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Topic: Storytime Favourites EYFS

Storytime Favourite Books 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.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Helen Oxenbury & Michael Rosen

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

Craig Smith & Katz Cowley

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

Jim Field & Rachel Bright

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 through the forest, the squirrels race after it, between the trees, over boulders, down the river and right to the edge of a waterfall! Working together might be the only way to save themselves.

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

I Love You Blue Kangaroo

Emma Chichester Clark

Picturebook

A treasured toy-themed story about a child’s love for their favourite teddy. Lily has always loved her blue kangaroo toy best of all. When she acquires a set of new toys, Lily’s loyalty to Blue Kangaroo is put to the test.

This is a gentle and reassuring story that has been a favourite with Early Years children for decades.

What the Ladybird Heard

Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks

Picturebook

What the Ladybird Heard is a huge favourite amongst preschoolers, parents and teachers. With everything from farm animals and minibeasts to sneaky crooks and fantastic lilting rhymes, this brightly illustrated story from national treasure Julia Donaldson is a clear winner for storytimes in the Early Years.

Young children love joining in the repeated refrains of animal sounds and seeing the plot unfold as the cunning little ladybird saves the day by helping her farmyard friends outsmart two burglars looking to steal the prize cow.

A classroom classic from an author-illustrator dream team.

The Bumblebear

Nadia Shireen

Picturebook

We love this highly original picturebook from Nadia Shireen.

The story is about a bear called Norman, who concocts a plot to get more honey by dressing up as a bee and attending bee school. Children will love Norman’s hilarious attempts to convince his teacher and classmates that he’s a real bee. This is a really funny book with hilarious twists and turns, and ultimately a happy resolution about acceptance and being true to oneself.

The illustrations add to the sheer fun and this book is a real hoot to read aloud. Children love being in on the secret of knowing more than the characters about who Norman really is.

Hugely enjoyable and a big hit with 5-7 year olds.

I Really Really Need a Wee

Duncan Beedie & Karl Newson

Picturebook

Bush Baby is in a fix. She didn’t need a wee before she left home – now she needs one right away! Uh-oh! But what will she do if there’s just nowhere to go? A pant-wettingly funny tale of determination and self-awareness – packed with toilet humour!
A funny tale of determination – packed with toilet humour! Perfect for teaching children the importance of that last-chance bathroom trip!

Veg Patch Party

Al Murphy & Clare Foges

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

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

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!