Classic children's book

[hannahbanana2007]

Hi, I have a new niece who will be 4 months old at Christmas time. She has an older brother so won't really need toys as she'll have hand me downs, so was thinking of getting her a really nice well illustrated book that can be more of a keep sake for when she's older that parents can read to her. Problem is, can't think what book would be nice! Alice in wonderland - bit odd? Lion witch and the wardrobe maybe? Please give me suggestions?!

Personally I would go with a large collection of Julia Donaldson books (book people do a nice set), then she can enjoy the from a much earlier age.
We’ve had all the Donaldson books in our house, like Gruffalo, Smartest Giant in town, room on a broom.
That are all very well thumbed

some great suggestions - especially Pooh and The Places You'll Go

but I've receygiven Bedtime Stories for Rebel Girls and it's ace - 100 inspirational women, so might be a good one for keeping

I've recently given, that should say

I’d say Winnie The Pooh too, my dd was given a set for her first Christmas and I loved it xx

I had this book when I was little and I absolutely adored it (in fact, even seeing the front cover after over 40 years has made me a little bit teary now!). Maybe something like that? I'm sure there are more modern versions. I also had a beautiful Anthology of Children's Verse.

www.amazon.co.uk/Treasury-Childrens-Stories-Hilda-Boswell/dp/0001203045?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Otherwise, a set of the Winnie the Pooh books for sure.

When my youngest was little we were given a beautiful hardback version of the Naughty Little Sister stories by Dorothy Edwards, illustrated by Shirley Hughes. The whole family read and read that book. I really can't recommend it enough.

If you buy nice hardbound books for when she is older, write a little inscription in your best handwriting and include the date. We have books my sister was given by our parents for her 10th birthday, and I love reading the inscriptions. My sister is 65 and our parents have been dead for years.

I still have the beautiful copy of Peter Pan that I was bought by my grandparents for my first birthday. I loved this book and, when I was a bit older, I loved the fact that money from sales of Peter Pan went to aid sick children in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Last year my mum bought me the little grey rabbit books including a Christmas one which I loved as a kid. Worth a look out for I know they did some in the works a while back.

Oh maybe the set I think it was called brambley hedge, with mice in it. They had a set of books each based on a season and I remember the illustrations being lovely.

Paddington bear, Winnie the pooh and Peter rabbit are usually good shouts anthology wise.