The gransnetters' guide to great children's books

From picture books to more challenging reads, here's a selection of the wonderful children's books that get the Gransnet seal of approval, guaranteed to go down well with your grandchildren.

Babies and toddlers 

Peepo - Janet and Allan Ahlberg  

You Choose - Pippa Goodhart  

We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen  

Each Peach Pear Plum - Janet Ahlberg  

That's Not My Monkey - Fiona Watt  

The Gruffalo - Julia Donaldson  

Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson 

Freddie and the Fairy - Julia Donaldson  

The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Judith Kerr  

Owl Babies - Martin Waddell  

Peace at Last - Jill Murphy 

The Elephant and the Bad Baby - Elfrida Vipont 

Pre-school

Topsy and Tim Start School - Jean Adamson  

Alfie Gets in First (and others in the series) - Shirley Hughes 

Aliens Love Underpants - Claire Freedman  

Katie Morag's Island Stories - Mairi Hedderwick 

Come to Tea on Planet Zum-Zee - Tony Mitton  

Charlie and Lola: My First Ever and Best Story Collection - Lauren Child  

Winnie the Witch - Valerie Thomas 

Burglar Bill - Janet and Allan Ahlberg

The Story of Ferdinand - Munro Leaf                       

The Cat in the Hat - Dr Seuss 

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy - Lynley Dodd  

Spider School - Francesca Simon  

Five Minutes' Peace - Jill Murphy

Commotion in the Ocean - Giles Andreae  

Bringing Down the Moon - Jonathan Emmett

She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain - Jonathan Emmett 

1001 Things to Spot on Holiday - Hazel Maskell  

Little Beauty - Anthony Browne

Dragon Stew - Steve Smallman 

School age children

James and the Giant Peach - Roald Dahl 

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