Great books for under 5
Lollipop and Grandpa's Back Garden Safari
By Penelope Harper and Cate James
Phoenix Yard Books 978-1907912092B
Lollipop and Grandpa are off on a back garden safari. They’ve got binoculars, a map, some sandwiches—and most importantly, a sense of adventure. You never know just what you’ll find on a back garden safari. This book is full of imaginative twists. Watch out for the croco-logus, chimpan-trees, or my favourite, the hippo-Potta-Compost! This fun picture book captures the imagination of a young girl and her Grandpa. I love the illustrations. They’re clever and really show how a little imagination can transform your back garden. After reading this, I think everyone will want to go on a back garden safari. Just watch out for the hippo-potta-compost!
Click here to find out more about Lollipop and Grandpa's Back Garden Safari
The Frank Show
By David Mackintosh
HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks 978-0007363995
You have to talk about a member of your family for one whole minute. Who would you choose? It seems like everyone else in the class has interesting people in their family. The boy in this book can’t find anyone is his family to help. Except Grandad Frank. But there is nothing exciting about him. Frank is your typical Grandad. He tells stories about the old days. There is a long list of things he doesn’t like: today’s music, gadgets and gizmos and any sort of ice-cream that isn’t vanilla. What’s so special about Frank?
This new picture book is hilariously quirky and original. You’ll laugh out loud and think to yourself, that reminds me of my Grandad. This book is best for children aged 4 and up, but it is certainly a picture book not to be missed.
Click here to find out more about The Frank Show
Jennifer Jones Won’t Leave Me Alone
By Frieda Wishinsky and Neal Layton
Corgi 978-0552547550
Have you ever had someone who just won’t leave you alone? Our unsuspecting hero has a girl who writes him love poems, calls him 'My dear' and sticks red hearts on everything. He’s had quite enough. But as soon as she moves away, he realises just how much he misses her. This rhyming picture book is a great Valentine’s themed read aloud. It celebrates first love – the type of love that blossoms in school playgrounds.
Fun and quirky text, great illustrations and a charming story of first love makes this a great read aloud. Children will be sure to be giggling along with you as you read Jennifer Jones Won’t Leave Me Alone.
Fussy Freya
By Katharine Quarmby and Piet Grobler
Frances Lincoln Children's Books 978-1845075118
Fussy Freya had an appetite as fine as could be. But one dreadful day Freya suddenly declares she no longer likes her favourite foods. Mum phones Grandma Clare in despair who claims to know just the trick for dealing with fussy eaters. Off Freya goes to Grandma’s house for the weekend where the menu includes mashed monkey with fried rice, an elephant with an egg upon its head and warthog – Norfolk style (served with a bit of cheese). It’s exactly what Freya ordered, but is it really what she wants to eat?
This book is wonderfully quirky. The rhyming text is funny, bouncy and quite entertaining. The book is engaging and a very fun to read aloud. The illustrations add extra humour. Freya is marvellously illustrated and her personality just leaps off the page. I loved all the little details of the book.
Click here to find out more about Fussy Freya
The Scariest Thing of All
By Debi Gliori
Bloomsbury 978-0747599692
Poor little Pip – he is afraid of everything. His list of things to be afraid of just gets longer and longer. But soon, Pip has to learn to confront his fears. And one by one, he realises maybe they’re not so scary after all.
Debi Gliori’s most recent picture book is delightful. The illustrations are warm and rich with lots of detail. Children will sympathise with Pip as he learns to confront his fears. There is a fantastic twist in the story, which is sure to delight children as they find out what really is the scariest thing of all.
Click here to find out more about The Scariest Thing of All
Stuck
By Oliver Jeffers 
HarperCollins 978-0007263868
Floyd gets his kite stuck in a tree. But the trouble really begins when he comes up with a plan of how to get it unstuck – he’s going to throw his favourite shoe to knock it loose. But when his shoe is also stuck, what else will he try? A fantastic and hilarious array of objects wind up stuck in the tree!
Oliver Jeffers has a unique illustration style and this book does not disappoint. I love the colours used in this book. There is a warmth and innocence to the character Floyd. All the objects that get stuck in the tree have a personality that shines as well. This charming and funny story about problem solving will engage and delight children and parents. The story is deceptively simple, but packed with humour and insight.
If you wish to find out more about Stuck, please click here
My Bear Griz
By Suzanne McGuinness 
Frances Lincoln 978-1847801135
Billy loves bears – especially his bear Griz. Billy and Griz love spending their days exploring and playing together. They’re best friends. They eat sandwiches, play hide and seek, nap, look at the stars, share secrets and tell jokes. Billy and Griz go everywhere together.
This book is beautiful and captivating. Billy and Griz have decorated the endpapers. The personalities of Billy and Griz shine through right from the beginning. Billy wears a homemade crown crafted from newsprint, or maybe even the page of a dictionary. Griz looks so warm and cuddly that you’ll wish he were your best friend.
I particularly love the design of this book. The text is clear and simple. The story is short and sweet. But to add another dimension Billy writes in pencil some extra comments. This book is heart warming and adorably cute.
Click here to find out more about this lovley book
The Fabulous Flapdoodles
By Chae Strathie and Emily Golden
Scholastic 978-1407110837
Have you ever heard of a fabulous Flapdoodle? Well, I assure you that after reading this book, you’ll want one of your very own. As children are getting ready to go to sleep, the Flapdoodles are coming out to play. The Flapdoodles are a tad mischievous and like to hide your socks and draw on your wall. But the most important job of a Flapdoodle is keeping a watchful eye on sleeping children. Ghosts, ghouls and other creatures don’t stand a chance when the Flapdoodles are about. You won’t see them, but they’re there to stop you from getting a toe-curling scare.
Children will really like this book. It will reassure children that they’ll be perfectly safe as they drift off to sleep. I love the illustrations. They’re bright, colourful and charming. Even Bugwaggles and Bumpalumps don’t look overly scary. The book is fun. Great rhyming text, lots of silly words, and lovely illustration. It’s an excellent bedtime read!
Click here to find out more about The Fabulous Flapdoodles
This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye
By Richard Byrne
Oxford University Press 978-0192756190
Aye-Aye desperately wants to be in a picture book. He attends Miss Deer’s Academy for Aspiring Picture Book Animals with the usual array of book characters – Squirrel, Duck, Frog, Mouse and the Rabbit Twins. When Miss Deer announces that the most helpful animal will win a very special prize, Aye-Aye can’t help but wonder if the prize is the thing he wants most in the whole wide world. The Rabbit Twins attempt to out-smart everyone, including Miss Deer, to win the prize. But Aye-Aye is unusually kind and he has his own way of doing things.
This book is a great story about friendship, kindness and helping others. The message is subtle and fun. Children will find the story entertaining – especially the naughty behaviour of the Rabbit Twins – who tell Aye-Aye that he isn’t cute or fluffy enough to be in a picture book. Aye-Aye is concerned with helping his classmates so that everyone can join in.
This book is charming and engaging. I love the idea of a school for aspiring picture book animals. With its school theme, this is a great book for children starting school or nursery.
Click here to find out more about This book belongs to Aye-Aye
I Do Not Eat the Colour Green
By Lynne Rickards
Illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain
Hodder Children's Books ISBN 978-0340988657
Marlene McKean is a nearly perfect child. She mostly does the things she’s told. And although she loves all the colours of the rainbow, there is one she’s not too fond of – green. Marlene McKean will not eat the colour green (not even green sweets!) despite all of her parent’s encouragement. When she is invited to a tea party with a countess she has to graciously accept a green grape avoid being rude. To her surprise, it’s delicious and she does like the colour green.
This fabulous rhyming text is a joy to read aloud. It flows with such ease that the day after I read this for the first time I woke up reciting the first few pages in my head. The text is so enjoyable it just seemed to stick in my mind. Not only was I reciting the book, I was laughing and enjoying the rhyme and the story. As an adult, I keep going back to this book over again.
Margaret Chamberlain provides illustrations that beautifully complement the text. It’s busy but there is a lot to engage young children. Marlene McKean is a very relatable character. She’s funny and charming with a personality that leaps off the page. The book is very colourful and bright. This new picture book is sure to delight children and families.
Be sure to check out Lynne Rickards Blog for children:http://lynnerickardsauthor.wordpress.com/
http://www.lynnerickards.co.uk/
The Animal Bop Won’t Stop!
By Jan Omerod and Lindsey Gardiner
Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0192780140
A follow up to the picture-book phenomenon that is Doing the Animal Bop - a second riotous animal romp that will have toddlers stamping their feet and joining in with gusto.
If you’ve long worn out your copy of Doing the Animal Bop then you’ll be pleased to welcome The Animal Bop Won’t Stop! to your book collection. This isn’t a bed time book – it’s a play-time book. It’s a book that gets children (and grown-ups) out of their seats and dancing along. You can’t help but wiggle your arms and hips like jelly fish, prowl and growl like a leaping lion, and stretching way up high like a giraffe.
The illustrations are warm and welcoming. They show off the fun and absolute silliness of all the animals doing the animal bop. Children will love imitating the animals and dancing along. This book really is a true delight for all families and is sure to be a big success with busy toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Click here to find out more about The Animal Bop Won't Stop
Solomon Crocodile
By Catherine Rayner
Macmillan Children's Books ISBN 978 0230529229
Uh-oh! Here comes trouble, Solomon Crocodile is a bit mischievous. He tries to play but the frogs, the dragonflies and the hippos all think he is nothing but a nuisance. Poor Solomon, he just wants to play. Will he find a friend? Or will he continue to cause trouble all by himself?
Catherine Rayner presents another beautifully illustrated picture book. As a character, Solomon Crocodile comes alive with charm, friendliness and a hint of mischievous. The illustrations in this book capture beautifully the calm and serenity of the banks of the river—that is until Solomon arrives.
The story is relatively simple, and you can help but sympathise with Solomon as he is constantly told to stop being such a pest. Just as Solomon moves on, he hears the frogs being tormented—but it’s not him! Maybe Solomon has found a new friend.
I love this book because of the simplicity of the story and the beauty of the illustrations. This is a great choice for children 3 and up.
Find out more about Solomon Crocodile on Macmillan's website
Blue Chameleon
By Emily Gravett
Macmillan Children's Books ISBN: 978-023070424
Blue Chameleon is blue - literally and figuratively. He can transform himself to look like the yellow banana, the pink cockatoo and even a stripy sock. He blends in wherever he goes. But what he really wants is a friend.
It is a book of ultimate simplicity, but in no way dull. The text is minimal yet you still get the feeling of loneliness and longing as the chameleon tries to fit in. Each double page spread features a colour and an object or animal. The illustrations are charming and effective. The ball, the banana and the grasshopper all have personalities reflected in the Chameleon.
The humour and the story in the book are subtle. I think children will be drawn to the illustrations and the hilarity of watching Chameleon turn himself into different animals and objects. Recommended age: 2+
Find out more about Blue Chameleon on Macmillan's website
The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster
By David Conway and Melanie Williamson
Hodder Children's Books ISBN: 978-0340945087
Get ready for a quirky Valentine’s Day themed read. Ladybird is sad because she misses out on a Valentine’s Day card until she finds a letter addressed to ‘Red’. Of course, it must be for her. She replies to her secret admirer “Blue”—who she thinks must be her friend Dragonfly. Red and Blue write back and forth to each other and until Blue asks Red to marry him. But when they turn up at their romantic moonlit wedding, both are in for a surprise! This picture book will keep you and your children laughing. Children will love the images of letters written on leaves and petals, the excitement of the love letters, and the sweetness of finding a valentine. It’s a story of friendship and love and slightly crossed wires. Will Blue and Red join together in true love? You’ll have to read to find out.
Little Miss Muffett is bored and has had quite enough of the spider in her nursery rhyme. She decides to wander through the pages of the book in order to find a new rhyme to take part in. Unfortunately, there is too much marching with the Grand Ol’ Duke of York, Jack and Jill’s rhyme is too painful, and Miss Muffett feels much too silly running up and down the clock – although the mouse was thankful for the break. This book will have you laughing along as you visit some of the characters of the most popular nursery rhymes.
This book is nothing short of an adventure with twists on classic rhymes and a quite a few mix-ups between beloved characters. It’s a great way to learn new rhymes and rediscover classic favourites. Children and parents will find humour in the text, but also in the charming illustrations. The book is beautifully designed with signs pointing to the rhyme on the next page, topsy turvy text and each rhyme written to stand out from the rest of the story. I love the colours and the illustrations. With so many mix-ups and misunderstandings, this book will give grown-ups and children a laugh. Will Miss Muffett find her way back to her tuffet or does she run away with the spoon? You’ll have to read to find out!
The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster at Hodder Children's Books
The Biggest Kiss
Joanna Walsh & Judi Abbot
Simon and Schuster - ISBN-13: 978-1847384362
This book will certainly warm your heart on a cold and frosty day! It’s perfect to snuggle up with. Kisses on noses and toes-es. Bye-bye kisses and eye dry kisses! You’ll love the illustrations of all the different kisses, dogs, frogs, near miss kisses and even lipstick kisses!
It’s the illustrations that make this a truly irresistible book. The colour palette is beautiful, bright and bold. Enjoy cuddling up with a special someone and finding out which kiss is the best kiss of all.
The Biggest Kiss on Simon and Schuster's website
Not a Box
Antoinette Portis
HarperCollins Chidren’s Books – ISBN: 9780007254804
Not a Box celebrates the imagination of children and how it’s possible to turn a plain cardboard box into something that is not a box. There is a grown- up voice in the book asking a young rabbit questions about what he’s doing sitting in the box, or on the box. With each question, little rabbit explains that the box is not a box. The box is sometimes a rocket, an elephant or even a hot-air balloon.
I really like the simple lines of the illustrations. Even when the box has been imagined into something else, the shape of the box is still clearly present in the illustrations. The book itself is designed like a cardboard box – complete with a ‘this side up’ marking. This book will inspire play in children and adults alike.
Not A Box at HarperCollins website
Hugless Douglas
David Melling
Hodder Children’s Books - ISBN: 9780340950630
Poor Douglas wakes up in desperate need of a cuddle, so he goes on a trek in search of the perfect hug. Douglas makes the rounds hugging rocks, trees and a lovely assortment of animals. But none of those hugs feel quite right. Finally, a very kind rabbit leads Douglas to the biggest and best hug of all – a hug from his mum.
The illustrations are fantastic, endearing and charming. The expressions on the face of the animals that are not quite prepared for Douglas’ hugs are priceless. A picture book that has an adult laughing aloud is a picture book that is sure to also delight a child. The minute I picked up Hugless Douglas I was laughing out loud, and simultaneously saying ‘awwww’. After reading this book, you’ll be going in search of the perfect hug – or trying out the multitude of hugs on the last page.
Hugless Douglas on Hodder Childrens’ website
Banana!
Ed Vere
Puffin Books – ISBN: 9780141500591
What’s a monkey to do when someone has a banana that he wants? Banana! is a cleverly designed and enjoyable story about sharing and manners. The text is very economical and only uses the word ‘banana’ – until the monkey learns to say “please”. The story is told by reading the facial expressions and using voice to convey emotion. It’s a great book to get children to join in with as they can practice saying banana with excitement, enthusiasm and frustration until the monkey finally remembers the magic word. Children will love participating in this short and enjoyable the story. Make sure you have a banana on hand for a delicious post story snack!
Apple Pie ABC
Alison Murray
Orchard - ISBN: 9781408308011
Apple Pie ABC is more than just your typical alphabet book. It stays true to form, as each letter features prominently on the page but what makes this book unique is that there are few alphabet books that are also a narrative. The reader follows a delightful and cheeky little dog trying to get a hold of a freshly baked apple pie. The overall design of the book is simple yet effective as the illustrations are engaging, funny and entertaining. The book has a retro feel to it but still looks fresh and modern. Apple Pie ABC is a tasty treat!
Calm Down, Boris!
Sam Lloyd
Templar Publishing - ISBN 184011 4478
Boris is a loveable – and very affectionate – monster. He loves to give kisses, but they’re just a bit too tickly. Boris is so big and loud that no one wants to play with him at the park. When a big scary dog comes to the park Boris is able to scare him away – with his very tickly kisses! Boris is so clever that everyone wants to kiss him – no matter how tickly he is.
Young children are sure to love this book. There is a Boris puppet integrated into the book so he can really come alive. Children will love helping Boris get ready for the park by checking his fur for bugs and his tickly kisses to say thank you!
Calm Down Boris! and more of Sam Lloyd's Monster Mates on Templar Publishing's website
The Foggy Foggy Forest
Nick Sharratt
Walker Books Ltd - ISBN: 9781406303377
Each page is a surprise—you never know who is on the next page. Using translucent vellum paper, a host of well known and well loved fairy tale characters are hiding behind each page. The repetition of the simple phrase: ‘what can this be in the foggy, foggy forest?’ will have children joining in as they try to guess who is in the forest. You’ll see well known characters as you’ve never seen them before!
The Foggy Foggy Forest on Walker Books website
Maisy Big, Maisy Small
Lucy Cousins
Walker Books Ltd - ISBN: 9781406304893
Wiggly and straight, fluffy and spiky, fly and swim, plain and pattern... Maisy takes the reader on a fun-filled journey of opposites. In the typical Maisy style of bright and bold illustration this book is sure to amuse children and their parents. You’ll love turning the page to find out what Maisy gets up to next! Maisy remains recognisable throughout the book as she changes from square/round, tall/short, thin/fat, clean/dirty... the list goes on!
This book will engage and entertain children while demonstrating complex pairs of opposites. Maisy charms the reader and is sure to delight all children with this detailed book of opposites.
Maisy Big, Maisy Small on Walker Books website
The Incredible Book Eating Boy
Oliver Jeffers
This book is sure to give the whole family a belly ache – from laughter. Henry loves his books so much, he eats them. With each book Henry eats he gets smarter and smarter. His goal is to eat so many books that he becomes the smartest person on earth. But Henry devours his books at such an alarming rate that he doesn’t have time to digest the information properly and all his knowledge becomes muddled. He becomes so terribly ill that he has to stop eating his books! Can Henry learn to enjoy reading his books instead? This hilarious story is complemented by rich illustrations. Be warned though – Henry is likely to have taken a bite out of your book!
One Mole Digging a Hole
Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt
With Spring just around the corner, this brightly coloured counting book is sure to delight – and maybe even get you in the mood for some gardening! The simple rhyming text makes this book great fun to read aloud. The pictures are bright, colourful and engaging. Parents and children will enjoy counting the animals and watching them work together in the garden. The moles are digging holes, bears are picking pears, and bees are pruning trees! Everyone pitches in together and then takes a well earned break in the sun.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury
ISBN 978-1-4063-1956-9
The first time I picked up this book, I instantly fell in love with it. I was immediately drawn to the text and the adorable illustrations. The more I read it, the more I love it. The book celebrates babies from all over the world.
The pictures and text of this book support each other perfectly. The illustrations are nice simple. I love the way the babies are playing and interacting with each other. They all have unique expressions which are very endearing.
The text is simple and elegant. It flows naturally and lends itself nicely to be read aloud because of an effective use of rhyme and repetition. There is enough variation to keep the text interesting. The text celebrates cultural diversity and draws attention to different babies from all over the world. The simple refrain is easy to join in with making it a great read aloud book for a group of children and parents.
This book would make a great gift to new parents, although the reading of this book would better be suited to children around 1 year and older due to the length. The story is sweet and engaging. It’s the perfect book to cuddle up and read before bedtime.
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