THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE 

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Published by Macmillan Children's Books

A playful, simple and accessible text with vibrant and funny pictures. Donaldson and Scheffler make it look so easy, which is how it should be.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Maurice Sendak

Published by Red Fox

Somehow this classic book manages to add up to more than the sum of its wonderful parts. Magical.

OWL BABIES

Martin Waddell / Illustrated by Patrick Benson

Published by Walker Books

This simple tale of a Mum and her babies is one of the oldest stories on the planet but, as the song goes: ‘it ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it’ and Waddell and Benson do it to perfection.

Read my full review here

CHICK

Ed Vere

Published by Puffin

A perfect novelty book; beautiful design applied to  simple but effective pop ups. The last page is worth the cover price on its own.

Read my full review here

THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS

Dr Seuss

Published by HarperCollins

At times I have considered coming up with a Christmas picture book but I know I probably never will because the best Christmas book has already been written and this is it.

Read my full review here

ROSIE’S WALK

Pat Hutchins

Published by Bodley Head

They don’t come much more classic than this; so simple and so brilliantly effective in its storytelling.

CAN’T YOU SLEEP LITTLE BEAR?

Martin Waddell / Illustrated by Barbara Firth

Published by Walker Books

A cumulative, poetic text coupled with elegant illustrations tackle the classic theme of ‘fear of the dark’ with a great punchline.

LITTLE BEAVER AND THE ECHO

Amy Macdonald

Published by Walker Books

A book which cleverly uses the device of an echo to give an uplifting message about friendship.

OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO

Dr Seuss

Published by HarperCollins

I am such a fan of the great Doctor that I can’t resist choosing another of his classics. This one is as much for adults as for children.

HUSHERBYE

John Burningham

Published by Red Fox

An almost hypnotic book which quite beautifully gets you ready for sleep.