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!  I think its going to get worse!

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.

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly by Pam Adams

Ingenious die-cut holes bring this iconic nursery rhyme to life, and Pam Adams' fabulous illustrations lend humour and vibrancy to the proceedings.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson

Three baby owls, Sarah, Percy and Bill, wake up one night in their hole in a tree to find that their mother has gone. So they sit on a branch and wait... Darkness gathers and the owls grow anxious, wondering when their mother will return. But, at last, she does and they bounce up and down with joy, welcoming her home.

Burglar Bill by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Burglar Bill lives all by himself in a tall house full of stolen property. Every night (after eating his stolen fish and chips) he goes out to work... stealing things. From hats to baked beans, Burglar Bill will take anything! But one day, Burglar Bill steals something very unexpected indeed. And, it shows him that stealing has a cost!

Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole

Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the princes want her to be their Mrs. Find out how Princess Smartypants fights to preserve her independence in this hilarious fairy-tale-with-a-difference.

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

The Jolly Postman is off on another adventure as he delivers letters around fairy-tale land! Children will love opening the envelopes to read a letter from Goldilocks, a postcard addressed to a giant up a beanstalk... and even a note for the Big Bad Wolf!

Room on a Broom by Julia Donaldson

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It's a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn't used to such a heavy load and it's not long before . . . SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch's animal pals better think fast!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Its imaginative illustration and clever cut-out detail charts the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week. 

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry Gruffalo!

Meg and Mog by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski

Meg and Mog are off to a Halloween party with all their friends. But, BANG! One of Meg's spells hasn't worked as planned! Can Meg and Mog fix it?