World Book Day is the highlight of many a school child’s term time calendar with the chance to dress as a favourite character and let their imaginations run wild.
Janie Smith, Arts and Culture Editor at Lady Wimbledon, selects five fab reads for kids.
1. The Wonky Donkey. Craig Smith & Katz Cowley
Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey?
A sure-fire favourite book with younger children that has sold well over a million copies around the world. This book is hilarious and appeals to both children and adults alike with its witty, tongue twisting poetic style and fabulous illustrations! Guaranteed to have you howling, or rather braying, with laughter!
2. I Need a New Bum. Dawn McMillan
Another hysterically funny book that’s guaranteed to get the kids engaged. No ifs, no butts, I promise you! A young boy suddenly discovers to his horror that his bum has a crack in it and must be broken. He needs to get a new bum. Follow him on his adventure as he tries to decide what type of new bum he wants.
3. Little Kids First Big Book of Space. Catherine D Hughes
A beautifully compiled book that will feed any child’s imagination as they learn through simple text and stunning pictures about the wonders of space. It is part of the NatGeo Little Kids First Book series and is just wonderful. The basic concepts of space and the universe are explained in a way that will entrance youngsters and encourage them to learn more. Ideal for new readers and reading aloud.
4. Poo in the Zoo by Steve Smallman
You know how it is? Kids seem to be obsessed with poo! This story will amuse them for hours as Bob the Zoo Keeper becomes involved in an adventure over mysterious glowing poo. The question is where HAS this poo come from and what is Bob going to do about it? The children will love this tale and you can be sure they will laugh out loud as they read along!
There was tiger poo, lion poo, prickly porcupine poo,
Plummeting giraffe poop that landed with a splat.
Dollops of gnu poo, bouncy kangaroo poo,
A trail of drippy droppings from a fat wombat!
5. Origin of the Species. Sabina Radeva
As adults we have all been exposed to the wonder that is Darwin’s seminal work, The Origin of the Species. Of course, it is far too complex for children but now Sabina Radeva has changed all that. She has created a picture book with accessible text to retell Darwin’s theory of evolution for kids. The stylish illustrations allow the author to cover even the most controversial theories Darwin proposed, whilst keeping it understandable. This is brand new to the book shops. Buy it, you won’t regret it.
Which books do your children love reading repeatedly? We would love to hear – let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Written by Janie Smith
See more of Janie’s reviews here, or find her on Instagram and Twitter.
About The Author
Janie Smith
Janie Smith is a cup full of sass and the Culture Queen isn’t letting anything limit her. Whether she’s jet setting around the world or catching up on the latest shows she always has her ear to the ground.