Children’s Picture Book Resources

Some of the best picture books do far more than tell a story. They open up conversations. For young children, big ideas can be difficult to talk about directly. Feelings, friendships, honesty, grief, difference, family change, identity, confidence and fear can all feel quite abstract when they are presented as instructions or explanations. But when those ideas appear inside a story, children are given a safe and imaginative way to explore them. Check out these six picture books for sparking meaningful conversations with young children.

As we welcome in the new year, schools across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the National Year of Reading 2026, a campaign led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust to help children, families and communities rediscover the joy of reading. It comes at an important moment: reading for pleasure has declined sharply among children and young people, with the Government reporting that, in 2025, only around one in three 8 to 18-year-olds said they enjoyed reading in their spare time.

For schools and early years settings, this raises a big question: how do we help children see books not simply as something they have to decode, but as something alive, playful, useful and full of possibility?

There is a reason so many children’s books rhyme. From nursery rhymes and playground chants to picture books and bedtime stories, rhyme has a way of catching children’s attention almost instantly. Young children hear the pattern, feel the rhythm and often begin to join in before they fully understand every word. But rhyming books are not just fun to read aloud. They also play an important role in children’s early language, literacy and confidence.

Ever tried to explain honesty, kindness, or empathy to a four-year-old, only to be met with a blank stare, a dinosaur impression, or a sudden need for snacks? Yes – me too! The good news is, children don’t need lectures to understand big ideas. They need stories.

If you know every word of The Gruffalo or Room on the Broom off by heart, and could probably recite a dozen Julia Donaldson books in your sleep, then you’re not alone. With their catchy rhymes, unforgettable characters, and beautiful illustrations (in particular those by Axel Scheffler), it’s no wonder Julia Donaldson’s stories are a beloved staple in many family bookshelves (ours included!). As much as we all genuinely adore them, it may very well be time to reclaim your sanity and explore some fresh bedtime material (that still rhymes and teaches something useful too).