Riff Raff's Fave Books

Benefits of reading to children - no matter what age

You may have heard the famous Dr Seuss quote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go”. It is never too early to instil a love of reading in your little one, and there are so many benefits:

· Reading aloud to your children is one of the best ways to encourage their language development right from the get go. Even when babies don’t understand what you are saying, they are taking everything in.
· It sets your children up for a lifelong love of reading. By starting at young age, reading will become second nature to your children as they grow. As children’s author Emilie Buchwald once said, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents”.
· It’s the perfect chance to unwind and snuggle after a busy day together. The routine of dinner, bath and bed can be a busy, stressful one for many households. Taking time out at the end to settle down with a book together sets the tone for the evening, helps their little minds unwind and prepares them for sleep.
· As they grow, sharing stories will spark your child’s imagination and curiosity. It can be a talking point between you and your child as they learn and grow through the power of stories.
· It’s the perfect bonding opportunity. Some days can be so busy we forget to take some time out to connect with our children. Reading is the perfect time to do this. You can enjoy a cuddle, talk about their day, and check in before bed.
· Reading is also a great way to introduce difficult concepts to kids. Whether it is death, dealing with emotions, toilet training, or more, there is a book for it, helping guide our kids through these experiences.


Below are a few of what we think are the best books for babies and toddlers grouped by suggested age.  

Ages 0+

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton
If you’re after a good laugh and a bit of silliness, then young or old this fun-filled book is for you. The short, rhyming language is perfect for little minds, while the hilariously exaggerated animal noises (performed by you, of course), add that special, funny touch to this amusing tale.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury
Honestly, is there anything cuter than chubby baby fingers and stubby baby toes? This gorgeous book is perfect for reading aloud to babies on your lap, with sweet, simple language that takes you through the cuteness that comes with babies and the joy they bring to everyone around them. The rhyming text just rolls off the tongue and will have you reading it over and over again.

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
There is something simplistically delightful about a lift-the-flap book. They build anticipation and give little fingers the perfect way to get involved in story time. Dear Zoo is the story that will keep on giving, introducing new animals to kids and giving them a chuckle as they are all sent back to the zoo for various reasons, before we reach the perfect one at the end, of course! You can encourage your child’s learning by having them tell you what animal is behind each flap as they open it up – it will give them a real sense of accomplishment.

Ages 12 months + 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This is one of those books that will never get old and never get boring. 50 years on, and it’s still a favourite for children of all ages. The beautiful illustrations are so visually enticing for little eyes, with the clever cut out designs, adding texture to the tale. The author himself shares why he thinks the story is so popular, "For many years, my publisher and editor and I did not know the reason for The Very Hungry Caterpillar being so popular. But over time, I've come to feel that it is a book of hope. And it is this hopeful feeling that has made it a book readers of all ages enjoy and remember. For this I am very touched.”

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
The words of this book roll off the tongue, taking kids on a journey through muddy puddles, tall forests and long, wavy grass. The brilliance of this story is how interactive it is for little minds. The learning goes way beyond the pages of the book – kids can go on their own bear hunt in classrooms, at home or with friends! The repetition of words makes the book easy to follow, with big kids being able to join in. With the gorgeous watercolour illustrations, contrasting with colour and black and white throughout the book, there is so much to look at and enjoy in this lasting tale.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
There is a whole series of these gorgeous books and they all share such a beautiful message about family and love and pull at those heart strings. Little Nutbrown Hare and his dad compare their love for each other, from as far as their arms can reach, extending all the way up to the moon (and back!) as Little Nutbrown Hare falls asleep in his daddy’s lap. A great opportunity to let your little one know just how loved they are.

Ages 36 months +

When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan
A gorgeous twist on the saying, “When life gives you lemons…” this feel-good picture book, shares one little girl’s journey of raising her own lemon tree – with a recipe included at the end! The girl is both surprised and a little disappointed at this birthday present from Grandma, but as she follows the narrators informative (and funny) instructions, she learns this is what she wanted all along. It’s a clever tale with an important message about hard work, perseverance, nature, community – and patience.

Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Williams
The driver of the bus has to hop for a minute, and he leaves us with one very clear instruction: “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!” But this isn’t just any pigeon, he is a tricky, cheeky, cunning little pigeon, who tries everything he possible can to get behind that wheel and drive the bus. So, will you let him drive? This hilariously, well-written book will have everyone in stitches.

When Sadness Is At Your Door by Eva Eland
This is one of those amazing books that shows us that magic is still being created. Published just this year, it helps introduce a challenging concept to little minds to help them deal with emotions they may not yet understand. Eva gives sadness a shape and face, encouraging children to give it a name so it becomes familiar to them – and not something to be afraid or scared of. With simple illustrations, Eva offers ways to cope with sadness and helps kids navigate a tricky feeling.