Best Books for 0-5 years

Winnie-the-Pooh

Author: A A Milne Illustrator: E H Shepard

Interest level: 4+

Reading age: 7+

No child's library could be complete without A A Milne's stories about Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends in the Hundred Ac…

The Story of Ferdinand

Author: Munro Leaf Illustrator: Robert Lawson

Interest level: 4-5

Reading age:

Ferdinand the bull doesn't want to butt heads or fight the Matador - he just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. Munro Lea…

Harry the Dirty Dog

Author: Gene Zion Illustrator: Margaret Bloy Graham

Interest level: 3-5

Reading age:

It's bathtime for Harry the dog - but he hides his brush and runs away on an adventure! But he gets very, very mucky in the proces…

Green Eggs and Ham

Author: Dr Seuss

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

In Dr Seuss' rhyming classic, Sam-I-Am’s decided he’s going to invite his friend to try a very unusual dish: green eggs and ham! B…

The Snowy Day

Author: Ezra Jack Keats

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

When Peter wakes up one winter morning to find the world has turned white, he can’t wait to put on his snowsuit and get out into t…

Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Interest level: 4-8

Reading age:

Max is being naughty, and his mother sends him to bed without dinner, calling him a "wild thing." As Max sits in his fury, a boat …

Elmer

Author: David McKee

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

The first book in David McKee’s iconic series about a friendly, fun elephant and his adventures, Elmer is a true ambassador of inc…

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Author: Judith Kerr

Interest level: 2+

Reading age: 6+

Sophie and her Mummy are having tea in the kitchen when in walks a hungry tiger who asks to stay to tea.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

Little fingers will love to follow the very hungry caterpillar as he munches his way through the pages of this classic, colourful,…

Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

Author: Michael Foreman

Interest level: 4-5

Reading age:

When a rich and powerful man decides he wants to visit the stars, he stops at nothing to build a rocket that will take him there. …

Dogger

Author: Shirley Hughes

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

Dogger is Dave's special toy. So when Dogger gets lost at the funfair, Dave is desolate. Will they find each other again? Explorin…

Through the Magic Mirror

Author: Anthony Browne

Interest level: 6+

Reading age: 7+

Toby is fed up and doesn't feel like doing anything. So imagine his amazement when a whole new world opens right in front of his e…

Would You Rather…

Author: John Burningham

Interest level: 3-6

Reading age: 5-7

A classic for children, Would You Rather... presents an alternative to a traditional story by imagining a mixture of fan…

Haunted House

Author: Jan Pieńkowski

Interest level: 3+

Reading age: 5+

Enjoy a tour of this spooky old house where a spine-tingling surprise lurks in every dark corner.

Peepo!

Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg

Interest level: 0-3

Reading age:

• Much-loved picture book classic that delights babies, toddlers and their parents.

• Look through the holes to spot details from t…

Dear Zoo

Author: Rod Campbell

Interest level: 2+

Reading age:

This appealing story, in lift-the-flap, board-book format has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published in …

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy

Author: Lynley Dodd

Interest level: 2+

Reading age: 6+

This hilarious rhyming story follows Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, as he sets off for a walk in town

I Want My Potty!

Author: Tony Ross

Interest level: 2+

Reading age: 5+

The Little Princess hates nappies, and thinks there must be something better. This is classic picture book entertainment, which wi…

Five Minutes Peace

Author: Jill Murphy

Interest level: 4-5

Reading age:

Mrs Large the elephant just wants five minutes of peace away from her three boisterous children... but that proves to be a bit of …

So Much

Author: Trish Cooke Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age: 5+

One by one, family members drop by on a mum and her tot – all wanting to squeeze, kiss and give undivided attention to the baby.&n…

Me and My Cat?

Author: Satoshi Kitamura

Interest level: 5+

Reading age: 6+

A witch casts a spell on Nicholas and he wakes up to discover he has turned into Leonardo, his pet cat.

The Gruffalo

Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Axel Scheffler

Interest level: 1-5

Reading age:

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

I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato

Author: Lauren Child

Interest level: 4+

Reading age: 5+

Charlie tricks his younger sister, Lola - an extremely fussy eater - into eating all her least favourite foods.

Mr Big

Author: Ed Vere

Interest level: 3-5

Reading age:

With its gruff hero, vibrant, strong colours, bold design and spare text, this story about looking beyond appearances has a satisf…

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury

Interest level: 0-3

Reading age:

With beautiful illustrations of babies born all over the world and gentle rhyming text, this charming book is perfect for sharing …

I Want My Hat Back

Author: Jon Klassen

Interest level: 4-6

Reading age:

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

The Day the Crayons Quit

Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers

Interest level: 3+

Reading age: 7+

Award-winning illustrator and artist Oliver Jeffers has teamed up with film writer and director Drew Daywalt to create this gorgeo…

A Great Big Cuddle

Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Chris Riddell

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

Beautifully illustrated poems for young children by two Children's Laureates

Billy and the Beast

Author: Nadia Shireen

Interest level: 4-6

Reading age: 6+

Billy and her friend Fatcat are enjoying a walk in the woods when they notice that the bunnies and mice have gone missing – a…

Cyril and Pat

Author: Emily Gravett

Interest level: 4-7

Reading age: 6+

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…

Dave and the Tooth Fairy

Author: Verna Wilkins Illustrator: Carl Pearce

Interest level: 4-8

Reading age: 5+

Dave is thrilled when he finally gets his first wobbly tooth although, despite much wiggling and waggling, it seems reluctant to c…

Julian is a Mermaid

Author: Jessica Love

Interest level: 4-7

Reading age: 6+

When Julian spots three women in lavish mermaid costumes, it fires his imagination and all he can think about is becoming a mermai…

Clean Up!

Author: Nathan Bryon Illustrator: Dapo Adeola

Interest level: 4-8

Reading age:

Rocket loves visiting her Grammy and Grampy in the Caribbean, especially splashing in the waves with her cool surfing Grammy - but…

Uncle Bobby's Wedding

Author: Sarah S Brannen & Lucia Soto

Interest level: 4-7

Reading age:

This huggable treat of a book is a gorgeous and heartfelt celebration of weddings, as Chloe learns that just because her Uncle Bob…

What Happened To You?

Author: James Catchpole Illustrator: Karen George

Interest level: 4-8

Reading age:

Joe just wants to play pirates, but the other children notice that he only has one leg and start asking him a barrage of questions…