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Children's Books - 2 to 4 years old

As a child grows older reading stories together is a wonderful bonding opportunity. No parenting aid compares with a book in its capacity to establish and maintain a relationship with a child. A child’s imagination is an amazing thing and children today are very lucky that there are literally thousands of books to educate and enthral them.

Encourage pre-school children to choose a book for you to read them. Show them the way the words go from left to right on the page by underlining with your fingers – yours first, then theirs. Talk about any new words that come up and try to use them in conversation with your child when story time is over. This expands their vocabulary and helps them gain confidence with language.

As they head towards starting school, you can look at a new story book together but without reading the words. Encourage them to tell you the story by looking at the pictures for clues. Give plenty of praise and encouragement. This is one of the first ways they will learn to read once they get to school. There are so many beautifully illustrated books on the market, that it will be a treat for you both.

More Pants by Giles Andreae

 

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Published by David Fickling Books (3 May 2007)

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Sleepy Little Yoga by Rebecca Whitford

 

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Published by Hutchinson (1 Mar 2007)

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Dippy's Sleepover (Pocoyo) by Jane Clarke

 

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Published by Red Fox (4 Jan 2007)

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Mole's Bedtime Story by David Wood

 

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Published by Doubleday (4 Jan 2007)

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Princess Poppy: The Birthday by Janey Louise Jones

 

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Published by Picture Corgi (1 Mar 2007)

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Elmer and Snake by David McKee

 

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Published by Red Fox; New Ed edition (1 Mar 2007)

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Farm Babies: A Stencil Book by Steve Lavis

Find out lots of fascinating facts about your favourite baby farm animals, and best of all, create your own FARM SCENE – just pop out the stencils, take a piece of paper and something to draw with, and off you go!

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Published by Doubleday Books, 2007

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Sadie the Airmail Pilot by Kellie Strom

Sadie the Air Mail Pilot is the story of one brave and fearless pilot who overcomes all the elements, terrible conditions and even a plane crash to deliver the mail! Like all the dedicated Air Mail pilots, Sadie is kept busy by the arrival of never-ending sacks of mail and the Air Mail HQ chief who barks orders at his staff.

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Published by David Fickling Books, 2007

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Dinosaurs: A Stencil Book by Anne M Didierjean

Find out which dinosaurs were the biggest, smallest, fiercest, brainiest and other fascinating dinosaur facts in this brilliant stencil book. And best of all, create your own dinosaur world – just pop out the stencils, take a piece of paper and something to draw with, and off you go!

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Published by Doubleday Books, 2007

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Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt

This is a funny picture book from the talented illustrator and writer Nick Sharratt, following Timothy Pope on a trip through the park. Is that really a shark he can see? Turn the page and find out...

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See other books by Nick Sharrat

Published by David Fickling Books, 2007

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Alfie Alfie Weather by Shirley Hughes

Enter the delightful world of Alfie and his baby sister, Annie Rose. Ordinary aspects of a toddler’s life are reflected back with charm and humour, plus gorgeous illustrations.

See other books by Shirley Hughes

Published by Red Fox, 2002

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Elmer Elmer and the Hippos by David McKee

The elephants aren’t very happy with the hippos sharing their river. Elmer is as wise as ever as he keeps the peace and finds a solution.

See other books by David McKee

Published by Andersen Press, 2003

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Where Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Fabulous classic tale of Max’s bedtime adventures originally published in 1967 and currently being made into a film by Spike Jonze.

Published by Red Fox, 2000

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The Gruffalo The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (ill)

Bestselling modern classic about a clever mouse taking on a monster. Children will love the rhymes and the illustrations.

See other books by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (ill)

Published by Macmillan, 1999

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Shepherd The Shepherd Boy by Kim Lewis

I loved this book when I was younger as it seemed like a proper story. James longs to be a shepherd, just like his Dad. Over the year, he watches his father deal with the sheep and he learns from him. Then at Christmas, he gets a very special surprise! Reviewed by Ranald, age 9

Published by Walker Books Ltd, 1991

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What What Shall We Do, Blue Kangaroo? by Emma Chichester Clark

Lily’s family of aunts, uncles and little brother wouldn’t be complete without Blue Kangaroo. He shares her adventures and offers his unique perspective on his beloved Lily.

Published by HarperCollins, 2002

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Some Dogs Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough

Sid finds one day that he can fly. When his schoolmates tease him he returns home forlorn. But dad has a secret to tell Sid…

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Published by Walker Books, 2003

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Shopping The Shopping Basket by John Burningham

Meet a pig who punches people, a greedy goat and a stupid monkey in this funny tale of Stephen as he outsmarts a host of bullies who are after his shopping.

See other books by John Burningham

Published by Red Fox, 1992

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Tiger The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

Originally published thirty years ago this enduring classic begins as Sophie opens the front door. What she doesn’t expect to find there is a big, furry, stripey tiger – who wants to come in for tea.

Published by Picture Lions, 1998

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Three The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas & Helen Oxenbury (ill)

A clever and hilarious reversal of the old tale which sees the three little wolves defending their home against the big bad pig, his sledgehammer, pneumatic drill and dynamite. With a refreshing surprise ending!

Published by Egmont Books, 1997

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My My Many Coloured Days by Dr Seuss

Gorgeous illustrations introduce children to colours, feelings and the variety of life, as seen through the eyes of the inimitable Dr Seuss.

See other books by Dr Seuss

Published by Red Fox, 2001

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Frog Frog in Love by Max Velthuijs

Frog is feeling peculiar. Happy and sad at the same time. What could be wrong with him. The surprise diagnosis charts his romance with Duck where green meets white and we find that love knows no boundaries.

Published by Andersen Press, 2003

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Shaggy Dog Shaggy Dog and the Terrible Itch by David Bedford & Gwyneth Williamson

Poor Shaggy Dog is being driven crazy by the itch on his back. Help from various people relieves the itching for a while – but then it comes back! Who can help?And what will happen to the “itch”?

Published by Little Tiger Press, 2002

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Down Down by The Cool of The Pool by Tony Mitton & Guy Parker-Rees (ill)

Frog and his energetic farmyard friends frolic by the pool – an energetic rhyming story that will have everyone up dancing along with frog. ‘Down by the pool in the cool of the day, frog cried wheeeee can you dance like me?’

Published by Orchard Books, 2001

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Brown Brown Paper Bear by Neil Reed

When jess goes to stay at her Grandad’s she doesn’t expect the magical adventures that await her when she meets Brown Paper Bear.

Published by Macmillan, 2005

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Big Big Red Bath by Julia Jarman & Adrian Reynolds (ill)

You’ll find repetition, rhyme and rubba dubba fun in this beautifully illustrated book. ‘Ben and Bella in the big red bath – splash you! Splash you! Splish! Splosh! Splash!’

Published by Orchard Books, 2005

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Snowman The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

The classic story of the snowman who takes the little boy who made him to visit Father Christmas.

Published by Puffin Books, 2004

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Olivia Olivia by Ian Falconer (Illustrator)
 

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Published by Simon & Schuster Childrens Books, 2000

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Each Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
 

Published by Viking Children's Books, 2003

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Pass the Jam Pass the Jam, Jim by Kaye Umansky
 

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Published by Red Fox, 1993

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Bear Bear in a Square by Stella Blackstone
 

Published by Barefoot Books, 2000

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You Choose You Choose! by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt
 

See other books by Nick Sharrat

Published by Picture Corgi, 2004

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Mixed Up Mixed Up Fairy Tales by Hilary Robinson
 

Published by Hodder Children's Books, 2005

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My Dad My Dad by Anthony Browne

My Dad is a celebration of all the different characteristics and qualities of my Dad. Each page has a picture of Dad in a different guise and the tag line “My Dad is......”. For example, My Dad is as wise as an owl, My Dad isn’t afraid of anything, My Dad’s a great dancer. And it ends with the author giving Dad a hug.

Published by Double Day, 2003

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Zagazoo Zagazoo by Quentin Blake
 

Published by Red Fox, 2000

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Tell me Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep by Joyce Dunbar and Debi Gliori
 

Published by Corgi Childrens, 1999

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George George and the Dragon by Chris Wormell
 

Published by Jonathan Cape, 2006

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Pants Pants by Giles Andreae
 

Published by Picture Corgi, 2003

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Yuk! Yuk! by Kes Gray
 

See other books by Kes Gray

Published by Bodley Head Children's Books, 2004

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Runaway The Runaway Train by Benedict Blathwayt
 

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Published by Red Fox, 1997

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Pumpkin Soup Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
 

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Published by Corgi Childrens, 1999

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Chickenlicken Chicken Licken by Jonathan Allen
 

Published by Corgi Childrens, 1999

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Biscuit Biscuit Bear by Mini Grey
 

Published by Red Fox, 2005

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Katie Katie Morag and the Birthdays by Mairi Hedderwick
 

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Published by Red Fox, 2006

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Thomas Races to the Rescue! by W Awdry
 

 

Published by Egmont Books Ltd , 2006

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Thomas' Wonderful Word Book by W Awdry
 

 

Published by Egmont Books Ltd, 2005

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Calling All Engines by W Awdry
 

 

Published by Egmont Books Ltd, 2005

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Thomas' Magnetic Play Book by W Awdry
 

 

Published by Random House USA Children's Books, 2001

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Railway Rhymes by W Awdry
 

 

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers, 2005

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Princess Poppy: Poppy's Secret Christmas (Hardcover)
by Janey Jones
 

Published by Corgi Childrens, 2006

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Delicious! by Helen Cooper
 

Published by Doubleday, 19 Oct 2006

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Alfie's World by Shirley Hughes
 

Published by Bodley Head Children's Books, 2006

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Alfie wins a Prize by Shirley Hughes
 

Published by Bodley Head Children's Books, 2004

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Little Red Train's Race to the Finish
by Benedict Blathwayt
 

Published by Hutchinson, 2006

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