Top Books for Easter
Looking for something to read with your child this Easter? You'll be spoilt for choice with these beautiful books, guaranteed to please every little Easter bunny.
Happy Easter, Maisy! By Lucy Cousins, £4.99 (board book)
Join Maisy and her friends as they get ready for a wonderful Easter egg hunt. They all find an egg – Happy Easter, everyone! This sturdy little board book with colourful illustrations is a perfect introduction to Easter for very young children. Age 2+ (3 out of 5)
This noisy book will delight babies and young toddlers, and have them quacking along in no time! The cheerful rhyming text invites you to count the ducks on each page and press the sound-button for some loud interactive fun. The book is very chunky and ideal for little hands, with duck-shaped pages leading you to the jolly finale. Age 0–3 (3 out of 5)
Mother Duck and Father Duck have five eggs in their nest and they love them all. Father Duck worries about the smallest baby duck, Ruby, who’s the last one to hatch, the last one to eat and the last one to swim but Mother Duck knows that Ruby will do everything in her own good time. Sure enough, when Ruby does fly, she goes further and higher than them all. Gorgeously illustrated in soft colours, this is a warm, gentle springtime story with irresistible characters and a reassuring message. Age 0+ (4 out of 5)
When Mummy lays a pale blue egg, everyone is very excited, but Duckling doesn’t know what it is. With help from his parents, Auntie Duck and Granda, Duckling learns all about eggs, though he finds it hard to believe that he came in one, too! When the time comes for the egg to hatch, it’s quacking time, and the whole family joins in, but it’s Duckling who helps the new baby duck break its way into the world. A sweet take on the arrival of a new baby into a family, with endearing, gently comic illustrations. Age 2+ (4 out of 5)
Dora the hen is very proud of her first eggs, until she starts to compare them to everyone else’s babies. Her eggs can’t swim like Doffy’s ducklings. They can’t frolic like Sally’s lambs and they can’t snuggle up like Clarissa’s calf. Dora feels very sad, until her eggs hatch at last and she realises that her new chicks are everything she’s ever wanted. A handy mini-hardback edition of an enjoyable farmyard story. Age 3-7 (3 out of 5)
Little Rabbit is the proud big brother to three baby rabbits. He knows just how to look after them – or so he thinks. However, his excitement turns to frustration when they turn out to be messy, noisy and they take up all his Mama’s attention. But when no one else can comfort the baby rabbits, Little Rabbit steps in and saves the day – to his Mama’s delight. This heartwarming story captures the joy and the chaos of a new arrival in the family. Age 3–5 (4 out of 5)
In this special Comic Relief book, Charlie teaches his little sister Lola all about chocolate. With mouth-watering collage illustrations that look good enough to eat, this story is packed with information about where chocolate comes from and why choosing Fairtrade chocolate can really make a difference. A little too factual for very young children, this is still an excellent way to introduce the topic, with two pages of stickers to make sure everyone has fun – and £2 from the sale of each book is donated to Comic Relief. Age 3-7
If you’re stuck for inspiration on a rainy day during the Easter holidays, this book is packed with Easter activities to share with your child. With colourful illustrations and step-by-step instructions, find out how to make an Easter crown, fingerprinted bunnies, Easter cards or pretty decorated eggs. Many of the ideas could be adapted for arty fun at any time of the year. Includes two sheets of colourful stickers. Age 4+