It is never too early to read for children. If you introduce reading as an enjoyable activity, you will help young children develop a lifelong love of books. Reading together is a lovely way to bond with a young child, and bedtime story is a good way to help them wind down before going to sleep.
Many young children find comfort in familiar books. Series for babies and toddlers such as That’s Not My… by Fiona Watt & Rachel Wells, and Where’s Mr/Mrs …? by Ingela P Arrhenius are very popular. But whilst these are series in terms of concept and format, children do love to see characters that they recognise. Our collection below features book series for 0 to 2 year olds with characters that young readers can get to know over time, and which still have new books coming out.
Other popular book series for babies and toddlers include Spot and Hairy Maclary; for the youngest readers you can’t go far wrong with books about little dogs.
Maisy's Recycling Truck
by Lucy Cousins
There are over 100 books about Maisy and her friends. The most recent ones for toddlers are board books about vehicles: in one Maisy drives a recycling truck and in the other an ambulance.
Wooolf!
by Stephanie Blake & translated by Linda Burgess
Simon the Rabbit (book 10). Simon is a mischievous little rabbit. This particular book in the series is a funny adaptation of the cry wolf story. The illustrations are big and expressive, full of movement and humour. The series, which is translated from French, has an animation series spin-off. Age 2+
Badger's Band
Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (illustrator)
Tales from Acorn Wood (book 8). Board book series for toddlers, with rhyming text and flaps to lift.
Pippa and Pelle in the Winter Snow
by Daniela Drescher
Pippa and Pelle (book 6). Series for toddlers about two elves, with much love of nature. Board book, translated from German.
Nighttime
by Rotraut Susanne Berner
All Around Bustletown (book 5). Large format board books by a well known German illustrator. These are not storybooks. Instead there are seven detailed double page pictures for children to look at and make up their own stories around the pictures. Age 2-6.
Pip and Posy: The Birthday Party
Camilla Reid & Axel Scheffler (illustrator)
Pip and Posy (book 11). Simple stories to engage toddlers, about the ups and downs of two best friends.
