There is not much to do outside of the house still, although here’s to hoping that will change soon! But during these last few months of lockdown, we’re willing to bet there are quite a few parents out there that have gone crazy reading the same children’s books for months on end!
So today we asked the office what their favourite children’s books are, either from their own childhood, or ones they have enjoyed reading with their own children. We think the list is definitely worth a read, or at least the books on it are!
1. Big Little Bus, by Nicola Baxter, Illustrated by Toni Goffe
Chosen by Dylan, our Junior Product Specialist
This fun storybook follows a Little Bus determined to show the snooty Big Bus how many people and their pets she can squeeze on board on the way to the Grand Pet Show. It's a perfect book for anyone looking for something different to read to their little one, it's certainly stayed with Dylan all these years (he went to great length to rediscover it for this blog)!
Each Peach Pear Plum, by Allan and Janet Ahlberg
Chosen by Rachel, our Senior Technologist
Each Peach Pear Plum is absolutely classic picture book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, the bestselling illustrator/author team. Rachel was read it as a child, and then read it to her daughter in turn, which is super cute. Each gorgeously illustrated page works to encourage young children to find the next fairy tale and nursery rhyme character, meaning this book is heaps of fun as well as beautiful.
Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren
Chosen by Daria, our Digital Marketing Executive
Daria’s favourite book from when she was a child is the fabulous adventures of Pippi Longstocking. Originally a Swedish children's series, the stories follow a independent and heroic little girl with super strength! Created by Astrid Lindgren, Pippi was created in 1945, and was named by Lindgren's daughter Karin, who asked her mother for a get-well story when she was off school.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.
Chosen by Lisa, our Merchandiser
Lisa loves this sweet tale of a family going an adventurous walk, and so do many others! This great children’s book has won numerous awards and in 2014 was the subject of a Guinness World Record for "Largest Reading Lesson" with a book-reading attended by 1,500 children and 30,000 additional online listeners.
Winnie the Pooh, by A.A Milne
Chosen by Jessica, our Customer Service
No list of children’s books could be complete without this classic series from A.A Milne. Jessica certainly remembers them fondly! These gentle and colourful boos tell the adventures of a yellow bear, Pooh, and his animal friends in a small English woodland. These books have been a must have for any new parents for the best part of a hundred years.
The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
Chosen by Chloe, our Finance Assistant & Hadley, our Head of Marketing
It’s no surprise that this fantastic book from Julia Donaldson, wonderfully illustrated by Axel Scheffler, was the book of choice for two members of the office, Chloe and Hadley. It tells the story of a mouse taking a walk in the wild woods. The book has sold over 13 million copies, won several prizes for children's literature, and has been developed into plays on the West End and Broadway. It even has an Oscar nominated animated film!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle
Chosen by Rosie, our Junior Account Manager
The hero of Rosie's classic choice is a very hungry caterpillar who eats his way through a range of foods before becoming a butterfly (We can see why this story appeals to both adults and kids!).
The winner of many children's literature awards and a major graphic design award, it has sold almost 50 million copies worldwide, and has been called one of the greatest childhood classics of all time. It was even voted the number two children's picture book in a 2012 survey of School Library Journal readers.
The Magic Key Series, Written by Annemarie Young Roderick Hunt & Cynthia Rider Kate Ruttle, illustrated by Nick Schon Alex Brychta
Chosen by Jordan, our Finance Manager
These books chosen by Jordan follow the lives of three children, Biff, Chip and Kipper Robinson, their parents, their grandmother, their friends, Wilf and Wilma Page, Nadim Shah, Anneena Patel and the Robinson's dog, Floppy. The series was first published in 1985 with a set of 30 stories, and there are now over 300!
Stickman, by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Chosen by Jaime, our Finance Director
Another great entry from Julia Dondaldson and Acel Scheffler, Jamie's choice tells the story of a wooden stick who becomes separated from his family home and goes on an adventure to return there. He is eventually reunited with the "family tree" thanks to Father Christmas. Stick Man has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, has been adapted into a short animated film and a successful stage play.
Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Meredith Rusu & Norman Bridwell, illustrated by Jennifer Oxley & Erica Kepler
Chosen by Josh, our Data Analyst
A lovely suggestion from Josh with Clifford the Big Red Dog! This famous and colourful American children's book series is about a giant red dog and his human friend Emily, and the adventures the two of them have. It was first published in 1963 and was written by Norman Bridwell, and has a great animated series from the 2000's based on it.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea, by Judith Kerr
Chosen by Chloe, our E-commerce & Online Content Co-ordinator
The Tiger Who Came to Tea was written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, and was published in 1968. The book concerns a girl called Sophie, her mother, and a tiger who invites himself to their afternoon tea and goes onto consume all the food and drink they have. The book remains popular more than 50 years after it was first published, and is a firm favourite of Chloe and now her little ones. A television adaptation of the book aired on UK's Channel 4 on Christmas Eve 2019, which is definitely worth watching too!
