100 Best Books 0-5

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

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

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.

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. 

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…

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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?

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. 

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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 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. 

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.

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…