This is the Christian story of Easter as told through the eyes of the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem and watched the events of the Easter story unfold. The text is accompanied by beautiful illustrations and would be suitable to use with the whole primary age range as they explore the meaning behind the Christian festival.

This clever picture book offers something book for all ages. Award-winning Emily Gravett (author of Meerkat Mail and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears) is back, this time with a story about a duck that desperately wanted to lay an egg like the other birds. The duck finds and nurtures an intriguing egg, which eventually hatches to reveal a charming surprise. The pages of The Odd Egg are cut into different sizes to mimic the way the egg progresses and the book is full of visual humour that helps to extend its appeal to older children too.

Here at Booksfortopics we are big fans of Mini Grey (author of Traction Man and Toys in Space). This egg-cellent picture book does not fail to impress us either, recounting the tale of an egg that is desperate to learn to fly without having to wait to hatch first. Behind the quirky story, which can be accessed on numerous levels by children of different ages, sit important themes of dreaming big, having hope and the frustration of having to wait for something important to happen.

A springy rhyming book from super duo Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks (also known for What the Ladybird Heard).

This story book is about a rabbit who loves poetry and rhyme. He feels a lack of belonging with the other rabbits, who are not so delighted by his literary talents. In search of companions who share his passion, he leaves home to look for somewhere he belongs and find a place his poetry might be more appreciated.

Julia Donaldson is renowned for excellent rhyming picture books, so there is something extra pleasing in a book from her that is about rhyme as well as being told in rhyme. Perfectly pitched to support phonics learning as well as being a distinctively illustrated fun animal tale, we found this to be a lovely story for children in the Early Years.

The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic children’s book that is now nearly 100 years old, although it is as relevant today as it was when first published. It tells the story of a boy’s tatty toy rabbit that becomes ‘real’ as he is transformed by the boy’s love and affection. There is also a movie version of the story available on DVD.

This engaging picture book takes its reader on a guided tour of an imaginary chocolate factory, run by Mr Bunny. The humorous illustrations are packed with details and guaranteed to get imaginations firing. We think that this highly enjoyable text would make a great stimulus for creative writing and is likely to have pupils poring over its inventive visual details for hours. Mr Bunny’s Chocolate Factory is sure to quickly become a humorous Easter favourite in primary classrooms.