Suggested reading for Reception: Autumn term

The first term of Reception is a key period as children begin their educational journeys, and books play a vital role.

By providing wellbeing and social benefits, sparking creativity and imagination, demonstrating new vocabulary, teaching emotional literacy, highlighting language and rhyme, and motivating children to become independent readers; the following mix of timeless classics and brilliant new books introduce children to the magic of stories and are perfect for the Autumn term.

  • The Gruffalo

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    1999 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

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

  • Press Here

    by Hervé Tullet 

    2011 2 to 9 years 

    • Interactive

    An ingenious picture book that uses the power of the imagination to create a fun interactive experience for children aged two upwards

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar

    by Eric Carle 

    1994 2 to 7 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.

  • 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.

  • Ruby’s Worry

    by Tom Percival 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry – and it won’t stop growing. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again? A very beautiful, sensitive look at anxiety and how a problem shared is a problem halved. 

  • Oi Frog!

    by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field 

    2015 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

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

  • The Best Diwali Ever

    by Sonali Shah, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat 

    2021 2 to 9 years 

    Ariana is super excited for Diwali – she’s looking forward to yummy sweets, playing with her cousins, and wearing a lovely outfit – and staying up late to watch fireworks, of course! A gorgeous and relatable book. 

  • The Colour Monster

    by Anna Llenas 

    2016 2 to 9 years 

    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    An original and entertaining picture book using colour, collage-effect illustrations and a delightfully cute monster to help youngsters identify and understand different emotions.

  • Owl Babies

    by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson 

    1994 2 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    This reassuring and stunningly illustrated book tackles the subject of temporary separation – a situation which all children are likely to experience, be it Mum going to work or first day at Nursery.

  • Invisible Dogs

    by Ruby Wright 

    5 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Funny

    Ida is nervous about life at her new school until her grandpa encourages her to imagine a pair of invisible dogs which help her feel more confident in the playground. 

  • The Biggest Dog in the Book

    by Ben Lerwill, illustrated by Mark Chambers 

    2025 3 to 5 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Agnes the Chihuahua isn’t the biggest dog in the book. Neither’s Magnus the dachshund or Popcorn the beagle. So who is the biggest dog in the book? With repetitive text making it a joy to read aloud, this is very fun and sweet – even for cat lovers! 

  • The Tour at School

    by Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen 

    2025 2 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A child joins a new school and gets a whirlwind tour from a very confident pupil. Along the way, she realises that he doesn’t need a tour guide right now – he needs a friend. 

  • Usborne Lift-the-flap First Questions and Answers: Why do we need worms?

    by Katie Daynes, illustrated by Moesha Kellaway 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Board books
    • Non-fiction

    A fascinating guide to worms, their habitats and helpful habits in nature, with lift-the-flap features and adorable illustrations.

  • Stick Man

    by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    The award-winning creators of The Gruffalo now present us with a modern variation on a long-established folk tale theme, which details the perilous adventures of a stick.

  • Don’t Think of Tigers

    by Alex Latimer 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Interactive
    • Picture books

    The creator of this picture book offers to draw anything the reader wants on the next page… as long as it’s not a tiger. Unfortunately, if you try not to think about tigers, that’s all that pops into your mind. Funny, colourful and interactive, this story highlights the importance of perseverance.  

  • The Bear and the Hare and the Fair

    by Em Lynas, illustrated by Matt Hunt 

    2025 4 to 5 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    A lovely book about friendship, trying something new, and going out of your comfort zone. Full of rhyming, fun language.

  • Ava and the Acorn

    by Lu Fraser, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly 

    2024 5 to 9 years 

    Ava and her grandad share happy memories of an old oak tree in this heartfelt exploration of growth, change and loss told through the magic of seasonal changes. A beautiful picture book. 

  • The Jolly Christmas Postman

    by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg 

    2011 4 to 9 years 

    • Classics
    • Picture books

    Follow our favourite jolly postman as he delivers Christmas cards and gifts to fairytale folk