The best books for 3 and 4-year-olds (2024)

Positive statements for little readers, written by Marvyn Harrison who founded Dope Black Dads, and illustrated by Diane Ewen who created the illustrations for Floella Benjamin'sComing to England. The book is full of engaging and uplifting affirmations for every day of the week, helping young children prepare for nursery and school, including useful tips for parents and carers of young children.

The Grumpus has a Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan. Inspired byThe Krampusand with a hint of The Grinch,The Grumpusisa heartwarming story that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude series andHow Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a fantastically festive Christmas adventure about this gorgeous grumpy character, that you won't want to miss.

Lift the flaps and join in the fun withMole's Spectacles, a brilliant story in the bestselling Tales from Acorn Wood preschool series by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators ofThe Gruffalo. Mole has lost his spectacles. He searches all around his house, in the garden and even in Weasel's sweetshop, but he can't find them anywhere! Where could they be? Lift the flaps to help him find them.

Everyone's heard about the old lady who swallowed a fly, but now it’s time to meet a little zombie, who's swallowed . . . a worm. The perfect children's book for Halloween and beyond, kids will adore this funny, cumulative rhyming story packed with toads, witches, bats, trolls and a VERY hungry little zombie, brought to life by bestselling illustratorDiane Ewen.

In this captivating book, every reader chooses the story they want to tell – empowering children to become storytellers and weave their very own fairytale. Children can choose to be a clever princess, or a curious gingerbread man, or perhaps a gentle knight; maybe they'll live in a tree, or a tower on a hill. They can eat fresh-buttered sunbeams with fairies, or newt pie and pigtail pudding with ogres. Everywhere they look, they'll find a new adventure.

Bear is walking through the forest, minding his own business when he comes across another bear. The Other bear is different. The two bears wander along, thinking different thoughts, and looking in different directions. Soon the two bears come across another bear and then another bear and eventually find a bear stuck in a tree. The bears realise that perhaps they aren'tthatdifferent after all and perhaps they could be friends?

Run around the house with two small kids as they wriggle and run away from their tickling parents and grandparents. Will the kids be able to turn the tables, and reply with a few tickles of their own? Award-winning writer Thomas Taylor brings the tongue-twisting text to this tale, while Penny Dannillustrates with lively, playful drawings of all the ticklish fun.

The Singing Mermaid is looking for fame and a fortune, so she signs up with Sam Sly's circus. But the mean circus owner keeps her trapped in a tank, and she yearns to return to her home under the waves. With sparkling rhyming verse by treasured author Julia Donaldson and bright illustrations by Lydia Monks,The Singing Mermaid i both children and their parents.

What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas is the latest title in this beloved series and the perfect book to read with little ones during the festive run-up. In a big old house, the ladybird is visiting her friend the spider for the festive season. But those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to no good again. The clever little ladybird has overheard their devious plan - to steal the children's Christmas presents, and she has a cunning plan to make sure they don't get away with it!

Smelly Louie is the smelliest dog you could ever meet, and he's proud of it! So you can imagine that when he's forced to have a bath, Louie is not happy. Join the stinkiest dog in town as he searches for the odours that will help him get back his Special Smell in this funny picture book for 3- and 4-year-olds. It’s perfect for kids who are fascinated by all things gross.

This lovable and laugh-out-loud picture book from the winner of the 2017 Macmillan Prize for Illustration is a tribute to grandparents and older people everywhere. Join Elina Ellis as she shows that age has no bearing on how amazing you are, and celebrates that being older doesn't mean you have to be slow, or boring or quiet at all!

Children will have hours of fun colouring bananas for the naughty monkey, giving the fierce lion a set of sharp teeth, and learning how to draw their favourite zoo creatures in this activity book. Based on Rod Campbell's classic tale and packed with engaging activities designed especially for preschoolers, this book makes a great addition to the shelf of any 3- or 4-year-old.

Rod Campbell’s The Pop-Up Dear Zoo is full of surprises. Kids of all ages will have tonnes of fun reading this interactive book together, and even if your preschooler isn’t starting to read yet, they’ll love helping to tell the story as they discover animals hidden on every page.