BookTrust Storytime Prize: previously shortlisted books

If you’ve read the current BookTrust Storytime Prize shortlist, do try these fantastic books next. The BookTrust Storytime programme is designed to support libraries to inspire families with children aged 0–5 to share stories together and make visiting their local library part of everyday life.

  • Zoom: Farm Adventure

    by Susan Hayes and Aviel Basil 

    2021 0 to 4 years 

    • Board books

    Every young child will adore joining in with Bo and his duck for a day’s adventure at the farm, as they round up animals, pick fruit, harvest corn, and comfort a farm cat who’s just had kittens. A brilliant and absorbing gateway to longer picture books that will help build up attention span. 

  • Can You Tickle a Tiger?

    by Bobbie Brooks, illustrated by Carrie Hennon 

    2021 0 to 4 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive
    • Touch and feel books

    A playful and brightly coloured board book featuring some of the best jungle animals, with fun felt trails to follow with your finger.

  • If All the World Were

    by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys 

    2018 0 to 7 years 

    This beautiful story tells the love that one little girl has for her ageing grandad. One day he isn’t there anymore, but the little girl finds evidence of their happy times together. A touching, sensitive text that doesn’t dwell on the sadness and could bring real comfort.

  • The Horse That Jumped

    by Thomas Docherty 

    2021 0 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    A lyrical picture book about always making time for adventures and the importance of friendship.

  • Look Out! Hungry Snake: A hide-and-seek flap book

    by Paul Delaney 

    2024 0 to 2 years 

    • Board books
    • Interactive

    This lovely lift-the-flap book – with good, thick pages and flaps– is colourful and playful, and introduces little ones to a selection of animals and their noises or actions.

  • 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.

  • The Duck Who Didn’t Like Water

    by Steve Small 

    2021 0 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Duck doesn’t like water – but one day he meets Frog, who loves it! An adorable picture book about making friends in the most unlikely of places.

  • The Whales on the Bus

    by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Nick Sharratt 

    2021 0 to 4 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Most of us might know the nursery rhyme The Wheels on the Bus, but what if there were two whales in a double decker, driven by a goldfish? Or a tiger in a glider – or a sheep in a jeep? A hilarious and gorgeously illustrated update on the best-loved nursery rhyme.

  • 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.

  • No! said Rabbit

    by Marjoke Henrichs 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    No matter whether it’s time for breakfast, time to get dressed, or a lovely day to go and play – Rabbit’s answer is NO! Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as parents of little ones who have just discovered no” and like to use it at every opportunity. 

  • Ten Little Ducklings

    by Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Aki 

    2024 2 to 4 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A delightful and interactive rhyming book for little ones which uses the Ten Little Ducklings rhyme, but invents a variety of exciting adventures for the ducklings instead, asking readers to play hide and seek with the adorable little ducks. 

  • I Really Really Need A Wee

    by Karl Newson, illustrated by Duncan Beedie 

    2021 2 to 4 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Whilst she’s out and about, little Bush Baby suddenly really, REALLY needs a wee! A funny book that relates the universal experience of needing a wee and not being able to find anywhere to go, I Really Really Need a Wee reminds readers of the importance of going before you leave the house.

  • 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.

  • Benjamin Zephaniah’s Nature Trail

    by Benjamin Zephaniah, illustrated by Nila Aye 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Adventure
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This joyful poem within a picture book pays tribute to all the treats that nature has to offer. Packed with animals and minibeasts galore, this fun, imaginative book is perfect for reading aloud. 

  • Just Breathe, Bear

    by Christianne Jones, illustrated by Oriol Vidal 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    Bear has a lot of feelings and he knows a useful trick to help release them. Simple and effective, this is a charming picture book.

  • Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Jez Tuya 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This colourful picture book features a fabulous array of vehicles, from a forklift truck to a cement mixer, all of which are driven by dogs. An entertaining book with enduring appeal.

  • 1, 2, 3, Do the Dinosaur

    by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw 

    2020 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Tom has his dino costume on and he’s ready to do a dino dance through the jungle with his friends! This is a joyous reading experience that little ones (and big ones) won’t be able to resist joining in with, and perfect for reading aloud.

  • I am Happy

    by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Robert Starling 

    2023 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This puppy is so happy, it feels like laughing out loud and even climbing on a cloud! Simple rhyming text encourages readers to explore their own emotions – and celebrate them.

  • Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep

    by Catherine Rayner 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    A perfect bedtime book, Arlo, The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep is tenderly illustrated in watercolour as always by Rayner, giving readers gentle pages to fall into and inspire soft, reassuring dreams.

  • The Perfect Present

    by Petr Horacek 

    2022 2 to 4 years 

    • Picture books

    Tom and Mot give each other brilliant presents, but what would be the best present of all? A heart-warming picture book about the power of imagination and friendship.

  • Go, Go, Pirate Boat

    by Katrina Charman, illustrated by Nick Sharratt 

    2019 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    A bold and witty pirate picture book, illustrated by the masterful Nick Sharratt, designed to be sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Preschoolers will love learning everything there is to know about pirates!

  • Cake

    by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet 

    2018 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Cake is delighted when he receives his first ever party invitation. But will being a cake at a birthday party really end well…? Lots of humour and vibrant illustrations will have children giggling in anticipation as they wait to discover Cake’s fate.

  • Amazing

    by Steve Antony 

    2019 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability
    • Mobility/​wheelchair

    A delightful story about a little boy and his amazing pet dragon. It’s a rare and perfect example of completely incidental inclusion when it comes to disability – and the themes of friendship and being yourself will appeal to every child.

  • Lenny and Wilbur

    by Ken Wilson-Max 

    2019 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Lenny and Wilbur, are the best of friends. This illustration-led picture book about the special bond between one boy and his dog is bright, bold and culturally diverse. Join them for a fun-packed day of activities that will be familiar to many preschoolers.

  • My Hair

    by Hannah Lee, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan 

    2019 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This joyful celebration of black hair demonstrates a range of styles and will inspire children to experiment with their own look.

  • I Am A Tiger

    by Karl Newson, illustrated by Ross Collins 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    I am a tiger,” declares the main character of this story – although anyone looking at the pictures would probably say they are actually a mouse! With its simple text and bold illustrations, this is a lovely book to read aloud which subtly raises the concept of labels and how they are applied. 

  • Octopus Shocktopus!

    by Peter Bently, illustrated by Steven Lenton 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    One day, a huge pink octopus appears on the roof of a young family’s house, and despite the fire brigade’s best efforts, it seems that it’s there to stay! Peter Bently’s wonderfully crafted rhyming story is brilliant to read aloud.

  • B is for Baby

    by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank 

    2019 2 to 7 years 

    • Around the world

    Atinuke’s text is a series of simple B is for…’ phrases, that take us on a journey through the African landscape. A clever and unusual book, with beautiful illustrations and a fun story that little children will delight in following.

  • Are You a Monster?

    by Guilherme Karsten 

    2023 4 to 7 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.

  • Into the Wild

    by Thomas Docherty 

    2023 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    Joe loves wild animals and nature, but he lives in the city where it feels like there is no wildness to be found.

  • 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.

  • 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.