I have a love hate relationship with the children’s section at the bookshop. There seem to be so many good options that it can actually just be overwhelming! Undoubtedly I’ll want to leave with more than my bank account intended. Last week, in an effort to make it less overwhelming, I asked you for some suggestions for your favourite books for your little ones. There were so many good looking options and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels overwhelmed, so I thought I should share the list with you.
Your favourite children’s books
Many books are available in either softcover or as a board book. Sometimes individually or as a set. Options, lots of options. Where applicable I’ve included the link to a search for the item on the online store, meaning that you can select the soft or hardcover option that you’d like. I’ve included Takealot and Reader’s Warehouse (RW) links for South African readers. In general I find RW is cheaper, but they don’t always have as many board/soft/hardcover options. Amazon links included for international readers.
To make things easier I’ve also put together a full list of the ones I could find on Amazon and Takealot, so you can see all the books in one place. (Amazon was playing up a bit, so a few are missing.) Where a recommended author has many books, I’ve just selected a few.
Another great resource is the “Read” section on Olly Polly. All the books are locally written and specially chosen by Gen and Olive.
Recommended Board Books for little ones
“That’s not my…” series (available from Takealot, Amazon)
“Touch Think Learn” series (available from Amazon)
Recommended Children’s Story Books
Olivia the Pig (available from RW. Amazon and there’s even a Youtube channel!)
Anything by Julia Donaldson (available from Takealot, RW, Amazon)
Particular favourites mentioned are The Snail and the Whale (Takealot, RW, Amazon), What the Ladybird Heard (Takealot, RW, Amazon) and the Gruffalo (Takealot, RW, Amazon).
Dr Seuss (available from Takealot, RW, Amazon)
Anything by Lynley Dodd, such as Hairy Maclary (Takealot, RW, Amazon)
I’m a sucker for a well illustrated book, after all most of what you’re doing is looking at the page. The next two authors/illustrators are simply brilliant!
Alex Latimer (available from Takealot, Amazon)
Anything by Oliver Jeffers (available from Takealot, RW, Amazon)
This one is just so good that it get’s its own collage. Here we are, also by Oliver Jeffers, was written in the first two months after his son was born, as a way to explain the world to him. It’s BEAUTIFUL! Open the image in a new tab to see a bigger version. (Available from Takealot, Amazon)
Other specific books
The tiger who came to tea by Judith Kerr (Takealot, Amazon); Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (Amazon); Triangle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (Amazon); First Words by Thomas Nelson (Takealot, Amazon)
I hope this list gives you some fresh ideas for books to get. It has honestly helped give me direction. (And a long wish list!) Fortunately books can be bought one at a time to slowly build up a little collection that you love.
Happy reading!
Deborah Xx
Mun says
Press here is a great interactive book for when E gets bigger (https://www.amazon.com.au/Press-Here-Herve-Tullet/dp/0811879542/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1531400114&sr=1-2&keywords=press+here).
Deborah says
Great!
Mun says
This is not my hat by Jon Klassen (https://www.amazon.com.au/This-Not-Hat-Jon-Klassen/dp/0763655996) is an incredible book. David enjoyed it too!
Deborah says
Good to know! I had it on my list, but took it off because it wasn’t from a personal recommendation. Now I have the personal recommendation to go by 🙂