Reading is always an enjoyable activity for parents and kids. The books that we read and stories that we share truly create wonderful memories. As we start the year 2023, here are 10 books for toddlers and kids that you should line up for your next reading.
The Boy Who Lost His Spark
By Maggie O’Farrell, Illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini
The new children’s book from multi-award-winning author of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell, paired once more with Daniela Terrazzini’s stunning illustrations.
When Jem and his family move to the countryside, he doesn’t like his new home one bit. It’s an old cottage on the side of a hill, where strange things keep happening: shoes are filled up with conkers, the stairs become tangled in a woollen maze. Jem’s sister Verity is certain it is the work of a “nouka”, an ancient creature from local folklore that lives deep down inside the hill. Jem, however, is adamant that there is no such thing.
But this small mythical creature, so attuned to the hearts and minds of others, does exist. And, what’s more, it is determined, through mischief and mayhem, to help Jem reignite the spark within himself once more.
Meanwhile Back on Earth
By Oliver Jeffers
A father takes his two children on a thrilling out-of-this-world adventure into space and invites them to look back at Earth and the conflicts that have taken place since the beginning of time. This becomes a brief history of the world and a whistle-stop guide to the universe, all rolled into one – and told with Oliver Jeffers’s inimitable perspective, wit and exquisite artwork.
Meanwhile Back on Earth gives a unique look at life on Earth with a cosmic perspective – and an enduring message that what binds us together matters more than what sets us apart. A timely story for families everywhere.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
By Dr. Seuss
Celebrate life’s ups and downs in this gorgeous paperback edition of the bestselling Dr. Seuss classic!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
For more than thirty years, this Dr. Seuss classic has carried us through life’s ups and downs – from fun times and triumphs, to lurches and slumps!
Take an entertaining look at the adventures life has in store for all of us in this very special paperback edition of the beloved classic.
The perfect gift for every moment in life, from graduations, weddings and birthdays, to those when you just need a little lift.
The Girl and the Dinosaur
By Hollie Hughes, Illustrated by Sarah Massini
A masterpiece of storytelling with evocative and stunning illustrations, destined to be read for years to come
The wishing stars burn bright tonight, the air is thick with dreams, And a deeply sleeping dinosaur is waking up, it seems . . . In a town by the seaside, Marianne is often seen foraging on the beach. But she isn’t playing with children her own age. Instead Marianne is alone, and digging for dinosaur bones to build a special sort of companion. Then, one night, she goes to sleep wishing with all her heart that her dinosaur might come to life . . . A very rare and special book where the words and pictures take you on a magical journey far beyond the page.
This Is Not My Hat
By Jon Klassen
A sneaky fish learns a lesson in crime and punishment in the bestselling, multiple award-winning sequel to I Want My Hat Back.
Winner of the Caldecott Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal 2014
From the creator of the bestselling I Want My Hat Back and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole comes the story of a tiny fish who proudly wears a blue hat. It fits him perfectly. Problem is, trouble could be following close behind… So it’s a good thing that the enormous fish he took it from won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not as though he’ll ever know what happened, right? With so many emotions conveyed in just the glint of an eye, visual humour swims to the fore in this thrillingly original, perfectly-paced cautionary tale.
Daddy Do My Hair: Beth’s Twists
By Tola Okogwu, Illustrated by Chante Timothy
A warm, rhyming celebration of Afro hair and father-daughter relationships, from hair care coach and author Tọlá Okogwu and rising star illustrator, Chanté Timothy.
It’s Sunday evening and dinner is over.
Beth is excited and heads to the sofa.
Daddy is there with a smile and a chair.
“Daddy,” she asks, “will you please do my hair?”
It’s the evening before School Picture Day and Beth would like a brand new hairdo! Join Daddy and Beth on a wonderful hair adventure in this heart-warming depiction of the quality time spent between parent and child.
This joyful rhyming text is paired with bold and beautiful illustrations from Chanté Timothy (Hey You! by Dapo Adeola).
Also includes haircare tips for Afro hair from the author!
What Do You See When You Look At a Tree?
By Emma Carlisle
What do you see when you look at a tree? Leaves and twigs and branches? Or do you see a real, living thing, That moves, and breathes and dances?
Immerse yourself in this gentle picture book that encourages us to explore our connection with nature.
This wonderful picture book explores themes of empathy, mindfulness and personal growth through the eyes of a child. Beautifully written and illustrated by the award-winning artist Emma Carlisle, What Do You See When You Look At a Tree? urges readers to reconnect with nature by asking questions that encourage critical thinking and reflection on their own development, as well as helping to establish a deeper appreciation for the environment and their place within it.
Stunning watercolour and hand-finished artwork draws parallels to the bestselling The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, and evokes the classic nostalgia of E. H. Shephard’s much-loved Winnie-the-Pooh.Mindfulness tips and information about trees are included at the back of the book for both adult and child to read together.
Bork
By Rhys Kitson
Did you know that in English we think dogs say “woof”, but in French, dogs say “ouaf ouaf”, in German they say “wau, wau” and in Japanese they say “wan-wan”?
In this charming picture book, one dog maintains that the right way to woof is to say “bork”. Desperate to persuade the international cast of dogs that think their way is the right way, it’s an uphill task until a cat arrives, and all the dogs unite to bork at it.
Rhys Kitson’s book has a very simple premise which is executed incredibly well. As well as highlighting interesting different dog sounds from around the world, which little ones will love to imitate, the overall message is that there’s more that unites us than divides us. Even though children are quite little at 4 or 5 to understand how difference and unity work in the world, they can absolutely understand that it’s nice for all the dogs to work together.
Where in the World Are You?
By Marie G. Rohde
Where are you in the world? Can you imagine what your home would look like if you saw it from above and zoomed out further, and further, and further…? Join the mischievous pet cat on a journey of discovery that encourages young readers to think about their place in the world. Inspired by the feeling of being trapped inside and imagining the world beyond during the worldwide lockdowns, this enjoyable picture book reminds us that even when we are apart, we are all connected. The world keeps turning, a cat keeps purring and children will find their happy place in the world.
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
By Jill Tomlinson, Illustrated by Paul Howard
Plop, the Baby Barn Owl, is like every Barn Owl there ever was, except for one thing – he is afraid of the dark.
“Dark is nasty” he says and so he won’t go hunting with his parents. Mrs Barn Owl sends him down from his nest-hole to ask about the dark and he meets a little boy waiting for the fireworks to begin, an old lady, a scout out camping, a girl who tells him about Father Christmas, a man with a telescope and a black cat who takes him exploring.
Perhaps there is magic in the dark after all . . .
Filled with gentle humour and giving comforting reassurance to nightime fears and anxieties, Jill Tomlinson’s animal bedtime stories have been enjoyed by children for decades.
This edition of The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark is beautifully illustrated by Paul Howard.
This post contains affiliate links.
