Which book?

[KTCluck]

DD(2.5) loves books, but we’ve been given so many I don’t buy them, and instead we’ve been going to the library. However for Christmas I’d like to buy her one really nice book / book collection. Ideally something that she could enjoy now but won’t grow out of straight away. She loves the Julia Donaldson books but we have quite a few of those. Her current favourite is the tiger who came to tea, but she hasn’t been too fussed on the Mog book we have. We have stacks of the run-of-the-mill book people 10 for £10 type of thing, and I was wanting something a bit more special. I considered Mr Men but she’d probably want to read the whole lot every night. She has several Beatrix Potter stories but hasn’t shown much interest in those so far. Can any of you lovely folk give me some inspiration?

[Hoviscats]

David Walliams does some great books for younger children which are illustrated by Tony Ross. There's a snake in my school, geronimo, the very annoying elephant are 3 I can think of but there are some others too! My boys have loved them.

[Elphaba17]

I'd buy one of the Oliver Jeffers books- How to catch a star, Lost and Found and Stuck would be my 3 favourites. All are beautiful books that have been read with both my children countless times over the years.

[CoffeeChocolateWine]

Percy the Park Keeper books...One snowy night in particular was a firm favourite of ours.

I also agree with Oliver Jeffers books.

We also loved Catherine Raynor books. Lovely stories and beautiful illustrations.

The Snowbear by Sean Taylor is gorgeous too.

[Isadora2007]

Not David walliams! He’s not a great author at all and the wee one is teeny!!

Alfie and Annie Rose books are lovely and timeless...

You Choose is also a fab books for language acquisition and imagination etc. Though not really a story- more a talking point.

A classic nursery rhyme book or treasury?

[debbiewest0]

I think the peep inside Usborne range is lovely. Ive got the garden, farm and zoo ones and they are read all the time by my daughter. She loves the flaps, the details, they’ve got facts in and she reads them all the time with me. You can get a set of six on amazon or individually in bookshops.
I got them when she was two and now at 3.5 still loves them.

[Leeds2]

My DD used to love Hairy McLary books.

Agree with the Oliver Jeffers suggestion. Also suggest Emily Gravett.

I volunteer in a primary school library, and I would say that the Fairytale Hairdresser books are the most sought after. They also love the Dinosaur That Pooped ............ books, and Down By The Cool of the Pool.

[eddiemairswife]

You could always get The Velveteen Rabbit. A lovely book, only to be read aloud by a person with a heart of stone.

[Ricekrispie22]

Paddington www.waterstones.com/book/the-complete-adventures-of-paddington/michael-bond/9780008310592
Elmer www.amazon.co.uk/Elmer-Book-Collection-Set-Illustrated/dp/7463028135?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
The Complete Brambly Hedge www.waterstones.com/book/the-complete-brambly-hedge/jill-barklem/9780007450169

[Luckyleprechaun80]

I love, ‘The Wonky Donkey’.

Nick Sharratt has done a few great ones, so I highly recommend him, especially love what’s in the witches kitchen, you choose, and shark in the park.
My daughter loved chocolate moose for greedy goose and Hippo has a hat by Julia Donaldson.

The disgusting Sandwich is another good one.

Also love Oliver Jeffers.

[KTCluck]

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone! I’ll investigate them all. I think I’m going to struggle to choose. I knew MN would not let me down.

[TheletterZ]

Mine liked Percy the Park keeper and also Winnie the Witch www.amazon.co.uk/Winnies-Books-Winnie-Witch-Collection/dp/0192742574/ref=sr_1_8?crid=33PXT569NJ5IQ&keywords=winnie%20the%20witch%20books&sprefix=winnie%20the%20witch%2Caps%2C156&qid=1572639813&sr=8-8&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[redcaryellowcar]

I'm a big fan of Rob Biddulph, his 'odd dog out' was read on CBeebies bedtime stories which is how we discovered them. You might find it on iplayer? He has a few more which are also lovely.

[redcaryellowcar]

...also have a look at Emily Gravett, lots of lovely options for younger children.

[escapade1234]

I wouldn’t touch David Walliams with a bargepole. Or his books.

I second absolutely anything by Shirley Hughes. Wonderful, comforting old-fashioned reads with beautiful illustrations.

I also love Tony Mitton: All Afloat on Noah’s Boat, Bumpus Jumpus, Dinosaurumpus, Down by the Cool of the Pool. Bright colours, rhyming patterns.

Have you any Jill Murphy books? The Large family (Five Minutes Peace etc), Mother Knows Best, Whatever Next, Peace at Last - I’ve been reading these to my children for almost a decade now!

I wouldn’t go too grown up at this stage. Toddlers enjoy rhymes, repetition, pictures. Take your time to get the bigger books.

[DelurkingAJ]

Jolly Christmas Postman was a big hit here last year (DS2 was 2.5).

[newtothenet]

I vote for Miffy, or Meg and Mog.

[mogtheexcellent]

Allan Alberg The Runaway Dinner- bought following a recommendation on here and an absolute favourite.

Nadia Shireens books are also brilliant, particulalry Bumblebear and The Cow That Fell to Earth.

DD also loved Harry and his buckeful of dinosaurs.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

also would disagree with David walliams terrible books I hate reading them both at home and work (I work in a preschool!) that and pretty much any character type book. terrible writing and no flow!

favourites here and at work

Sue Hendra - absolute genius, especially dave the cat, supertato and Barry the fish with fingers.

the fairy tale hairdresser - beautiful books. dd1 is nearly 11 and will still look through them.

You choose and anything by Nick Sharratt. fantastic author and illustrator, never read a bad book by him! And if you get a chance to go to a book signing he's a lovely man we've been to several and his drawing workshops.

the dinosaur who pooped series. really funny, even as a slightly immature 31 year old I struggle to read without laughing!

Dr Seuss - fabulous books and great to grow with. start with ones such as ten apples up on top or green eggs and ham. so much fun to read (the 2 above I can recite without looking we've read them so much!)

kipper the dog or most books by Mike Inkpen. especially with a cuddly kipper dog. dd2 loved the ABC one and Christmas one.

the tiger who came to tea - absolute classic, one of my favourites. who doesn't love a tiger who eats everything then buggers off!

or if you want a really special book look at wonderbly the girl who lost their name book. they are personalised with your dds name inside. there's more options too but truly beautiful and personal. you can get codes for money off too.

or maybe some audio books on CD too, dds used to love these while playing or before bedtime. we had the Julia Donaldson collection from the book people.

sorry I'm a massive book geek love reading and children's books are my favourite!!

[takeasadsongandmakeitbetter]

Anything Shirley Hughes! All of the Alfie and Annie Rose stories and Sally's Secret is also a lovely book!

[escapade1234]

Oh yes, the Kipper books by Mick Inkpen are fab for this age group. I know some of them by heart.

[mamabluestar]

Some great suggestions, many of which my children have enjoyed over the years.
I'd add The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Guess How Much I Love You

[Chilledout11]

I would recommend You Choose. It's just amazing. Great for vocabulary and my children love it. It was recommended to me on mumsnet and we have used it so much.

Agree with the usbourne books (look inside).

[Sjl479]

Jolly Christmas postman is fantastic, full of letters and presents to open. My dd still loves it aged 5

[escapade1234]

Mine love You Choose as well. It drives me mad - not a bedtime book as it promotes so much bloody conversation!!

[runwithme]

Hairy Mclairy, definitely!