In praise of Julia Donaldson, Jill Murphy and many others

I had to look it up as I couldn’t remember the author. It’s Michael Foreman. I remember reading it to my grandchildren, it may have been a library book. I don’t remember reading it at school.

My youngest granddaughter currently loves A Squash and a Squeeze, and The Snail and the Whale.

Love Each Peach Pear Plum, and can’t read Peepo without crying for some reason, all those memories of so many children.

Yep, I know that one.

Does anyone else know Pandas Puzzle? It’s about a Panda who wants to know if he’s a black bear with white spots or a white bear with black spots. He goes off to find out and I bet you can guess the answer.

Nice to see you use the word ‘reassuring’ maddy. Children’s books of the kind I’m remembering sometimes brought up gently and dealt with all sorts of concerns little children couldn't articulate. I’ve never had call for them but there are beautiful books for young children that deal with death and things like going into hospital.

I think Julia Donaldson is my all time favourite but I love Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. I always read it to my Reception class or Nursery class during the first week of school. It’s such a lovely, reassuring book for littlies.

I love all these books.

DS and I were watching Impossible a couple of days ago and the Ahlbergs came up in an answer. We both immediately launched into Each Peach Pear Plum all the way through, word perfect. It's nearly 40 years since I last read it to him!

Julia Donaldson is wonderful. I've got the Gruffalo films and Room On The Broom recorded so I can watch them myself when I'm in the mood. And don't forget Shirley Williams! Dogger and the Alfie books are perfect.

DD and I went to a talk by Judith Kerr shortly before she died. Wonderful! The Mog books are so true to life and every child should read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. It seems very relevant at the moment.

The Enormous Turnip. so funny.

Don’t know that one - which age group would you say?

Mr. Magnolia anyone?

Oohh forgot

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Oh yes rhyming books - and then those with repetition especially for younger children. And ones where you have to make noises

I love the rhyming books like Tabby McTat, Keith the Caterpillar and Denis the Dragon. Also all the Thomas the Tank Engine books, though preferred the original illustrations. DH uses a Ringo Starr accent when reading to the DGs now!