One dad explains how he’s read more than 500 children’s books with his son and daughter over the years – and these are the 10 that they’ve enjoyed the most
Reading with young children has a multitude of benefits. Experts concur that it can be instrumental in language, cognitive and emotional development, whilst also fostering imagination and creativity.
Books can enhance social skills and cultural awareness, as well as honing concentration and focus. But, just as crucially, reading with kids is enjoyable.
I’ve always made a point of reading with my eight year old son and five year old daughter at bedtime, as part of our nightly routine. Over the years, I reckon I’ve read at least 500 children’s books.
Some have lodged themselves more firmly in my memory – probably because I’ve had to read them over and over again.
These days, my little lad is content reading chapter books by himself and his sister requires my assistance less and less. Occasionally, though, they still relish revisiting an old favourite.
Via The Mirror US, here are the 10 books, suitable for children under seven, that we’ve enjoyed the most…
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1. Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson (2000). Known as Where’s My Mom? in the US
The undisputed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of authors for younger children, Julia Donaldson has gifted us classics such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Superworm.
Penned in Donaldson’s signature rhyming prose, the tale follows a young monkey who gets lost in the jungle. A well-meaning butterfly attempts to assist but ends up leading her to various other creatures – an elephant, snake, spider, frog and bat – due to constant misinterpretations of her descriptions.
It’s a joy to read, educational, concludes on a happy note and is vividly brought to life by Axel Scheffler’s distinctive illustrations. I’ve recited it so often that I can now do so from memory.
Buy Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson on Amazon.
2. Meltdown! by Jill Murphy (2016)
Without exaggeration, navigating a supermarket with a toddler can feel akin to stepping into the Seventh Circle of Hell.
The late, esteemed Jill Murphy, likely drawing from personal experiences, encapsulates this ordeal flawlessly in Meltdown!
In the story, Ruby the rabbit joins her mum for a shopping trip. Initially, she’s keen to be helpful, but in typical toddler fashion, she soon becomes overzealous, throws a monumental tantrum over a ‘piggy cake’, embarrasses her mum at the till, and wails all the way home before eventually saying sorry and returning to her adorable self.
My children adore it because they see themselves in Ruby. I cherish it because I’ve been in Ruby’s mum’s shoes on more than one dreadful occasion.
Buy Meltdown! by Jill Murphy on Amazon.
3. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith (2009)
Children’s literature is often a treasure trove of life lessons, but ‘The Wonky Donkey’ bucks the trend with its delightful dose of pure silliness that has captured hearts everywhere.
Originally penned as a ditty by Kiwi author Craig Smith, inspired by the gag “What do you call a donkey with three legs? A wonky donkey!”, this book became an overnight sensation in 2018 when a video of a Scottish granny chuckling her way through it with her grandson went viral, sending sales through the roof.
A hilarious rhyming challenge, ‘The Wonky Donkey’ is a joy to read out loud and has found a special place on bookshelves and in the hearts of readers.
Buy The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith from Amazon.
4. You’re Called What? by Kes Gray (2018)
Kes Gray, a celebrated children’s author, certainly knows how to tickle the funny bones of both youngsters and grown-ups who’ve kept their childlike humour intact.
While his famed Oi Frog! and the Oi! series are staples in my children’s collection, it’s another one of his works, You’re Called What?, that truly takes the cake for comedy gold.
Set against the backdrop of the Ministry of Silly Animal Names (a nod to Monty Python’s iconic sketch), this book introduces kids to hilariously named creatures like the monkeyface prickleback and the pink fairy armadillo, while teaching them about these lesser-known species.
And let’s be honest, ‘blue-footed booby’ will always be a hoot.
Buy You’re Called What? by Kes Gray from Amazon.
5. The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole (1983)
The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole, the vintage gem of this list, was passed down by a cousin.
But it absolutely stands the test of time. The story is told by a little girl whose mum is always turning people into toads, wearing funny hats and doing other embarrassing things.
The girl’s friends think her mum’s great, but their parents aren’t quite as enamoured – until she saves the day, rushing to put out a fire at the school.
Our version of the book is a ‘four for the price of one’ deal, with Dad, Gran and Grandad all given the same treatment.
The late Babette Cole’s illustrations are every bit as good as her words.
Buy The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole at Amazon.
6. There’s A Pig Up My Nose by John Dougherty (2017)
There was a period of around a month – which felt more like a year – when my daughter asked to read There’s A Pig Up My Nose every night, often more than once.
To make matters even more tedious, every read came with a slew of questions, mainly about the feasibility of animals becoming stuck up children’s noses.
Thankfully, though, there’s plenty to like about the book, which follows Natalie, who enlists the help of her schoolmates to remove the little animal.
Very loud, dramatic animal noises are a mandatory requirement.
Buy There’s A Pig Up My Nose by John Dougherty on Amazon.
7. Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman (2015)
If there’s one thing guaranteed to make kids laugh, it’s poop.
And in Steve Smallman’s book, there’s lots of it – including a variety that glows green.
Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman tells the story of zookeeper Bob McGrew, who adores his job except for the task of cleaning out the animals’ enclosures. When an iguana produces a radioactive-looking deposit, it attracts crowds, including a poo museum owner who forever changes Bob’s life.
The book even includes a pictorial glossary of various animals’ droppings, which I can now confidently identify unaided.
Buy Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman on Amazon.
8. The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards (2013)
While plot twists aren’t common in children’s literature, this book has one. It may not be on par with The Sixth Sense or The Usual Suspects, but it’s still an unexpected ending.
Even after the initial read, when children know exactly what will happen, they seem to enjoy it just as much.
The narrative follows a hungry badger eyeing a sandwich dropped by a little boy in the park. The sandwich gets squashed, ridden over, and slithered on before the badger finally reaches it.
Buy The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards on Amazon.
9. Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis (2016)
Jarvis skilfully narrates the tale of an alligator who loses his intimidation factor when the other animals discover he has dentures.
But it’s not just the author’s sharp wit and understated, matter-of-fact tone that impresses – his illustrations are equally captivating.
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Both hilarious and heartwarming, like many other children’s books, it carries a message about the significance of friendship, honesty and kindness.
Buy Alan’s Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis on Amazon.
10. There’s A Snake in My School by David Walliams
SPOILER ALERT: In this book by David Walliams, the nasty headmistress Miss Bloat is devoured by a pupil’s pet snake, leading to jubilation among the schoolchildren.
Given the slightly dark nature of the ending, I’ve unsurprisingly had to answer several questions about snakes consuming people and teachers being killed.
Despite all that, though, the book is a big hit with my kids. Walliams has a talent for creating stories and using language that makes children chuckle.
Buy There’s A Snake in My School on Amazon.