Reception Reading List

The Fish Who Could WishThe Fish who could Wish by John Bush

Deep in the ocean lives a fish whose wishes come true! He wishes for all sorts of crazy things, a castle, a car and even fine clothes to wear. But he is a rather foolish fish and one day he wishes a wish he wished he never wished!

The rhythmical text is great to read aloud and Korky Paul's illustrations take to you to a crazy underwater world. With its neat punch line, this is a book that children will just love to hear (and join in with) over and over again.


The World Around Me by Charlotte GurlainThe World Around Me

With so much to explore on this globetrotting adventure, it is a good thing the book stretches to an incredible 2.5 meters long.

Travel through over 60 countries exploring the wonders of the world's cities, landmarks and amazing diversity of creatures and landscapes on planet Earth. What can you spot on your travels?



AfiyaA Story of Afiya by James Berry

Some people have dresses for every occasion but Afiya needs only one. Her dress records the memories of her childhood, from roses in bloom to pigeons in flight, from tigers at the zoo to October leaves falling.

A joyful celebration of a young girl's childhood.

 

 

ZZZZim Zam Zoom by James Carter

Want to travel in a rocket? Search for a grumpy dragon?  Make your very own monster? Visit a higgledy-piggledy farm? Well, hop into Zim Zam Zoom for fun and adventures galore! 

Colours, animals, space, music, fairytale fireworks.  Here is a collection of poems especially written for performance. This is a brilliant introduction to poetry for young children.


GrumpycornGrumpycorn by Sarah McIntyre

Unicorn wants to write the most fabulous story in the world. He has a fancy notebook and a special fluffy pen, he has everything just perfect. But Unicorn has no idea what to write.

When his friends try to join in, will Unicorn turn into a GRUMPYCORN?

A funny and feisty picture book celebrating teamwork, friendship and the joys of storytelling.
 

The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright and Jim FieldThe Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tinyful house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.

Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes ... and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!


Super Duper You   Sophy HennSuper Duper You by Sophy Henn

Sometimes we are loud, sometimes we are quiet, sometimes bold and clanky, sometimes soft and cuddly.

Sophy Henn celebrates all the different, extraordinary and sometimes contradictory things we are in this joyful and colourful rhyming picture book. Perfect to read aloud again and again!

 


The Great Explorer by Chris Judge The Great Explorer

When a famous explorer goes missing in the North Pole, his son, Tom, decides he must find him.

And so a daring adventure begins across the treacherous icy terrain of the North Pole. Will Tom be able overcome the many challenges ahead and find his father?

 


TTWCTTThe Tiger who came to Tea by Judith Kerr

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly do not expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger.

This warm and funny picture book story is perfect for reading aloud, or for small children to read to themselves time and again.

The magic begins at teatime.
 

Tooth FairyWhat about the Tooth Fairy by Elys Dolan

Everybody knows the Tooth Fairy is the best in the business. But although she loves her job, she cannot help but wonder why she does not have a day of her own, like all her very famous friends.

With advice from her friends, Toothy tries to start her own Tooth Day. But no matter how hard she tries, their ideas for Tooth Day just does not feel right. Soon the Tooth Fairy learns that for her day to be really special, she has got to do it her own way.


Waiting for WolfWaiting for Wolf by Sandra Dieckmann

Fox and Wolf spend all their perfect days together, talking and laughing for hours, swimming in the big blue lake, watching the stars come out, one by one. Until one day, Wolf is gone.

A beautiful and moving picture book about learning to carry on after the death of a loved one, stunningly illustrated by an outstanding new picture book talent. Perfect for sharing, it will bring comfort to both children and parents.
 


The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson The Gruffalo

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.

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


Astro Girl

Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max

Astrid has always loved the stars and space. "I want to be an astronaut!" she says. While Mama is away, Papa and Astrid have fun acting out the challenges an astronaut faces on a space mission - eating food from a tube, doing science experiments, living and sleeping in near-zero gravity. Astrid can do it all! Then it is time to meet Mama at the airbase, but where has Mama been?

 



The Bumblebear by Nadia Shireen Bumble Bear

Norman is a bear. A bear who loves honey and says there can never be enough honey. He needs to get his paws on more. And who has the most honey? Bees!

So, dressed up in his very best bee onesie, he infiltrates Bee School with his eye on their honey. But how long will his disguise last? And when the hive is in danger, can he discover his true destiny and become The Bumblebear?


RainbowsRain before Rainbows by Smriti Hall

A girl and her companion fox travel together from a place of loss and despair, through uncertain times, towards the hope of colour, light and life. Along the way, they find friends to guide and support them. Together, they build a glorious future and discover there is a way out of the darkness, into the light of the rainbow. A book with immense hope at its heart, this is a positive message for anyone who’s ever gone through a tough time.



Wriggle and Roar by Julia Donaldson W&R

Whenever I am tired of being me, I swing around like a chimpanzee.

Are you tired of being you? Here is a whole bookful of things you can do. There are rhymes to make you wriggle and giggle, shrug and sigh, snap like a crocodile and slither like a snake.