The best books featuring bears for toddlers and pre-schoolers

This rhyming story is very simply and effectively told with a balance of straightforward language and some stretch words and fun describing words.

Emily Gravett’s colourful yet sparse illustrations cleverly depict a bumbling bear interacting in many different and imaginative ways with the fruit mentioned in the title.

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.  

An all-time favourite that introduces different colours through simple text, presented in a satisfyingly repetitive pattern.

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.

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

Douglas, a young brown bear, wakes up one spring needing a big hug. A large round rock is too heavy and a tall tree doesn’t feel right, especially the splinters.

Ben Bailey Smith (aka ​“Doc Brown”) and Sav Akyüz team up again to deliver this hilariously funny sequel to I Am Bear. Its energetic and colourful illustrations and superb rhythmic text will keep readers in stitches from start to finish.

Little Bear just can’t get to sleep because he is afraid of the dark. A timeless classic that will soothe children’s fears.

A bear’s piano playing makes him a huge star, but he misses the friends and family he has left behind. A moving tale of exploration and belonging from an exciting debut author-illustrator.

A bear sets out in search of his hat – he loves his hat and he wants it back

Bear wants to play on his sledge, but he’s stuck. His animal pals offer to help buy pushing and pulling but it’s no use. A fantastic introduction to the concept of forces.

Bear and Squirrel are best friends – but Squirrel feels like she needs a bit of space of her own. This adorable rhyming book about the ups and downs of friendship is pitched perfectly for 3–5 year olds who may be negotiating new friendships.

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