Books to cuddle up and share

Reading a book together with your toddler is great for their development. Cuddle up together to enjoy some of our favourite stories to share.

  • The Bedtime Bear

    by Ian Whybrow, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2020 2 to 7 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Join Bedtime Bear as he journeys to a variety of places on his way to bed, in this superb lift-the-flap book for young children. 

  • Elmer and the Lost Teddy

    by David McKee 

    2008 0 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    In this republication of a 1999 title, McKee shows young readers that we each have special things which nobody else loves quite as we do.

  • Goodnight Moon

    by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Herd 

    2012 0 to 4 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Margaret Wise Brown’s comforting, rhythmical text makes Goodnight Moon a timeless picture book, which is known and loved around the world. This gentle bedtime story, which has lulled generations of children to sleep, is the perfect first book to share at bedtime.

  • Mockingbird Song

    by Carol Thompson 

    2012 0 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Classics
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A beautiful retelling of the classic lullaby.

  • I Really Really Love You So

    by Karl Newson, illustrated by Duncan Beedie 

    2023 2 to 4 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Can Bush Baby find the best way to show love? A delightfully funny book that avoids cliché and sickly sentiment – but will certainly end with a hug!

  • Just Because

    by Rebecca Elliott 

    2010 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability

    This uplifting book focuses on a sibling relationship, as a little boy affectionately describes his older sister

  • Dare We Be Dragons?

    by Barry Falls 

    2023 4 to 7 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Picture books

    A dad is putting his young daughter to bed, and as he tucks her in, they both start to imagine all of the adventures they could have together the next day. They could be dragons, or walk with giants in the woods, or fly to the moon and then swim with huge whales in the oceans. There are so many adventures that Dad and his little girl can have together – and, when she grows up, and Dad gets older, they can still have adventures together too.

  • Trains, Boats and Planes

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Jez Tuya 

    2023 4 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Transport and dogs come together in this bright, joyful picture book which follows a train, boat and plane over the course of a busy day.