Sharing a book with your child can be a fun way of helping them to learn through fun pictures, characters and sounds.

From a young age its a great way to interact with your child and a great way to get into a routine of reading every day. 

We have listed a few books to help you capture your child's imagination with our top 10 books for children. They could also be great stocking filler too!

                                                                  Best Books for Babies and Toddlers 

The Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle

The Hungry Caterpillar is a classic picture book about a caterpillar who munches his way to become a stunning butterfly.

The newly hatched caterpillar starts to look for food. On day one he eats one piece of fruit, the next day two, the next day three and so on, until he reaches the end of the week, when he eats a fabulous feast. He is too big to move but there's a moment of magic as he transforms into a beautiful butterfly.

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney & Anita JeramIn

Guess How Much I Love You, a big lovable hare and a little snuggly hare exchange love in a warm and reassuring way that any child at bedtime could enjoy. This is brought together with Anita Jeram's gentle illustrative style, it's not hard to see why this book has sold 18 million copies worldwide.

That’s Not My Dinosaur, Fiona Watt & Rachel Wells

That's Not My Dinosaur is a  chunky board book with textured pages which takes a child through a simple narrative. Other books include 'That's not my teddy/dinosaur/tractor/dolly". On each page there's a reason why not - like bumpy skin, squashy wheels, until eventually you arrive at the right item. As well as the touchy hands on experience, the basic vocab repetition is a valuable, enjoyable early learning tool.

Where’s Spot? Eric Hill

Where's Spot is a timeless classic and a must read for all children. You will probably remember reading this yourself as a child! The honeyand black puppy go missing at dinner time. Mummy dog, Sally, has got to find him. This simple narrative with bold illustrations will make this an excellent selection for those with very young children. 

                                                                                  Best Books for Pre-Schoolers

The Gruffalo - Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

The Gruffalo, is a wonderful story about a tiny woodland mouse who manages to escape being eaten by other animals in the woods by telling them that he's an imaginary monster. Of course, the mouse doesn't really expect the monster to appear, but when it does, he has to make the Gruffalo believe that he is so scary himself that the warty beast would be making a really, big mistake if he tried to eat him! 

There are Gruffalo trails happening in a wood near you! Click the following link to see our recent review and to find a trail near you. Gruffalo Trail

Winnie-The-Pooh - A. A. Milne

A serious classic! Winnie-The-Pooh books still continue to be greatly popular. The tales are inspired by the writers son Christopher Robin and his toys. The image of 'Pooh' that we have come to know is based on the toy bear of the illustrator Ernest Shepard's son. 

In the tales about life with Whinnie the Pooh, the collection of stories establishes Pooh's world with Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit and Kanga, and their adventures in 100 Acre Wood.

No Matter What - Debi Gliori

No Matter What is a heart warming story brought to you by the renowned Debi Gliori. The story tells the tale of a parent fox named 'Large'  who promises Small (her cub), that whatever happens, she will always be there filling their life with love and cuddles. Small asks lots of questions, but Large is always responds to her reassuring replies. Great for young readers.

Dogger, by Shirley Hughes

Dogger's story capture's something precious which Children can take from their own lives. It makes the book a top favourite even decades after it was written. Dogger is a toy dog whose owner takes him everywhere he goes. His wener shows him family's life of school, bathtime and treats which is a comforting backdrop to a story in which the owner loses Dogger. They go through hard times before a happy reunion brings the story to a heart warming close.

The Mr Men Series - Roger Hargreaves

Mr Men books are hugely popular and have a range of 49 books. The series feature titles such as Mr Tickle, Mr Happy or Mr Silly. In addition to the 'Mr' books there are the 'Little Miss' books which again follow the characters and their funny story as they take on an adventure.