1. The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt, Oliver Jeffers (Illustrations)

This story is ‘laugh out loud’ funny! The crayons write their resignation letters to a young boy, with a list of very true, very funny justifications. Yellow and orange fight over the true colour of the sun, blue needs a break from being the favourite and peach can’t leave the box, because his paper wrapper has been torn off and now he’s “naked!”.

Why does our toddler love this one?
He can’t stop laughing. Second to that, he loves talking through each of the crayons requests in the final ‘picture’.

2. Paper Dolls, by Julia Donaldson, Rebecca Cobb (Illustrator)

This is a unique story about family, loss and an irrepressible spirit: “We’re not gone, oh no no no! We’re holding hands and we won’t let go.” It is a breathtaking tale of one little girl and her five paper dolls. The story deals with tragedy in a gentle way, and inspired a number of discussions with our toddler surrounding family, death and new life.

Why does our toddler love this one?
The rhythmic names of the paper dolls. He also enjoyed making and naming his own paper dolls, inspired by the story.

3. The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)

This is a bestselling phenomenon across the world and there’s no doubt why. It is an enchanting tale of a quick-witted mouse and an unforgettable monster. It demonstrates how one can live up to expectations and overcome adversity – using brains over brawn.

Why does our toddler love this one?
It’s a long book and each time we read it, he discovers something new. He loves the cadence of the words.

4. Two Little Bugs, by Mark Sommerset, Rowan Sommerset (Illustrator) 

This is a creative tale of two bugs living on the same leaf, one on the topside and one underneath. It is a minimally illustrated story, peppered with cutouts and flaps, which add to the charm. Layered with lessons, this book could be explored by children of any age.

Why does our toddler love this one?
It is so simple, and the die-cut holes and shapes are an endless source of entertainment. 

5. There’s a Sea in my Bedroom, by Margaret Wild, Jane Tanner (Illustrator)

This book offer an endearing plot about David, a young boy who’s fearful of the ocean. He takes home a shell and magical things start to happen as the ocean erupts from the shell and “beats gently against the bed”. It is a tale of imagination and overcoming fear, illustrated beautifully.

Why does our toddler love this one?
Because he believes that magic is possible, and the pile of sand under the chair ‘proves it’. Like David’s parents, mum and dad couldn’t possibly understand.