30 Books to read before you're 2!

The books on this list have been selected by the Better Beginnings team of children's literature specialists and are favourites of many babies, toddlers and their families.

Updated January 19, 2024
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We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Oxenbury, Helen
Paper Book
Celebrate 30 wonderful years of We're Going on a Bear Hunt in this special anniversary edition of the much-loved family favourite.We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. Will you come too? For thirty years, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this...
That's not my parrot
Watt, Fiona
Paper Book
An exciting new title in the best-selling touchy-feely series. Join five colourful parrots in the new jungle-themed addition to the much-loved That's not my series. Delight in the bold illustrations, the touchy-feely materials and spotting the familiar little white mouse. Usborne's flagship That's...
Dear zoo
Campbell, Rod
Paper Book
Rod Campbell's classic lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo has been a firm favourite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982.'I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet . . .'Young children will love lifting the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent - a monkey, a lion and...
The very hungry caterpillar
Carle, Eric
Paper Book
Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a perennial favourite with children and adults alike. Its imaginative illustration and clever cut-out detail charts the progress of a very hungry caterpillar as he eats his way through the week. ********** Don't miss...
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
Dodd, Lynley
Paper Book
The classic story in a new, larger format. Hairy Maclary goes off for a walk with a few of his friends - and comes up against a nasty surprise in the shape of Scarface Claw!
Where's Spot?
Hill, Eric
Paper Book
This bigger, brighter paperback edition of Eric Hill's iconic first lift-the-flap book celebrates 30 years since first publication in hardback. The simple text and colourful pictures will engage a whole new generation of pre-readers as they lift the picture flaps...

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