There are a bewildering array of books available for little ones with new ones constantly appearing on bookshop shelves. I have recently received three new titles that I would like to share which I hope will help those struggling to choose.

The Spot books by Eric Hill have now been enjoyed by families since 1980 and over forty years on a new board book version of an old favourite has been published by Puffin. Who’s There Spot? accompanies Spot on a busy day as he finds lots of new friends to play with. He searches all around the house, in the garden and also at school meeting playmates on the way.

This tried and tested format with chunky board pages, rounded corners and flaps to lift is perfect for small hands discovering and learning as they explore. The bright colours and round cheery animals appeal to the very young and Spot has worked his magic for generations of children now. There are opportunities to name and recognise familiar objects and to identify the different animals too making this book one to return to. The story is written in the form of questions encouraging participation and with animal noises and different sounds incorporated all of which makes this fun to read aloud and share. Over 65 million Spot books have now been sold worldwide and it is easy to see why. Great fun for aged 0 – 5 and published on 11th May.

The Zeki series for babies and toddlers published by Alanna Max are my current favourites, each delightful book is created with care, thought and the benefit of expert experience. The latest in the series Zeki Goes To The Park words by Anna McQuinn and pictures by Ruth Hearson exploring family time and summer is perfect to share at the moment.

Zeki and Mummy are on their way to the park to meet Zeki’s friend Yu, and her mummy. Once there the two children dig together in the sandpit, enjoy the swings and rides, eat a picnic and play in the splash pad. It is lovely to see summer celebrated in a local park rather than in a back garden enabling more families and little ones to identify with this portrayal of everyday life. As with the previous books the vocabulary used is wonderful to read aloud conveying the sounds and emotions of the toddlers at play. Zeki Goes To The Park emphasises the sensory experience of the small children; the feel of the cool breeze as they swing, sand on their toes as they play and the yummy taste of their picnic. These experiences are such an important part of a young child’s development and sharing this book at home or in a nursery setting will expand on those experiences.

The wonderful illustrations are bright and bold featuring the hot colours of summer, bright oranges, reds and yellows. The expressions on the faces and the positioning of the children and their mums together emphasise the joy and warmth of the relationships. This is such a lovely, happy book and perfect for young families to share. My copy is now on its way to my favourite little person to share with his mummy and daddy. It will no doubt be as well loved as its predecessors.

For young children of about 3+ or maybe a little younger The Bear Who Had Nothing to Wear by Jeanne Willis and Brian Fitzgerald published by Scallywag Press is a treat. This is an amusing story of a bear’s search for the perfect outfit and his own identity. Albie the bear arrives wearing nothing but fur and being an independent sort of bear wants to decide for himself what he should wear. Various outfits are tried and discarded from baby bonnets to royal crowns, from glittery wings to cowboy boots, from pirate hats to city suits nothing seems quite right to Albie. Eventually he decides how he feels just right and happiness is found.

Told in Jeanne Willis’s trademark verse this is wonderful to read aloud and provides much to talk about too. Children may want to try different dressing up outfits like Albie and the story also contains prompts for learning the days of the week. The subtle reference to passing on unwanted clothes rather than throwing them away is thoughtful and this and Albie’s growing confidence add to the satisfaction of sharing this happy picture book. Brian Fitzgerald’s bright and cheery illustrations bring Albie to life perfectly and his changing expressions capture and convey his mood well. A joyful picture book with a thoughtful message. You may enjoy this lovely video from Scallywag Press in which Jeanne Willis introduces her book…

I should like to thank Puffin Books, Lily Orgil, Alanna Max, Anna McQuinn, Scallywag Press and Laura Smythe for my review copies. All three books are now available to purchase at your local bookshop.