The festive season is on our doorstep and that often means buying gifts for family and friends. But if you’re buying for smaller kids, the array of toys (and the expense involved) can feel overwhelming.
Above all, you don’t want to buy something pricey only to have it sit in a dusty corner after December because it wasn’t suitable. That’s why books are always a good bet. They’re educational, timeless and encourage creativity in children. Here’s our round up of the best books for kids that are great for reading together as a family:
1. Anything by Julia Donaldson
Anything this author touches turns to gold. She’s won multiple awards and her books continue to dominate the bestseller children’s book lists. The Gruffalo is about a mythical beast who lives in the woods and children love reciting the lines and doing the accompanying actions. Other popular titles from Julia include Sharing a Shell and The Snail and the Whale.
2. Dr Seuss books
His books have been around for decades and chances are that you read The Cat in the Hat as a child yourself. Well the good news is that the children of today still adore the zany illustrations and clever rhymes – plus the bonus is that adults enjoy reading them too. Green Eggs and Ham and Oh, the Places You’ll Go are also some of his top books for children.
3. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Even very young kids will be entraced by this book which has lift-the-flaps that reveal different animals. As your child becomes more familiar with the story they’ll start to delight in knowing which animal is coming next , as well as saying the accompanying words.
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This is such a classic book and the bright illustrations and cut-outs will delight kids from toddlers upwards. Children love reciting all the things the caterpillar eats and there is always much excitement when he turns into a beautiful butterfly at the end.
5. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Ideal as a christening gift or for a new baby, Guess How Much I Love You stories are enduringly popular, centring on the love between two bunny rabbits: a big one and a little one. Choose from gift sets with plush toys or a special gold edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this top children’s book.
6. Mr Men
You can’t beat Mr Men! Kids (and adults) can identify with Mr Nosy, Mr Greedy and Little Miss Sunshine as they follow simple stories and learn more about emotions. You can buy beautiful box sets of the book series in one go, or you could also give the child in your life two or three of these each year until they’ve collected the full set.
7. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
This ever-popular tale has been around for 25 years and it’s no wonder that children and adults alike continue to love it. A family heads off on a bear hunt and on their adventure encounter various obstacles they must overcome before they can continue. A little bit of excitement, beautiful watercolour illustrations and catchy words keep kids coming back to this top children’s book, again and again.
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DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
