Top 100 Children&x27s Books | Junior Magazine | Junior Magazine

2. the buffalo by julia donaldson and axel scheduler

in a cunning forest mouse manages to escape being eaten by predators by telling them that an imaginary monster is going to appear at any moment. Of course, the mouse doesn’t really expect the monster to show up, and when it does, he has to use his wits to make the gruffalo believe that he himself is so scary that the warty beast would be committing A big mistake if you tried to eat it! Julia Donaldson’s use of repeated narratives and clever rhymes soon has young readers singing along to the story, while Axel Scheffler’s distinctive wacky-eyed creatures stylishly underscore the humor. “All of the gruffalo attributes were really just adjectives that sounded good in the flow of the rhyme,” says playwright and performer Donaldson. it is a ploy that has been highly successful. can you believe the buffalo was published only 20 years ago?

shop here>> the gruffalo book

3. where are the wild creatures by maurice sendak

max dons his wolf suit looking for some mischief and is sent to bed without dinner. fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue intact. Sendak’s color illustrations are beautiful, and each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder. where the wild things are manages to look scary without ever really being scary; sometimes they are downright hilarious. Sendak’s signature running phrases add the perfect stream-of-consciousness touch to the story, which floats between dreamland and a child’s imagination. this sendak classic reaffirms the notion that there is no place like home.

shop here>> where the monsters live

4. winnie-the-pooh by a.a milne and hey shepard

Although the language and expressions are from a bygone era, the winnie-the-pooh books are still very popular (Disney creations only help to broaden the appeal of the honey-eating bear). First published in 1926, the tales were inspired by AA Milne’s own son (immortalized as Christopher Robin) and the cuddly toys of him.

however, the pooh image we’ve come to know and love was based on illustrator ernest shepard’s son’s favorite toy bear. In Tales of Life with Edward Bear (Winnie to You and I), the first story collection sets the world of the Pooh with Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit and Kanga, and their many learning adventures in the Woods of Pooh. 100 acres.

shop here>> winnie the pooh book

5. let’s go bear hunting by michael rosen and helen oxenbury

First published in 1993, this popular spoken word game for young children became Michael Rosen’s book of poetry. a father, his four children of various sizes, and the family dog ​​set off in search of adventure…and a bear. On a rainy day, this story is a wonderful way to escape the confines of the couch, suggesting the splash of muddy fields, the creak of wild forests, and the swirl and bluster of a blizzard. Children of all ages enjoy imitating their fight on the journey that ultimately leads them to the cave where the elusive bear dwells. however, when they get there, the bear is a bit scary and they run back, retracing their steps in twice as fast time. in rosen’s remake, the drama is in the rhythm of the words, and helen oxenbury’s playful illustrations bring the armchair expedition to life (just like channel 4’s animated version in 2016)

buy here>> let’s go on a bear hunting book

6. each peach pear plum by allan & janet ahlberg

The husband and wife team who have created so many wonderful children’s books appear several times in this top 100. Which is hardly surprising: Janet’s melodious rhymes, playful sense of humor, and warm, cartoonish illustrative style. ahlberg. are all effortlessly engaging for young readers and their parents. First published in 1978, each peach pear plum is a picture book for little ones with simple sentences on each page and an i-spy challenge for the reader to find tom thumb, cinderella, the three bears, and so on. the repetitive nature of the text becomes a playful mantra as a clue leads to the box on the next page. “I found a little bit of every peach, pear, and plum in a wonderful little book called The Tradition and Language of Schoolchildren, by Iona and Peter Opie,” recalls Allan Ahlberg. “it’s a collection of recreational rhymes from the 1930s to the 1950s. it was the idea that you could hide things in pictures and then reveal them. It is a very simple text, but it goes around in circles.” Janet died in 1994, but Allan is still writing.

shop here>> every book peach pear plum

7. guess how much i love you by sam mcbratney

Many of the most enduring children’s books are seemingly the simplest in design. In Sam McBratney’s modern classic, first published in 1994, a large stuffed hare and a small stuffed hare exchange expressions of love in a warm and comforting way that any child can enjoy at bedtime. Coupled with Anita Jeram’s smooth illustrative style, it’s not hard to see why this book has sold 28 million copies worldwide. however, there is a deeper appeal to this picture book: it touches on how strange an abstract concept like “love” can be to a young child. With an economy of words and measured humor, McBratney pulls it off. “I wrote it to say something meaningful and funny, using as few words as possible,” he explains.

shop here>> guess how much i love you book

8. room in the broom by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

julia donaldson’s association with illustrator axel scheffler has produced several modern classics, one of them being space on the broom. First published in 2001, it combines detailed imagery with a simple, poetic narrative of a flaming-haired witch and her familiar broomstick as they get into all sorts of trouble. lists, repetition, and being chased like a dragon’s dinner all add to the sheer joy of storytelling that young children respond to so well. “My starting point,” Donaldson explains, “was that a witch on her broom always has a cat. well, what if she had other animals there too? It has since been adapted into a television animated and stage version, as well as an interactive attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

shop here>> room in the broom book

9. dear zoo by rod campbell campbell

When Rod Campbell came up with the idea of ​​”lifting the flaps” to reveal surprises in Dear Zoo back in 1982, the pacing and humor introduced a whole new way to enjoy books. with preschool children. “Children enjoy the idea and logic, and are easily engaged, due to the repetitive text and the physical act of lifting the flaps,” Campbell says. in the story, a narrator asks the zoo to send him a pet. however, the zoo keeps sending animals that are completely inappropriate: a monkey that is too rambunctious, a camel that is too grumpy, and they all have to be returned. As the story progresses, kids love the different shaped fins that represent animal boxes or a basket of snakes, until finally the zoo gets it right and sends our narrator the perfect pet: an adorable puppy! ! First published in 1982, dear zoo remains a family favorite and a live theatrical version opened in 2018.

shop here>> dear zoo book

10. the tiger that came to drink judith kerr’s tea

published in 1968 the tiger who came to tea celebrates its 50th anniversary next year in 2018. a book that is certainly a true classic with a bit of retro charm (check out the hairstyle raised from the mother and kinky boots!). There’s also something oddly stylized about this domestic scene of mother and daughter at tea time that has a real fifties feel to it (despite Sophie’s funky polka dot tights). children love the fun of books that mix reality with fantasy. everyone knows what tea time is, they know what a tiger is, but tea with a tiger is the dumbest thing. And because Judith Kerr is such a wonderful storyteller, she doesn’t get caught up in the little details, like why the tiger didn’t bother to eat Sophie and Mom. And the best part is that when Dad comes home, he doesn’t just freak out, he suggests that the family go out to eat! There’s also a live road show that really brings the book to life and also a really special afternoon tea at the London Savoy.

shop here>> book the tiger that came to tea

11. pepo! by janet and allan ahlberg

First published in 1981, this wonderful board book beckons like the very hungry caterpillar because you just can’t tear a hole in the page for young children to enjoy. in peepo!, a baby glimpses his little home world through a small circular cutout on the page, before the full scene: a cozy kitchen, a visit to the park, the soft light of the hour to go to bed is revealed on the back of it. Set in the early 1940s, it’s an unassuming vision of a baby’s happy life based on Allan Ahlberg’s own working-class childhood. and the illustrations delight today as always.

shop here>> Peepo! book

12. harry potter and the philosopher’s stone by jk rowling

The book that launched a bespectacled schoolboy turned wizard into the stratsphere of world fame, Harry Potter is a literary sensation. The first Harry Potter novel has become one of the best-selling books of all time since it was released in 1997. Not bad for a ‘sci-fi’ novel, right? This book introduces us to Harry, from his magical beginnings as a baby and his discovery, at age 11, of his uncanny potential as he begins life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. JK Rowling’s ability to write a compelling narrative that appeals to young and old readers alike has been key to The Legend of the Potter. Later, much darker volumes make Potter overwhelming for some under-tens, but with movies, stage versions, clothing, and theme parks, the world of Harry Potter looks set to continue.

shop here>> Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Book

13. furry maclary from donaldson’s dairy by lynley dodd

First published in 1983, lynley dodd’s scruffy black hairy maclary street dog doesn’t do much most of the time except chew on bones, chase things and hang out with his friends. Yet this simple first rhyme, which introduces young children to Hairy’s variety of doggy friends (“bottomley pots covered in spots”; “schintzel von krumm with a very low tum,” and so on) is a rhythmic delight. . Dodd’s illustrative style is bland and almost old-fashioned, but it’s the narrative (with playful cadences akin to the wonderful Dr. Seuss), where the native New Zealander uses the richest language (“cacophony,” “meow” and “howdedoo” are excellent examples) which makes his many tracking books featuring animals with catchy names a huge worldwide success.

shop here>> Furry maclary from donaldson’s dairy book

14. the cat in the hat by dr seuss

theodor seuss geisel wrote this vibrant language game in 1957 as a primer to help children with the 225 words that were vital to the vocabulary of “new readers”. the cheeky cat arrives and causes chaos with his suggested rainy day games at the house of two little boys, while his mother is away. the poetic rhythm of dr. seuss piles emotion on chaos in a story that’s fun and educational.

shop here>> the cat in the hat book

15. the cheerful postman by janet and allan ahlberg

according to allan ahlberg admitted, he and his late wife always liked to make a book very different from the previous one. In The Jolly Postman, first published in 1986, our eponymous hero makes his deliveries in a storybook land populated by famous characters from fairy tales and nursery rhymes. adventures abound as each communication offers more intrigue. The envelopes are cleverly integrated into the pages and each letter is cleverly designed to delight young readers. so loved is this book, you will seldom find a well-thumbed edition where any of the letters have been lost. Check out Merry Christmas Postman for a festive update on this 2013 classic.

shop here>> the jolly book of the postman

16. i will never eat a tomato by lauren child

Lauren Child’s phenomenally successful Charlie and Lola creations had a vibrant life in print long before they became a funky TV series. I’ll Never Ever Eat a Tomato was first published in 2001 and features the indomitable Lola, a cheeky preschool lady who always has a clever excuse to justify getting her way. However, the older brother, Charlie, appeals to his sense of fantasy to overcome common childhood problems, such as being a picky eater. great fun and useful if you know a picky eater who doesn’t like tomatoes, eggs or peas…

shop here>> I will never eat a tomato book

17. the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by cs lewis

First published in 1950, the first in CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series tells the magical story of a family of children who have been evacuated from London during the war. Exploring the country house they’ve moved into, the youngest daughter, Lucy, discovers a secret world within a disused cupboard, and soon all the children are thrown into the world of Narnia. belief, betrayal, and salvation are strong biblical themes, but the appeal of this enduring fantasy goes much deeper.

shop here>> the lion, the witch and the wardrobe book

18. charlie and the chocolate factory by roald dahl

First published in 1964, Roald Dahl’s enduring appeal lies not only in his expert storytelling, but also in the gruesome, gory, and goofy nature of his books. what child has not dreamed of chocolate rivers? However, Dahl was never sentimental, and here the hero is the only son of the almost comically poor cube family, who wins last place in a one-of-a-kind tour of the top-secret candy factory owned by Willy Wonka. While Dahl allows us to wallow in the sweet shop, the book’s other children, greedy, lazy, and spoiled, come to sweetly sticky ends. a wonderful novel for young readers that ignites their imaginations and offers a cautionary tale. And of course, like every classic book, it’s been made into a movie or two: the classic with Gene Wilder and the updated version with Johnny Depp.

shop here>> charlie and the chocolate factory book

19. beatrix potter’s tale of peter rabbit

Originally written in 1902 as an illustrated letter to a sickly five-year-old, Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit paved the way for Potter’s series of wildlife stories of mischievous bunnies, unlucky toads, and other well-dressed creatures. humans. traits. Illustrating his work in a delicate style, Potter brought the wonders of his beloved English countryside to an Edwardian audience who instantly fell in love with his books. One day, while Mama Rabbit is away, Peter gets lost in his neighbor’s garden and proceeds to eat his vegetables, only to be chased away by an angry Mr. mcgregor. Potter’s writing style has the quaint, mannered charm of his time.

shop here >> the tale of peter rabbit

20. enid blyton’s magical distant tree

Three children discover an enchanted forest where a gigantic magical tree grows. At the top of the tree is a ladder that leads children to a magical land that is constantly changing; sometimes they are extremely unpleasant (the land of spanking) or sometimes they are fantastically pleasant (the land of birthdays, the land of what is popular). -you want). the kids are free to come and go, but they have to leave before the ground “moves” or they’ll be stuck there until the magical hole through which they can lower the ladder at the top of the tree returns. First published in 1943, Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree is inhabited by such wonderful characters as Moonface, Silky Fairy, Saucepan Man, Lady Washalot, Mr. watzisname and the angry pixie.

shop here>> the magical distant tree

21. owl babies by martin waddell and patrick benson

Sarah, Percy, and Bill wake up one night to find their mom isn’t there. their loneliness makes them anxious and the fluffy white owls start to get restless, but are overwhelmed with relief and joy when mama owl returns. a gentle and calming bedtime read for two year olds.

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22. alfie enters first for shirley hughes

once again, hughes’s hands-on approach to storytelling is highlighted. Little Alfie accidentally locks his mom and his little sister outside. opening the door again is a complicated process involving neighbors and all sorts. First published in 1981, the Alfie series of books is a warm and wonderful exploration for preschoolers.

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23. peace at last by jill murphy

It’s been almost 50 years since Mr. and Mrs. Bear and Little Bear first appeared in 1980. Here, they go to bed, but Mr. Bear can’t sleep because Mrs. Bear snores. she tries to sleep in teddy bear’s room and in every other room in the house, even in the car, but each place is too noisy. Eventually, he realizes that all is quiet and returns to his own bed to enjoy the peace at last…Murphy’s gentle illustrations and the comedy found in the domestic scene make this an engaging read for the bedtime.

shop here >> peace at last

24. the snail and the whale by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

donaldson and scheffler come together in a beautiful story that encourages children to see how important we all are, big or small. A tiny snail yearns to sail the seas, and by hitchhiking with his gigantic whale friend, he can explore icebergs, volcanoes and other wonders all over the earth. however, when the whale is stranded on a beach, it is the snail who can come to its rescue by writing a distress message. richly colorful and charming, with memorable rhymes. and also celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2018.

shop here>> the snail and the whale

25. come what may by debi gliori

when gliori got divorced, the experience she saw her own daughter go through inspired her no matter what. First published in 1999, it tells the story of a fox father named Little Promise, her cub, no matter what, she will always be there filling his life with love and pampering. the little one asks many questions, but the big one is constant in her reassuring answers. the fluffy illustrative style appeals to young readers, whether the separation is only temporary at bedtime or for a longer period of parental absence.

shop here>> no matter what

26. green eggs and ham by dr seuss

another gem from the inimitable dr. seuss, and first published in 1960, this book is not only one of the good doctor’s best adventures into the joy of language, with its nonsensical poetry and snorting rhythms, but it’s also a great way to convince readers! young children that they may like a new food! Sam-i-am is desperate to get his friend to try the green eggs and ham and suggests all sorts of scenarios that might make the dish appealing: eating them with a fox, in a box, in the dark, under the sun. rain etc activated.

shop here >> green eggs and ham

27. i love you blue kangaroo! by emma chichester clark

lily brown and her cuddly toy, the blue kangaroo, are inseparable. However, a procession of new toys displaces the blue kangaroo from the place of honor in Lily’s bed and finally jumps into her baby brother’s crib. When Lily sees her loved one nestled close to her in someone else’s arms, she realizes that she is too special to lose. A delightful bedtime read from award-winning illustrator Chichester Clark, a former Royal College of Art student who was tutored by Quentin Blake.

shop here >> i love you blue kangaroo!

28. giles andreae and nick sharratt pants

Since poo and potties can even dominate adult conversation, in a child’s early years, it’s no surprise that young readers delight when their parents read them an ode to pants. Beyond that, Andreae’s flowing rhymes and Sharratt’s comedic illustrative style raise the silly stakes as the book explores various pants and how they might fit different incongruous scenarios. big fun. The More Pants follow-up continues the underwear fixation with more fun and games.

shop here >> pants

29. james and the giant peach by roald dahl and quentin blake

In true dahl fashion, this adventure (first published in 1961) is strange enough, but ironic and compassionate. Before the first page is out, poor James Henry Trotter is orphaned and sentenced to a life of cruelty with his Spiker and Sponge aunts. However, one day he meets a strange man who offers him a bag of magic beans, but James drops the bag in the garden and a mighty peach appears. James befriends a bunch of bugs who were also affected by magic, and they all fly off on an incredible adventure.

shop here >> james and the giant peach

30. dogger by shirley hughes

hughes’s ability to capture something valuable and important to young children in their own lives makes his works favorites decades after they were written. Dogger is a toy dog ​​whose owner Dave takes him everywhere. Dave’s school life and his family, treats and bath time provide a comforting backdrop for a story where Dave really does lose Dogger. both must go through difficult times before a happy reunion brings the story to a heartwarming end for readers.

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31. mog the forgetful cat by judith kerr

If the cats in the family are independent creatures that roam and do their thing, mog is no different. The moggy is often daydreaming on her way to a series of adventures, and in this book, judith kerr’s first mog story, she forgets that she can’t fly when chasing birds and forgets that she has a basket when she sleeps in front of the sir thomas vision of television. like any naughty little kid, she gets scolded for everyday petty crimes, for which the books translate beautifully. Despite Judith’s sad passing in 2019 at the age of 96, her legacy lives on in the pages of every book she wrote.

shop here >> mog the forgetful cat

32. Maisy goes to the hospital for the Lucy cousins

maisy, mimi, mausi or even molly have been translated into 28 languages ​​and have sold more than 25 million copies. Now there are more than 150 colorful first stories about the little mouse and his friends. A wonderful journey into colors, objects, and first words from prolific author Lucy Cousins.

shop here>> Maisy goes to the hospital

33. roald dahl’s matilda, illustrated by quentin blake

matilda, made into a hollywood movie in 1996, is the story of a girl genius who escapes the confines of a horrible home life and a boring school. Instead, her supportive and encouraging teacher, Miss Honey, and Matilda’s special powers transcend Roald Dahl’s view of neglectful parenting. Matilda celebrated her 30th anniversary in 2018 with a hardcover reissue featuring 3 original and new covers by the original illustrator, Quentin Blake, of course, each featuring a career that Blake himself has imagined Matilda could have at age 30. /p>

shop here>> matilda

34. charlotte’s web by eb white and garth williams

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charlotte is a spider who lives in a stable where one day, a dwarf pig named wilbur comes to live. When she discovers that Wilbur is destined for the slaughterhouse, the spider manages to save him by writing special messages on his web. the couple becomes famous and is celebrated at the county fair, but unfortunately the life of a spider is not long. eb white’s book for unsuspecting readers explores sometimes difficult themes in a compassionate, magical and celebratory story.

shop here > > charlotte’s web

35. a snowy night by nick butterworth

This, Percy’s first book, has Nick Butterworth’s trademark illustrative appeal. Percy, the park keeper, always feeds the animals, but when a lot of snow falls, he realizes that he will have to keep them safe and warm in his hut and quickly gets a bit cramped. The Percy series has enjoyed great success among preschoolers.

shop here > > a snowy night

36. thomas the tank engine by rev w awdry

reverend awdry invented the railway stories for his young son, christopher, based on his own childhood love of steam trains. imbuing the various trains and locomotives with human traits, oddly crafted tales that taught young children about life: tantrums, mishaps and all. now an international phenomenon, the original books have a wonderfully dry humor that appeals to adults and children alike.

shop here >>thomas the tank engine

37. Mr. men by roger hargreaves

several mr. Men’s books made their way to the ballot box (including some from the Little Miss series, which began in 1981). Simple in design and illustration, these bold characters get up to all sorts of comic mischief due to their particular traits or habits. Mr. Tickle was Roger Hargreaves’ first invention, but the series continued with characters like Mr. blow, mr. messy and mr. forgetful, all of which allow young children to explore different personalities through fun stories

shop here >> sir men

38. the baby catalog by janet and allan ahlberg

Inspired by their own daughter’s love of shopping catalogs featuring nursery items, the Ahlbergs created a charming picture book of objects and scenes from a baby’s world to share with a child as a first book. beautiful pastel illustrations have made this a classic that continues to delight young children.

shop here >> the baby catalog

39. that’s not my… by fiona watt and rachel wells

a simple idea that has spread to all sorts of topics. thick board books with textured pages take the child through a simple narrative: “that’s not my dinosaur/stuffed toy/doll/tractor.” and on every page there’s a reason why not, like bumpy skin, shiny hair bows, squishy wheels, until we finally get to the right article. In addition to the tactile experience, the repetition of basic vocabulary is a valuable and enjoyable tool for early learning. With over 50 titles in the collection, every child will have a favorite or two.

shop here >> that’s not my…

40. horrible henry by francesca simon and tony ross

horrid henry hates his brother perfect peter, and his classmates grumpy margaret, crybaby william, aerobics and, well, you get the idea. school life is about avoiding work and causing teachers as much pain as possible; home life is a test to avoid parental discipline, while eating all the sweets, cheating in competitions, and just generally being horrible. Her wickedly rebellious world appeals to young children instantly, and Francesca Simon’s first volume has spawned a series for young readers now immortalized on television and a film starring Angelica Huston as well. the dennis the threat of her time.

shop here>> awful henry

41. the wind in the willows by kenneth grahame

It may be 100 years old, but this novel about rats, moles, badgers, toads and other riverside animals is an evocation of rural England that still captures the imagination. Adapted over and over again as animation, film, stage play and television series, Kenneth Grahame’s story of giving wildlife human characteristics brings themes of friendship and morality to children’s books.

shop here >> the wind in the willows

42. goodnight moon by margaret wise brown and clement hurd

a sweet and enduring bedtime book in which the reader can say goodnight to objects in the room and outside the window, preparing for sleep. Margaret Wise Brown’s reassuring read is considered an important text for early childhood in the United States and has been very successful here as well.

shop here >> good night moon

43. where, oh where, is the kipper bear? by mick inkpen

Subtitled ‘a pop-up book with light!’, this is a fun bedtime story in which mick inkpen’s clever dog has to go on the hunt for his cuddly toy. The herring book series began in 1991 and has been cleverly adapted for television. Despite our hero’s rich ginger colors, the scenes are often basic on a white background, allowing the humor of the pen and a child’s imagination to do the rest.

shop here >> where oh where is kipper bear?

44. where is the place by eric hill

Spot, one of the great pioneers of novelty lift-flap books for babies, remains a timeless classic. Here, the honey and black pup has gone missing at dinner time and the mother dog, Sally, must find him. Eric Hill’s deceptively simple storytelling and bright, bold illustrations make this a great choice for very young children. hill has sold millions of books in the spot series

shop here>> where is the place?

45. is it bedtime, wibbly pig? by mick inkpen

Simple counting, vocabulary and exploration of emotions are great assets that the Wibbly Pig series brings to Mick Inkpen’s sweet little picture books. In this story, a very familiar bedtime scenario unfolds: Wibbly Pig wants to do everything but go to bed. splash around in the bathtub, count the stairs… what else can the little pig do to avoid sleep? of course, he eventually has to let himself sleep, so a happy ending to all the parents!

shop here >> Is it bedtime?

46. araucarias by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

a clever book with the familiar theme of a children’s picture book: a little animal that has lost its mother. Yet Julia Donaldson’s easy-rhyming narratives are never one-dimensional, and here, kids get to have some monkey fun meeting all sorts of beasts that share a trait or two with their mother, but are completely different from him. before meeting again. with his family.

shop here>> araucarias

47. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

The oldest book in the top 100, the sheer, brilliant fantasy of this story hasn’t dimmed in over a century. Originally created by Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson) to amuse three girls on a boat trip down the Thames, it tells of a curious girl (Alice) who follows a great white rabbit down a rabbit hole, only to find a door that opens to a strange world of strange creatures. a cheshire cat, a tea party, a queen and a duchess add to the very English adventure. a great story to read to children ages six and up.

shop here>> Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

48. son of the gruffalo by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

In the first book, the gruffalo is the menacing beast of legend, but in a clever twist, it is now the big ferocious mouse that is the object of wonder and fear in this sequel. Julia Donaldson’s melodious rhyming narration shows the gruffalo telling his son about the legend of the said rodent. Of course, the curious little guy can’t resist going in search of the big bad mouse as this story turns comically round and round again. this is a smooth follow-up with a sophistication we’ve come to expect, and a great way to allay any monster fears before bed.

shop here>> the son of the gruffalo

49. meg and mog by helen nicoll and jan pienkowski

Simple and amusing witch tales that combined Helen Nicoll’s humorous storytelling with Pienkowski’s trademark combination of black characterization and rich, colorful landscapes. The Meg and Mog series has continued to appear for over 30 years and is excellent for building vocabulary.

shop here >> mega and mog

50. brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? by bill martin jr and eric carle

It’s Eric Carle’s glorious collage illustrations that have made this book such a success. the grizzly bear now has the trademark for colorful textured images, best known in the very hungry caterpillar. The question and answer format allows children to participate and predict the narration and spot things with the bear.

shop here >> brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?

51. mr magnolia by quentin blake

dahl illustrator quentin blake has written some wonderful books for young children. mister magnolia is a poetic joy in which our hero owns many wonderful objects, animals and even two sisters, but he only has one boot!

buy here>> mr magnolia

52. duck in the truck by jez alborough

There is something akin to looney tunes in the pacing and humor of jez alborough’s first duck book (it was followed by Repairman Duck and Captain Duck). Duck and his friends end up in a manic, muddy mess. This is a funny and rhyming game for three year olds, with pictures of slapstick.

buy here>> duck in the truck

53. the smartest giant in town by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

The scruffiest giant in town tries to buy himself a whole new outfit. However, on the way home, George runs into several animals in need and ends up giving away all of his fabulous new gear (his shoes are the perfect abode for a mouse and his homeless mice, for example). intelligent and fun reading.

shop here>> the smartest giant in the city

54. dental floss by kim lewis

The first in a series of stories about Flossing Sheepdog that tells of how he goes from playful city dog ​​to hardworking farm animal. Kim Lewis creates a wonderful natural landscape in her writing and illustrations. a great story told without being overly sentimental.

shop here>> dental floss

55. hippos go crazy! by sandra boynton

a great tally book in which a bored hippo calls out to his companions until finally what can only be described as hippo mayhem ensues. Sandra Boynton’s soft, rounded illustrations make this a delightful book for very young children and something of a classic.

shop here>> hippos go crazy!

56. the tracy beaker story by jacqueline wilson and nick sharratt

Humane, honest, and told in language that doesn’t favor children, Jacqueline Wilson’s stories don’t have happy endings, but they’ve become incredibly successful. Tracy Beaker is a ten-year-old girl in a nursing home with apparent “behavioral difficulties”; she has become an antihero of our time.

shop here>> the story of tracy beaker

57. heidi by johanna spyri

An orphaned girl who is taken to live with her lonely grandfather in the Swiss Alps, Heidi is a good-hearted girl who slowly helps the old man find a new happiness. but then an aunt takes her to the city, where cultural differences cause her to learn even more life lessons. touching, girly stuff. often adapted for television and film.

shop here>> heidi

58. a squash and a squeeze by julia donaldson and axel cheffler

“Wise old man, won’t you help me please? My house is a mess,” an old woman complains to a friend. He suggests that she take a series of farm animals to solve her problem. Of course, the little house becomes even more cramped and chaotic, but when the wise old man advises the lady to throw them all out again, she realizes that her house definitely looks palatial after all! funny adjectives: “tiny”, “titchy”, “teeny”, “weeny”, etc.

shop here>> a pumpkin and a squeeze

59. olivia by ian falconer

the black, white and red in falconer’s elegant little pig tales may come from his sophisticated background as a painter and illustrator for new yorker, new york city ballet and royal opera house in covent garden. In the first book, we are introduced to a busy little pig who loves to dress up (and try on everything), sing, build sandcastles, dance, paint, and eventually go to bed. Ian Falconer’s series has seen Olivia try his hand at the ballet, the circus and, in his latest foray, helping fix Christmas.

shop here>> olivia

60. eric carle’s grumpy ladybug

Eric Carle’s story is about a small, moody guy who gets on the wrong side of everyone, no matter how big they are. But he gets what he deserves from him and learns the joys of a pleasant disposition!

shop here>> the grumpy ladybug

61. daisy eat your peas by kes gray and nick sharratt

kes gray’s award-winning picture book spawned a series of books about daisy, the feisty little girl who doesn’t really like what she gets in her tea and won’t be tempted by anything.

shop here>> eat your peas

62. a bear named paddington by michael bond harpercollins, £4.99

Michael Bond was inspired to write about Peru’s darkest accident-prone bear when he bought the last teddy bear on a store shelf. In the story, Paddington is at the station with a sign that says “Please take care of this bear”. kindly mr. and mrs. brown adopt him, at their well-intentioned cost!

buy a bear named paddington

63. roald dahl’s bfg

Even though Sophie is scared of him when she first sees him in her bedroom window, the big friendly giant is exactly that. he blows sweet dreams through windows to children at night and fights hostile giants. roald dahl creates a wonderful giant language – bad guys eat children or ‘humanbeans’. Furthermore, he watches the 2016 film version of Steven Spielberg’s BFG.

shop here>> the bfg

64. goodnight poppy cat by lara jones

lara jones’ touch-and-explore series of books appeals to very young readers who find this round, ginger cat adorable and love to squish bubbles at bath time.

shop here>> good night poppy cat

65. fantastic mr fox by roald dahl

mr. Fox enjoys his life by doing fox things like eating chickens and turkeys, much to the annoyance of Farmers Bunce, Boggis, and Bean. the trio decide they must get rid of this plague any way they can, but the fox lord and his wild animal companions manage to outwit the foolish men. Typically Roald Dahl’s cruel characterization of him (along with Blake’s illustrations) from the Vile Farmers and his dark comedy, this is a great antidote to the saner reading available for six and seven year olds.

shop here>> fantastic mr fox

66. the man in the moon by simon bartram

Subtitled A Day In The Life Of Bob, Simon Bartram’s beautifully illustrated book is about a polite English guy who lives on earth and travels to the moon every day for work, showing tourists around and dispelling rumors that aliens exist. Except enthusiastic young readers can see aliens everywhere, hiding in craters, sneaking into Bob’s rocket, and even peeking out of the bushes in your backyard! an offbeat delight with a 1950s retro shine.

See Also: Mark Goodwin – Book Series In Order

shop here>> the man on the moon

67. black beauty by anna sewell

Parents of a certain age may remember the classic 1970s TV series about black beauty, but this Victorian tale of a beautiful foal passing through the hands of good, bad and cruel owners is still a classic read for all. girls who are crazy about horses.

shop here>> black beauty

68. repair duck by jez alborough

Our brave duck spots a leak in the roof, but can he fix it? well, no, it can’t, but we can have a lot of fun with the slapstick chaos that follows. Jez Alborough plays with language to wonderful effect, with a tongue twister challenge that young children will find hilarious.

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69. y’all are my favorite sam mcbratney and anita jeram

As Guess How Much I Love You (in our top 10), this story by Sam McBratney reassures children about love and closeness between parents and children. It’s a great book if your child has siblings, because here three little bears want mama bear and papa bear to say which one is their favorite. Needless to say, the parents put each individual at ease…

shop here>> you are all my favourites

70. the snowman by raymond briggs

after working on fungus the coco slime, raymond briggs wanted something airy and nice to work on, hence the clean, crisp, towering landscape for his beloved snowman. It’s hard to help but think of Aled Jones’s voice when you imagine this story, but the power of Briggs’ moving book lies in the fact that the story is told using only images. A child’s snowman comes to life and takes the child on an amazing journey to meet Santa Claus. however, the snowman cannot last forever and the boy must come to terms with losing him when the warm weather melts his friend. The Snowman celebrated his 40th anniversary in 2018 and published a heartwarming version of this classic tale by Michael Morpurgo.

shop here>> the snowman

71. good night gorilla by peggy rathmann

the zookeeper is making his last evening rounds and saying goodnight to various animals, but there’s a gorilla who isn’t quite ready for bed and sets all his other furry friends free… the delightful book by peggy rathmann also available as a gift pack with a toy gorilla!

shop here>> goodnight gorilla

72. you choose by pippa goodhart and nick sharratt photo

A vibrant picture book with detailed cartoon-style illustrations by Sharratt and animated narration by Pippa Goodhart that gives young children the opportunity to choose where to live, sleep, do, play, and more. a great book for interactive reading.

shop here>> you choose

73. giraffes can’t dance by giles andreae and guy parker-rees

Because of his lanky physique, Gerald the giraffe cannot dance. however, a friendly cricket assures her that everyone can dance, they just need the right tune! a charming picture book with rhymes about understanding differences.

shop here>> giraffes can’t dance

74. pumpkin soup image by helen cooper

The cat, the squirrel and the duck love their soup, but one night the recipe gets messed up and chaos ensues. Helen Cooper’s beautifully illustrated book might be just what he needs to persuade a picky eater to try new mealtime ideas.

shop here>> pumpkin soup

75. peter pan and wendy by jm barrie, illustrated by robert ingpen

Based on JM Barrie’s original play Peter Pan the Great, the novel is a story of a roaring childhood that raises profound questions about growing up, the end of innocence, and the confusion between fantasy and reality. . Peter Pan lives in Neverland in a state of perpetual childhood with the Lost Boys and likes to swoop down to hear bedtime stories in the real world. One night he connects with the children, Wendy, John and Michael, who fly with him to his magical home for a dangerous adventure.

shop here>> peter pan and wendy

76. peek-a-boo by jan ormerod bodley

This is a first classic board book for babies, combining their love of playing hide-and-seek with the fun of lifting the flaps. On each page, a baby hides behind a bib, bath towels, or cozy bedding. very young children respond to seeing other babies in pictures. indeed, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a family copy that hasn’t been heavily thumbed.

shop here>> cuckoo

77. janet and allan ahlberg burglar bill

thief bill has stolen everything he owns, from his breakfast to his bed. one night when he is robbing houses, he steals a box and discovers to his horror that he has a baby inside of it. Soon, a thief arrives at his own house: he is the thief Betty, the mother of the baby… for children who are beginning to read independently.

shop here>> anti-theft bill

78. the complete book of farm stories by stephen cartwright and heather amery

Sam and Poppy get into all sorts of situations on their mother’s farm, and the nostalgic picture books collected here beautifully convey that healthy emotion. there is a little yellow duck to find on each page. it comes with a cd too.

shop here>> the complete book of farmyard tales

79. mr gump’s exit by john burningham

mr. gumpy wants to take a trip along the river, but there are many other passengers waiting to join him: children, a pig, a rabbit and many more. Can his boat (and his patience) stand up to his noisy antics in John Burningham’s well-paced story?

shop here>> mr gumpy’s exit

80. my friend the bear by jez alborough

alborough is the master at recounting human experiences through a child’s relationship with his teddy bear; it is a device used by many picture books. In My Friend the Bear, Little Eddy finds a kindred spirit whose best friend is his teddy bear too, except he’s a real bear.

shop here>> my friend bear

81. roald dahl’s huge crocodile

Even though there are a lot of kids eating in roald dahl’s books, they are still extremely popular with kids. In this story, an evil crocodile in Africa’s muddiest river seeks to find as many juicy little kids to eat as he can, but the wild animals he brags about have other ideas, until the elephant finally gets rid of him for good. .

shop here>> the huge crocodile

82. funny bones by janet and allan ahlberg

Here, the Ahlbergs’ inventive sense of humor creates a story about a family of skeletons living in a “dark dark basement” in a “dark dark house” on a “dark dark street.” One night, the two skeletons are walking their skeleton dog, when it crashes into a bench and ends up as a pile of bones that have to fit back together. great fun, and this year’s free “book hour” giveaway for young children starting school.

shop here>> funny bones

83. my dad by anthony browne

Inspired when he found his father’s old robe one day and felt instantly close to him, Anthony Browne wrote this lovingly illustrated evocation of a child’s pride in his father. instantly engaging: most kids see their parents as superheroes even when their feats of heroism are simple everyday chores. pretty. see my mom too

shop here>> my dad

84. where is my teddy? by jez alborough

eddy loses his stuffed animal and goes looking for it in the woods. he finds a very large stuffed animal, which he thinks is his. but it belongs to a real bear who then finds eddy’s teddy and thinks it’s his that has shrunk…

shop here>> where is my stuffed animal?

85. george de roald dahl’s marvelous medicine

george invents a medicine to make his grandmother more likeable, but instead it makes her extremely large. when george tries to recreate the mix he makes things extremely small and granny swallows it too…wonderful writing.

shop here>> george’s wonderful medicine

86. santa claus by raymond briggs

briggs was inspired to write santa claus by his father, who was a milkman, because “they both have miserable jobs: working in the cold, wet and dark.” In fact, Briggs’ Santa is far from the jolly guy most kids know. instead, the humor stems from the old man reluctantly having to drag himself out of his cozy house to go to work on his busiest night of the year. Kids love the confusion of their expectations in this cleverly written and illustrated classic.

shop here>> santa claus

87. charlie cook’s favorite book by julia donaldson and axel scheffler

a totally ingenious idea! charlie is reading a book about a captain at sea, who is reading about goldilocks, who is reading about… and so on as the warped fun unfolds. a glorious celebration of children’s books.

shop here>> charlie cook’s favorite book

88. jrr tolkien’s hobbit

Long before blockbuster movies, Tolkien’s fantasy series had legions of fans young and old. The Hobbit is considered the prelude to the Lord of the Rings and is probably the best starting point for readers under the age of ten. Wizards, dragons, and dwarves reenact Jr. Tolkien’s adventure with Bilbo Baggins, the reticent hairy-footed Hobbit hero.

shop here>> the hobbit

89. restless fish by ruth galloway

A lovely picture book and cautionary tale. tiddler is too restless to stay home and eventually his mother lets him go alone as long as he stays away from the big fish. tiddler meets all kinds of other sea creatures, when he suddenly swallows him. luckily for tiddler, your unease of him comes to the rescue!

shop here>> restless fish

90. five celebrities of enid blyton

enid blyton certainly knew how to brand a product decades before most people had even heard of “marketing”. In this famous first Five Threads, Julian, Dick, Anne, Tomboy George and Timmy the Dog go in search of the shipwrecked treasure and thwart the villains who are also on their trail. brave boys and girls who use their wits to catch adult criminals made for great adventures. all 21 five novels are still loads of fun.

shop here>> five famous

91. little miss muffet count to ten by emma chichester clark

A clever twist on the nursery rhyme, in this beautiful picture book, the spider convinces Miss Muffet not to run away, and in return, two, three, four and more creatures arrive and reward her bravery with treats. Emma Chichester Clark’s Amazing Tale is a delightful way to introduce early numbers at story time.

shop here>> little miss muffet counts to ten

92. miffy by dick bruna

bruna says that miffy’s very basic rabbit shape is due to her own limitations as an illustrator, but her simplicity has made her an icon. some of the books are wordless, others have little verses to follow. Hello Kitty might have stolen the limelight from her as of late, but Miffy looks good for 69 and is still a classic book for young children. Author Dick Bruna passed away in 2017, but her books will last forever.

shop here>> miffy

93. elmer by david mckee

while some parents might associate mckee with the old mr. benn, now there are two generations who can’t see a gray elephant without wanting to color it in a mosaic of rainbow colors. A jolly fellow, Elmer has been featured in David McKee’s series of books about life in the wild: help solve the plight of his fellow elephants at Elmer and the Hippos and organize a jungle shindig at Elmer’s concert. elmer celebrated the 30th anniversary of him in 2019.

shop here>> elmer

94. dirty harry dog ​​by gene zion and margaret bloy graham

Avoiding bath time is a hot topic in bedtime stories, and this one is a true classic. harry, a white dog with black spots, dodges soap so much it’s hard to tell if he’s actually a black dog with white spots… the 50’s design style is a real treat.

shop here>> Harry the dirty dog

95. rosie’s walk by pat hutchins

Rosie the red hen walks around the barnyard and manages to avoid being eaten by the cunning fox. pat hutchins picture book is a vibrant and humorous story with no words and lots of funny moments.

shop here>> rosie’s walk

96. the incredible book-eating boy by oliver jeffers

henry loves books, but one day he accidentally discovers that they taste good too. he goes on a spree of gorging himself on volumes and volumes, only to discover that he too is stuffing himself with knowledge! but how healthy is this new diet? Oliver Jeffers was a fairly new talent when we compiled this list and he had already gained acclaim for his other books, Lost and Found and How to Catch a Star. now oliver jeffers is now up there with the great children’s authors and illustrators.

shop here>> the amazing boy eats books

97. Mr. wolf pancakes by jan temal

jan fearnley’s story is a great twist on the story of the little red hen who struggles to make bread without the help of her friends. Here, the charming Mr. Wolf is in the mood for pancakes, but no one, especially the snooty chick, will help him. Of course, everyone wants to eat when the air is filled with the aroma of cooking, but does Mister Wolf want guests?

shop here>> Mr. wolf pancakes

98. eloise de kay thompson and hilary knight

kay thompson was a hollywood star (the absolutely fabulous funny-faced magazine editor) whose party trick was to act like a precocious child. she eventually she created a series of books about this six-year-old girl who lives in new york city’s posh plaza hotel in the care of her very british nanny. more like a girl from st trianian who won the lottery.

shop here>> heloise

99. little foo foo rabbit by michael rosen and arthur robin

Do you know a little kid who likes to lash out for fun? little bunny foo foo has to learn that riding a bike hitting other animals on the head is not good form. Michael Rosen’s simple yet direct storytelling blends seamlessly with Robin’s colorful cartoon illustrations.

shop here>> bunny foo foo

100. that rabbit belongs to emily brown by cressida cowell and neal layton

emily embarks on all kinds of imaginary adventures with her stuffed bunny. however, Queen Gloriana (another girl) has heard of the rabbit and sends all her horses and her men to offer riches in exchange for him. Emily refuses, but one night it is stolen! Emily goes straight to the palace to find it and ends up showing Gloriana that she can create her own beloved stuffed animal that is much loved and played with every day.

shop here>> that rabbit belongs to emily brown

See Also: The 8 Books Every Recruiter Should Read

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