Books for Children (3-5 years)

Reading with your child is a rewarding experience but choosing a suitable title can be a daunting task. To make life easier here are a selection of books for kids aged 3-5 years as chosen and reviewed by The Baby Maze. If you would like to purchase any of the books just click on the title to go directly to the Amazon.co.uk website.

Older Children (3-5 years)

I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed (Charlie & Lola)

Author: Lauren Child
Publisher: Orchard Books

Charlie and Lola are well-known TV personalities thanks to their cartoon series but the books are where it all started. Any of the titles in the series would appeal to young children as they are written from the perspective of Charlie, Lola's brother. Child's collage-like illustrations are fantastic and really make the books unique. Please note that Charlie and Lola are unlikely to be appreciated by adults who get hung up over unusual grammar.

Calm Down Boris!

Author: Sam Lloyd
Publisher: Templar Publishing

This was chosen as Richard and Judy's best children's book (Christmas 2006) so it must be good! Boris is a very friendly and very fluffy orange monster. In fact he is too friendly and his over-enthusiasm drives the other little monsters away. Does he calm down and make friends? There's only one way to find out? Kids of all ages will love the interactive nature of this book. They can brush Boris's hair and receive his monster kisses.

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Author: Jill Tomlinson
Publisher: Mammoth

A fantastic bedtime book. The story follows Plop, a baby Barn Owl who is afraid of the dark. His mother sends him into the world to ask questions about the dark and as his knowledge increases so his fear lessens until he realises that the dark can be magical! A great book to read to a toddler who is scared of the dark.

Green Eggs and Ham (Dr Seuss Green Back Books)

Author: Dr Seuss
Publisher: Picture Lions

Even though this book was written over forty years ago it seems as wacky today as it did when it was first published. Follow the ever persistent Sam I Am as he tries to convince his grumpy friend to eat a plate of green eggs and ham. Crazy rhymes and illustrations collide to make Green Eggs and Ham a must for kids and parents alike.

The Gruffalo

Author: Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffer
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

The story of a quick-witted mouse as he takes a perilous walk through the forest. As he sees off a number of predators including an owl and a snake with a made-up tale of a monster he suddenly realises that the Gruffalo might exist after all... A very funny story featuring some great rhymes and lovely illustrations.

The following books have been recommended by Wendy McMahon and her three-year-old daughter:

"The Disney Princess Annual is (her) current favourite. It has four or five stories as well as the usual annual fare of activities and features. The stories are short enough for bedtime stories, when we are already running late, too."

The Disney Princess Annual

Little Kitten can't purr so she asks Dog whether he has her purr but he only has his woof. Perhaps Cow has her purr? Or Sheep? One by one, Little Kitten asks all the animals in the farmyard but no one has her purr. Where ever can it be? - Synopsis taken from Amazon.

Have you got my Purr?

If you and your baby have a favourite book and it's not featured here then please feel free to send in a review to be included on this page. Email the book title, author and your review to claire@babymaze.co.uk