Age 6
Jolly Snow by Jane Hissey
I love the way that Jane Hissey’s adorable characters try to help Jolly Tall, the giraffe, understand what snow is. Little Bear, Zebra and Rabbit do their best to help their friend with the support of the two more senior members of the playroom, Old Bear and Bramwell.
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies
I loved The Storm Whale from the moment I first read it. It was a picture book that I just had to buy. It’s a heartwarming story about loneliness and friendship and the beautiful beach and seaside illustrations bring back some lovely childhood memories of holidays by the sea.
Following My Paint Brush by Gita Wolf
Following My Paint Brush is a fascinating account of how an Indian artist, Dulari Devi, learnt to paint. Her story is accompanied by her wonderful illustrations and it has given us an insight into life in a different culture.
Winnie’s Amazing Pumpkin by Valerie Thomas & Korky Paul
This year we planted three pumpkin seeds but we didn’t realise how big pumpkin plants grow (luckily only one plant survived!). We did cut the plant back when it started to grow across our patio and threatened to strangle the tomatoes next to it but although our plant is big it doesn’t look like our…
Tom & Millie’s Great Big Treasure Hunt by Guy Parker-Rees
Tom & Millie’s Great Big Treasure Hunt is a first adventure story which introduces counting, colours and shapes through Guy Parker-Rees’ fantastically detailed illustrations. We spend lots of time poring over each page to see what all the animals are doing while we are helping Tom and Millie to hunt for clues.
Ella by Alex T. Smith
I was looking for a picture book with a character who wore glasses and I found Ella, the story of an adorably feisty ladybird. It’s a great twist on the Cinderella story, all of the characters are insects. My daughter is currently fascinated by all kinds of insects (she’s quite happy to pick them up!) so…
Tom & Small by Clara Vulliamy
If you have a child who will soon be starting school, Tom & Small is a great story to help prepare them for the experience. It acknowledges the initial fears that a child may have before giving a positive impression of the experience. My daughter received this book for her second birthday, it is a…
One More Candle by Merry Susiarjo & Emmeline Pidgen
My daughter calls this beautifully illustrated book ‘Nola’s story’ which is so apt as throughout the book Nola struggles to accept that she is younger than her sister, Betty. How old you are and who is older / younger than you are very important to young children and One More Candle introduces the theme of…
Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
Handa’s Surprise is a lovely, simple story which provides a great first learning experience for a child who has no knowledge or experience of Africa.
Picture Books for International Friendship Day
To celebrate International Friendship Day we have put together a list of our favourite picture books about friends and the activities that they like to do together (or in Amos McGee’s case, friends who take care of each other).
