Books for 1.5 year old - complex illustrations but stories not over her head?

[vesela]

I'm looking for some recommendations for my 1.5 year-old. She likes more complex illustrations at the moment - especially of people - but a lot of the next-stage-up books seem to have concepts or plots that are too complex for her at the moment (or are kind of gimmicky).

What good books are there for this age group that feature children and their parents doing things? She's currently besotted with the Mog books - people waving bye bye, blowing their noses etc. etc. I don't want her to be bored of them by the time she appreciates the stories more, though (or does that not happen - i.e. if a book is a favourite from the start, does it stay popular as they get older?)

She also likes Shirley Hughes - All Shapes and Sizes (I'm planning to get more of the Nursery Collection). The Ladybird fairytale books - things like the Little Red Hen - have also been a huge hit.

I have The Baby's Catalogue on my list...

Last one for now... How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night is IMO the best by far of the "How Do Dinosaurs..." series and the pictures of the dinosaurs modelling typical toddler behaviour are fantastic.

i have this one for my DD and its one of her favourites i got it as part of a set which included this one and a few others in a reading with your child set. she loves them also usbornes phonics range is good as it helps teach the small syllables (although it does become slightly annoying when reading them over and over to your child)
xx ei xx

Thanks MAS! I really only ever think of you as Mary-Ann!

We loved 'Boo hoo Baby' in this house!

Hi Vesela. My DD is only a few months older than your DD, and seems to have a similar taste in books. These have all worked for us:

Any of the Tom and Pippo books by Helen Oxenbury.

Toddlerobics - Zita Newcombe. Reasonably complex pictures and a lovely rhyme.

The Penny Dale "Ten in a Bed" series. Beautiful, very detailed drawings.

Any of the Chimp and Zee series by the Anholts.

Baby's New Shoes - Dashka Slater. Another rhyming story.

This Little Chick - John Lawrence. I wouldn't say the illustrations were exactly complex, but they are so stunningly crafted that this book works as a work of art, as well as a sweet little story for toddlers.

The Ravenous Beast by Niamh Sharkey - just brilliant.

I love Monkey and me by Emily Gravitt

Another lovely Emily Gravett, which doesn't have complex illustrations, but DS and friends DD adore is Apple, Pear, Orange, Bear.

All the Katie Morag books have fab illustrations with lots happening, and are adorable stories.

ballon by jez alborough is good. my 3 liked a lot of jez alboroughs books. Some are a bit old like the eddy and bear ones but he does some good picture books with a few words for younger ones like the book yes!

And what about the Bear books by Stella Blackstone? The pictures have lots of detail in them, but the narrative is still straightforward. My DD has loved these since she was about 6 months old, and they kind of grow with the child, because they can identify more objects etc as they grow.

In fact, a lot of the Barefoot books may interest your DD, so could be worth checking out their website.

My DD also loves a book called "Noisy Poems" edited by Jill Bennett. The poems are quite simple but are decorated with bright illustrations that really seem to catch a toddler's eye.

I have kept a blog about my DD's reading "experiences" since she was about 5 months old, and we have got through a huge range of books, and more than I could list here, but have a look at my profile if you want to check it out for more suggestions.

Ds also liked the Apple Tree Farm series at this age - easy to follow stories, lots of people and animals - he's starting to read selected words now (he's 3.4). We got a compilation Hairy McClary book - fab - still a favourite now.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. My Amazon wishlist is building up...

Campaspe, thank you for pointing me in the direction of your blog, too - what a goldmine.

a couple of people mentioned the Bear books...they look particularly good.

One recommendation I'd have for slightly younger children (but DD still enjoys them) are the Sasha and Olly books.

It's amazing what's already out of print, though. This is why I'm doing an Amazon binge - Used and New sellers don't ship to the Czech Republic, where I live, and we're going back to the UK for a couple of weeks soon. Fortunately DD is now good with paperbacks, which should help with the luggage.

I bought her the Elephant and the Bad Baby the other day from one of the English bookshops here. It was my sister's favourite, and it seems to be going down well. It has slightly more repetition than I can hack, though - I confess to saying 'with all the shopkeepers running after' on more than one occasion!

I quite like the Julia Donadlson ones - Gruffalo, Room on the Broom etc.

All great books that have been mentioned. I think www.thebookpeople.co.uk are great for cheap books and www.love2read.co.uk allows you to create personalised reading books for young children using your own photos - my kids love them.

DS at this age loved (and still does) Where's My Cow by Terry Pratchett, it's fun and silly and has lovely illustrations with loads going on. It's also got sly in-jokes for adults that don't actually interfere with the DCs experience of it.