Gift Guide: For the Mini Bookworms (ages 2-4)

I think this age group is my favourite to find stories for. You're over the board (bored, amirite?) book phase and can get into the more exciting, imaginative and hilarious stories. Here's just a few of the best for this Christmas:

1. They All Saw a Cat, by Brendan Wenzel

“The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . .”  And on that walk passed by a bee, a child, a dog, a fish, a fox, a snake and a bat. What did they see? 

This is a great little story about perspective (with a little science thrown in) and how, while everyone saw the same cat, they all saw and felt very differently. Eyecatching and engaging, I'd suggest this one for the animal lovers, two and up.

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2. Hector's Shell, by Thomas Radcliffe

 
This is one of my personal favourites (how could you not love a turtle wearing glasses?)! After enjoying an quick dip in the ocean, poor Hector discovers that his beloved shell is missing (a turtle swimming without his shell? Totally logical)! He knows his Mum and Dad will be so mad if he comes home without it and so, he sets out on an adventure to find a new one. 

There's something hilarious about the language and sentence structure of this one "He started to suspect foul play. Among other things" and the lesson that Hector takes from the whole adventure is brilliant. Parents and kids (two and up) will love this one! 

 
3. Thelma the Unicorn, by Aaron Blabey

Thelma the pony longs to be special. One day, through the serendipitous combination of a carrot and a paint and glitter spill, all of her dreams come true! Or do they? This is a very sweet and funny story about loving who you are (with a nod to the perils of fame and the fickleness of fans). 

Another Aaron Blabey hit, it's the illustrations that really make this one for me. Keep an eye out in your friendly bookstore for the boxed version which comes with it's very own Thelma! For the performer in your life, aged four and up. 
 
4. Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats, by Alicia Potter
 

 
For the cat lovers out there! When Miss Hazeltine opened her home for Shy and Fearful Cats, she wasn't sure if anyone would come. But come they did. This is a sweet, gentle story about shy cats and how their beloved Miss Hazeltine teaches them to be brave. "To arch their backs, to hold their tails high!"

But will they be able to summon their courage when Miss Hazeltine needs them most? Even if they haven't yet had the lesson on "What to Do When The Lady You Love Goes Missing?" 

This is one of Bea's favourite bedtime stories - a beautiful story about facing your fears and finding the people who are worth being brave for. 

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5. Aliens Love Underpants, by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort
 

 
"Aliens love underpants in every shape and size!"  My niece insisted this one join the list because it is universally acknowledged by all children that underpants are hilarious. I asked what age she thought would be best and she wisely suggested age two and up because they "might be toilet training and need a little encouragement". Watch out for others in the series: Aliens Love Panta Claus and Aliens love Dinopants.


6. Piranhas don't eat bananas, by Aaron Blabey
 

 
They eat bums! Aaron Blabey is getting a little over-represented around here but this book is in Bea's parcel this year so I had to include it. Brian is a piranha that eats fruit and tries, mostly unsuccessfully, to encourage his friends to enjoy the same. Hilarious illustrations and a bit of butt humour which, let's face it, is irresistible for the cheeky littles (and bigs!) among us. 


7. I like myself!, by Karen Beaumont
 

 
"I like myself, I'm glad I'm me, there's no one else I'd rather be!" This book is such a glorious celebration of loving yourself and embracing everything that makes you, you (no matter what they do or say!). With a plucky young heroine and engaging rhyme, it's a great one for slightly bigger kids aged four and up heading off to the scary world of preschool or big school.  

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8. I want my hat back, by Jon Klassen
 

Bear has lost his hat and he wants it back. It's red and pointy...similar to the one that Rabbit was wearing...wait a minute! The deadpan writing and expressions (or lack thereof) on the animals faces are classic. This is definitely one that parents and kids 3 and up will love. 

The humour is a little dark so it's probably not the best choice for any super sensitive souls (spoiler: things don't end too well for Rabbit). Keep an eye out for the other two books in the Hat trilogy, including the just released "We Found a Hat"!

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Phew! This Gift Guide business is seriously hard work. Not because it's hard to find great books but because there are waaay too many to choose from. I've tried to narrow the list as best as I could, which unfortunately means some of our favourites have missed the cut. I'd love to hear about any others on your list in the comments!

The Book and the Bea x