Best books for 5-year-olds

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

It’s night-time in the supermarket and all is quiet and still. But wait. Something has escaped from the freezer, something with evil plans. This little escapee (or escapea?) wants to cause chaos. Can Supertato save the day? A hilarious and anarchic story with truly brilliant characters – one that you’ll be asked to read again and again.

Little crocodile doesn’t like water. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s embarrassing.

This genuinely hilarious book is brilliantly simple, based on the idea that the author-illustrator can only draw very childlike worms. Highly recommended.

Leonard is a gentle lion: just because you’re a lion doesn’t mean that you have to roar. A book about ignoring the aggressive voices in our society and lending an ear to our quieter thoughts, this is a warm and reassuring story. 

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

Everything in this sausagey counting book works perfectly: from the big, bold illustration to the satisfying rhyme that works well for preschoolers. It will also entertain adults and older children, who will really get the silly humour.

Norman the bear loves honey, so he thinks up an ingenious plan to get his paws on as much as he can eat – by enrolling at Bee School! An endearing tale about friendship and loyalty.

When assistant Houdini accidentally transforms Monsieur Lapin into a rabbit, he is determined that the show must go on. This delightful tale about working together and helping your friends is full of warmth and humour.

This is a story about a little monster called… Nibbles. And with that, he nibbles his way right out of the book! This really exciting reading experience is sure to be a hit with the whole family. 

Powerful illustrations underline this captivating tale of loyalty and bravery.