Classics for Children Aged 0-5: Our Favourites

 

I had a lot of fun compiling this list, and only used the classic books on our bookshelf that have been loved and read by three children (now all past age 5, but these books still remain!) As my idea to write a list for Classic books for children turned out to be a very long list, I decided to break it down into age groups. Here is the first group, for children aged 0-5. This is not, by any means, an exhaustive list. Please feel free to add your favourite classics in the comments below. 

1. Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, Lynely Dodd

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2. Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown. This is such a favourite book of ours that we even have it in Spanish! Our children were raised bilingual and the simple language with the effective pictures was such an engaging read - in both languages. I always wanted 'a great green room' of my very own.

3. The Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle. Another one that we have in both English and Spanish, as the children learned the days of the week, favourite foods and fruit, plus the life cycle of a caterpillar. 

4. Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter. I say Peter Rabbit but the dinky little Beatrix Potter books of all the animals, including Mrs Tiggy Winkle, Jemima Puddle-duck and Benjamin Bunny and their friends, have been much loved in our house. Perfect for little hands to squirrel away under the pillows or in their pockets. Be sure to get the ones with Ms Potter's illustrations, not the ones with the new images from the television program.

5. I Am a Bunny, Ole Risom. This is a simple book has beautiful, bright drawings as it takes Nicholas the bunny through the changing seasons, with awe and wonder for the natural world. We had it as a cardboard book, but it also comes as a Golden Book. 

6. Thomas the Tank Engine, The Rev. W. Awdry. This complete collection was such a loved staple with our son. We read through the stories of Thomas and Friends many times and it's such a lovely book that we will be keeping it for future generations. 

7. Where is the Green Sheep?  Mem Fox. So many places to look for that green sheep and where was he all along? You'll have to read it to find out!

8. Possum Magic, Mem Fox. This and number 9 are true Australian classics that I don't think will ever go out of style. They touch on such lovely, genuine issues such as friendship, accepting others, and being happy with yourself and the artwork is always beautiful. 

9. Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, May Gibbs. Nothing beats Snugglepot and Cuddlepie for true Australian classics. The stories of their friendship and their adventures are sure to delight young audiences for many years to come. 

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10. Baby's Birthday, Patricia Mowers. 'Wake up baby!' My dad read this book to me in a silly way when I was little and I do the same thing with my children. They love it! Plus they love to see the vintage clothing and home decor in the original Golden Book drawings. A true classic, celebrating Baby's 1st birthday. 

Tell me, what are the tried and tested favourite classic stories from your house?