Little Bear’s Trousers

By Jane Hissey

Templar Books 

February 2024, pp30, £7.99

978-1800788688 

Reading age: 1-6 years

A repeat publication first released in 1987, readers will love to join Little Bear on his hunt to find his lost trousers. Little Bear asks each toy he lives with if they have seen his trousers. They have indeed, but all have used them in different ways, not realising they were his, before passing them on to the next toy! All ends well with a celebration of Trouser Day with cake and the found, freshly washed trousers
for Little Bear. 

With themes of team work and resilience, this classic tale is a lovely resource for young children to learn from. The text is clear and accessible which will help to build vocabulary. 

The characterful illustrations are a definite highlight. Full of detail, these both support the narrative so that weaker readers can still enjoy the story, as well as clearly show the characterisation of each toy. I’m sure readers will love to return to them repeatedly.

The story could also be used to support learning about historic toys, especially non-electric toys. 

This beautiful reprint will ensure these beloved characters continue to be a staple for a new generation of children in EYFS.  

Stories of Love and Friendship 

By Matthew Oldham

Illustrated by Ellie Snowdon

Usborne Publishing 

January 2024, pp95, £9.99

978-1805312147

Reading age: 2-5 years

This is a delightful collection of stories exploring friendship and love in accessible and meaningful ways for young children. Readers follow a different animal character through each of the stories. Meet Little Fox who can’t find her favourite hat, Badger who can’t stop worrying, and Mole who is trying to give Grandpa Mole the best birthday ever. All the characters live in a safe and cosy world where their anxieties and worries are shared, and friends help and support them. 

Each story explores a different emotion in a safe and relatable manner, and models how friends act to help each other through the different scenarios encountered. The text is simple yet effective, supported by beautiful illustrations.

This will be a fabulous resource for settings looking to support children through emotional development, as well as model what friendship looks like. A sensitive section at the back discusses some of these emotions in more detail, how to process and act on them. 

A lovely work which will be of much use to any child. 

Time to Get Dressed 

By Penny Tassoni

Illustrated by Mel Four

Featherstone

June 2021, pp26, £5.99

978-1472978042 

Reading age: 0-5 years

A robust hardback book, this charming work takes young readers through getting dressed. It explores different types of clothing and how they do different things, as well as covering tricky parts such as zips and buttons as well as waterproof clothing and swimming costumes. 

With simple text and easy to understand illustrations, all readers will be able to learn, understand and access this everyday life skill for themselves, encouraging independence
and physical development. 

There are simple question sections and basic matching activities, which will be brilliant for one-to-one and/or group discussions, helping to reinforce learning, and also supports learning about colours, matching and sizes. 

There is also a practical guide for parents and cares at the back which covers how to approach dressing with their children. This could be especially useful for new parents to help build relationships within families beyond the setting. 

Time to Care in the same series is another lovely book depicting key everyday skills for young children.