Picture Books

With their blend of story and illustration the best picture books offer both a wonderfully enjoyable shared experience for adult and child and a great introduction for youngsters to the world of books. Here are our recommendations to a selection of some of the top ones around, in each case providing a profile of the book and details of where you can get hold of it. As with all pages of our site the content on this one will be refreshed & amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

The Gruffalo

Told in lilting rhythmic rhyme this is the story of a quick witted mouse fooling a succession of would be predators during a stroll in the deep dark woods. Author Julia Donaldson's trademark humour and illustrator Axel Scheffler's distinctive drawings will charm and entertain children, while making repeated readings pleasureable for adults who will be called on for many repeat renditions of this imaginative tale after youngsters hear it for the first time. Justifiably a huge success since it first appeared, The Gruffalo has been followed by a a range of entertaining titles by the same creative pair all of which are worth investigating. Available from Early Learning Centre

No Matter What

Children lucky enough to be exposed to this fantastic book find its hero Small to be the recipient of a parent's unconditional love as author-illustrator Debi Gliori presents a warm, moving and humourous exchange between a youngster anxious about the limits to love and an adult who demonstrates that there are none. Neither sentimental nor sloppy this tender and intelligent book will prove a soothing and reassuring experience for three to six year olds who will want to come back to it again and again. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Giraffes Can't Dance

Ashamed and embarassed by his lack of dancing prowess and mocked by others because of it, gangly Gerald the giraffe is dreading the forthcoming annual Jungle Dance. Yet he is to discover that he can indeed dance when he finds the type of music that is right for him. Author Giles Andreae presents an amusing and affirming story about difference which Guy Parker-Rees brilliantly illustrates. Available from Pickabook

Rainbow Bear

Former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo proves in this entrancing tale that his extraordinary writing talents apply every bit as much for young children as he has repeatedly proven they do in his string of novels for older ones. A polar bear bored with his harsh white environment dreams of soaking himself in the colours of the rainbow. When his wish comes true he finds his camouflage gone and his new conspicuous self to be the centre of some very unwelcome attention. He must heed the advice of others if he is to escape the prison he has landed himself in. Available from the good book guide

Bringing Down The Moon

Burrowing out of the ground mole catches sight of the moon for the first time and becomes captivated by its beauty. Ignoring the advice of his friends Rabbit, Hedgehog and Squirrel he embarks on a campaign to acquire it for himself. Discovering that this is no easy task Mole is distraught when he thinks that he has broken the object of his desire, but all ends well in this simple but enchanting tale. Available from Waterstones

Guess How Much I Love You

This is one of those books that every young child should get the chance to own and enjoy again and again. Featuring Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare Sam McBratney's story beautifully and tenderly unfolds as each strives to tell the other about the size of their love for each other. As they discover, love is difficult to measure, but as your moist eyes will confirm as the book concludes it is after all the greatest force in the universe. Available from Amazon

Harry And The Dinosaurs Tell The Time

Fun and learning go hand in hand as Harry takes his dinosaurs on a sand digging sea splashing trip to the seaside, while his prehistoric friends provide youngsters with top tips in telling the time which they can try out using the integrated clickety-clackety clock. Harry's creator Ian Whybrow has proven over the series of picture books, that the dinosaurs found by our hero in a dusty bucket in the first of these delightful stories, that this combination of boy and beasts is a winningly engaging one with the under sixes. Available from Woolworths Group plc

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

One of many people's favourite picture books, this is the story of a greedy little caterpillar who munches through an ever growing mountain of food as the days of the week pass. Striking and arresting images and a humourous tale simply but beguilingly told makes this a book that every two to four year old should have the chance to know and enjoy. Available from Waterstones

The Tickle Book

This pull the tabs and lift the flaps book is a great entry level book for very young children as the subject matter (tickling), illustration and sheer pleasure of the phsicality of poking around at the pages. Axel Scheffler, who has collaborated on The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom and other of Julia Donaldson's winning picture books, provides the visuals while author Ian Whybrow's Ticklemaster will greatly appeal to 1 - 3 year olds, as will his antics as he tickles a range of animal friends in an assortment of recognisable locations. Available from Amazon

Winnie's Midnight Dragon

Winnie is trying to sleep but that's not easy when a baby dragon gets into the house puffing out smoke and knocking things over in his zeal to play. Wilbur her cat isn't helping on the noise front either, chasing the butterflies around that the baby dragon's smoke have turned into. As the crashing, clanging and clattering resulting from the cat and dragon's play reaches a crescendo Winnie has had ENOUGH! She must catch the attention of the baby dragon's mother flying above the house if she is ever to get some sleep. With a trip to the roof and a magic full moon she manages it in this wonderful book. Available from the the good book guide

George And The Dragon

Hugely enjoyable tale for young children and adults alike which plays with and subverts notions of fearsome dragons. True, the one featured here tries to keep up terrifying appearances with a spot of princess kidnapping, laying forests to waste and the expected awesome creature has destructive capabilities, so don't mess with me stuff. Yet there's more to all this wrecking behaviour than meets the eye as this particular dragon has a deep dark secret. Available from Woolworths Group plc