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Our Top 10 Book Recommendations for Children 0-5 years
At Kindred Nurseries, we believe early literacy is the ultimate building block for speech, language, and a lifelong love of learning which is why storytelling is woven into the very heart of our daily routines.
To celebrate World Book Day 2026, our teams have hand-picked their 10 must-read books for little ones aged 0–5. These stories are more than just wonderful reads; they perfectly reflect our Kindred values. Ready to find your family’s next favourite?
1. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
“This classic mirrors the Kindred family feel. As the animals help the witch recover her lost belongings, she returns the favour by making room on her broom for everyone. It’s a beautiful lesson in teamwork and generosity showing children that there is always space for kindness (and a few more friends!).”
Recommended by Bobbie, Kindred Wanstead
2. The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
Recommended by Izette, Kindred Wanstead
"This book shows that being small does not mean being unimportant. The tiny snail dreams of seeing the world, even though others doubt her. Her determination shows that courage is not about size, it is about having the confidence to follow your dreams. The story also encourages curiosity and learning. The snail’s desire to explore teaches us to stay curious about the world around us. It shows that learning and experiencing new things helps us grow."
3. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
"I absolutely love this story, it portrays several important themes, all about kindness, how to share, what friendship feels and looks like and happiness. It perfectly captures the warm, inclusive atmosphere we strive for at Kindred every day."
Recommended by Irene, Kindred Harlow
Recommended by Mikki, Kindred Islington
"The illustrations are beautiful, but the messaging is what really stays with you. It teaches children a important life lesson that being kind and sharing with others brings far more joy and fulfillment than vanity ever could."
4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
"I think the caterpillar’s journey perfectly mirrors a child’s time at our nurseries. Our little ones join us as curious 'caterpillars' and work their way through our care until they are ready to transition to school as confident butterflies."
Recommended by Kelly, Area Manager (London)
Recommended by Abby, Kindred Rayleigh
"We love this book at Kindred Rayleigh! We use the caterpillar’s journey to teach our children all about healthy eating and where our food comes from. We use a mix of props and real ingredients provided by Barry our Chef to create an interactive experience where the children get to touch, smell, and see the food from the story.”
5. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
"I love this story, it is all about building children’s confidence, self-esteem, resilience and the importance of understanding we are all different, but even those that take a little while to discover their voice, can still find their roar! It is packed full of beautiful illustrations too!”
Recommended by Lisa, Bromley North
6. The Elmer Series by David McKee
Recommended by Georgina, Kindred Orpington
"These books teach our children the importance of being themselves and celebrating what makes them unique and is a wonderful reminder to value everyone’s differences and understand that our uniqueness is exactly what makes our community so special.”
7. Mabel and The Mountain by Kim Hillyard
“My 2-year-old absolutely loves this book. It has a powerful message to always keep going even when times are tough and that you can achieve anything when you put your mind to it which really reflects the Kindred mission to build curious and fearless learners. We should all channel a little Mabel in our daily lives!”
Recommended by Erin, Kindred Head Office
8. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Recommended by Abi, Kindred Westcliff
"Our children don't just read this story, they live it! We love acting out scenes from the book both indoors and outdoors in our fantastic garden! The children enjoy learning about all the different natural textures and feelings and how they can move in different ways perfectly capturing our 'Always Learning' value, turning every page into a hands-on discovery."
9. Oi Frog by Kes Gray
"The little ones at Kindred Billericay love this book and even recently visited the Chelmsford Museum to see the Oi Frog! Exhibition. The children really enjoy making up their own versions of the story using their names to construct fun and creative rhymes. It’s a fantastic (and funny) tool for boosting early language development."
Recommended by Rosie, Kindred Billericay
10. The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis
Recommended by Sophie, Kindred Head Office
"As a parent of a child with additional needs, this book felt incredibly close to home. It captures, in child-friendly way, what it means when the world suddenly feels different for one child, and how much it matters when others choose kindness, patience, and friendship instead of judgement. I love that the story doesn’t try to ‘explain away’ differences, but instead shows children how to sit alongside them, adapt, and connect in new ways. It’s a lovely reminder that inclusion starts with empathy, and that every child deserves to be seen for who they are, not what they struggle with."