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Great picture books to perform

Handa's Surprise

Getting children to perform the stories of their favourite picture books can be a fantastic way to help them engage with the lessons within them.

Recommended by former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson, these picture books are great for using as the basis for drama performances in and out of the classroom.

  • The Elephant and the Bad Baby

    The Elephant and the Bad Baby

    Author: Elfrida Vipont Illustrator: Raymond Briggs
    Publisher: Puffin

    One day, an elephant offers a baby a ride through the town, and the set off on a great adventure.

  • Dogger

    Dogger

    Author: Shirley Hughes
    Publisher: Random House

    When Dave loses his favourite toy, Dogger, he is desolate.

  • Handa's Surprise

    Handa's Surprise

    Author: Eileen Browne
    Publisher: Walker Books

    Glorious images of an African village convey the sights, smells and colours of the landscape, its animals and its food in a story told as much through pictures as through words.

  • Farmer Duck

    Farmer Duck

    Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
    Publisher: Walker Books

    There once was a lazy farmer who spent his days in bed eating chocolate while his duck did all the hard work around the farm.

  • Tyrannosaurus Drip

    Tyrannosaurus Drip

    Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: David Roberts
    Publisher: Pan Macmillan

    A duckbill dinosaur egg is mistakenly hatched by a fierce, war-loving Tyrannosaurus family.

  • Mr Wolf's Pancakes

    Mr Wolf's Pancakes

    Author: Jan Fearnley
    Publisher: Egmont

    Mr Wolf wants to make pancakes but is unable to read the recipe book, write the names of the ingredients or count the money to buy them. Will his neighbours help?

  • I'm the Best

    I'm the Best

    Author: Lucy Cousins
    Publisher: Walker Books

    Dog’s friends become dejected by his boastfulness, before realising that they all have things they do well too.

  • We're Going on a Bear Hunt

    We're Going on a Bear Hunt

    Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
    Publisher: Walker Books

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

  • One Ted Falls Out of Bed

    One Ted Falls Out of Bed

    Author: Julia Donaldson and Anna Currey
    Publisher: Macmillan

    This book is brilliant for bedtime, and the rhyming story is fun to read.

  • The Magic Paintbrush

    The Magic Paintbrush

    Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Joel Stewart
    Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

    When Shen is given a magic paintbrush, she promises only to use it for the good of the poor. But how will she avoid painting for the greedy emperor?

  • Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Author: Maurice Sendak
    Publisher: Red Fox

    First published in 1963, this classic picture book will fascinate both children and adults, evoking the fierce intensity of childhood