Introducing literacy and reading into your toddler's routine is enormously beneficial in the long term. Reading stimulates the mind, increases imagination and improves speech and speech recognition.
Wild Everywhere
Katya Balen (Author), Gill Smith (Illustrator)A young girl moves from the woods to the city and feels the loss of nature's embrace. Through poetic prose and vibrant illustrations, this story reveals nature’s wondrous ability to prevail, encouraging children to discover the wildness around them even in the most urban of environments.
Where to Hide a Star
Oliver JeffersWhen a star goes missing, an imaginative rescue mission leads a boy to the North Pole, where he discovers that sharing what we cherish can bring unexpected joy and connection. With Jeffers' signature watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates the beauty of letting go.
The World to Come
Robert MacFarlane and Johnny FlynnA union of author, musician and illustrator, this book combines rhythmic prose with joyful illustrations celebrating the beauty and resilience of the world. It follows a father and son on a journey through changing landscapes, reflecting on life’s cycles and the hope we hold in the world to come.
Rosa Explores Life Cycles
Jessica SpanyolThis simple story tells the story of children making exciting discoveries about their world. The book doesn’t shy away from technical vocabulary, and young children will encounter words like amphibians, larva and metamorphosis – all explained by the children on their scientific learning quest.
Colours Colours Everywhere
Julia DonaldsonA stunning book from Julia Donaldson about colours. Follow a little girl as she paints her own adventure with her bright blue tree frog companion. With luscious green trees to climb and red hot air balloons to sail away in, children will delight in the rhyming text while learning about different colours.
Mama's Sleeping Scarf
Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieA joyful exploration of family life, written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Through this charming story, Adichie explores the reversal of traditional home roles, the value of multi-generational family bonds, and the simple anxiety of a child who wants to know their parent will return.
LEGO Duplo World
LEGO® DUPLO® WORLD is packed with open-ended play experiences and games featuring animals, buildings, vehicles, and trains to inspire your toddler’s imagination and creativity. Available on Google Play, Apple App Store and Amazon App Store.
Gardenkeeper Gus
Gardenkeeper Gus is a simple and cute podcast aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. Six-year-old Gus is a curious, well-mannered role model whom listeners can join on a series of tasks in the garden. Available on Spotify.
Handa's Surprise
Eileen BrowneHanda carries seven delicious fruits to her friend Akeyo as a surprise. But thanks to some hungry animals she meets along the way, it's Handa who's in for a surprise! This classic book has lovely illustrations and helps introduce little ones to numbers and different types of fruit.
I Will Always Be Proud of You
Michael WongThis timeless story empowers children to be the best they can be. It explores the many wonderful possibilities in life, and reassures children that they will be loved unconditionally whatever they choose to be. Spot the five famous people who make a surprise appearance in the illustrations.
The Something
Rebecca CobbWhen a little boy's ball disappears down a mysterious hole in the garden, he can't stop thinking about what could be down there - a little mouse's house? The lair of a hungry troll? Or maybe even a dragon's den. Whatever it may be, he's determined to find out!
Kamala & Maya's Big Idea
Meena HarrisA beautiful, empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to promote change. Inspired by a true story from the childhood of the author's aunt, Kamala Harris, and mother, lawyer and policy expert Maya Harris.
The Paper Dolls
Julia DonaldsonA little girl makes a string of paper dolls with her mother. The dolls then go on a fantastical adventure where they encounter a pair of scissors. Evoking a sense of childhood loss and the power of memory, this gentle and moving story might bring a tear to the adult reader's eye.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
Oliver JeffersInsightfully sweet, with a gentle humour and poignancy, here is Oliver Jeffers' user's guide to life on Earth. He created it specially for his son, yet with a universality that embraces all children and their parents. A must-have book.
