Books about people who help us, for age 0-5
Discovering people in our community who help us (and their exciting vehicles!) is a key part of children's early years. As their worlds broaden to people and things outside the home, so they learn how some people have jobs that keep us safe and well. These are some of our favourite books to engage and excite young children on this topic.
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Play Pals: To the Rescue
Author: Sam Lloyd
Publisher: Ladybird Books
Interest age: 4-5
Help the firefighter, paramedic, lifeguard and helicopter pilot in this interactive lift the flap book. This would be perfect for sharing with toddlers.
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Make Tracks: Emergency
Author: Johnny Dyrander
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 2-3
Robust, interactive board book on emergency vehicles.
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Flashing Fire Engines
Author: Tony Mitton Illustrator: Ant Parker
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
This story’s full of big, bold fire engines ready to rescue or fight fires. There’s plenty of action, rhyme and rhythm.
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Hello Garage
Author: Nicola Slater
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 1-3
Nosy Crow’s series of board books featuring Ludo the cat is great for toddlers who love to turn flaps, and any little animal enthusiasts. A deceptively simple book that has interest and detail.
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Zeki Gets a Checkup
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
Zeki is a big boy now – he loves hiding toys, playing ball, singing and dancing. Today, he’s going for a checkup at the doctors’ with Daddy and his toy Mister Seahorse. A lovely book to share with toddlers, which marks their developmental milestones.
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I’m the Bin Lorry Driver
Author: David Semple
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+Hop aboard the bin lorry and follow a day in the life of a bin lorry driver! A picture book full of prompts and action to engage early learners.
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The Jolly Postman or Other People’s Letters
Author: Allan Ahlberg Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Publisher: Penguin
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 6+Brilliantly designed with lots of little details to spot, this old favourite will be enjoyed time and time again
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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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Look Inside A Hospital
Author: Dr Zoe Fritz and Katie Daynes Illustrator: Stefano Tognetti
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 3-5
This fantastic board book series from Usborne lets us explore a hospital and some of its busy departments. This could provide a reassuring guide to young people before their first visit to a hospital and is great fun to explore for any budding doctors and nurses.
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A Superhero Like You
Author: Dr Ranj Illustrator: Liam Darcy
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Interest age: 4-5
Lily wakes up one day and decides she wants to be a superhero - but not the kind that flies around in a cape or wears their underpants over the trousers. It turns out, superheroes are everywhere...
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Olu’s Teacher
Author: Jamel C. Campbell Illustrator: Lydia Mba
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Olu’s nervous about going to nursery – but luckily his teacher is the very cool Jay! A reassuring, gentle story to allay any worries about this first step.
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My Beautiful Voice
Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4-8
When a child who never speaks gets a new teacher, she is blown away by her colourful personality. A gentle story that pays homage to the people that sometimes come into our lives to guide us through difficult times, and the power of a fantastic teacher.
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Loud!
Author: Rose Robbins
Publisher: Scallywag Press
Interest age: 4-8
Abigail is always fidgeting and giggling at school until Miss Butler discovers her love of singing and songwriting. It’s implied that Abigail has ADHD but this beautifully delivered book will resonate with any child who's ever found it tricky to do what is expected of them.
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How to Be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs
Author: Dr Punam Krishan Illustrator: Sol Linero
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 6-8What is a doctor and how do you become one? What do doctors need to learn, and what are the different kinds of doctors you can be? Answering these and many more questions, such as ‘Who looks after older people?’ and ‘What happens when someone has a baby?’ this helpful picture book, perfect for mid-and upper-primary readers, explains how a variety of peo…
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Rescue Crew
Author: Suzy Senior Illustrator: Mike Byrne
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 4-5
Mechanic Cat and Rescue Rat are the best at fixing vehicles and rescuing their pals. That's why they are called the Rescue Crew. But when the Rescue Crew’s breakdown truck gets stuck, who will be able to save them?
