Animals
Happy Hooves Oh! Oh! Oh! by A. Bogie & Rebecca Elliott
This fun, festive rhyming story about The Happy Hooves gang includes snow, beautifully decorated trees, snazzy Christmas jumpers and a catchy, repetitive refrain.
There’s a Lion in My Cornflakes by Michelle Robinson & Jim Field
Have you ever eaten the same cereal for weeks and weeks so that you can claim the free gift inside? If yes, you will identify with the characters in There’s a Lion in My Cornflakes which won the picture book category in The Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award 2014.
Lucy’s Secret Reindeer by Anne Booth / Sophy Williams
Lucy’s Secret Reindeer is a beautifully written chapter book for younger children. It’s a lovely story to read in the run up to Christmas and it would be a perfect present for Saint Nicholas to put in a child’s shoes or boots on December 6th.
Alex English recommends The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards & Hannah Shaw
The Story: A hungry badger spots a boy drop his sandwich in the sandpit and the race is on to bag it! As the chase continues through the park, the sandwich gets more and more disgusting. By the time the badger gets to it, it’s sandy, squashed and slimy. Will he eat it? You’ll have to…
Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett & Caroline Jayne Church
Leaf Trouble is a wonderful story for introducing autumn to young children and it’s a great book to use in the classroom to stimulate discussion about why trees lose their leaves. Before I read the story I ask children why they think that trees lose their leaves in the autumn, their answers are often interesting, one…
Picture Books for European Day of Languages
September 26th is European Day of Languages. The European Day of Languages is jointly organised by The Council of Europe and the European Union and celebrates linguistic diversity in Europe. I have compiled a list of some of the picture books that I have used to introduce English vocabulary to non native English speaking children.
Learning with Elmer by David McKee
Elmer is celebrating his 25th birthday this year! We have read many of the Elmer stories which have been translated into over 40 languages as well as being made into television series. The first story is still my favourite and I have used it countless times to promote learning within a variety of topics. It is particularly…
Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith
Laughter is the best medicine and Claude and his faithful sidekick Sir Bobblysocks have definitely made my daughter laugh while she has been ill this week. We’ve read Claude in the City and Claude in the Country several times, our favourite part is when Claude has to take Sir Bobblysocks to hospital.
The Mummy Shop by Abie Longstaff & Lauren Beard
The Mummy Shop is written by Abie Longstaff and illustrated by Lauren Beard who also worked together on The Fairytale Hairdresser stories which we love. A little boy’s search for the perfect Mummy is given an amusing and original twist with the inclusion of animal characters who all have their own ideas about how to be…
I Am Otter by Sam Garton
We have been reading and enjoying Otter’s stories and musings on her blog for a while and we were very excited when we heard that (with Sam Garton’s help!) she has written a picture book, I Am Otter, which also includes her best friend Teddy and a patchwork Giraffe.
