and gentle:

Amazon.co.uk: Kim Lewis: books, biography, latest update

First Snow was particularly popular among my dc, but they also loved Floss, My friend Harry and one that I can't see on that page "The Last train", although I'd say that one is definitely older, age 4-6 I'd say.

Time for Bed by Mem Fox (illustrations by Jane Dyer) has beautiful drawings

What about that gorgeous little short film that was on last Christmas with the horse, little boy etc in was just beautiful they made it into a book but I can't remember what it's called!

House in the Woods by Inga Moore, one of my favourites ❤️

Gerda Muller's books

The Tomten for Christmas 🎄

We love Percy the park keeper and the little hedgehog books.

also smudge’s grumpy day is wonderful
for teaching about being cross but parents/carers not going away because of it.

Percy the Park Keeper are lovely gentle books. Dd2 adored them . For her 30th birthday this year,Dd1 bought her a first edition of One Snowy Night...she was over the moon!

Chapter book. Tum Tum and Nutmeg series, pictures similar although the stories aren’t so gentle prehaps.

The Frog and Toad books by Alfred Lobel are gentle and funny.

A more modern one but Ruby Flew Too is a nice, gentle one that always makes me cry

Books by Jan Brett have wonderful illustrations and lovely stories.

The Little Mouse series are lovely books.

https://amzn.to/422qEgh