100 Best Books 0-5

Take a look at our pick of the best books for 0–5 year olds from the last 100 years.

  • Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

    by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury 

    2011 0 to 4 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    With beautiful illustrations of babies born all over the world and gentle rhyming text, this charming book is perfect for sharing with little ones.

  • Peepo!

    by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg 

    2011 0 to 4 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme
  • The Gruffalo

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    1999 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    In this much-loved picture book, a little mouse walks through the woods and encounters a fox, an owl and a snake.

  • Dogger

    by Shirley Hughes 

    1977 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Dogger is Dave’s special toy. So when Dogger gets lost at the funfair, Dave is desolate. Will they find each other again? Exploring concepts of love, loss and kindness, this classic tale will be cherished by the entire family and will particularly appeal to any child who has a favourite toy.

  • Elmer

    by David McKee 

    1968 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    The first book in David McKee’s iconic series about a friendly, fun elephant and his adventures, Elmer is a true ambassador of inclusion, acceptance and celebrating difference. 

  • Green Eggs and Ham

    by Dr Seuss 

    1960 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    In Dr Seuss’ rhyming classic, Sam-I-Am’s decided he’s going to invite his friend to try a very unusual dish: green eggs and ham! But his friend is decidedly against the idea…

  • Dear Zoo

    by Rod Campbell 

    1982 0 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Classics
    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    This appealing story, in lift-the-flap, board-book format has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published in 1982.

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    by Eric Carle 

    1994 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful, interactive picture book.

  • A Great Big Cuddle

    by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Chris Riddell 

    2015 2 to 7 years 

    • Poetry and rhyme

    Beautifully illustrated poems for young children by two Children’s Laureates

  • The Tiger Who Came to Tea

    by Judith Kerr 

    1968 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea.

  • Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy

    by Lynley Dodd 

    1983 2 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town

  • I Want My Potty!

    by Tony Ross 

    2012 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    The Little Princess hates nappies, and thinks there must be something better. This is classic picture book entertainment, which will be especially appreciated by any children who are learning to love their potty!

  • The Snowy Day

    by Ezra Jack Keats 

    1962 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    When Peter wakes up one winter morning to find the world has turned white, he can’t wait to put on his snowsuit and get out into the snow.

  • So Much!

    by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury 

    2008 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    One by one, family members drop by on a mum and her tot – all wanting to squeeze, kiss and give undivided attention to the baby. An adorable picture book, which is high-spirited, vibrant and fun. 

  • Mr Big

    by Ed Vere 

    2008 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    With its gruff hero, vibrant, strong colours, bold design and spare text, this story about looking beyond appearances has a satisfying punchy simplicity and jazzy feel.

  • Harry the Dirty Dog

    by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham 

    1956 2 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    It’s bathtime for Harry the dog – but he hides his brush and runs away on an adventure! But he gets very, very mucky in the process – will his family recognise him when he comes home?

  • Would You Rather…

    by John Burningham 

    1978 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A classic for children, Would You Rather… presents an alternative to a traditional story by imagining a mixture of fantastical and real-life choices. It’s great for building confidence with little ones about making their own choices for their own reasons. 

  • The Day the Crayons Quit

    by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers 

    2013 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Award-winning illustrator and artist Oliver Jeffers has teamed up with film writer and director Drew Daywalt to create this gorgeously colourful picture book.

  • I Want My Hat Back

    by Jon Klassen 

    2011 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A bear sets out in search of his hat – he loves his hat and he wants it back

  • Where the Wild Things Are

    by Maurice Sendak 

    1963 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Classics
    • Fantasy
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Max is being naughty, and his mother sends him to bed without dinner, calling him a wild thing.” As Max sits in his fury, a boat appears, taking him to a world of monsters and wild things with big claws and teeth. A classic picture book and one of the first to explore a child’s feelings of anger.

  • Five Minutes Peace

    by Jill Murphy 

    1986 4 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Mrs Large the elephant just wants five minutes of peace away from her three boisterous children… but that proves to be a bit of a challenge! This funny, charmingly observed portrayal of family life is sure to resonate with parents and children alike.

  • Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

    by Michael Foreman 

    1972 4 to 7 years 

    • Adventure
    • Classics
    • Fantasy
    • Picture books

    When a rich and powerful man decides he wants to visit the stars, he stops at nothing to build a rocket that will take him there. When he blasts off, however, he wakes up the dinosaurs – who are horrified at all the rubbish he’s left on the planet.

  • Julian is a Mermaid

    by Jessica Love 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    When Julian spots three women in lavish mermaid costumes, it fires his imagination and all he can think about is becoming a mermaid himself – with a little help from his nana’s soft furnishings.

  • Uncle Bobby’s Wedding

    by Sarah S Brannen and Lucia Soto 

    2021 4 to 9 years 

    • Love and romance

    This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bobby is marrying his boyfriend, it doesn’t mean he’ll love her any less.

  • Dave and the Tooth Fairy

    by Verna Wilkins, illustrated by Carl Pearce 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Disability

    Dave is thrilled when he finally gets his first wobbly tooth although, despite much wiggling and waggling, it seems reluctant to come out. A marvellous book with broad appeal, with a wealth of thoughtful, humorous detail.

  • I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato

    by Lauren Child 

    2000 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Charlie tricks his younger sister, Lola – an extremely fussy eater – into eating all her least favourite foods.

  • Cyril and Pat

    by Emily Gravett 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Cyril the Squirrel is so lonely that, when he finally makes a friend, he doesn’t seem to notice that Pat” might not be quite what he seems. A colourful, rhyming story about friendship against the odds.

  • The Story of Ferdinand

    by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson 

    1936 4 to 7 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Ferdinand the bull doesn’t want to butt heads or fight the Matador – he just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. Munro Leaf’s gentle picture book about simply being yourself is just as poignant and powerful today as it has ever been.

  • Clean Up!

    by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola 

    2020 4 to 9 years 

    Rocket loves visiting her Grammy and Grampy in the Caribbean, especially splashing in the waves with her cool surfing Grammy – but when Rocket finds a baby turtle washed up on the shore, tangled in plastic, she decides something must be done. It’s time to clean up!

  • What Happened To You?

    by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George 

    2021 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability
    • Mobility/​wheelchair

    Joe just wants to play pirates, but the other children notice that he only has one leg and start asking him a barrage of questions. A stunningly clever book with a clear message that someone who happens to be disabled is not a teaching tool, with practical advice for parents on handling questions about this.

  • Billy and the Beast

    by Nadia Shireen 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Billy and her friend Fatcat are enjoying a walk in the woods when they notice that the bunnies and mice have gone missing – and a hungry Beast is collecting ingredients for a terrible soup. An empowering story, full of humour and humanity. 

  • Winnie-the-Pooh

    by A A Milne, illustrated by E H Shepard 

    1926 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Funny

    No child’s library could be complete without A A Milne’s stories about Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

  • Through the Magic Mirror

    by Anthony Browne 

    1977 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Toby is fed up and doesn’t feel like doing anything. So imagine his amazement when a whole new world opens right in front of his eyes…