Children's Fantasy Books: 0 - 2 years
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
The Gruffalo certainly lives up to its reputation as a classic read for both children and parents. The fantasy story captures the imagination of pre-schoolers as it takes them on a journey with mouse as he strolls through the wood and meets the beast himself, the Gruffalo. As the mouse revisits inhabitants of the wood with the Gruffalo, the mouse successfully convinces the beast that he, the mouse, is the scariest creature in the wood.
The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson
If you’ve ever read a book that you don’t want to end then The Gruffalo is perhaps a childs equivalent – luckily Julia Donaldson continues to keep little minds satisfied with The Gruffalo’s Child
Stick Man by Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson yet again produces a winning formula with The Stick Man. Taking an everyday object of a stick, the author gives it an identity and creates the Stick Man and his instantly loveable family of his ‘stick lady love and his stick children three’. The story follows the life of Stick Man as he is torn away from his family and depicted dealing with everyday situations for a ‘stick’ - he gets thrown to a dog, becomes a pooh stick and forms part of a birds nest to name but a few. Just as it looks as though Stick Man’s days are numbered, as he is placed on a fireplace, he is rescued by every childs hero, Santa, who helps him find his way back home.
Time To Wash Faces! by Andrew Davenport
This board book one again contains bold, bright, photographic illustrations of favourite characters from the television series and a simple and fun story. The story centres on the character of Makka Pakka, whom children will know loves to travel around the garden with his sponge and soap keeping the garden and his friends clean and tidy. Makka Pakka greets and washes the faces of several different characters before the story ends with the familiar phrase “Isn’t that a pip!’.
Come To Tea On Planet Zum Zee by Tony Mitton
With its vibrant front cover and fantastically entitled book, Come to Tea on Planet Zum-Zee oozes appeal to kids. Written by Tony Mitton, his unique writing style captures the imaginations of pre-schoolers and school children exploring the world of outer space.
All Aboard The Ninky Nonk! by Andrew Davenport
All Aboard the Ninky Nonk is book one in a series of six books aimed at the 0-2 years market that are based on episodes of the children’s television series In The Night Garden also written by Andrew Davenport.
Ooh Pretty Flower! by Andrew Davenport
Ooh Pretty Flower! Is the second book from the In The Night Garden collection and is a board book containing bright and colourful pictures of characters from the television series.
The Happy Waving Game! by Andrew Davenport
The Happy Waving Game is the forth book in a series of six based on the successful CBeebies television programme. Set in a magical garden that exists in the twilight before a child’s bedtime the books contain all your children’s favourite characters.
The Bouncy Jumping Game! by Andrew Davenport
The Bouncy Jumping game is the fifth book in a series of six that is based o the successful BBC children’s television programme also written and co-created by Andrew Davenport.
Upsy Daisy Wants To Sing! by Andrew Davenport
This book sees the permanently cheerful Upsy Daisy, best friend of Igglepiggle and a reoccurring character in all the In The Night Garden books, take her megaphone and stand into the garden to sing to all her friends. Eveyone is enjoying Upsy Daisy’s singing until the Tombliboos get a little carried away and join in with their rather eclectic style of piano playing, which means no one can hear Upsy Daisy’s song. All’s well that ends well as before long the Tombliboos abandon their piano in favour of joining in the singing with Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and the Pontipines.
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell
Poor Duck, he has to do everything around the farm whilst the Farmer lies in bed eating chocolates and gets fatter and fatter. “How goes the work?” the Farmer asks, “Quack!” says the Duck. This wonderfully illustrated and funny book from Martin Waddell tells the tale of the hardworking duck how does everything from feeding the cows to shooing the hens safely into their coop at night without a rest. When the farmer’s incessant question of “How goes the work?” gets too much for duck his friends the cows, sheep and hens, who love duck very much, have a meeting with all the other farm animals to find a solution to poor duck’s plight and rid themselves of the lazy farmer. Through the story children learn how working together and helping out friends is the right thing to do and ultimately reaps rewards whereas being lazy like the farmer won’t get you very far! Martin Waddell is no stranger to writing successful children’s stories and doesn’t disappoint with this delightfully engaging and slightly quirky tale.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Sarah, Percy and Bill wake up in their tree nest to find their owl mother gone. “I want my mummy” cries Bill, whilst Sarah and Percy do their best to comfort him and each other whilst waiting for their mother’s return.
