Children's reading lists

Must-reads of 2020: the best new Ladybird children’s books

We may be biased, but 2020 is looking to be a very exciting year for Ladybird books! From inspirational tales and calming bedtime books to a new series by writers on the autism spectrum. 

Jump to: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov

Ladybird team

January book releases

A is for Avocado: An Alphabet Book of Plant Power by Carolyn Suzuki (2 Jan) The ultimate alphabet book for mini vegans, vegetarians and lovers of the environment. Beautifully illustrated, each letter represents a fruit, vegetable or plant alongside a fascinating fact.

Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves Yoga (9 Jan) New year, new Peppa! And this time Peppa and her friends are learning how to relax after a busy day at playgroup with some calming yoga. Everybody say om…

 

February book releases

Ladybird Stories for Five-Year-Olds (6 Feb) We are the experts when it comes to fairy tales. And so, we’ve put together a collection of our favourites for five-year-olds! Introduce new readers to Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and more.

Peppa Pig: Where's Peppa's Magical Unicorn? and Peppa Pig: Super Peppa! (20 Feb) Peppa Pig has a busy month ahead! First, she can’t find her magical unicorn. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? And then Madame Gazelle asks Peppa’s class what they want to be when they grow up. Danny Dog wants to be a skateboarder and Rebecca Rabbit wants to be a carrot. But Peppa isn’t quite sure what she wants to be…

Topsy and Tim: On the Farm by Jean & Gareth Adamson (27 Feb) Can you believe it’s been 60 years since Topsy and Tim first visited the farm? Featuring original artwork, little ones will love following the twins as they help Farmer Stewart collect eggs, milk the cows and feed a calf.

 

March book releases

Busy Day: Vet and Busy Day: Builder (5 Mar) Vets and builders have very busy jobs. And now tots can follow a typical day with these lift-the-flap books. Help the busy builder climb his ladder and saw wood, or help the busy vet as she gives animals their medication and performs X-rays. 

Old MacDonald's Easter Egg (5 Mar) Easter is around the corner and there’s an egg-citing surprise happening on the farm. Based on the popular nursery rhyme, readers can follow Old MacDonald as he goes on an egg hunt. Don’t forget to press the sound button to hear some Easter cheeps!

Stories for Rainy Days (19 Mar) Don’t let the inevitable April showers get in the way of their adventures. Children will enjoy listening along to this fun collection of short stories when it’s just too wet to go outside.

Pablo: Pablo and the Noisy Party and Pablo: Goodnight Pablo (19 Mar) A wonderful new series by writers on the autism spectrum that shows children what life can be like for those with autism. Pablo doesn’t always enjoy parties as they can be too noisy, and sometimes he worries if he goes to sleep he’ll disappear. But luckily, Pablo has great friends and family who rally around to help him better understand and realise it’s ok to be different.

 

April book releases

Ladybird London (16 Apr) Take them on a push-and-pull tour of London! Little tourists will love exploring all the iconic landmarks of the capital city, including London Bridge and Buckingham Palace. 

Little World: On the Beach and Little World: At the Airport (30 Apr) Expand your toddler’s Little World collection with these new push-and-pull books. Venture down to the beach to walk along the sand and watch the waves. Or head to the airport to check-in and board a plane to a different country. Lovely to read out loud at bedtime. 

 

May book releases

Baby Touch: Hello, Daddy! (14 May) Looking for a book that new dads can share with their little one? This bright interactive board book will stimulate baby’s senses with its touch-and-feel areas. Plus, dads can have lots of fun making noises with the other daddy animals as they read along!

 

June book releases

Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves Doctors and Nurses (11 Jun) Dr Brown Bear and Nurse Fox have come to Peppa’s playgroup to show her and all her friends how to stay healthy and safe. Washing your hands is so important! 10% of all book sales in the UK in 2020 will be donated to the Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

 

July book releases

Mabel and the Mountain by Kim Hillyard (9 Jul) It doesn’t matter what size you are – big or small – you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Take Mabel for example. She may be a small fly, but that won’t stop her from climbing a mountain, hosting a dinner party and making friends with a shark. A beautifully inspiring picture book children and adults will enjoy.

Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Dinosaur by Rhiannon Fielding & Chris Chatterton (23 Jul) Rumble the triceratops has decided to go on an adventure! Even though he knows he’s meant to be going to bed… Countdown to ten with your sleepy little one as Rumble finds muddy puddles, tropical birds and erupting volcanoes.

Hey Duggee: Duggee's Party! (23 Jul) It’s Duggee’s birthday and that means its time for a party. But shh, it’s a surprise! The squirrels are planning something extra special for Duggee but can they do it without his help?

Baby Touch: Tummy Time (23 Jul) Daily tummy time is so important for babies’ muscle development. And now you can make it extra fun for them with this bright and bold carousel book. Designed to be laid on the floor, it will encourage your baby to reach and stretch.

 

August book releases

Stories for Car Journeys (6 Aug) Make journeys extra exciting with this collection of stories that the whole family will enjoy. Listen to them in the car, on the train, on holiday – whenever you all travel! 

Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Summer Holiday (6 Aug) Peppa can’t wait for her summer holiday! And to lounge on her flamingo inflatable. She and her family are going somewhere where there’s the sun, the sea and a swimming pool. We’re not jealous at all…

Wise Before Five (20 Aug) Children are remarkable. They change more in the first five years of their life than they will at any other point! And with all those changes, it can be hard to keep on top of things. So, give them this handy guide that includes the alphabet, shapes and numbers, as well as mindfulness and road safety. This makes a brilliant gift for any well-rounded little human!

 

September book releases

Peppa Pig: Peppa's Spooky Halloween (3 Sep) Who doesn’t love dressing up for Halloween? Peppa and George are at their grandparent’s house and are getting ready to put on a spooktacular show in this frightfully good tale!

Little Pop-Ups: Cinderella and Little Pop-Ups: Little Red Riding Hood (3 Sep) What’s better than a fairy tale? Pop-up fairy tale books that also teach children their numbers and colours! Great to read together, these simple retellings of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood feature a central pop-up that will delight young readers.

Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Unicorn's Birthday (17 Sep) Our favourite mischievous unicorn is back. And this time it’s her birthday! She’s having a sleepover party with her friends but when it comes to bedtime, they all have a little trouble winding down…

 

October book releases

Baby Touch: My First Book: a black-and-white cloth book (15 Oct) A wonderful gift for newborn babies and their parents, This padded cloth book is safe to snuggle up to and the black and white images will help develop baby’s eyesight.

Peppa Pig: Peppa's Night Before Christmas (29 Oct) It's the most exciting night of the year – Christmas Eve! And so Peppa and her brother George are all tucked up in bed. But then they hear a bang on the roof! It seems Santa Claus might need some help from these two little piggies...

 

November book releases

Ladybird Lullabies: Songs for Bedtime (26 Nov) Need some help getting them settled at bedtime? This calming audiobook of classic lullabies will do just the trick. From Frère Jacques and Hush Little Baby to Amazing Grace, the soothing lyrics and music will easily send them (and possibly you) off to the land of nod.

 

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