Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Age Group: EYFS (Ages 2-5)

Ravi’s Dancing Hands

Picturebook

Henna hands should be for everyone and Ravi can’t wait to design his very own! A vibrant picture book celebrating family, community and culture.

‘Do henna hands last forever?’ asked Ravi.

‘After a while it fades then disappears,’ replied Madam-Mehndi. ‘But special henna hands never really go. They stay right here’ she said pointing to Ravi’s heart. ‘They’re chosen out of love and no-one forgets the ones they love.’

It’s the day before Ruhi’s mehndi party and there is so much to prepare. Her lengha has been tailored, the guests have been invited. All her little brother Ravi wants to do is help her get ready for the big day.

But ‘mehndi and henna hands are not for boys.’

Spend the day with Ravi as he helps make the henna paste, decorate the home and dreams of his very own henna hands.

Funcles

Adriena Fong & Yashika Mody

Picturebook

When a school assignment asks for a family tree, one child knows he’ll need more than one sheet. He has a gazillion uncles! From Bus Uncle to Supermarket Uncle, everywhere he goes, someone’s looking out for him. But when Ma and Pa explain that none of these uncles are blood relatives, he’s crushed, until he realises that they’re not fake uncles…they’re FUNcles! This warm and funny picture book celebrates the aunties, uncles, and neighbours who help raise us, rooted in a cultural tradition of respect and connection. FUNCLES is a joyful story about love, belonging, and the beautiful ways community becomes family.

The Thieves Beneath the Floorboards

Mikey Please

Picturebook

Join Rene and Glumfoot at the Café at the Edge of the Woods – this time with some unexpected visitors beneath the floorboards …

When Rene hears gnawing, clawing and scratching sounds from underneath the café, she just can’t ignore them. Using every skill she can muster, she lays an elaborate trap – but what she finds will put all of her hopes and dreams in jeopardy …

Full of Mikey’s unparalleled world-building and imaginative storytelling, rejoin Rene and Glumfoot once again for more folklore figures, culinary escapades and entirely unexpected guests.

Rhyming text for easy reading aloud – Catchy rhymes make bedtime reading a breeze

Parent- & Educator-Approved Quality – The story is aligned with EYFS guidelines to encourage imaginative play and social-emotional learning

Together Street: The Street We Call Home

Clare Helen Welsh & Robyn Wilson-Owen

Picturebook

Ash takes Nell on a walk along her new street, meeting neighbours in all their different homes.

But something unusual is going on – what can the surprise be?

This joyfully illustrated picture book celebrates friendship, community and belonging.

Little Wolf’s Big Huff

Harriet Howe & Katie Cottle

Picturebook

A heartfelt, original and imaginative story about recognising and managing BIG feelings. Brought to life by rising star author, Harriet Howe, and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlistee illustrator, Katie Cottle.

Every year, Little Wolf and Daddy Wolf watch the Wolf Moon rise. Two wolves, alone together, under the big night sky. But this year’s trip is looking to be a little bit BIGGER and BUSIER than usual… This time all the brothers, sisters and pups are coming, too. Little Wolf is worried it won’t be the same…

And sure enough, it ISN’T. As things go from bad to worse, strange feelings start to bubble in Little Wolf’s belly and fizz through his fur. Before long, he feels BIG and BAD. He huffs…and he puffs…

Can Daddy Wolf help Little Wolf get a handle on his huffs and puffs before it’s too late? And teach him about a very special part of being a wolf?

This reassuring picture book is packed with fairytale-like storytelling and in-depth character and world building, supporting children when they are faced with BIG feelings to process. Perfect for fans of Barbara Throws a Wobbler, The Colour Monster and Tom Percival’s Big Bright Feelings series.

Who Said Boo?

Brian Fitzgerald & Jeanne Willis

Picturebook

Catchy rhyme and pantomime create the perfect read to share!

In the green, green castle with the green, green door
And green, green carpets on the green, green floor,
There lived a little ghost who was never seen,
And that is because he was green, green, green!

The naughty little ghost loves giving his unsuspecting victims a fright with a loud ‘Boo!’ – they can’t see him, but the reader can! Each character blames the wrong person, until the clever jester finds an unexpected way to expose the culprit!

How to Scare Blue Monster

Petr Horacek

Picturebook

When something HUGE comes clumping through the forest, all the animals are scared. But it’s only their friend, Blue Monster. Blue Monster is surprised – he doesn’t even know what it means to be scared and he asks the animals to teach him!

Fox, Wolf, Racoon and the Rabbits try lots of scary tricks but nothing scares Blue Monster. Then clever Fox has an idea…

Next time Blue Monster goes out he is all alone. He calls out for his friends but nobody replies. What’s happened to them? In his worry for his friends, now Blue Monster really is scared. But the animals have just been hiding and BOO!, they jump out, ready to play.

This funny and empathetic story, starring lovable Blue Monster and his friends, is perfect for sharing.

A Wild Lullaby

Cathy Fisher & Jackie Morris

Picturebook

A mother sings to her child, describing the ways wild creatures across the world lull their babies to sleep – whales in the sea, fledgling ospreys in their nest, bear cubs in their ice den, seals on the shore, ponies on the heath, the snow leopard family in the high rocks, and tigers in the deepest jungle.

The lyrical story is enriched by Cathy Fisher’s gorgeous animal paintings, realistic yet magical, evoking a sense of tenderness and peace across our wild world.

Cosmic Cruise: A Solar System Adventure

Owen Davey

Non-fiction

Ever dreamed of blasting off on a solar system adventure? Cosmic Cruise is your ticket!

This visual guide by Owen Davey takes young readers on an unforgettable voyage through our cosmic neighborhood.

Explore planets, moons & wonders

A day trip to the Moon

Dock with the International Space Station

Explore Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond

Buckle up and prepare for lift-off!

The Forest Is a Part of Me

Elizabeth Wathuti & Michelle Pereira

Non-fiction, Picturebook

This empowering and enchanting picture book tells the powerful story of Kenyan climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti’s lifelong work to protect her homeland from the devastating effects of deforestation – and the story takes us back in time to see a little seven-year-old girl plant her first tree. Featuring peek-through pages and vibrant artwork, this is a gentle and moving introduction to the importance of protecting the environment for young readers.

Let the beauty of nature move you – and the activism amaze you!

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