Julia Donaldson's favourite picture books to share

When Waterstones asked Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson to choose her favourite picture books to share for a special promotion across all Waterstones' stores, these are the books she selected

Mad About Minibeasts!

by Giles Andreae

Orchard Books

These simple, cheerful and humorous rhymes about all the familiar insects you might encounter in your garden are great fun to read together

Read about 'Mad About Minibeasts!'
Handa's Surprise

by Eileen Browne

Walker Books

Glorious images of an African village convey the sights, smells and colours of the landscape, its animals and its food in a story told as much through pictures as through words.

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The Snorgh and the Sailor

by Will Buckingham

Alison Green Books

This thought-provoking, poignant and humorous story about loneliness, friendship and the power of storytelling will delight young readers.

Read about 'The Snorgh and the Sailor'
Otto the Book Bear

by Katie Cleminson

Jonathan Cape Children's Books

A charming celebration of books and reading

Read about 'Otto the Book Bear'
The Day Louis Got Eaten

by John Fardell

Andersen Press

Fardell creates a variation on the Old Woman who swallowed a fly in this hilarious adventure

Read about 'The Day Louis Got Eaten'
Dogger

by Shirley Hughes

Red Fox

A heart-warming story, ideal to share with children of different ages

Read about 'Dogger'
Dogs Don't Do Ballet

by Anna Kemp

Simon and Schuster Children's Books

Everyone knows that dogs don’t do ballet, except for one little girl in Miss Polly’s ballet class.

Read about 'Dogs Don't Do Ballet'
Frog and Toad Are Friends

by Arnold Lobel

HarperCollins Children's Books

Arnold Lobel's classic characters Frog and Toad return in this recently republished collection of five favourite stories.

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Six Dinner Sid: A Highland Adventure

by Inga Moore

Hodder

Readers are subtly reminded of the responsibilities of pet ownership, and then introduced to a variety of upland wildlife, from wildcat to golden eagle.

Read about 'Six Dinner Sid: A Highland Adventure'