Picture books about daily routines
Babies and young children love routines – and they love seeing characters doing the same things as them. From getting dressed to having lunch, brushing teeth to reading a bedtime story, toddlers and babies will enjoy recognising the familiar daily activities. Here is a selection of lovely picture books that highlight the everyday moments of a little one’s life.
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Zeki Rise and Shine
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
Interest age: 2-3
Rise and shine, it’s time to wake up for little Zeki. Follow little Zeki as he gets ready with Mummy and Daddy for a morning of fun and adventure.
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Time to Get Dressed
Author: Penny Tassoni Illustrator: Mel Four
Publisher: Featherstone
Interest age: 2-5
This cheerful and useful little book is made with little ones in mind that are learning to get dressed by themselves, and will be of great help to parents, carers, childminders and nursery practitioners.
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Getting Ready
Author: Illustrator: Cocoretto
Publisher: Child’s Play
Interest age: 0-4
Time to get up! Pull back the covers and choose your clothes. Getting ready for the day is made both fun and interactive in this touch-and-feel book. An irresistible tactile treat.
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The Every Baby Book
Author: Frann Preston-Gannon
Publisher: Magic Cat
Interest age: 1-3
Over the course of one day, we see many different kinds of families engage in the same similar routines: breakfasts, nappy changes, dinners, bedtime. A warm and comforting book with an ultimate message of love and togetherness, which is perfect for bedtime or quieter moments.
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My Mums Love Me
Author: Anna Membrino Illustrator: Joy Hwang Ruiz
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 2-3
This adorable picture book with warm toned illustrations celebrates the daily routine of a baby and the fun that can be had all day including singing in the car and visiting a farm for a fun day trip.
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My Body: Ladybird Magic Windows
Author: Ladybird Illustrator: Libby Burns
Publisher: Ladybird
Interest age: 1-3
This interactive board book leads children through the years with their body and everything it needs every day to do incredible things. It's a lovely reminder of our daily routines and why our bodies are so brilliant, and gorgeously presented too.
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Mummy Time
Author: Monique James-Duncan Illustrator: Ebony Glenn
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5
Wake up, it’s mummy time! A warm and reassuring picture book about the everyday life of a stay-at-home mother and her two children over the course of a day.
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Zeki Loves Daddy
Author: Anna McQuinn Illustrator: Ruth Hearson
Publisher: Alanna Max
An ideal gentle step-up from a board book, this sweet story about daily life with Daddy and Zeki is filled with love, play and snuggles. Fun rhyming text makes this an ideal book for shared reading time.
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I Love Me
Author: Marvyn Harrison Illustrator: Diane Ewen
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 3-5
Reading age: 3+A first book of positive affirmation designed to boost confidence, enhance self-image and promote resilience and happiness in pre-schoolers.
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Off to the Park!
Author: Stephen Cheetham
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 1+
Reading age: 4+We're off to the park - what will we find? Which way shall we go? The swings or the slide? Take a look inside!
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Sophie Has Lunch
Author: Ruth Symons Illustrator: Vulli
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Sophie the giraffe has been transformed into a very cute little illustration, courtesy of Vulli. She’s feeling hungry, which is great – as it’s time for lunch! Join her at the table for a delicious meal in this book specially made for little ones trying their first tastes.
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Time for a Nap
Author: Phillis Gershator Illustrator: David Walker
Publisher: Sterling
Interest age: 0-3
This sweet rhyming book about the tricky business of napping keeps the tone light, with cute and colourful illustrations. It could easily become part of the routine at home: ‘What time is it? Time for a nap!’
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How to Brush Your Teeth with Snappy Croc
Author: Jane Clarke Illustrator: Georgie Birkett
Publisher: Red Fox (Penguin Random House)
Interest age: 1-3
The little girl in this delightful board book takes Snappy Croc through each teeth-cleaning step: from squeezing out the toothpaste to brushing round and round, and showing off her sparkling smile at the end.
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The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!
Author: Louise Fitzgerald Illustrator: Kate Hindley
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 4-5
Settle down with this laugh-out-loud book – and then get up and join in all the necessary things to do before listening to the super-quick ten-word bedtime story! Huge fun.
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Tiger, Tiger, Time to Take a Bath
Author: Jo Lodge
Publisher: Campbell Books
Interest age: 0-3
Reading age: 5+With brilliant moving parts made from sturdy, thick card, toddlers will love to wiggle the sliding tabs and help these animal characters with their personal grooming. A fun and useful first book on hygiene and self-care.
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Goodnight Tiger
Author: Timothy Knapman Illustrator: Laura Hughes
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 3-6
Reading age: 6+The animals in Emily's wallpaper can't get to sleep and they're keeping her awake... so she decides to climb into the wallpaper to show them how to settle down. A fun way to reinforce the idea of a bedtime routine - with lots of laughs along the way.
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Quiet!
Author: Kip Alizadeh
Publisher: Child’s Play
Interest age: 2-7
Reading age: 5+A small child takes us on an auditory tour of her home in this delightful picture of family life, ingeniously interpreted through its sounds. It's a book that radiates comfort, security, warmth and love.
