Books for under fives

By Wendy Cooling

Wendy Cooling picks the best picture book page-turners for young readers

These suggestions are books for children and adults to enjoy together, books that will stand many readings and books that look good.

Remember that nursery stalwart ‘The Wheels on the Bus? You know, they go round and round, round and round… Well, it’s still a firm favourite with children and a new board book version illustrated by Penny Dann, (Orchard 1 84121 715 8) is great to read to tiny children. They’ll love doing the actions – the horn goes beep, beep, beep and the people go up and down and so on and so on. If there’s an older child in the family she will show the baby what to do, as this is a popular song in nursery and reception classes. As well as being loads of fun, this book will help children to begin to respond to the rhythms and rhymes of language.

Tony Ross’s I Want My Dinner (Andersen 0 86264 992 7), also a board book, is a great introduction to his Little Princess who first appeared as the star of I Want My Potty. This princess is no prima donna; she’s actually very grounded and the book is loaded with humour in both text and pictures. It has the added bonus of teaching children to say ‘please’, but that’s of secondary importance. Tony Ross is one of our best illustrators and young children will soon love and recognise his work.

Mick Inkpen’s dog, Kipper, is another well-loved character and the new four-story compilation The Little Kipper Collection (Hodder 0 340 77334 0) is a book children will adore. The simple, clear pictures and familiar characterisation of this endearing brown and white canine encourage children into reading. Kipper’s stories are always warm and funny, so they’re great to share and perfect for early readers to enjoy independently.