Recommended Reads for Reception

Classics

The Gruffalo

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good. 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!

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a best-selling phenomenon across the world with over 13.5 million copies sold.

Mog the Forgetful Cat

Everyone’s favourite family cat, Mog is loved by children everywhere for her funny and warm-hearted escapades. Mog the Forgetful Cat was first published in 1970 and has never been out of print! The classic picture book story of a very forgetful cat, her family, and a very exciting adventure is the perfect gift for families, boys, girls, and anyone who has ever known or loved a cat. From Judith Kerr, the bestselling author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, the beloved Mog stories still delight children all over the world.

Elmer

Elmer is different. Elmer is patchwork. The grey elephants all love him, but he soon starts to wonder what it would be like to be just the same as them...

Full of colour, wisdom and pathos, little readers will love this classic tale at bedtime. Deservedly a modern classic, with over ten million copies of his books sold worldwide, Elmer’s subtle message, that it is OK to be different, resonates with children across the world. Elmer the colourful patchwork elephant has been a nursery favourite since 1989.

Peace at Last

Jill Murphy's bestselling classic Peace at Last has delighted young children for almost forty years, and is equally beloved by tired parents who are all too familiar with the plight of poor Mr Bear. With a snoring Mrs Bear, an excitable Baby Bear and a house full of tapping and dripping and ticking, peace is hard to come by – will Mr Bear ever get a decent night's sleep?The familiar noises, repetition and beautiful illustrations make Jill Murphy's delightful Peace at Last an all-time favourite bedtime story with children and adults everywhere. This is a beautiful refreshed edition of a much-loved picture book classic.

Dogger

Everywhere Dave goes, his favourite toy, Dogger, is ALWAYS with him. So, when Dogger goes missing, Dave is devastated. Luckily, Dogger turns up at the school summer fair, but when he ends up at the toy stall, Dave must find a way to buy his best friend back.

With a heart warming message and delightful illustrations, Dogger has delighted children for generations. This gentle bedtime story is perfect for young readers. This timeless classic tells the tale of the love a little boy, Dave, has for his teddy.

Fantasy

Dragon Post

A fiery story about friendship and asking for help from award-winning author-illustrator Emma Yarlett. One day Alex finds a dragon living under his stairs. He isn't sure what to do - but luckily he knows just who to ask for help.

Open the envelopes and read the hilarious letters Alex receives from the fire brigade, the butcher and more as he tries to take care of his new friend. Who would have thought having a dragon for a pet would be so tricky?

Snow White and the Seven Bears

A fabulously funny story, inspired by the much-loved classic character, from two giants of children’s books! “Mirror, mirror on the wall. Where is the cuddliest teddy of all?” Snow White has lost her teddy bear. Taking the magic talking mirror from the wall, she sets off into the forest to find him, where – one after another – she makes friends with some real bears! The bears offer to help Snow White, but they are much more interested in having fun – will she ever find her teddy?

There’s a Monster in Your Book

A monster has invaded the pages of this original and super-fun bedtime picture book! Children need to read aloud and follow the interactive instructions to help free the pesky monster by tilting, spinning and shaking their book. After all that fun, there is a calming wind down end- perfect to send your own little monster off to sleep.

The Dinosaur Department Store

Our feisty heroine Eliza Jane isn’t your average child. Instead of a cute, fluffy bunny, she has her heart firmly set on a prehistoric pet. Join Eliza Jane and her parents on a marvellous magical tour of their local dinosaur department store.

From huge, stomping sauropods stretching their necks to a pair of loved-up Ankylosaurs called Maud and Frank, there are plenty of amazing dinosaurs for Eliza Jane to choose from. But this wild child is hatching a fantastic plan of her own. With the rich and vivid art of bestselling illustrator Richard Merritt and a witty rhyming text by picture book author Lily Murray, this truly wild picture book will appeal to dino-loving, adventurous children everywhere.

The Magic Crayon

Jack was seven and Chloe was six. Jack liked his sister, but loved to play tricks… So begins this rollicking, rhyming tale that celebrates the power of imagination - with a difference! When Chloe's silvery crayon develops magical powers, it sparks a thrilling chase through a fairytale world - an unbelievable adventure where her drawings spring to life! Can Chloe use all her creativity and inventiveness to rescue her brother and save the day?

Adventure

A Dress With Pockets

Lucy and Aunt Augusta are dress shopping. And, at the Fabulous Fashion Store, there are dresses to suit just about everyone. There are fancy dresses, frilly dresses, stripy dresses, silly dresses, sun dresses, fun dresses, blue dresses, green… But Lucy doesn't care about frills or lace. She wants a dress WITH POCKETS. And as she wades through the titchy dresses, witchy dresses, very, very itchy dresses, she starts to worry about where she's going to put her leaves, and nettles, and delicate petals, her magical spells and beautiful shells. The hunt is on: will Lucy find the dress of her dreams?

A lighthearted story with a subtle feminist undertone that celebrates the joy of pockets, and how they can unleash the inquisitive, adventurous spirit of all young children.

Priya Mistry and the Lost Treasure

Priya Mistry - corner shop super sleuth - is back! She's a Mistry by name, and mysteries are her game . . .

When items of lost property start appearing around her family's corner shop, it's a job for Priya Mistry to solve! She digs out her special mission kit and her imagination takes her on a magical adventure, from fairytale parties to pirate ships. Will Priya be able to do it again and trace the belongings back to their owners in time for tea? A fantastically fun and mischievously mysterious picture book that is perfect for little detectives!

The Lion Inside

A bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tinyful house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.

Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes ... and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!

Where to Hide a Star

Once there was a boy who would often play hide-and-seek with his friends the star and the penguin. The star was always easy to find, but one day it went missing. So, the boy radioed the Martian for help and soon found himself on an exciting spaceship rescue mission to the North Pole! But there, he discovered that he wasn’t the only one who had always dreamed of having a star as a friend…

SPYDER

It's not easy being a super special secret agent when you're only as big as a pin badge. But when a birthday cake is under threat, SPYDER is called upon.

It's time to pack the spy-kit with binoculars, a top-secret laser pen and... a banana. Will Spyder save the day, AND the party?

Empathy

Super Duper You

I've known you since you started. I've seen a thing or two or three or four or five or six!In fact, I've seen a few… Sometimes we are loud, sometimes we are quiet, sometimes bold and clanky, sometimes soft and cuddly.

Sophy Henn celebrates all the different, extraordinary and sometimes contradictory things we are in this joyful and colourful rhyming picture book.

You’re SO Amazing!

A funny, whip-smart, friendly picture book that asks readers to imagine how othering it would feel if strangers believed they had to compensate for a person's disability with every interaction. When people meet Joe, they often treat him as Amazing Joe or Poor Joe.

But can't he just be… Joe?One-legged Joe is 'amazing'. He knows this because wherever he goes people always tell him he's amazing. Amazing for sliding down the slide, for kicking a ball, even walking to get an ice cream, or even just eating an ice cream.

Of course, being Amazing Joe is better than being Poor Joe . . .

Along Came a Different

Reds love being red. Yellows love being yellow. And Blues love being blue.

The problem is that they just don’t like each other. But one day, along comes a different colour who likes Reds, Yellows and Blues, and suddenly everything starts to change. Maybe being different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends ...

A very special picture book that supports the adage that there is more that unites us than divides us. Along Came a Different just goes to show how much better we can all be when we come together to find common ground as friends.

Two Places to Call Home

Florrie has two of everything. Two lovely brothers… Two smashing parents… Two very cuddled pets. But two isn't always a magic number, as Florrie now has to live in TWO different houses:one with her mum… and one with her dad.

An uplifting picture book that helps young readers discuss their feelings around divorce and embrace change.

Barbara Throws a Wobbler

Barbara is in a very bad mood. She won't admit it, but she is. She has a problem with a sock, and at lunchtime there's a strange pea...

And even though she's at the park with her friends, it all just gets a bit much. Suddenly Barbara's WOBBLER is out of control! But what if Barbara and her Wobbler can work together, so she can be cheerful again?

Funny Stories

Oi Frog!

Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gophers sit on sofas. But Frog does not want to sit on a log.

Jam-packed with animals and silliness, this original rhyming story is guaranteed to get children giggling!

Supertato

Meet Supertato! He's always there for you when the chips are down. He's the supermarket superhero with eyes everywhere - but now there's a pea on the loose. A very, very naughty pea.

Has Supertato finally met his match?

The Cat and the Rat and the Hat

A raucous, rhyming tale that will have children (and adults) in fits of laughter!Cat is sitting on his favourite mat, when who should come along but Rat with a very nice hat? Cat wants Rat's hat and will stop at NOTHING to get it. But when Bat arrives wearing a fancy cravat, well, what could be better than that? Chaos ensues as both Cat and Rat decide they MUST have Bat's fancy cravat for themselves!

You Can’t Take an Elephant on the Bus

Follow an ensemble of animals as they attempt to ride all sorts of thoroughly unsuitable vehicles in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind rhyming text. You can’t take an elephant on the bus …It would simply cause a terrible fuss!Elephants' bottoms are heavy and fatand would certainly squash the seats quite flat.

Never put a camel in a sailing boat, or a tiger on a train, and don't even THINK about asking a whale to ride a bike … This riotous picture book is filled with animals causing total disaster as they try to travel in the most unsuitable vehicles. With hilarious rhyming text and spectacular illustrations, this is a real romp of a book – perfect for reading aloud!

Dog Gone

Every dog has his Dave (or otherwise-named human)… but on a walk in the park, the adorable Teddy the pug, loses his! And when Teddy finds himself at the shed of the TERRIBLE TROLL in the woods, he might find more than he bargained for… a new friend.

Animal Stories

Gigantic

Meet Gigantic, the smallest blue whale in the Atlantic. Dwarfed by the other whales, Gigantic keeps to himself, making new friends and perfecting his somersaults and flips in the bay. But one day when Gigantic’s brother, Titan, gets stuck on the sand, it’s down to Gigantic and his smallest sea creature friends to save the day.

Can they show it’s possible to be tiny and tough?

Tad

Meet Tad. She’s the smallest tadpole in a big pond, and lives there with all her tadbrothers and tadsisters. Although something else lives there too… BIG BLUB! And when everyone else starts to disappear, Tad starts to wonder if Big Blub will get her too… Or is everyone else going somewhere else; somewhere better? And if so, will Tad ever get there too? A big story about a tiny tadpole – about growing up, branching out, and taking a leap into life.

The Leaf Thief

Squirrel is so cross. Yesterday there were loads of beautiful leaves on his tree, but today? Today some are missing and Squirrel is convinced that someone has stolen them...

there's a leaf thief on the loose! Join Squirrel on a mission to find the culprit, and meet so many fun animals on the way, while you find out how the world takes on different colours as the months pass by.  A laugh-out-loud book about the changing seasons, with extra information in the back for especially curious minds.

One in a Million

One in a Million is brimming with heart, reassurance and parental love, from one of today's best-loved picture book authors and an award-winning illustrator. It tells the story of Debra the zebra who is delighted to find she can count anything and everything… but disaster strikes when Debra realises how big the world is – and just how small she is in it. Luckily, her wise Mama is there to remind Debra that in a world of hundreds, thousands – even millions – sometimes it’s just ONE little zebra, that counts most of all.

I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back tells the story of a bear who's hat has gone. And he wants it back.

Patiently and politely, he asks the animals he comes across, one by one, whether they have seen it. Each animal says no (some more elaborately than others). But just as it he begins to lose hope, lying flat on his back in despair, a deer comes by and asks a rather obvious question that suddenly sparks the bear’s memory and renews his search with a vengeance...

Told completely in dialogue, this quirky, hilarious, read-aloud tale plays out in sly illustrations brimming with visual humour and winks at the reader who will be thrilled to be in on the joke.

Our World

Clean Up!

Join Rocket as she sets sail on a brand new mission - to save a Caribbean island from plastic pollution!When Rocket goes on holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that's spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk. Can she think of a way to save the day?

Farah Loves Mangos

Farah loves mangos! She could eat them all day long and she wouldn’t mind living in one either. Every summer when she visits her Grandpa they always pick the ripe fruit from his mango tree. This year, however, the tree is empty! Farah puts her mind to it and decides she will make the tree grow fruit.

But perhaps Farah will learn there is more to a mango tree than just the fruit it bears?

Luna Loves Gardening

Luna is wowed by her local community garden, there are squashes and runner beans, potatoes and tomatoes and even an apple tree.

But each plant hides a story. Grandpa and Nana show her the Callaloo their family grew in Jamaica. It’s time for Luna to grab a trowel and sow seeds that will tell a new story for the whole community as they all discover their connection to the entire world.

The Planets

Discover the spellbinding magic of The Planets in this musical reimagining of one of Holst’s most famous suites. Push the button on each beautiful scene to hear the vivid sound of an orchestra playing from Holst’s score. This tale is about a brother and sister who adventure deep into our solar system. Our story begins one night as Helen and Tim get ready for bed in their new space rocket bunk beds… but sleep will have to wait as they magically blast up, up, up into the glittering night sky, leaving planet Earth far below them.

My First Life the Flap World Atlas

Take a hands-on tour of our amazing planet in this interactive world atlas for young kids that explores all 7 continents and 5 oceans that make up the Earth. Packed with vibrant illustrations, 40 lift-the-flaps, and tons of wow-factor facts; readers will even discover a giant pull-out map and fun search-and-find games. Let the adventure begin!

Did you know there are more than 1 billion people in Africa, living in 54 countries and speaking more than 1,500 languages? Or that the world's first cities were built in Asia thousands of years ago? Meet the rare and exotic animals and wildlife that represent each continent; learn about society's many fascinating cultural traditions; discover famous landmarks and monuments; and more with this glorious introduction to the globe that can be revisited time and time again.

Friendship

Frank and Bert

Meet Frank and Bert - a fox and bear who love to play games almost as much as they love their friendship! But Bert says I always find him because he doesn't get enough time to hide properly. He would really love to win at hide-and-seek, even if it was just once.

Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn't quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single.Time. But when it's Bert's turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning again OR making his friend happy, Frank learns that friendship is always the true winner.

Be Kind

Each act, big or small, can make a difference – or at least help a friend. What does it mean to be kind? When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind.

Meesha Makes Friends

Be open, be honest, be you! Meesha loves making things… but there’s one thing she finds difficult to make – friends.

She doesn't know quite what to do, what to say or when to say it. But one day she discovers that she has a special talent that might just help her navigate social situations - and maybe even make new friends. A warm and affectionate look at the joys and difficulties of making and keeping friends, relating to others, and finding your place in the world.

Love

Everyone loves everyone in Tess’s house, but when Tess has to leave for school for the very first time, she is worried that her family’s love might not stretch that far. Mum explains that love is like a string, it connects people together even when they are far away.

At school Tess notices that all the children have strings! Some are new, some are old, some stretch a long way, and some even stretch right up into the sky. But what happens when a string breaks?

The Smallest Girl in the Class

An inspiring and empowering rhyming story that's a joy to read aloud, all about the power of children to change the world. Sally McBrass is the smallest girl in the youngest class – but Sally knows you don't have to be big to be strong. From kites stuck up trees to howling dogs to stray cats in the car park, little Sally notices things that others don't, and when she sees people being mean at school, she is brave enough to speak up.

Non Fiction

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals

A charming children's encyclopedia bursting with facts about the animals of the world! My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals is a vibrant encyclopedia for curious children with a unique approach to the subject of animals that takes curious kids on an enjoyable, educational journey of discovery. Mixing beautiful photography with charming illustrations, it's the perfect visual language for young readers, and is packed with light-hearted fun, and fascinating facts.

Lifesize

Let's go on a LIFESIZE adventure! Step into the book and see how you measure up against some of the world's most amazing animals. High-five a polar bear to discover who has the biggest paw and peer through the die-cut to find out how you'd look with a giant squid eye. Silver Award winner in the Made for Mums Awards 2020 This interactive non-fiction adventure features LIFESIZE illustrations of some of the smallest and largest animals in the world and invites children to compare parts of their bodies with these amazing animals.

Recycling Day

A fun, friendly picture book about recycling and rubbish - perfect for Reception children. From Holly's lorry to Stan's metal-can machine, discover all the busy people, vehicles and machines needed to recycle and dispose of our rubbish - and find out how we can all reuse our things more to make it not-for-the-bin day!With stylish, contemporary artwork from Klas Fahlén and gentle narrative text by Polly Faber, this gorgeous picture book introduces all the people, processes and vehicles involved in recycling paper, glass, plastic, food and more.

What’s Inside Me?

What gives me shape? How do I move? What's blood for? And where does my food go? Take a peek inside the human body and discover what's really going on - with help from a characterful cast of body parts!

How Big is a Million?

A million is a very big number. But exactly how big? Pipkin the penguin wants to know just that. The wonderful tale of a small penguin with a big heart on a journey to discover just how big a million really is.

A special 1 x 1.5m fold-out poster at the end of the book shows Pipkin looking at the sky, printed with exactly one million stars. Charmingly illustrated with gentle humour and memorable characters.

Tree

Owl sits watching in his tree. No one sees as much as he. Following the life-cycle of a tree through spring, summer, autumn and winter, your little one will be immersed in the rhythm of the seasons with this striking picture book. Die-cuts let you peep through the pages and vibrant artwork is paired with gentle text to capture the nuances of the changing seasons.

Poetry

What Are Little Girls Made Of?

Think you know your favourite classic nursery rhymes? Read this picture book and think again! In this witty reworking of popular nursery rhymes, Georgie Porgie doesn't dare to make the girls cry, Little Bo-Peep's sheep are all present and correct, thank you, and it's the queen, OF COURSE, who fixes Humpty Dumpty. With the combination of Jeanne Willis's brilliantly funny poems and charming, witty illustrations from Isabelle Follath, these nursery rhymes prove that girls can be the heroes of any story.

Poems Out Loud!

From rockets to mermaids and everything in between, there's something for everyone in this diverse and contemporary collection. These poems can be performed out loud, shared with others or simply read in your head. Featuring award-winning poets, brand new voices, hip-hop artists and spoken-word performers, this is a wonderfully fresh, diverse and relevant new anthology that will get children laughing, thinking, sharing and performing!

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

Shadows on the wallNoises down the hallLife doesn't frighten me at all Maya Angelou's brave, defiant poem celebrates the courage within each of us, young and old. From the scary thought of panthers in the park to the unsettling scene of a new classroom, fearsome images are summoned and dispelled by the power of faith in ourselves.

People Need People

To walk to To talk to To cry and rely on, People will always need people . . .

From the creators of Nature Trail comes an uplifting picture book about the power of people, and the importance of connecting with others. This timely poem reminds us all to be kind to one another.

A First Book of Dinosaurs

Smile and stomp along with this celebration of all things DINOSAUR, with exuberant poems. Welcome to a world where it’s eat or be eaten – depending on how ferocious you are. From T-Rex to Triceratops, Stegosaurus to Velociraptor, meet the most awe-inspiring creatures ever to walk the Earth! Author Simon Mole turns fascinating facts into over 30 poems and fragments, full of humour and heart

Starting School

When a Dragon Goes to School

When a dragon goes to school, will she enjoy a book in the reading den and save her lunchtime treats for a friend? Or will she throw the crayons and refuse to share? She's going to need her friends to help her behave herself… she is DRAGON after all!

The Colour Monster

One day, Colour Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows thim what each feeling means through colour.

What is the Colour Monster feeling? And can you help him feel a little less mixed up? A gentle exploration of feelings for young and old alike.

How to Train Your Teacher

The first day at school can be scary... especially for the teacher! In this picture book you'll learn all the ways you help your teacher get through the school day: watching over them in the playground, listening to their stories, and spotting missing numbers. Most of all, you'll see how much fun school can be!

Fergal is Fuming

A dragon with a short temper is not a good combination, as Fergal's family and friends soon find out. He burns the dinner (literally), reduces the football goal to ashes and absolutely cannot play a nice, quiet board game.

It is only when he starts to notice other animals have clever tricks to calm down that Fergal begins to win back his friends, especially when he discovers dragons can cool off in a very handy way.

The Hug Button

It's Matilda's first day at The Meadows and she's very excited. But when Mummy goes to say goodbye, Matilda isn't happy. She doesn't want Mummy to go.

The next day, Mummy has a helpful suggestion. She draws two hug buttons-one on Matilda's wrist and one on her own. Then, when Matilda wants a hug, or wants to give one, she can press the hug button and know that Mummy is thinking about her too.