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Storytime favourite class read-alouds EYFS

Storytime Favourites EYFS (Ages 3-5)

Best Storytime Books for the Early Years

We have selected a list of favourite storytime books for EYFS (ages 3-5), which includes books that are particularly well suited for being read out loud to younger children. From the best classroom read-alouds to favourite bedtime stories, browse our list of brilliant books for capturing the magic of storytelling in the Early Years.

Our curated collection of stories for the Early Years helps to immerse young minds in the enchanting world of storytelling, featuring beloved tales such as What the Ladybird Heard – perfect for introducing children to the wonders of animal characters and rhyming narratives. We also recommend whimsical and humorous adventures with titles like Aliens Love Underpants, adding a delightful touch of laughter to story sessions. Our selection includes timeless classics like The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Elmer, featuring favourite characters that have been entertaining little ones for generations.

Explore these and other carefully chosen stories picked by BooksForTopics, especially for young readers. These stories promote language development and fire up imaginations as well as making for special storytimes together that create lasting memories and foster the joy of shared reading experiences.

So Much

Picturebook

Mum and baby are home alone when – DING DONG! – Auntie and then Uncle and Nannie and Gran-Gran and the cousins come to visit. And they all want to hug and kiss and squeeze and eat the baby right up … because everybody loves the baby SO MUCH!

A special 25th anniversary edition of a multiple award-winning story, So Much is a celebration of family life. Helen Oxenbury’s characteristically warm, funny illustrations, paired with Trish Cooke’s rhythmic, cumulative story capture the joy of being a baby in a large extended family – a baby who knows that he is absolutely, utterly adored.

With a foreword and gorgeous golden foil on the cover and spine, this edition is one to share and treasure.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Picturebook

Gorgeous gift edition of the classic join in story by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Shake up a snowstorm with this perfect gift for brave hunters and bear-lovers everywhere!

We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. Will you come too? For over a quarter of a century, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning favourite. This new gift hardback edition includes a superb snow scene on the cover to add fun and festive flurries to your favourite family adventure story. Follow and join in the family’s excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river, squelch through the mud and brave their way through the swirling, whirling snowstorm in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest!

The Wonky Donkey book

The Wonky Donkey

Picturebook

The Wonky Donkey picture book has sold over two million copies worldwide – this book and CD edition is the perfect gift!

Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey?

This hilarious book and CD will have children – and adults – braying with laughter!

Lyrical, laugh-out-loud story and beautiful illustrations.

Bright colours, a shiny, glossy cover, and a CD.

A fantastic gift for anyone who loves to laugh.

the squirrels who squabbled

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

Picturebook

Two greedy squirrels learn to share, in this hilarious rhyming adventure from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside.

Greedy squirrels Cyril and Bruce both have their sights on a very special prize: THE VERY LAST NUT OF THE SEASON! As the nut bounces crazily though the forest, the squirrels race after it, between the trees, over boulders, down the river and – ARGH! – right to the edge of a waterfall! Working together might be the only way to save themselves now …

A laugh-out-loud tale about friendship and sharing. Perfect for competitive friends and sibling rivals!

I Love You Blue Kangaroo

Picturebook

Every night Blue Kangaroo falls fast asleep, cuddled in Lily’s arms. But as new toy animals start arriving, Blue Kangaroo worries that there just isn’t enough room for him anymore. When he goes missing, Lily looks everywhere for him and it turns out NONE of the other toys mean as much to her as her first and favourite Blue Kangaroo.

Veg Patch Party

Picturebook

Glastonbury with veg! From the bestselling picture book team behind Kitchen Disco.

The vegetables start waking up They stretch and rise and shine – They set up lots of stages, Cos it’s VEGGIE PARTY time!

Mud, rain, vegetables. A winning combination!

Room on the Broom

Picturebook

How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,
As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind.

A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo .

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It’s a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn’t used to such a heavy load and it’s not long before . . . SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch’s animal pals better think fast.

This edition features the captivating classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

Starwhal

Picturebook

Meet Starwhal, the narwhal with sparkle-tastic powers! In this magical mermaid adventure.

Millie the mermaid has come to the Magic Pet Shop. And she’s in luck. There’s a brand-new, super-special pet for sale … Starwhal! A narwhal with the power to make anything sparkle and shimmer. Millie is over the moon with her new pet. But can she learn to share Starwhal’s magic with the other mermaids?

A super sparkly picture book about learning to share – because sometimes kindness is the best magic of all! F rom the creators of Pugicorn and Pandarina .

The Mega Magic Hair Swap

Picturebook

Two friends. One wish.

Mai and Rose are best friends but they’re not two peas in a pod.

Mai has dark hair that is curly and whirly and never stays put. Why couldn’t she have perfect hair just like her best friend Rose?

Rose has blonde hair, as straight as a ruler, which slips and slides whenever she tries to put it in a pony tail. Why couldn’t she have perfect hair just like her best friend Mai?

When a magical coconut grants each girl their wish, and they get the hair they’ve always dreamt of, the friends are overjoyed. However, they soon learn that perfect hair is not everything it’s cracked up to be.

In fact, their hair was pretty magical and perfect the way it was before…

A joyful and fun story about celebrating differences and loving yourself from head to toe!

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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