Building your library: classics everyone needs (ages 0-5)

Posted on 23 September 2016

Building up a library for your children is a daunting task, but it’s a really lovely thing to do – books are one of the only things you can give that will be as loved by grandchildren as they will be by your own children.

If you’re hoping to build up a collection of books for your child, sometimes it can be hard knowing what to pick. With that in mind, we thought we’d put together a mini-series on the five starter books we think every child would love to have on their shelves – first up, books for the under-5s!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A timeless treat that everyone should own. With its colourful collage illustrations and a simple, hopeful story, this is a book that children will read over and over again.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

This classic story of Sophie and her extraordinary tea-time guest has been loved by children everywhere for over 30 years. The question is: what would you do if a tiger came calling, on the lookout for a yummy sandwich?

The Jolly Postman

One of the loveliest novelty books of all time, and a true classic. A postbag full of secret letters from Fairyland, all ready and waiting for your children to peek inside!

The Day the Crayons Quit

A playful, imaginative story that will have children laughing and playing with their crayons in a whole new way. Poor Duncan opens his box of crayons one day to find only letters, all saying the same thing: We quit! Because crayons have feelings, too…

Room on the Broom

No list would be complete without Julia Donaldson. Any of her books are guaranteed to be loved, but we’ve gone for a seasonal choice with her witchy classic. A kindly witch, a cat a broom – and a dragon!

Find out more about our Book Clubs and how your school can get involved here.