Summer books for babies and toddlers

It is an exciting day. Zeki loves the water and today Dad’s taking him to his baby swimming class. Bright and colourful, this picture book for the very young is an utter delight, with a naturally diverse and subtly inclusive cast of characters.

This special edition for BookTrust includes Nick Sharratt’s brilliant, bright, accessible and diverse illustrations and a rhyming text from Sally Symes. This is a joyful book to share with little ones, and lots of fun can be had with the ​‘finger wiggle’ element. 

A wiggly, slippery fish, a knobbly spiny starfish and swaying rubbery seaweed are just a few interesting words to listen to and shapes to look at in this seaside-inspired book for babies.

Child’s Play continue to build on their range of truly inclusive and accessible books with this sensory gem. Off to the Beach! takes us on a tactile trip to the seaside.

An ideal book for sharing – babies will love imitating the sounds in the text and pointing out details in the illustrations.

Pip and Posy have a squabble over who can ride a scooter. A sweet story for preschoolers.

A lovely addition to any little person’s blossoming bookshelf, this is a great way to learn about our country’s wildlife and the illustrations are a treat for tiny art lovers. Be warned though, you’ll want to collect the entire set from Nosy Crow and the National Trust!

A super cute book about going to the park, designed to encourage children to put simple words together. 

Kiki and Bobo have decided to go to the seaside for the day. A lovely book with bright, welcoming illustrations and clever lift-the-flaps. The perfect read for holidays.