Nursery - Suggested Reading List
Classic books as suggested by the Literacy Trust
Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
Watch carefully as Handa’s basket of delicious fruits, carried on her head, is
nibbled from above as she walks to her friend’s village.
The Shopping Basket by John Burningham
Another basket, another walk, another world, more animal encounters.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
If you want a pet why not write to the zoo? Who knows what they will choose
for you.
So Much by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
So many visitors, so much attention, so much excitement for one much loved
baby.
The Blue Balloon by Trish Cooke
The day after a party doesn’t have to be dull. Not if you are lucky enough to
find magic in the garden.
There’s No Such Thing As A Dragon by Jack Kent
Oh yes there is!
The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr
Stock up on tiger food just in case something big, furry, stripy and very hungry
should drop by.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, illustrated by
Eric Carle
Turn the pages very slowly to guess what the animals can see and absorb the
colours at the same time.
Peace At Last by Jill Murphy
Even bears can suffer from sleepless nights. It doesn’t help when you are
surrounded by night time noises.
My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes by Eve Sutton, illustrated by Lynley Dodd
It’s surprising just how cats around the world spend their time. But my cat
sticks with boxes.
The Elephant And The Bad Baby by Elfreda Vipont, illustrated by
Raymond Briggs
You too can go ‘rumpeta, rumpeta, rumpeta, all down the road’ with this tale of
mayhem through the town, collecting goodies as you go.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson
The ultimate owl story – words and pictures perfection. Is there anyone who
doesn’t dissolve while reading or listening to the ending?
Peepo by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
This looking-game book is set in the past, with a big pram and loads of
washing. Questions encourage you to examine each picture and for babies to
look ‘inside’ and see how the small picture in the hole and the big picture fit
together. Everyone loves joining in with the ‘Peepo!’ response!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
How can the hungry caterpillar change into a butterfly? By eating as much
food as it can! Little fingers can follow it through all of the holes that it makes
as it munches.
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, pictures by Axel Scheffer
Bold little mouse sets off on a stroll through the deep, dark forest. Little does
he know, Fox, owl, and snake see him as a tasty snack! How can he keep
himself safe? This is a brilliant rhyming book about trickery and cunning.
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