Book recommendations
0-5 year olds
1. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
This is a rhyming story
of a mouse and a monster. Little mouse goes for a walk in a dangerous
forest. To scare off his enemies he invents tales of a fantastical
creature called the Gruffalo. So imagine his surprise when he meets the
real Gruffalo.
2. Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak
hen Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief, his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without any supper. Alone in his room, Max enters a magical world and sets sail across the sea to the place where the wild things are. The wild things roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth and roll their terrible eyes and show their terrible claws . . . But Max tames the wild things and is made their king. Will he ever want to go home?
3. Elmer by David Mckee
Elmer the elephant is bright-colored patchwork all over. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him! If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better, wouldn't it? David McKee's comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
4. The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle
When a tiny caterpillar hatches from an egg, the first thing on his mind is food - so off he crawls looking for something to eat.
Over the course of a week, the tiny caterpillar munches his way through all sorts of delicious goodies. Starting with an apple on Monday and working his way through pears, plums, strawberries and oranges by Friday, he leaves a small, caterpillar-shaped hole in each fruit to show where he’s been.
But by Saturday, the caterpillar is still hungry; so he gorges on everything from chocolate cake to salami until finally he is not only full but has a tummy ache! And then the most amazing thing happens, as the caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly.
This classic picture book with bright, collage-style illustrations has been enjoyed by generations of children for over 50 years and has lost none of its appeal. Little fingers will love to follow the tiny caterpillar through the holes he leaves and to anticipate what he’s going to eat next as the page size increases with his appetite.
And with opportunities to learn colours, numbers and days of the week, this is certainly one of the best picture books ever.
5. Dear zoo by Rod Campbell
This appealing story, in lift-the-flap, board-book format has been a favourite with toddlers ever since it was first published in 1982.
As you lift the flaps in search of an ideal pet, a host of different zoo animals will be revealed, until the right pet is finally discovered. Simple, stylish and highly interactive, this book invites constant re-reading. The sturdy flaps are perfect for small fingers to lift, and children will still love this book when they are ready to start school.