BookTrust Storytime Prize: previously shortlisted 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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

A delightful rhyming treat for little ones to count along to. 

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 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. 

Help Suki zoom to the moon by pushing and pulling the sliders. Interactive and with charming illustrations, this would be perfect for sharing with toddlers. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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, 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.

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,” 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. 

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.

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.

Can a wolf really be a superhero, especially if everyone seems to be scared of them? 

Scuttle, swim, wiggle and jiggle in this delightful seaside rhyming story that will get children reading and moving along!

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.

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

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 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. 

Tiger has never seen snow before and is excited to go out and play. But Mei isn’t sure… at first. A funny and charming story about adventure and friendship.