Books to promote speech and language development

Introducing children to language in a fun way

Books and reading play an important part in a child’s speech and language journey. The following titles use rhyme, repeated refrains, interactivity, humour and everyday vocabulary to introduce children to language in a fun way.

  • Roarr!

    by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Ailie Busby 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Touch and feel books

    Experience excitement of the jungle as wildlife is brought to life by an interactive slider and animal sounds.

  • Britannica’s 150 First Words

    by Claire Laties Davis, illustrated by Kasia Dudziuk 

    2021 0 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Non-fiction

    With a useful and approachable foreword from Claire Laties Davis, a Speech and Language Therapist, this terrific large board book models early words and short phrases that are great to use with your child from waking to bedtime.

  • Whisper Shout Let It Out

    by Madhvi Ramani, illustrated by Anuska Allepuz 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A bold, celebratory book all about children finding their inner voice. Join a group of friends as they experiment with the sounds they can make in this uplifting and energetic story.

  • Bear’s Wash Day

    by Nicola Kent 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    Can you help Bear do the washing by lifting the flaps and turning the wheels? Lots of interactive fun for babies and toddlers, which will improve their fine motor skills.  

  • Old Macdonald Had a Farm

    by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Jill Howarth 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Young children will love singing along to the familiar nursery rhyme Old Macdonald while learning to count to five in this delightful, interactive board book.  

  • Wow! What a Day!

    illustrated by Alberta Torres 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Board books

    Follow one toddler’s lively account of their busy day in this charmingly playful and inclusive board book about daily routines for pre-schoolers.

  • Dear Zoo

    by Rod Campbell 

    1982 0 to 6 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.

  • Hen in the Bed: A funny split-page counting book

    by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This charming version of the classic counting song Ten in the Bed” features a cast of adorable animals all doing the bidding of the rather bossy hen, who realises right at the last minute that maybe she doesn’t want the bed to herself at all… 

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    by Eric Carle 

    1994 2 to 6 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.

  • Can You Choo Choo Like a Train?

    illustrated by Cocoretto 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    This delightful little board book invites children to replicate the sounds made by their favourite vehicles. Vibrant, simplistic illustrations combine with repetitive phrases, making it ideal to encourage early language development.  

  • Zeki Rise and Shine

    by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    Rise and shine, it’s time to wake up for little Zeki. Follow little Zeki as he gets ready with Mummy and Daddy for a morning of fun and adventure.

  • Quiet!

    by Kip Alizadeh 

    2017 2 to 9 years 

    • Visual impairment

    A small child takes us on an auditory tour of her home in this delightful picture of family life, ingeniously interpreted through its sounds. It’s a book that radiates comfort, security, warmth and love.

  • We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

    by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury 

    2015 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Follow a father and his family as they go out in search of a bear.

  • Oi Frog!

    by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field 

    2015 2 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Bright, bold, expressive illustrations add to the fun in this hilarious picture book with a knockout ending.

  • Holey Moley

    by Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Anders Frang 

    2024 6 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Moles live in holes, right? This funny book plays with rhyme as Gus the Goat tries to guess where his friend Mavis Mole lives.  

  • A Squash and a Squeeze

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2011 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    An anxious little old lady has a house that is just too small – but when she asks a wise old man for help, he suggests a rather strange solution to her problems.

  • Are You a Monster?

    2023 4 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    Are you a monster? No? Well, can you make a big loud noise? Oh no…! A wonderfully fun and brilliantly interactive picture book for all ages.

  • Smelly Peggy

    by Helen Stephens 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    This delightful picture book about Peggy, a lovable, mischievous and sometimes smelly rescue dog, is full of warmth and gentle humour, and perfectly captures the joys of living with a beloved canine friend.  

  • Monsters at School

    by Laura Baker, illustrated by Nina Dzyvulska 

    2024 4 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Join a colourful array of monsters as they head to school for a fun-filled day, in this energetic rhyming picture book.  

  • Du Iz Tak?

    by Carson Ellis 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A seed is sown in the ground next to a log and grows into a beautiful plant, much to the surprise of some rather stylish insect creatures. The two great joys of this book are the vibrant and quirky illustrations, and the humorous invented bug language.

  • The Thunk

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Deborah Allwright 

    2023 4 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This is a fabulously funny picture book by the author of Ten Fat Sausages, brimming full of Michelle Robinson’s trademark silly humour.