Great Books Guide: for children aged 0-3
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year (2019), which we think any baby or toddler aged 0-3 will love. We definitely do!
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Dump Truck Disco
Author: Skye Silver Illustrator: Christiane Engel
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 2-5
The stunning visuals in this lively picture book positively dance off the pages, and what youngster isn’t fascinated by diggers, dumper trucks, bulldozers and cranes? A singalong CD with a catchy tune and repeated chorus brings an extra element to the story.
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Lenny and Wilbur
Author: Ken Wilson-Max
Publisher: Alanna Max
Interest age: 3-5
Lenny and Wilbur, are the best of friends. This illustration-led picture book about the special bond between one boy and his dog is bright, bold and culturally diverse. Join them for a fun-packed day of activities that will be familiar to many preschoolers.
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Go, Go, Pirate Boat
Author: Katrina Charman Illustrator: Nick Sharratt
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 2-5
A bold and witty pirate picture book, illustrated by the masterful Nick Sharratt, designed to be sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Preschoolers will love learning everything there is to know about pirates!
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Hat Tricks
Author: Satoshi Kitamura
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 2-5
This super simple picture book is ideal for very young readers who like to learn their animals. Kitamura’s fun illustrations are big and bold and children will enjoy shouting ‘Abracadabra, katakurico! What’s in the hat?’
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Making Tracks: Farm
Author: Cocoretto
Publisher: Child’s Play
Interest age: 2-5
Colourful board book with flaps and die-cuts for little fingers to explore who, or what, makes tracks around the farm. With plenty of opportunities for adult-child interaction, this is a great book for sharing with the very young.
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My Name is Bear!
Author: Nicola Killen
Publisher: Egmont
Interest age: 3-5
Bear is very proud of his name, but that’s not a good reason to be rude about everyone else’s! Can Bear ever learn to be polite and kind? Beautifully formatted, wittily illustrated and absolutely hilarious.
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Amazing
Author: Steve Antony
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Interest age: 3-5
A delightful story about a little boy and his amazing pet dragon. It's a rare and perfect example of completely incidental inclusion when it comes to disability – and the themes of friendship and being yourself will appeal to every child.
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Happy to Be Me
Author: Emma Dodd
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 2-5
With simple rhyme and colourful artwork, this picture book celebrates every bit of the human body and reminds us that each and every body is different. Another success from the bestselling author-illustrator.
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Jump and Shout!
Author: Mike Dumbleton Illustrator: Peter Carnavas
Publisher: Catch a Star Books
Interest age: 2-4
Clap, cheer, we’re going out! Walk, run, jump and shout! A group of toddlers and little children go out to play at the park and have a fantastic day. After all that playing it’s no wonder everyone’s sleepy, so it’s time for cuddles and snuggles - and storytime.
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Nibbles Numbers
Author: Emma Yarlett
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 1-5
Nibbles, the book-eating monster, is munching his way through all the numbers in this first counting book which will entertain adults and children alike. Fun and interactive.
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Aalfred and Aalbert
Author: Morag Hood
Publisher: Two Hoots
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+Aalfred and Aalbert both need a friend but seem destined never to meet, until fate finally unites them. A unique voice and wryly humorous illustrations will leave you smiling at this wonderful tale of aardvarks, broccoli, string and friendship.
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First Explorers: Beautiful Birds
Author: Macmillan Publishers
Publisher: Campbell
Interest age: 2-5
Watch eggs hatch, geese take flight, ducklings swim and an emu charge across the grassland in this fabulous, interactive board book about birds from all over the world, which makes early learning fun!
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Meekoo and the Big Red Potty
Author: Camilla Reid Illustrator: Nicola Slater
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 4+A cute and thoughtfully produced book that is non-gender specific and will make the potty an approachable concept for even the most sensitive child. There are also interactive buttons!
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Who Is Afraid Of Little Wolf?
Author: Yayo Kawamura
Publisher: Prestel
Interest age: 2-5
Reading age: 5+No one will play with little wolf because they think he’s dangerous. Could a tiny bee and a game of hide-and-seek be enough to change their minds? An uncomplicated story for the very young with a message about friendship and overcoming prejudice.
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Hello, Orange Tiger
Author: Natalie Marshall
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 2-4
This rhyming board book has colourful, die-cut pages, which will introduce youngsters to animals, colour and habitats. Bright, vibrant and deceptively simple.
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Treacle Street: Marcel’s Parcels
Author: Kate Hindley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 1-3
Marcel the postman is a busy elephant indeed. He has parcels for everyone in his trolley and yet there’s one parcel left. Surprise! It’s a treat for our postman. A joyful and brilliantly illustrated book that will excite children as they peep inside the post.
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Woodland Sounds
Author: Sam Taplin Illustrator: Federica Iossa
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 1-3
Each brightly illustrated, textured page of Woodland Sounds carries a recording of a different sound from nature alongside a short explanatory text. A high-quality, sturdy toddler book.
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B is for Baby
Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Atinuke’s text is a series of simple ‘B is for…’ phrases, that take us on a journey through the African landscape. A clever and unusual book, with beautiful illustrations and a fun story that little children will delight in following.
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For All the Stars Across the Sky
Author: Karl Newson Illustrator: Chiaki Okada
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Luna the little bear is yawning. It’s time for bed but Luna wishes she could fly like a bird, swim like a fish and be small like a ladybird, so she and Mummy journey in their imaginations to amazing locations and magical meadows. This beautiful picture book has the feel of a classic - full of stars and dreams, and perfect for cosy bedtime moments.
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Joy
Author: Yasmeen Ismail Illustrator: Jenni Desmond
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 1-3
A joyful kitten chases his favourite toy around the house, and a parent is there to look after him when he takes a tumble downstairs. This warm, fun and funny book captures the ups and downs of happy toddler life in a reassuring way.
