The 31 best children’s books that every child should read

The Ladybird Ten Minutes to Bed – Little Dragon Board Book was awarded Gold for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

This Little Dragon Board Book is the perfect book to calm little sleepy dragons everywhere, just in time to go to bed. Parent testers loved this book for bedtime, "the Little Dragon book is based on a really good concept – the countdown to bedtime, it sets the scene really well for a bedtime story whilst also promoting thoughts about time" commented one mum. Soaring high in the skies to find adventure, little dragon siblings Flicker and Flash are doing their best to avoid going to bed. But then they spot a lost egg that they need to get back to its mother - will they get back in time? "It allows a solid framework for the book to tell an exciting and engaging story within a setting where bedtime is constantly referred to- allowing a natural tapering off to allow the children to calm down before bed." Our tester continued.

Read our full Ladybird Ten Minutes to Bed – Little Dragon Board Book review.

A classic picture book, nearly all parents know the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This colourful tale shows the journey of the caterpillar on his quest to munch through everything he can find. One satisfied parent tester said: "It's something about the artwork and the holes (from the caterpillar munching) that fascinates her. I have to read the same page to her hundreds of times." This children's book incorporates textures with easy-to-follow text that'll have your child unable to look away.

Introduce them to animals by getting them familiar with lions, monkeys and giraffes with Dear Zoo. They'll soon come to recognise the wonderful animals across each of the pages. One mum said, "I gifted this book to my little one on his first birthday. He recognises all the animals and loves to open flip-flaps." On their next trip to the zoo, your child will be delighted to be able to name all of the animals from their favourite open-the-flap book. We also love that it's super sturdy for heavy handed tots.

Keep your child's interest and attention with the iconic open-the-flap book Where's Spot? They'll love interacting with the pages by lifting the flaps and trying to find Spot! A children's book you're sure to be familiar with, this one will have them entertained for hours. Parents particularly loved how thick this book was, with one commenting, "The pages are nice and thick, so she can turn the pages herself, and the flaps are big enough for her to open them herself."

A beautiful tale by Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o. This children's book is all about loving what makes you unique and embracing who you are. Parents were impressed by the book, commenting, "the book deals with the complex issues of race, shadeism and Black female empowerment in such a skilful and beautifully illustrated way." Join Sulwe on the journey to self-love in this moving, empowering and heart-warming book.

A colourful classic, this children's book includes bright, eye-catching illustrations. The tale of Elmer is about being bold and learning to accept your differences. A great children's book with a great message: it teaches the reader to be unashamed of what makes you unique.

The Little Blue Truck book teaches the importance of friendship and helping others. Parent testers loved this book, commenting, "Love the rhymes and has lots of animal sounds: moo, neigh, cluck, croak and baa but also beep and honk for the vehicles." With an emphasis on the sounds of the word, it will help your child pick up on vocabulary. As well as this, it will make them familiar with the different animals they might come across on their outdoor adventures.

"I’m a reception class teacher and I read this to my class of four to five-year-olds every year - the children always enjoy it and laugh throughout the story." Commented one reader. All Mrs Large wants is five minutes' peace and quiet away from her energetic children so she takes refuge in the bathroom for a bubble bath with a tray of breakfast and the morning paper. But naturally her children have other ideas...

The pattern of rhyme and use of sound in this much-loved We're Going on a Bear Hunt children's book will become your child's new favourite game. One reader who is a reception class teacher says it's one of her favourite children's books to read to her class. "The illustrations are beautiful, and the text is simply written and perfect to sing along to." She comments. "The repetitive language is appealing for small children, and the noisy words to describe the family's movement through the different settings are easy for children to remember." She continues. Take them on an adventure up the hill, across the river and through the forest to find the big bad bear. We're not scared!

A story about a family with two mummies: this book is a phenomenal read with rhythmic text and illustrations that shows the day in the life of a toddler with same-sex parents. One mum reviewer said her son is a big fan of this book, "It's a simple story about the adventures of a little family with two moms." She commented. "It's not clear if the child is a boy or a girl, which is nice. My son loves this book and brings it to us to read constantly - I think it's going to be a favourite!" She continued. This Mommy, Mama and Me children's book shows that family comes in many different forms, teaching about family structures from the get-go.

We all love The Gruffalo! Be prepared to read this one to your child again and again. "Excellent catchy rhyming that kids adore!" Commented one parent. "Great vocabulary, too, so it's a great descriptive book for little ears." With characters like Mouse and Snake, this much-loved favourite will definitely be a hit with your little ones. Oh, help! Oh no! The Gruffalo!

A book that needs no introduction, many of us will have grown up with the Harry Potter books and are desperate to share the magic with our children. If your youngster is still quite young, the illustrated editions are a great way to introduce them to the famous wizard and are filled with incredible illustrations. "Since the pages are much bigger and words larger than a traditional novel, it also makes it less daunting and more readable for younger, perhaps more reluctant readers as well." Commented one reader.

A traditional classic is The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This children's book is still popular despite being written 120 years ago. Follow the life of this mischievous little rabbit as he gets up to no good, making friends along the way.

We just adore the loveable and docile bear that is Winnie-the-Pooh. His adventures with Christopher Robin and his friends were a massive part of our childhoods that we can't seem to forget. "Lovely to have it in the protective cover. Will enjoy reading it myself and to my grandson when he is older." Commented one reviewer. This Winnie-the-Pooh: The Complete Collection of Stories and Poems celebrating the 90th anniversary of Pooh Bear is a wonderful story to read to your children.

One of our favourites, The Tiger Who Came To Tea tells the story of Sophie, who welcomes in a cheeky and uninvited guest! One parent reviewer commented: "It was one of my own favourites as a child, it has been a favourite of all 3 of my own children, and it's still to this day." The charming illustrations show the events unfold as Tiger sits down to tea with Sophie and her mum. A lovely story - one to remember.

Filled with positivity and self-love, in Hair Love, Academy award-winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry tells the story of a father learning how to style his daughter's beautiful hair. "I love that my hair lets me be me," says the main character, Zuri, as she embraces her hair texture in all its different styles!

This superbly written and illustrated picture book recognises and celebrates the diversity in a caring group of children. One parent reviewer said "Me and my daughter have really enjoyed this book. This book has done more than words can say for our little family. Such a big message from a little book!" It aims to help little ones recognise the differences between cultures and races and to appreciate that everyone is beautiful.

One that we guarantee will be stuck in your head is Room on the Broom, which the children will love. From the same author as The Gruffalo, this book is a popular choice in schools and nurseries due to its clever rhythm and rhyme. "This is one of the best stories from Julia; the story flows, and the rhyme is well-paced, making it really fun to read aloud." Commented one reviewer. It'll keep your children's attention as well as help them develop a sense of vocabulary, and it also makes a brilliant book to read at Halloween.

One of the cutest books you could buy that also comes complete with a soft bunny, this popular story of Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare follows the adorable game they play to express their love for each other. But the hares soon discover that love is not an easy thing to measure. One reviewer said, "I have bought dozens of copies for all my nieces and nephews and friends' kids."

A great book for older children, Gangsta Granny, is unafraid of exploring heavier topics and approaching them with a sense of humour. "Grandaughter loved it and then read to me through lockdown, and I loved it. Very funny" One reviewer said. This children's book is brilliantly witty, reminiscent of Roald Dahl with its illustrations and style of writing. It's sure to make your child laugh, cry, reflect and inquire all at once.

We all remember The Adventures of Captain Underpants! "The chapters are small, so it's easy to keep track of where we read to and doesn't exhaust him, and the pages have pictures and words" commented one reviewer. This hilarious children's book follows the journey of two practical jokers in school as they create the comic book hero that is Captain Underpants.

Any book by Roald Dahl could have easily made this list, with his wacky sense of humour and clever wit that makes this a timeless classic. Recreated in film time and time again, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is easily one of the most timeless children's books around. Other great reads include Matilda, The BFG and James and The Giant Peach, to name a few.

Yet another popular children's story is The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson. Despite the author often portraying hardship in her books and tackling difficult subjects, her books will open an older child's mind and make them fall in love with reading over and over again.

Explore the magical world of Narnia with this children's classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Follow the journey of a family of children who have an extraordinary adventure in the back of an enchanted wardrobe.

A wonderful gift idea, this collection of much-loved Percy the Park Keeper stories follows Percy and his animal friends in a series of adventures along with charming illustrations. "This would make a wonderful gift for a young child" Commented one reviewer. "These stories are not as lengthy or eventful as the Tales from Percy's Park series, but they're just as charming and amusing." The reviewer continues.

One to read to your little one when you're preparing them for bed, this close-the-flap book encourages little ones to say goodnight and put away their toys, close the curtains and turn on the nightlight, ready for sleep. "It's like reading a lullaby at bedtime, perfect for nighttime routine." Said one reviewer.

There are over 70 different books in the 'That's not my...' series including bus, unicorn, puppy and more, but this one has to be our favourite. One reviewer said, "I bought to send to my youngest grandson who is a dinosaur fan. He loves it and sits for ages 'reading' it to himself - he is eighteen months old." Each book is created with sensory play and learning in mind and your little one will love touching the textured patches and looking at the colourful illustrations.

While we all know that young babies can't read, they will still get a lot out of this cuddly cloth book which has crinkly pages for tactile fun and a mirror for stimulating the senses. One mum commented, "My 2-month-old daughter loves this book! She loves the contrast and the crinkle and the mirror!"

The first story in a series of three siblings: Joe, Beth and Frannie, who move to a house by an enchanted wood, which is home to the Magic Faraway Tree. Join them and their new friends Moonface, Saucepan Man and Silky the fairy as they discover which new land is at the top of the Faraway Tree.

This board book adaptation of the bestselling Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls introduces your little one to the lives of extraordinary women, past and present, from around the world. "Colourful pictures and an easy, two-sentence description of women from the past and present describing their achievements in simple terms." Commented one reviewer. The colourful, inviting pages feature easy-to-read text and beautiful portraits.

Written by McFly's Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, Danny and his Dinosaur end up in space but when Danny realises he's forgotten Dino's lunch box, the very hungry dinosaur eats everything in sight, including their only way back home: the rocket ship. One parent reviewer said, "There's something about Dinosaurs and poop that seems to be an immediate hit with my son and although he is too young to read yet he always knows when to shout Poo! in line with the story."