I’m usually a person who doesn’t follow national days for this and that, with a particular dislike of Valentines Day and Mothers Day (lucky Zac I know but don’t get me started), but World Book Day - now that does deserve some love.

Over 100 countries will be taking part in this awesome and important celebration of authors, illustrators, books and most importantly, reading itself.

______

There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background

______

We’re all guilty of handing our kids tablets and smartphones – they do educational stuff after all too right! And it really does help! But needless to say, it’s far from the image of parenting you had as a brooding 20-something year old. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background. The dangers of kids using tablet devices, especially for prolonged periods, is on the other hand, only just coming to light! And it ain’t pleasant reading!

Books are good! Nothing new to add here, nothing we aren’t aware of or something we’re not reminded of as adults again and again. Don’t tell me you don’t you secretly admire the person on the train blissfully immersed in their book. They look so happy, don’t they just?

So moving on, and with little ones to encourage and inspire, we thought we’d share with you our own picks of books we’ve been getting through. These are books that have been popular in the early years and the books we’re on now with the kids being nearly 5 and 3 years old respectively. If you haven’t got these we can’t recommend them enough!

1. Dear Zoo

Lift the flaps to discover the animals the zoo has sent. A firm favourite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982.

Buy it here

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Colourful collage illustrations and a deceptively simply, hopeful story.

Buy it here

3. Guess How Much I Love You

The story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares' efforts to express their love for each other has become a publishing phenomenon.

Buy it here

4. We're Going on a Bear Hunt

A family wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the other side of the dark forest!

Buy it here

5. Shh! We Have a Plan

A picture book about a beautiful bird, four friends and plans gone wrong

Buy it here

6. The Gruffalo

Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when the quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake and a hungry gruffly

Buy it here

7. The Tiger Who Came to Tea

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be?

Buy it here

8. Room on the Broom

This is the story of a good-natured witch and her contented, purring, cat flying through the air on a broomstick without a care in the world - until the wind blows away the witch's hat.

Buy it here

9. The Giving Tree

A moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Buy it here

10. The Queen's Hat

A sudden gust of wind sets off a marvellous London adventure for the Queen, the Queen's men and one very special hat.

Buy it here

11. The Lion Inside

A feelgood rhyming story about one little mouse trying to make himself heard and discovering along the way that even the smallest of us has the heart of a lion.

Buy it here

12. Frida Kahlo (Little People, Big Dreams)

Beautifully illustrated story book about the life of Frida Kahlo and written in a way that younger children can understand.

Buy it here

13. Maya Angelou (Little People, Big Dreams)

The book follows Maya Angelou, from her early traumatic childhood to her time as a singer, actress, civil rights campaigner and, eventually, one of America's most beloved writers.

Buy it here

And here are the books we are most excited introducing the kids to. Some of these, the kids will undoubtedly be reading alone, but we so look forward to speaking to them about it when the time comes!

14. The Tale of Peter Rabbit

the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden.

Buy it here

15. The Little Prince

A touching and wise classic children's book, which gets taught at three different ages in France. It's that good!

Buy it here

16. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull

a timeless fictional story about a non-conforming seagull named Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

Buy it here

17. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Our tour is about to begin. Please don't wander off. Mr Wonka wouldn't like to lose any of you at thisstage of the proceedings ...

Buy it here

18. Matilda

This classic not only encourages independence and individuality, it gives children power in a world ruled by adults.

Buy it here

19. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardbrobe

Four adventurous siblings―Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie― step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch.

Buy it here

20. The Fellowship of the Ring

Epic masterpiece with amazing movies to follow!

Buy it here

Agree, disagree or share your own - tell us what you think and what you've enjoyed with your little ones!