Lovely books for under 5s

[isthisaplum]

I wondered if we could make this a thread for recommendations for your reception / preschool children. My username is a current favourite; it’s very funny and short (good for quick bedtimes.)

I also thought I’d share this - ds (5) liked reading this tonight, it’s beautifully illustrated and led to a conversation about Malaysia and tigers and endangered species which was nice, sad though.

The Cat, The Mouse and the Runaway Train is a firm favourite with my 5 and 3 year old.

We also like:
Cops and Robbers
The Baddies
Any of the Duck in a Truck series
Mousehole Cat

Margaret's Unicorn
Starting School - Janet and Allan Ahlberg
Dogger
Give a dog a bone - Brian Wildsmith
The Blue Balloon - Mick Inkpen
Corduroy
Dragon in a Wagon - Lynley Dodd (all his books actually!)
The big Alfie Outdoors book - Shirley Hughes
The Paper bag Princess

Anything by Linley Dodd, The Nickle Nackle tree was a particular favourite and all the Scary Maclary books.

Six Dinner Sid
My Body is Me
Burglar Bill
Dogger
any of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes

If you don’t mind a Christian element - you are special by max lucardo. About our value not being in what other people think about us. Our kids love this one and really positive messaging

Oh and anything Mog very popular in our house

love Six Dinner Sid!!

I love 'Is This a Plum?' too! A very clever, unique idea, and I love that it was a child who inspired it.

I have far too many individual books to list, so I'll stick to authors or series of books which are must reads (in my opinion) for this age group.

Julia Donaldson
Sue Hendra (the Supertato series is always a firm favourite with Reception)
Nick Butterworth (Percy the Park Keeper)
David McKee (Elmer)
Tom Percival (especially the Big Bright Feelings series)
Rachel Bright (The Lion Inside etc, another great picture book series, illustrated by Jim Field, aimed at slightly older children due to the complex storylines and vocabulary)
Catherine Rayner
Emily Gravett (Lessons from the Forest series)
Peter Bentley
Giles Andreae
Gareth Edwards
Mark Sperring
Lucy Rowland
Jill Murphy
Judith Kerr
Shirley Hughes
Jez Alborough
The Ahlbergs
Mick Inkpen (Kipper)
Michael Rosen
Nick Sharratt (especially the You Choose series, another very unique concept).
Kes Gray (Oi Frog series)

I also love all the new Peter Rabbit books. There are lots of lift the flap versions and touch and feel/push and pull board books for babies and toddlers etc now. I'm not sure who writes them (possibly not just one person), as it's just the World of Peter Rabbit company name, inspired by the Beatrix Potter originals (which are quite lengthy and dark in places, clearly written for older children than the brand generally appeals to). The modern books are perfect for very young children though.

Hole in the Zoo!
Elmer

We recently bought The Cafe In The Woods, I think the guidance is 3+ but our bookworm 2 year old LOVES it. Beautiful, beautiful illustration, lyrical rhyming that makes it easy to read and some giggles ‘A bag of bats that smells like farts!’.

There are 2 more of the same series due out later in the year, and what looks like a longer chapter book aimed at older kids.

They’re by Mikey Please.

Apologies, the second in the theme is already out in Hardback, but we’re waiting for the Paperback (because I like our series to match )

Each Peach Pair Plumb I think it was called…. Really lovely book and with gorgeous pictures

I and my DD3.5 are loving the old Puddle Lane books. I picked a few up in a charity shop and ended up buying level 1 and 2 on ebay. Great stories, classic and good introduction to reading for her.

Mine really likes the short Famous Five books - the illustrated ones like "When Timmy Chased the Cat". Also Noddy. We read them during dinner as I eat much quicker than dc and it passes the time.

We also like The Story Orchestra books, which are beautiful, especially Carnival of the Animals.