As a children’s author, I’m asked what my favourite books are all the time! As a child I loved Roald Dahl and I was delighted when my eldest daughter started reading them so that we could share them together and relive my childhood (Witches was my fave by the way)
I have always loved reading to my girls and a lot of their books inspired me to write my own. I know a lot of people are drawn to beautiful illustrations (something that makes me appreciate my own wonderful and talented illustrator, Zoe McCabe) but for me its all about the story. Here are my favourite ones.
Paper Dolls, Julia Donaldson
Without a doubt my favourite children’s book is Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson, the author that brought us The Gruffalo. It isn’t one of her most well known books but its such a lovely read. The book focuses on the relationship between a mother and her daughter, where the other teaches her daughter to make paper dolls and then the daughter plays with them. In the end of the book a little boy snips them up and they go into the little girls memory along with other items that she remembers but are no longer around, including her granny. The end of the book shows the little girl growing up and becoming a mother her self and teaching her own daughter to make paper dolls.
In true Julia Donaldson style there are parts that are repetitive, giving children the chance to join in, and all of it is rhyming so its really fun to read as an adult. The story is very child friendly of course but I love how there is another level to some of Julia Donaldson books that are subtle and only the adult will understand.
Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See, Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
Brown Bear Brown Bear was brought to us by Eric Carle, the creator of The Hungry Caterpillar. It is a repetitive book with no real story but it helps children to learn their colours. The reader of the story asks different animals what they see and they respond with a colour and an animal – such as a white dog or a yellow duck.
Megs Veg, Helen Nicoll
Megs Veg is part of the Meg and Mog series. It is a very simple story where Meg the witch and her cat Mog plant a garden and it grows so big it attracts 3 dinosaurs who cause mischief before Meg uses her magic to shrink them.
This book holds dear memories for me as my daughter used to pretend to eat cabbages on one of the pages, just like the dinosaurs in the book. The pictures are very colourful so its really appealing to children and the story is nice and simple and east to follow with lots of opportunity to engage with your children throughout the story.
The Snail and the Whale, Julia Donaldson
The Snail and the Whale follows the journey of a snail who gets itchy feet and wants to explore the world but is told by her peers to stay put. She breaks away and explores the world with the help of a hump back whale. During her travels the snail feels small and insignificant, something which changes when she has the chance to save the whales life.
As with Paper Dolls, I love the subtle meaning behind this book, the way it teaches children to be brave even if they are being held back. The story rhymes and the illustrations are absolutely amazing.
Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose, Julia Donaldson
Obviously, Julia Donaldson features very heavily in this list but I find her writing amazing!! I love this story as it is so much fun for kids to read – its another one that holds dear memories for me as my middle daughter loved this book and memorised the whole thing when she was about 2. It is silly so is really fun to read for kids and it follows lots of animals speaking to each other about food but the rhyming is so fun that kids love it. The pictures are nice and colourful so that’s appealing too.
I love how reading to your children brings such happy memories and I have been touched to read about how children and their parents have enjoyed my book together, there really is nothing better then snuggling together and reading a good book! If you are a parent to a younger child cherish these moments as once they’re older and reading to themselves it really isn’t the same. My eldest daughter is a HUGE lover of books (her fave is the 6th Harry Potter) and I miss reading to her but the joy she gets out of books is really lovely to see!
If you wanted to get a copy of my book to share with your little one, you can buy it online. Elsie’s Rocket to the Moon is suitable for children age 2-6.
What’s your favourite children’s book?