Best of Julia Donaldson books

My love for reading books to my son is not hidden. With few misses here and there, I still try to read him at least 30-45 minutes a day. What we love the most is putting in the elements of drama and performing along with the flow of the story. This makes each story all the more gripping and engaging for a child. To have the recall value after the book reading, we often relate to it by engaging in different crafts and discussing on the storyline. Both the online and offline space is loaded with lots of Bestsellers for kids in every age range. Believe me, when I say this, but when it comes to unique and beautifully illustrative books, a parent usually gets choosy.

And the same implies to me, as I’m a little biased for the appealing storybooks by Julia Donaldson. Well, to help you recall, I’m certain that you must have read “The Gruffalo” to your kid. Well, she is the writer behind that fascinating storybook. And every time our quest ends when we add another Julia Donaldson book to our shelf. You can read our favourite Dr.Suess storybooks here.

So, you may ask the reason for that love.

The reason why you must read Julia Donaldson books to your kids is,

1. Love for the Lyrical books:

Many of her books as “The Snail and the Whale”, The Magic Paint Brush, are absolutely classic. Reading her lyrical stories, beautifully weaved with the imaginations, values, evokes that joy of reading in you. Believe me, when I say this, pick up The Magic Paint Brush and try resisting the lyrical flow of the story. My son has developed a great fondness for such books and you’ll find him narrating in the same way, with the flow.

2. Values and Emotions:

What better than teaching kids values, in the form of stories? Donaldson’s stories are well dressed up with messages, values, and learnings for kids. Citing an example, Her book, “The Smartest Giant in Town”, shows the Giant as a very kind personality, who is always ready to help the ones in need. While reading books like Stick Man, you’ll be amazed at how better kids can understand the emotions these affable books have. Such stories instill the values of love, compassion in kids right from the early years when they learn to recognize their emotions

3. Illustrations:

Most of the Illustrations of her book, maybe with Axel Scheffler or with other collaborators, they are usually quite impressive and eye-catchy for kids (as well as adults). I may have read these books for more than a dozen times, and yet we are “Not bored” reading more of them.

Best Storybooks by Julia Donaldson (suitable for 3-7year olds):

1. The Gruffalo

Well, you can’t beat this storybook and the movie based on this book. If you haven’t read it out to your kids, stop right there and order one, without a second thought. We did quite a few exciting things after reading it dozens of time :

1. Watching The Gruffalo movie
2. Enacting the whole story, with each character well defined
3. We also made a Gruffalo Cake, surprised? 

Click here to get The Gruffalo.

2. The Snail and the Whale:

An absolute classic, this book got me into tears the first time I read. It had so much of emotional intensity, it’s a hands-down favorite of my little man. We clapped, cheered and had tears when the little creature was able to save the life of the biggest creature. It teaches you the value of nature, how even a small creature can be of help and how you need to stand out from the crowd.

Don’t miss reading this book, as a family, with the right note. You’ll thank me later.

Click here to get your storybook.

3. The Magic Paint Brush:

 This book may look, a level high for 4-year-olds, but once you start, it will prove you wrong. This book has everything to be deemed as a favorite 4yo and also for 8yo kid. And if you ask me, narrating with the beautiful lyrics, has made The Magic Paint Brush, a book, which we read at least once a week. My little son has completely mugged it in its lyrical format. And every time we read aloud, he is the same curious child.

You’ll see your child highly engrossed in this book.

Click here to get your storybook.

4. The Stick Man:

How does it feel being a StickMan, far away from his family, all alone in the snow? I was desperate while reading it out and somehow wanted the StickMan to reach his family for the Christmas, without giving up any moment. Such were the emotions, of me, a mom! It is funny, yet instills the raw emotions of love and desperation. The rhythms are quite catchy in this book.

Click here to get your storybook.

5. Room on the Broom:

“How the cat purred and how the witch grinned, As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind”, that’s how it starts!

It’s truly one of the best books of Julia and Axel, running high on Friendship. It will certainly make you laugh as you feel like going on a ride on the broom. I would say that this storybook is a must-have whether you are Donaldson and Axel Scheffler fans or not.

Click here to get your storybook.

Conclusion

There are many more books that need to be cited here, as “The Gruffalo’s Child“, ” The Smartest Giant in Town“, The Day the Crayons Quit, If you haven’t introduced kids to the works of Julia Donaldson, you ought to do that right away. You’ll be delighted by her work and praise her for her knack for storytelling.

If you’ve read her books, do share which has been your and your kid’s favorite book.

 Till then,

Keep Reading and raise Readers!