I absolutely love reading.  A comfy chair, hot chocolate and a good book is my idea of heaven.  Entering teaching and having children returned me to children’s literature, it was like the return of a long forgotten friend.  I got a tremendous amount of pleasure sharing my favourite books and finding new books.  

I’ve decided to share my top 10 books for the age ranges that my book, First Day of the New School Year, is aimed at.  This task has taken me much longer than I thought it would!  There are so many amazing books out there. I’m actually starting to think I should have chosen my favourite 100 books for each age range but a line had to be drawn as I could see my 100 books turning not 200 … I’m sure you can see my problem.

The books I’ve finally chosen are my personal choices and in no particular order.  I hope you enjoy them and remember it only a start to an amazing adventure through children’s literature.

(*book descriptions from the relevant publishers)

First Day of the New School Year by Amy Redfern

I’m sorry got to get it out there! This book tells the story of Louise’s first day of the new school year.  It explores her feelings and ends with an unexpected twist.  There are questions in one of my blogs about questions you can use with this book and they can be adapted to all the books you choose to read with your child.

Zoom Rainforest Adventures by Susan Hayes & Susanna Rumiz

Trek into the jungle! Join Lin on her journey into the Amazon rainforest. Discover mischievous monkeys, slithery snakes, smiling sloths, hovering hummingbirds and delightful dolphins in one of the most exciting places on Earth. Die-cut board pages and a pop-up make every page an interactive experience, while fun and informative writing explains fascinating facts about rainforests.  With its bold interactive features, beautiful illustrations and fun story, this book is the ideal gift for young nature enthusiasts!

Oona and the Shark by Kelly DiPucchio

Oona is one determined little mermaid, but she faces her biggest challenge yet in trying to make friends with Stanley the shark. Whatever will she do? A fun-filled and gorgeously illustrated celebration of friendship, creativity and perseverance.  Oona loves to share her inventions with her friends. They’re big and bold and loud – just like her!  But there’s one underwater creature who doesn’t seem to enjoy Oona’s company, or her creations.  And that’s Stanley the shark! Oona’s latest hopping, chopping and popping inventions just make him angry.  Oona may not know what Stanley likes, but she does know what he doesn’t. And maybe that’s a good place to start. Because mermaids never stop trying . . . not when there’s a friend out there to make.

Ready to Play by HarperCollins Children’s Book

Push, pull and spin the tabs to play with Bing and his friends in this brilliant board book based on the award-winning CBeebies preschool series Bing.  With things to move on almost every page, children will love playing with this interactive board book. Push the tab to play hide and seek with Bing and Pando, move the tab to see who will wobble first in musical statues, and turn the wheel to help Sula paint the Rainybow. With additional things to count and spot in each scene, this book will encourage children’s numeracy and observation skills as well as their fine motor skills.

The Big Dreaming by Michael Rosen

The Cold is coming, and it's time for Big Bear and Little Bear to get ready for the Big Sleep - for bears sleep all winter long, and wake up in the spring. But Little Bear is worried. What if they run out of dreams during the Big Sleep?  And so, Little Bear sets out bravely to find enough dreams to see them through the long winter. On his journey, he discovers dreams of happiness; dreams of homecoming; and dreams of hope.  But with the Cold approaching fast, will Little Bear make it back home in time for the Big Dreaming?  A resonant and uplifting tale from a master storyteller, The Big Dreaming is a classic in the making, filled with luminous illustrations by award-winning Daniel Egnéus.

The Big Red Dragon by Carolina Rabei

Find hamsters, dogs, robins and unicorns, little cars and big diggers – and of course Big Red Dragon, in this brilliant collection of 15 action rhymes for young children and babies.  Rhymes celebrate festivals and special events, such as Easter, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas and Chinese New Year. With clear instructions to parents and carers, there are fun activities and lots of joining in for every rhyme, for babies, toddlers and older children too.

Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry

Join Lowly Worm, Huckle Cat, and other beloved characters for a day in Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town. Visit the school, the farm, the post office, and many more fun and exciting places in this classic book that teaches little ones all about what goes on in their very own communities.

Perfect Presents by Anke Kuhl

A satisfied lizard has found the perfect present for a hard-to-please friend in this happy comic gift book about gifts, ideal as a gift in its own right.

You're a very hard person to buy for, but have I got the perfect thing for you!

In this little hardback gift comic, a lizard is delighted with its whole bag of genius presents for a slightly unusual friend. At first things don't go so well... The friend wolfs down each one and reaches out greedily for the lizard itself! Until the story finishes with a big kiss and a cup of peppermint tea: "Perfect presents!" says the friend. "Just to my taste!"

Who’s Hiding by Satoru Onishi

Who’s hiding? Who’s crying? Who’s backwards? The answers to these questions are not as simple as they appear, and children and adults return to them again and again, fresh every time.  In this sturdy board book edition of bestseller Who's Hiding? 18 colourful animals stand in a row. Something small changes on every double page: animals disappear, turn around, cry or sleep. Young children love spotting the changes and, at the same time, get to know animal names, colours, expressions, emotions and how to count.

The Rainforest by Natasha Durley

Starting on the forest floor, spot the critters and creepy crawlies, and the animals who look for tasty bugs to eat. Take a splash in the river where the pink dolphin lives. Then climb through the dark and hot bushes where frogs like to hide. Up and up until you see the sunlight and feel the breeze in the treetops. Watch out for swinging monkeys!