#BookWeek Early Years Specialist’s favourite reads
Our Early Years Specialists review lots of children’s books and share with us the ones that they (and their families) like best.
Aoife Lacey, Early Years Quality Mentor
Julia Donaldson’s "What the Ladybird heard" is a firm favourite of my little cousins https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/w/what-the-ladybird-heard/
Drew Daywait’s “The Day the Crayons Quit” was another favourite of my pre-school class.
The repetition and familiarity of the sounds the animals make in the ladybird story and the crayon story was just as enjoyable for adults as it was for children.
Clare Cosgrove, Early Years Good Relations Mentor
Check out the letterbox library (https://www.letterboxlibrary.com/) they have a range of fantastic multicultural children’s books with diverse characters.
Margaret Tighiouart, Early Years Specialist
Martin Waddell's "Owl Babies" and "Farmer Duck" were favourites with my pre-schoolers and all Julia Donaldson's books as well.
Eileen McClean, Early Years Specialist Down and Lisburn
My daughter, Georgia (4), favourite book at home at the moment is “the one with the bear and hearts”. Rosie Greening’s Little Ted's Big Heart - a sweet rhyming story, perfect for sharing.
Annemarie Mulholland, Senior Early Years Specialist
My grandchildren like I'll Always love you by Paeony Lewis and One Magical morning by Claire Freedman.
Diarmuid Moore, Early Years Senior Specialist Community Development
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak - my own children loved the adventure and the fact that the hero Max was a little bit bold.
Fiona Scullion, Senior Early Years Specialist
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen - I love this one. Some repetition so children can join in, a sense of fun and a little danger. A great way to explore feelings.
For a fun story and plenty of rhyme a new favourite is Craig Smith’s ‘The Wonkey Donkey’.
Sharon Harvey, Early Years Quality Improvement Advisor
‘City dog, country frog' by Mo Willems. An emotive story as its about new friends and loss. Another favourite is 'The oak inside the acorn' by Max Lucado. Although it has a religious aspect it is ultimately about being the person you were made to be as everyone is unique and special in their own way.
Louise McLaughlin, Early Years Operations Manager – Western Area
A favourite in our house (along with Dr Seuss) is Lynley Dodd’s Slinky Malinki, with wonderful rhymes.
Bestselling illustrator/author team Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’ and ‘Peepo’ are great stories to share.
Perfect gift ideas for little ones. Happy reading!
