Great Books Guide 2018: for 4 to 5 year olds
Here's a round-up of new children's books from the last year (2018), which we think any child aged 4 to 5 will love. We definitely do!
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A Dog With Nice Ears
Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: HachetteIt’s always a delight and a comfort to step into the lovely world of Charlie and Lola and this charming, warm and very funny book is no exception. Lauren Child captures perfectly the thought processes and dialogue of children who wish they had a dog.
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Billy and the Beast
Author: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: PuffinBilly and her friend Fatcat are enjoying a walk in the woods when they notice that the bunnies and mice have gone missing – and a hungry Beast is collecting ingredients for a terrible soup. An empowering story, full of humour and humanity.
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Cake
Author: Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
Publisher: MacmillanCake is delighted when he receives his first ever party invitation. But will being a cake at a birthday party really end well…? Lots of humour and vibrant illustrations will have children giggling in anticipation as they wait to discover Cake’s fate.
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Creature Features
Author: Natasha Durley
Publisher: Big Picture PressThis large format book about nature features tough card pages full of brightly illustrated animals, organised by their special features: excellent for young readers building their vocabulary and learning about the natural world.
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Cyril and Pat
Author: Emily Gravett
Publisher: Two HootsCyril 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 he seems. A colourful, rhyming story about friendship against the odds.
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Gary’s Banana Drama
Author: Jane Massey
Publisher: Simon & SchusterWhen Gary the gorilla runs out of bananas he is forced to go out and find more but although he sees bananas everywhere, he can’t eat a single one of them! Hilarious and packed with visual puns.
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Going to the Volcano
Author: Andy Stanton Illustrator: Miguel Ordonez
Publisher: Hodder Children’s BooksDwayne is heading off with Jane to look at the volcano. But when they get there, they have a bit of a shock! This hilarious and anarchic picture book from the author of the Mr Gum series is ideal for reading aloud.
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Hello, Hot Dog!
Author: Lily Murray Illustrator: Jarvis
Publisher: Lincoln Children’s BooksHot Dog is having a lovely snooze on a comfy bread roll when he sees a bottle of ketchup approaching and realises he’s about to become… LUNCH! A quirky tale told in a delightful conversational style, which is full of humour and mild jeopardy.
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How To Be A Lion
Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: PuffinLeonard 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.
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Julian is a Mermaid
Author: Jessica Love
Publisher: Walker BooksWhen Julian spots three women in lavish mermaid costumes, it fires his imagination and all he can think about is becoming a mermaid himself – with a little help from his nana’s soft furnishings.
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Juniper Jupiter
Author: Lizzy Stewart
Publisher: Lincoln Children’s BooksJuniper Jupiter is a real-life superhero, but something is missing. What is a hero without an amazing sidekick? An utterly witty and earnest story about the quest for friendship and realising special bonds already forged.
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Luna Loves Library Day
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers
Publisher: Anderson PressFrom the talented poet Joseph Coelho, this charming picture book highlights the wonders of libraries for families and communities. Accompanying the poetic text is gloriously bright and delightful illustrations to bring the magic of the library to life.
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Mixed
Author: Arree Chung
Publisher: Macmillan Children's BooksA funny, vibrantly illustrated, allegorical tale that celebrates individual differences and talents and has an inspiring message about understanding and acceptance.
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Planet Awesome!
Author: Stacy McAnulty Illustrator: David Litchfield
Publisher: Faber & FaberA humorous, fabulously entertaining and lavishly illustrated introduction to astronomy, geology, natural history and ecology from the point of view of planet Earth herself.
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Simon Sock
Author: Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet Illustrator: Nick East
Publisher: Hodder Children's BooksAll the socks in the draw have pairs except for Simon Sock - he's all alone. He's odd. But when there's a voice from under the chest of drawers, will he be about to meet his perfect match? A bright and sweet book about relationships.
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Ten Fat Sausages
Author: Michelle Robinson Illustrator: Tor Freeman
Publisher: Andersen PressEverything 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.
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The Last Wolf
Author: Mini Grey
Publisher: Jonathan CapeThe Last Wolf ranks alongside Mini Grey’s other picture book masterpieces, with all her trademark rich, characterful illustration, quirky humour and perfect pacing. The story has an environmental message but is in no way preachy or boring.
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The New Neighbours
Author: Sarah McIntyre
Publisher: David Fickling BooksSarah McIntyre returns to Pickle Rye, the setting for her comic Vern and Lettuce, in this clever book about tolerance and not believing gossip. Readers will love her customary attention to detail, as well as the message about being a good neighbour.
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Valdemar's Peas
Author: Maria Jönsson
Publisher: Gecko PressA cheeky and ingenious little wolf must find a way to get the ice cream he loves without having to eat the peas he hates.
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Katinka’s Tail
Author: Judith Kerr
Publisher: HarperCollinsKatinka is an ordinary and lovely white pussycat – apart from her tail, which is stripy. This is a beautiful, funny, warm and tender picture book, which takes a joyous and magical twist at the end. Fans of Judith Kerr’s Mog books will love it, of course...
