Bedtime stories need a reboot? New picture books little ones will love
Love reading with your little ones, give the classic a break and love up your pre-schooler’s literary tastes with a new book that heavy on the illustrated and light on words.
The Gruffalo, Biff, Tiger Who Came To Tea and The Very Hungry Caterpillar are classics, but when you have read them for the 150th time on repeat, it wear a bit thin. To change things up a bit (and save your sanity), Emma Milne White, owner of Hungerford Bookshop and Wantage Bookshop, has rustled up 8 new picture books that little ones will love – and so will you.
Don’t Tickle the Rhino! By Sam Taplin
You’d better not tickle the rhino…because it just might snort if you do! We love this series – not only tactile furry patches for babies to enjoy on each page but sounds too. As well as a rhino to tickle, there’s a baboon, a gazelle and a hornbill, and on the last page there’s a musical finale with all the animals being noisy at once! These interactive books (there are plenty more animals to discover) always occupy very young readers for hours.
£12.99
Who’s Happy? By Camilla Reid, illustrated by Nila Aye
Camilla Reid is an award-winning author and designer of some of the most innovative and beautiful baby pre-school books around (including the hugely popular Pip & Posy range). We particularly like this latest in the ‘Who’s Soft’ series – Who’s Happy? has a cute seaside theme with a surprise mirror at the end.
£7.99
Each Peach Pear Plum by Alan Ahlberg & Janet Ahlberg
This is one of those classic books that should be in every child’s library, along with Goodnight Moon, Where’s Spot, Dear Zoo, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Each Peach Pear Plum introduces characters from well-known nursery stories, such as the Three Bears, Mother Hubbard and Tom Thumb, and encourages children to participate and to find the characters hidden in the pictures. The text, with its strong rhyme and rhythm, is perfect to read aloud to very young children, while the game of ‘I Spy’ keeps children enthralled.£7.99
Frida the Rock-and-Roll Moth by Kim Hillyard
Frida is a musical moth who loves to rock out - she puts on her pointy boots and plays her purple guitar really LOUD! But when the Big Bright Light is switched on, more moths appear, ready to rock together, and Frida starts to feel that everyone is much better than her. Perhaps she isn’t so rock-and-roll after all… This positive picture book will inspire young readers to find what makes them feel good and let their confidence shine.
£7.99
Sam Plants a Sunflower by Kate Petty, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
We love the way this brightly coloured book offers gardening facts alongside a gentle story. Sam loves big, yellow sunflowers, so when his friends Worm and Ladybird suggest he grows his own, he soon plants some seeds in his garden. Join Sam as he watches them grow. With fun flaps to lift to see what’s happening underground and a big sunflower pop-up surprise hopefully this might inspire some young gardeners.
£7.99
Mouse’s Wood: A Year in Nature by Alice Melvin
This is an absolute favourite in both our shops, and adults have been known to buy it for themselves. This exquisitely illustrated picture book with die-cut flaps follows the woodland ramblings of Mouse through the change in seasons. Written in a gentle rhyme that reflects the slow pace of Mouse’s rambling journey, Mouse’s Wood is a heart-warming celebration of slow living in nature. Fans will be delighted that Mouse’s River has just been released.£7.99
Doris by Lo Cole
Elmer – make way for Doris! This bright book with a retro feel has all the makings of a picture book classic. Being a bright red elephant, Doris is VERY easy to spot. Can you see her? Of course you can. But Doris is shy – she just wants to lose herself in a colourful crowd. Come on a journey of self-discovery as one little elephant comes to appreciate her own specialness. A colourful adventure that will entrance even the youngest children
£7.99
Found by Sam Usher
Sam Usher is a prolific author and illustrator. His beautiful pen & ink drawings are simply delightful, and make us think of classic illustrators like Ardizzone or Quentin Blake. Found is part of his Boy & Grandad collection (look out for the gorgeous 10th anniversary edition in October containing all the stories together). It’s a warm summer’s day, so Boy and his grandad pack up their provisions and head for the seaside. When they find a seal caught in a net its rescue leads Boy and Grandad on a thrilling underwater adventure! Once you read one in this series you’ll want to collect the others.
£7.99
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