a reading guide from ladybird books containing expert advice on reading with your child

ExpErt advicE on your childs

very first book to starting school

Watching your child grow is amazing, and Ladybird has been part of this exciting journey for over 70 years. We know there are times when parents need a friendly source of advice from someone they can trust so we’ve put together this useful guide full of tips, FAQs and real-life experiences. We’ll show you some key milestones your child will go through and how books and apps can help you make the most of them.

As well as advice on specific stages, you’ll find some of our reading recommendations for each milestone. Remember, all children are different so when reading and sharing books go at a p ace that suits your child, you know them best.

Ladybird knows the world is changing and that these days babies are digital from day one! The same experts that devise our books also create our digital products. This means you can be assured that the same level of expertise, care and passion is in everything we do.

One thing is certain, for every age, and for every stage, there is a Ladybird book, eBook or app for you and your child to share and enjoy together. Happy reading!

Editorial dirEctor, ladybird

Very First Book (Birth – 18 months)

Walking and Talking (18 months – 3 years)

Language Development (18 months – 3 years)

New Challenges (18 months – 4 years)

Friendship and Play (3 – 5 years)

Starting School (3 – 6 years)

Learning to Read (5 – 7 years)

Ladybird Top Picks

contEnts2

Dear Parents,

Watching your child grow is amazing, and Ladybird has been part of this exciting journey for over 70 years. We know there are times when parents need a friendly source of advice from someone they can trust so we’ve put together this useful guide full of tips, FAQs and real-life experiences. We’ll show you some key milestones your child will go through and how books and apps can help you make the most of them.

As well as advice on specific stages, you’ll find some of our reading recommendations for each milestone. Remember, all children are different so when reading and sharing books go at a p ace that suits your child, you know them best.

Ladybird knows the world is changing and that these days babies are digital from day one! The same experts that devise our books also create our digital products. This means you can be assured that the same level of expertise, care and passion is in everything we do.

One thing is certain, for every age, and for every stage, there is a Ladybird book, eBook or app for you and your child to share and enjoy together. Happy reading!

Editorial dirEctor, ladybird

Very First Book (Birth – 18 months)

Walking and Talking (18 months – 3 years)

Language Development (18 months – 3 years)

New Challenges (18 months – 4 years)

Friendship and Play (3 – 5 years)

Starting School (3 – 6 years)

Learning to Read (5 – 7 years)

Ladybird Top Picks

contEnts2

Dear Parents,

VEry First booK(Birth - 18 months)

The first 18 months of your baby’s life are a wonderful, sometimes chaotic, learning curve for you and your baby. You are on a rollercoaster ride of discovery and the changes your baby will go through are simply amazing. Newborns are trying to make sense of the fuzzy, blurry new world their developing eyesight can see. Familiar voices are comforting, so talking about what you are doing or reading a book to them is fantastic, even for the youngest baby.

You’ll soon find your baby loves to explore the textures, flaps and mirrors in baby books. These books can be great forms of entertainment as well as handy distractions in times of need! And let’s face it, there are days when you feel you are on a childcare treadmill so finding something new to talk about and explore is great.

Over the course of 18 miraculous months your tiny little newborn will become a boisterous toddler, full of curiosity and bags of energy. Have fun!

wElcomE to thE world

VEry First booK(Birth - 18 months)

The first 18 months of your baby’s life are a wonderful, sometimes chaotic, learning curve for you and your baby. You are on a rollercoaster ride of discovery and the changes your baby will go through are simply amazing. Newborns are trying to make sense of the fuzzy, blurry new world their developing eyesight can see. Familiar voices are comforting, so talking about what you are doing or reading a book to them is fantastic, even for the youngest baby.

You’ll soon find your baby loves to explore the textures, flaps and mirrors in baby books. These books can be great forms of entertainment as well as handy distractions in times of need! And let’s face it, there are days when you feel you are on a childcare treadmill so finding something new to talk about and explore is great.

Over the course of 18 miraculous months your tiny little newborn will become a boisterous toddler, full of curiosity and bags of energy. Have fun!

wElcomE to thE world

When a new baby arrives, you are so

focused on feeding and sleeping you

can’t imagine you’ll ever have time to do

anything else! But then, one day, they

stay awake a little longer and you realize

this little person wants stimulation and

communication. I read to my babies from

the beginning and always took books with

us when we were out and about. Buggy

books were great in Post Office queues and

on the bus. My changing bag was never

without one and I found books especially

useful at meal times, or in restaurants.

It was a great way to change the focus or

calm things down, and a favourite book

was like an old friend. When that first

birthday comes around and your child can

point at pictures in response to questions,

start to make animal noises and form

simple words, books feel like they are a

door to a new world. The first time you

hear them make an elephant noise or

pretend to be a train, it feels like magic!

What books are best for very young babies?Sharing a book with your newborn may sound a little odd, but the tiniest babies can get a lot out of that first book experience. Soft cloth books with interesting crinkle noises, mirrors or textures are ideal. Try propping them up next to your baby’s changing mat or baby gym to allow them to safely explore the pages. Books with bright, bold images are excellent as babies can only see very high-contrast colours such as black, white, yellow and red in their first few months. As their sight slowly develops you may find your baby transfixed by bright patterns and colours!

Will my baby really get anything out of me reading to her? She is only 6 months old!Hearing a familiar voice is very comforting for a baby, so try talking to them as much as possible. It doesn’t matter what you read out loud at this stage, it could even be the back of a cereal packet! Songs, lullabies and rhymes are also great, as your baby simply loves hearing the tone of your voice as it rises and falls.

I feel so silly reading aloud to my baby, trying to do funny voices and animal noises!Please don’t feel silly, we bet you’re much better at reading to your baby than you think you are! Remember, your baby doesn’t mind if your animal noises are a bit odd, she just loves hearing your voice. Books that have a game, such as peekaboo, are really helpful as it’s easy to know when to say "Peekaboo!" or "Who’s there?"

I prefer to take my phone when we’re out and about, not heavy books, but I feel guilty! Should I be discouraging her from apps?Don’t feel guilty! We think apps can be just as fun, educational and interactive as books – the key is to find apps that are specially designed for young children so they are not just looking passively at a screen, but actively learning and being stimulated. If you need to travel light then why not squish a soft cloth book in your buggy as well?

When reading to your baby, use a clear voice that’s full of enthusiasm – your baby will be learning words and pronunciation from you. Encourage your baby to help turn each page and ask him to point out colours or animals that he recognizes so it’s an interactive experience. Books with mirrors, pop-up sections or musical buttons provide lots of sensory stimulation to aid your baby’s brain development.

❞rachEl liddlE, Mother & BaBy magazinE

Emmamum of Josie, 4 and Sam, 7

My Experience

Want to know more?

Watch our videos about reading with babies at www.ladybird.com

/babytouch

Emma and Josie

When a new baby arrives, you are so

focused on feeding and sleeping you

can’t imagine you’ll ever have time to do

anything else! But then, one day, they

stay awake a little longer and you realize

this little person wants stimulation and

communication. I read to my babies from

the beginning and always took books with

us when we were out and about. Buggy

books were great in Post Office queues and

on the bus. My changing bag was never

without one and I found books especially

useful at meal times, or in restaurants.

It was a great way to change the focus or

calm things down, and a favourite book

was like an old friend. When that first

birthday comes around and your child can

point at pictures in response to questions,

start to make animal noises and form

simple words, books feel like they are a

door to a new world. The first time you

hear them make an elephant noise or

pretend to be a train, it feels like magic!

What books are best for very young babies?Sharing a book with your newborn may sound a little odd, but the tiniest babies can get a lot out of that first book experience. Soft cloth books with interesting crinkle noises, mirrors or textures are ideal. Try propping them up next to your baby’s changing mat or baby gym to allow them to safely explore the pages. Books with bright, bold images are excellent as babies can only see very high-contrast colours such as black, white, yellow and red in their first few months. As their sight slowly develops you may find your baby transfixed by bright patterns and colours!

Will my baby really get anything out of me reading to her? She is only 6 months old!Hearing a familiar voice is very comforting for a baby, so try talking to them as much as possible. It doesn’t matter what you read out loud at this stage, it could even be the back of a cereal packet! Songs, lullabies and rhymes are also great, as your baby simply loves hearing the tone of your voice as it rises and falls.

I feel so silly reading aloud to my baby, trying to do funny voices and animal noises!Please don’t feel silly, we bet you’re much better at reading to your baby than you think you are! Remember, your baby doesn’t mind if your animal noises are a bit odd, she just loves hearing your voice. Books that have a game, such as peekaboo, are really helpful as it’s easy to know when to say "Peekaboo!" or "Who’s there?"

I prefer to take my phone when we’re out and about, not heavy books, but I feel guilty! Should I be discouraging her from apps?Don’t feel guilty! We think apps can be just as fun, educational and interactive as books – the key is to find apps that are specially designed for young children so they are not just looking passively at a screen, but actively learning and being stimulated. If you need to travel light then why not squish a soft cloth book in your buggy as well?

When reading to your baby, use a clear voice that’s full of enthusiasm – your baby will be learning words and pronunciation from you. Encourage your baby to help turn each page and ask him to point out colours or animals that he recognizes so it’s an interactive experience. Books with mirrors, pop-up sections or musical buttons provide lots of sensory stimulation to aid your baby’s brain development.

Emmamum of Josie, 4 and Sam, 7

My Experience

Want to know more?

Watch our videos about reading with babies at www.ladybird.com

/babytouch

Emma and Josie

walKingandtalKing(18 months - 3 years)

By 18 months your baby will have become a toddler and you may find your days are spent almost entirely on your feet as she explores her surroundings.

Rare moments of calm are perfect for cuddling up with a book and reading together is a great way to expand her vocabulary. She’ll soon be able to name colours, animals, vehicles, household objects and lots more. Finding time to talk about the story and pictures will give her a great sense of pride in her new abilities. Your little explorer will begin to show preferences for certain things so you may find that your child’s bookshelves are suddenly groaning with books on diggers, farms or fairies.

Finally, books with simple songs and actions will open up a whole new noisy world of play opportunities for your toddler! And you thought the first 18 months were exhausting...

rEady, stEady, go!

walKingandtalKing(18 months - 3 years)

By 18 months your baby will have become a toddler and you may find your days are spent almost entirely on your feet as she explores her surroundings.

Rare moments of calm are perfect for cuddling up with a book and reading together is a great way to expand her vocabulary. She’ll soon be able to name colours, animals, vehicles, household objects and lots more. Finding time to talk about the story and pictures will give her a great sense of pride in her new abilities. Your little explorer will begin to show preferences for certain things so you may find that your child’s bookshelves are suddenly groaning with books on diggers, farms or fairies.

Finally, books with simple songs and actions will open up a whole new noisy world of play opportunities for your toddler! And you thought the first 18 months were exhausting...

rEady, stEady, go!

Toddlers love exploring and once she’s mobile, she’ll want to get out and about as much as she can. Ride-on and push-along toys can help support and keep her steady and improve her balance. Playing music and encouraging your toddler to dance builds up strength in her legs that will help develop co-ordination. Remember to childproof her surroundings as she’ll be inquisitive and want to explore everything!

Settling down to read together has

always been an important part of our

day, and is even more so now Alice is a

toddler. She has never-ending questions

and books are a great way to start lots of

interesting conversations. It’s amazing

how much children of this age absorb

what they hear, and I often notice words

and phrases in Alice’s speech that come

straight from the books we’ve been

reading. I quickly learnt to pick books

both of us will enjoy, as I will be reading

them over and over again! She never

seems to get bored of old favourites and

I’ll often find her ‘reading’ stories to her

toys from memory.

Laylamum of Alice, 2 and Arthur, 1 month

My Experience

Layla and Alice

I think my toddler would enjoy a good story now – what do you suggest?Begin by reading simple, short stories with lots of pictures and a manageable amount of text for short attention spans. Try abridged fairy tales or books with rhyming text. As your child becomes more familiar with the stories and rhythm of the words she’ll love joining in!

My little one has recently begun walking and talking, what books would you recommend?A child’s development is at fever pitch during this time so try engaging busy toddlers with books that include lift-the-flaps, sound buttons, simple rhyming text and textures to feel. It’s also a good time to introduce key early learning skills such as first words, colours and numbers. First gentle non-fiction books are great for this stage to show your child more about the world around them and help teach key vocabulary. Toddlers are often obsessed with different topics, from pirates to puppies, so try choosing books that will spark their interest. We also recommend action books that show the moves to a popular song or rhyme to encourage your toddler to imitate movements and improve their co-ordination.

Noisy sound books drive me round the bend! Why are they good for children?It’s true, the constant pressing of sound buttons can be a bit wearing! However, children love to be in control of things and feel empowered, so pressing the buttons is a great way of getting them to join in with story-time and interact with the book.

Toddlers love exploring and once she’s mobile, she’ll want to get out and about as much as she can. Ride-on and push-along toys can help support and keep her steady and improve her balance. Playing music and encouraging your toddler to dance builds up strength in her legs that will help develop co-ordination. Remember to childproof her surroundings as she’ll be inquisitive and want to explore everything!

Settling down to read together has

always been an important part of our

day, and is even more so now Alice is a

toddler. She has never-ending questions

and books are a great way to start lots of

interesting conversations. It’s amazing

how much children of this age absorb

what they hear, and I often notice words

and phrases in Alice’s speech that come

straight from the books we’ve been

reading. I quickly learnt to pick books

both of us will enjoy, as I will be reading

them over and over again! She never

seems to get bored of old favourites and

I’ll often find her ‘reading’ stories to her

toys from memory.

Laylamum of Alice, 2 and Arthur, 1 month

My Experience

Layla and Alice

I think my toddler would enjoy a good story now – what do you suggest?Begin by reading simple, short stories with lots of pictures and a manageable amount of text for short attention spans. Try abridged fairy tales or books with rhyming text. As your child becomes more familiar with the stories and rhythm of the words she’ll love joining in!

My little one has recently begun walking and talking, what books would you recommend?A child’s development is at fever pitch during this time so try engaging busy toddlers with books that include lift-the-flaps, sound buttons, simple rhyming text and textures to feel. It’s also a good time to introduce key early learning skills such as first words, colours and numbers. First gentle non-fiction books are great for this stage to show your child more about the world around them and help teach key vocabulary. Toddlers are often obsessed with different topics, from pirates to puppies, so try choosing books that will spark their interest. We also recommend action books that show the moves to a popular song or rhyme to encourage your toddler to imitate movements and improve their co-ordination.

Noisy sound books drive me round the bend! Why are they good for children?It’s true, the constant pressing of sound buttons can be a bit wearing! However, children love to be in control of things and feel empowered, so pressing the buttons is a great way of getting them to join in with story-time and interact with the book.

languagEdEVElopmEnt(18 months - 3 years) As her language develops it’s an incredibly exciting

time for both you and your child. Her world becomes more accessible and her ability to understand it becomes easier simply because she can now ask questions thanks to her rapidly expanding vocabulary. Yes, you may find your days are now filled with constant cries of ‘Why?’ and some frankly bizarre questions that will have you in stitches, but how wonderful to be able to chat to each other! Talking about your plans for the day, reading books and reciting rhymes together all help to build vocabulary and conversation skills.

As a parent or carer it is very easy to fall into the trap of comparing your child’s progress with that of another child. It’s important to remember that every child will develop their vocabulary and conversational skills at their own pace. However, if you are ever worried, or have any questions, you can always speak to your GP or health visitor.

constant quEstions and laugh-out-loud momEnts!

languagEdEVElopmEnt(18 months - 3 years) As her language develops it’s an incredibly exciting

time for both you and your child. Her world becomes more accessible and her ability to understand it becomes easier simply because she can now ask questions thanks to her rapidly expanding vocabulary. Yes, you may find your days are now filled with constant cries of ‘Why?’ and some frankly bizarre questions that will have you in stitches, but how wonderful to be able to chat to each other! Talking about your plans for the day, reading books and reciting rhymes together all help to build vocabulary and conversation skills.

As a parent or carer it is very easy to fall into the trap of comparing your child’s progress with that of another child. It’s important to remember that every child will develop their vocabulary and conversational skills at their own pace. However, if you are ever worried, or have any questions, you can always speak to your GP or health visitor.

constant quEstions and laugh-out-loud momEnts!

Helen and Pippa

Your baby will be babbling from a couple of weeks old, but once he’s a toddler he’ll also start forming words and even sentences. Increase his vocabulary by asking questions that don’t require a simple yes or no answer. and always give plenty of praise and smiles when he says a word – even if the pronunciation isn’t quite right yet – as it’s a great motivator.

Pippa is at a really dynamic stage of

discovery and language development,

she must ask “What's this, Mummy?” at

least a hundred times a day! I try to add

to her vocabulary and understanding

by expanding on the observations she

makes, so when she says “Look Mummy,

a car”, I’ll respond with “Yes, a blue car.

A blue car moving fast”. We sing a lot too

and we have our own made-up songs for

things like tidying up and teeth-cleaning.

She likes to ‘read’ herself so we take

turns reading the book to each other – it’s

fun to see what bits of the book she has

picked up to repeat, although she does

have a habit of randomly slamming the

book shut and announcing “The End!”

Helen mum of Pippa, 22 months

My Experience

Helen and Pippa

Why do kids like rhyme and how is it useful?Rhyme plays a major part in speech development as it helps children understand the pattern and rhythm of speech – how it works and fits together. Children need this understanding when learning to speak, as well as for reading and writing further down the line. Children also love repetition and as they grow used to a rhyme, they will try to anticipate what the next rhyming word will be, building memory skills and encouraging participation.

Nursery rhymes seem really old fashioned. are they still relevant for my child?Nursery rhymes are just brilliant for encouraging the essential listening, speaking and memory skills every child needs for learning. Plus they’re fun too! Number rhymes such as Five Little Ducks encourage early counting skills, while action rhymes like If You're Happy and You Know It are great for improving co-ordination and encouraging physical play. One of the best things about nursery rhymes is that they become a shared experience for young children, there’s that magical moment when they realize other people also know these rhymes! This sense of being part of a group and being able to join in is an important step in growing up and interacting with others, either at nursery or school.

I have a lovely nursery rhymes book but I don’t know half the tunes. Help!Why not browse the shops or the internet for a nursery rhyme CD or download? You could also look for a parent and child rhyme-time group in your local area so you can learn the tunes of many popular songs and meet other parents and carers too.

Helen and Pippa

Your baby will be babbling from a couple of weeks old, but once he’s a toddler he’ll also start forming words and even sentences. Increase his vocabulary by asking questions that don’t require a simple yes or no answer. and always give plenty of praise and smiles when he says a word – even if the pronunciation isn’t quite right yet – as it’s a great motivator.

Pippa is at a really dynamic stage of

discovery and language development,

she must ask “What's this, Mummy?” at

least a hundred times a day! I try to add

to her vocabulary and understanding

by expanding on the observations she

makes, so when she says “Look Mummy,

a car”, I’ll respond with “Yes, a blue car.

A blue car moving fast”. We sing a lot too

and we have our own made-up songs for

things like tidying up and teeth-cleaning.

She likes to ‘read’ herself so we take

turns reading the book to each other – it’s

fun to see what bits of the book she has

picked up to repeat, although she does

have a habit of randomly slamming the

book shut and announcing “The End!”

Helen mum of Pippa, 22 months

My Experience

Helen and Pippa

Why do kids like rhyme and how is it useful?Rhyme plays a major part in speech development as it helps children understand the pattern and rhythm of speech – how it works and fits together. Children need this understanding when learning to speak, as well as for reading and writing further down the line. Children also love repetition and as they grow used to a rhyme, they will try to anticipate what the next rhyming word will be, building memory skills and encouraging participation.

Nursery rhymes seem really old fashioned. are they still relevant for my child?Nursery rhymes are just brilliant for encouraging the essential listening, speaking and memory skills every child needs for learning. Plus they’re fun too! Number rhymes such as Five Little Ducks encourage early counting skills, while action rhymes like If You're Happy and You Know It are great for improving co-ordination and encouraging physical play. One of the best things about nursery rhymes is that they become a shared experience for young children, there’s that magical moment when they realize other people also know these rhymes! This sense of being part of a group and being able to join in is an important step in growing up and interacting with others, either at nursery or school.

I have a lovely nursery rhymes book but I don’t know half the tunes. Help!Why not browse the shops or the internet for a nursery rhyme CD or download? You could also look for a parent and child rhyme-time group in your local area so you can learn the tunes of many popular songs and meet other parents and carers too.

nEwchallEngEs(18 months - 4 years) From 18 months to 4 years children are soaking

up a wealth of experience from everyday life and just love imitating what is going on around them. They are becoming more independent, not particularly happy to share their possessions, keen to dress themselves and ready to take on new challenges, such as potty training.

Whilst potty training can be an exciting (and funny) experience for children, parents can be a little anxious about it. Remember, most toddlers find it hilarious to talk about bottoms, poo and wee. Try using direct language to explain what’s going on and answer their questions in as much detail as possible to satisfy their curiosity. What seems everyday to you is a new and fascinating experience for your toddler.

toddlErs taKE on thE world...and thEir pottiEs!

nEwchallEngEs(18 months - 4 years) From 18 months to 4 years children are soaking

up a wealth of experience from everyday life and just love imitating what is going on around them. They are becoming more independent, not particularly happy to share their possessions, keen to dress themselves and ready to take on new challenges, such as potty training.

Whilst potty training can be an exciting (and funny) experience for children, parents can be a little anxious about it. Remember, most toddlers find it hilarious to talk about bottoms, poo and wee. Try using direct language to explain what’s going on and answer their questions in as much detail as possible to satisfy their curiosity. What seems everyday to you is a new and fascinating experience for your toddler.

toddlErs taKE on thE world...and thEir pottiEs!

We were very lucky with our daughter –

she was very easy to potty train. I took

inspiration from a friend and just swapped

nappies for knickers and only ever had

two accidents. My son was a completely

different story; I tried this method a few

times and it did not appear to be working.

I looked for many ways of encouragement

including books. Pirate Pete's Potty was

perfect – it combined his love of pirates

and noisy books with the message we were

trying to get across. He seemed to really

respond to this and would sit ‘like Pirate

Pete’ on his potty. It did take quite a few

accidents until he was completely dry

but I believe the extra encouragement

helped. One thing I have learnt from

having another child is that they are all

different and will reach certain stages

at different times.

How can books help with potty training?Books are often extremely helpful as they explain the whole process in simple language and children are reassured to see others going through the same thing. Ladybird’s Pirate Pete’s Potty and Princess Polly’s Potty come highly recommended by parents. They touch on choosing a potty and what it is used for, wearing pants, good hygiene habits, having accidents and trying your best. The ‘cheer’ sound button will help to motivate your child and the books are sturdy enough to be read over and over again!

When should I start potty training my child?Children are usually ready to begin potty training around the age of 24-30 months but every child is different. It's very important to begin potty training only when children are ready so take your lead from your child, not from other parents. Watch out for the signs of your toddler showing an interest in what people are doing in the loo, and being able to show you when they need a wee or a poo.

I’m really struggling with potty training. What should I do?The most important thing is to be patient – don't force the issue if they are not ready. Try to make it a relaxed and motivational experience. Take your child shopping to choose a potty and some special pants. Talk openly about how going to the loo is a natural, normal thing to do and incorporate the potty into your child's daily bathroom routine – use it first thing in the morning, after meals and before bedtime. Lots of praise and a consistent approach are key to successful potty training. Celebrate the successes and don’t stress out about the accidents – all children have accidents as they learn this new skill.

My toddler is nervous about moving into her big girl’s bed and wants to stay in her cot like her baby sister. Do you have any advice on how to manage this?You could try taking her shopping to choose some new bed covers or a special blanket so that she will be prepared for the change and think of the bed as hers. You could also choose a new book for bedtime so she’s looking forward to getting tucked in. Try to keep to your normal bedtime routine so that your toddler is comforted and relaxed when she gets into her new bed and she will be more likely to stay in it. Spend time reading a bedtime story together so she’s sleepy and has had time to settle into the new experience.

Toddlers thrive on ritual, so setting up routines for things like bedtime or potty training can help make life easier for you. Don’t be daunted by getting him used to the potty. Just look out for signs that he’s ready, such as staying dry or showing an interest in others using the toilet, and go at your toddler’s pace. If he’s not taking to it, leave it for a month and then try again.

Want to know more?

For further potty training tips, visitwww.ladybird.com

/potty

Lisamum of Brooke, 5 and Dylan, 3

My Experience

Lisa with Brooke and Sylan

We were very lucky with our daughter –

she was very easy to potty train. I took

inspiration from a friend and just swapped

nappies for knickers and only ever had

two accidents. My son was a completely

different story; I tried this method a few

times and it did not appear to be working.

I looked for many ways of encouragement

including books. Pirate Pete's Potty was

perfect – it combined his love of pirates

and noisy books with the message we were

trying to get across. He seemed to really

respond to this and would sit ‘like Pirate

Pete’ on his potty. It did take quite a few

accidents until he was completely dry

but I believe the extra encouragement

helped. One thing I have learnt from

having another child is that they are all

different and will reach certain stages

at different times.

How can books help with potty training?Books are often extremely helpful as they explain the whole process in simple language and children are reassured to see others going through the same thing. Ladybird’s Pirate Pete’s Potty and Princess Polly’s Potty come highly recommended by parents. They touch on choosing a potty and what it is used for, wearing pants, good hygiene habits, having accidents and trying your best. The ‘cheer’ sound button will help to motivate your child and the books are sturdy enough to be read over and over again!

When should I start potty training my child?Children are usually ready to begin potty training around the age of 24-30 months but every child is different. It's very important to begin potty training only when children are ready so take your lead from your child, not from other parents. Watch out for the signs of your toddler showing an interest in what people are doing in the loo, and being able to show you when they need a wee or a poo.

I’m really struggling with potty training. What should I do?The most important thing is to be patient – don't force the issue if they are not ready. Try to make it a relaxed and motivational experience. Take your child shopping to choose a potty and some special pants. Talk openly about how going to the loo is a natural, normal thing to do and incorporate the potty into your child's daily bathroom routine – use it first thing in the morning, after meals and before bedtime. Lots of praise and a consistent approach are key to successful potty training. Celebrate the successes and don’t stress out about the accidents – all children have accidents as they learn this new skill.

My toddler is nervous about moving into her big girl’s bed and wants to stay in her cot like her baby sister. Do you have any advice on how to manage this?You could try taking her shopping to choose some new bed covers or a special blanket so that she will be prepared for the change and think of the bed as hers. You could also choose a new book for bedtime so she’s looking forward to getting tucked in. Try to keep to your normal bedtime routine so that your toddler is comforted and relaxed when she gets into her new bed and she will be more likely to stay in it. Spend time reading a bedtime story together so she’s sleepy and has had time to settle into the new experience.

Toddlers thrive on ritual, so setting up routines for things like bedtime or potty training can help make life easier for you. Don’t be daunted by getting him used to the potty. Just look out for signs that he’s ready, such as staying dry or showing an interest in others using the toilet, and go at your toddler’s pace. If he’s not taking to it, leave it for a month and then try again.

Want to know more?

For further potty training tips, visitwww.ladybird.com

/potty

Lisamum of Brooke, 5 and Dylan, 3

My Experience

Lisa with Brooke and Sylan

FriEndshipand play(3 - 5 years)

From about 3 years old the world of imaginative play and all its glorious possibilities opens up to your child. At this age children often move from playing alongside each other to actually playing together and developing friendships thanks to creative play. They’ll have great fun acting out (and adapting) familiar fairy tales, pretending to cook, dressing up and role playing.

You can help by getting down on the floor and taking an active part in their games. Learning to involve another person in their imaginative worlds is key to forming friendships so even if you feel a bit silly being the troll, it really is worthwhile. You can also read books together that will spark their imagination through exciting, funny stories or expand their knowledge of fairy tales, different jobs and their favourite things.

you bE thE troll and i'll bE thE princEss...

FriEndshipand play(3 - 5 years)

From about 3 years old the world of imaginative play and all its glorious possibilities opens up to your child. At this age children often move from playing alongside each other to actually playing together and developing friendships thanks to creative play. They’ll have great fun acting out (and adapting) familiar fairy tales, pretending to cook, dressing up and role playing.

You can help by getting down on the floor and taking an active part in their games. Learning to involve another person in their imaginative worlds is key to forming friendships so even if you feel a bit silly being the troll, it really is worthwhile. You can also read books together that will spark their imagination through exciting, funny stories or expand their knowledge of fairy tales, different jobs and their favourite things.

you bE thE troll and i'll bE thE princEss...

By sharing stories and books with young children you are giving them a starting point for creating their own imaginary worlds which contributes hugely to a child’s creativity and imagination. You can talk to your child about the words and pictures in the books you share together. This helps them build up a store of vocabulary which they will use in their creative play, both at home and later within the school setting.

❞jEnny guEst, primary school tEachEr

Thomas fell in love with the fairy tales

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The

Three Little Pigs when some of my old

Ladybird books were dug out of the attic.

He still insists on these two stories being

read to him over and over again. The

stories have really fired his imagination.

He likes retelling The Three Little Pigs so

that he and his friends are the piggies

and the wolf, giggling as he selects his

friends for each role, especially laughing

at who will be the big bad wolf. He

also finds it funny to play with his toy

animals and act out scenes from the book

where the wolf says he’ll “huff and puff

and blow his house down.”Sometimes he

ropes his older brother, Vincent,

into the game too!

Karen mum of Thomas, 3

My Experience

Karen and Thomas

What is imaginative play and how is it helpful?Whether your child is play-acting familiar family scenes such as cooking in the kitchen or driving the car, creating ‘little worlds’ or dressing up as a pirate, he is using his imagination and language skills while he plays. This is imaginative play. At this stage in your child’s development this kind of creative play helps him to begin to think independently and use his memory to act out a scene.

What sort of books help with imaginative play?Toddlers’ imaginations are wonderfully unrestrained and pretty crazy places! Introducing fairy tales will open up incredible imaginary worlds to them but equally your child may find exploring a more factual book, about tractors for example, allows them to pretend they can drive a tractor and live on a farm. Look for interesting illustrations with humorous detail and try encouraging them to use their imagination by asking them questions such as ‘What do you think trolls eat for lunch?’ or ‘If you had a pirate ship where would you sail to?’

My child can be rather shy at times. How can books help to build up her confidence?Just like adults, all children have different personalities and some will naturally be more outgoing than others. At this age children are beginning to form their own preferences and opinions, so when you read together ask questions and encourage her to talk about the book so she becomes confident in voicing what she thinks. Reading fairy tales together will help equip your child with ideas for imaginative play that other children might also be familiar with. One of the easiest ways to encourage imaginative play is to pretend you are someone or something else like a big bad wolf or a little pig. You could also use toys or simple props as you play together.

Want to know more?

For games to play and free activity sheets, visit www.ladybird.com/

thingstodo

By sharing stories and books with young children you are giving them a starting point for creating their own imaginary worlds which contributes hugely to a child’s creativity and imagination. You can talk to your child about the words and pictures in the books you share together. This helps them build up a store of vocabulary which they will use in their creative play, both at home and later within the school setting.

Thomas fell in love with the fairy tales

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The

Three Little Pigs when some of my old

Ladybird books were dug out of the attic.

He still insists on these two stories being

read to him over and over again. The

stories have really fired his imagination.

He likes retelling The Three Little Pigs so

that he and his friends are the piggies

and the wolf, giggling as he selects his

friends for each role, especially laughing

at who will be the big bad wolf. He

also finds it funny to play with his toy

animals and act out scenes from the book

where the wolf says he’ll “huff and puff

and blow his house down.”Sometimes he

ropes his older brother, Vincent,

into the game too!

Karen mum of Thomas, 3

My Experience

Karen and Thomas

What is imaginative play and how is it helpful?Whether your child is play-acting familiar family scenes such as cooking in the kitchen or driving the car, creating ‘little worlds’ or dressing up as a pirate, he is using his imagination and language skills while he plays. This is imaginative play. At this stage in your child’s development this kind of creative play helps him to begin to think independently and use his memory to act out a scene.

What sort of books help with imaginative play?Toddlers’ imaginations are wonderfully unrestrained and pretty crazy places! Introducing fairy tales will open up incredible imaginary worlds to them but equally your child may find exploring a more factual book, about tractors for example, allows them to pretend they can drive a tractor and live on a farm. Look for interesting illustrations with humorous detail and try encouraging them to use their imagination by asking them questions such as ‘What do you think trolls eat for lunch?’ or ‘If you had a pirate ship where would you sail to?’

My child can be rather shy at times. How can books help to build up her confidence?Just like adults, all children have different personalities and some will naturally be more outgoing than others. At this age children are beginning to form their own preferences and opinions, so when you read together ask questions and encourage her to talk about the book so she becomes confident in voicing what she thinks. Reading fairy tales together will help equip your child with ideas for imaginative play that other children might also be familiar with. One of the easiest ways to encourage imaginative play is to pretend you are someone or something else like a big bad wolf or a little pig. You could also use toys or simple props as you play together.

Want to know more?

For games to play and free activity sheets, visit www.ladybird.com/

thingstodo

startingschool(3 - 6 years)

From 3 years children are beginning to understand more and more about what they are learning and experiencing in the world around them. They are becoming increasingly independent, love to be told stories and can identify with characters. They might be having new experiences, perhaps a sibling arriving or starting nursery. Reading reassuring stories with your child can help support them through these big childhood moments, particularly useful when starting school, perhaps one of the biggest days of your child’s life.

From 4 to 6 years children can speak fluently, begin to understand concepts of time and have a keen interest in facts. They learn to count to 20 using their fingers, they have better dexterity and can hold a pencil. They love rhymes, sharing stories and are beginning to read and write by copying letters and through their early phonics learning. From age 5 onwards they are beginning to learn times tables, know some letter shapes and are able to practise copying and writing their letters. Activity books are great to use at this stage as they are fun, entertaining and also build on what children are learning at school.

big stEps to indEpEndEncE

startingschool(3 - 6 years)

From 3 years children are beginning to understand more and more about what they are learning and experiencing in the world around them. They are becoming increasingly independent, love to be told stories and can identify with characters. They might be having new experiences, perhaps a sibling arriving or starting nursery. Reading reassuring stories with your child can help support them through these big childhood moments, particularly useful when starting school, perhaps one of the biggest days of your child’s life.

From 4 to 6 years children can speak fluently, begin to understand concepts of time and have a keen interest in facts. They learn to count to 20 using their fingers, they have better dexterity and can hold a pencil. They love rhymes, sharing stories and are beginning to read and write by copying letters and through their early phonics learning. From age 5 onwards they are beginning to learn times tables, know some letter shapes and are able to practise copying and writing their letters. Activity books are great to use at this stage as they are fun, entertaining and also build on what children are learning at school.

big stEps to indEpEndEncE

Amanda with Abby and Mia

Sharing happy stories about starting school with your child will help to reassure them, giving them an idea about what they can expect from the school day and help alleviate their anxiety, for example they can learn the importance of school rules, making friends and finding their way around. Reading every day with your child continues to be really important so keep reading lots of different books together, point out words they might recognize, encourage your child to join in with repetitive phrases and talk about the story and the pictures.

During the build up to Abby starting

school we made sure there was lots of daily

reading with some quiet time listening to

stories being read. I make sure that we

read to the girls every single day and we

encourage Abby to read to herself. She is an

avid reader and can often be found reading

to herself in her room after lights are out!

Mia is at the beginning of her reading life

and is currently learning letters and

sounds. She loves snuggling down to her

nightly bedtime stories read by us or by

her big sister. Mia loves some books so

much that she memorizes them.

Amanda mum of Abby, 7, and Mia, 4

My Experience

My child is very anxious about starting school. What should I do?Almost every child is a bit nervous about starting school, it's a big step for them as well as for you! Talk about school in a positive way, reassuring him that it is an exciting place with lots of things to do and friends to make. Try to visit the school before the big day, so it feels familiar and less daunting. Have some uniform trying-on sessions and pack his new school bag together so he knows where things are. There are lots of useful books and apps that are ideal for showing children what to expect on their big day. Have a look at Ladybird’s Topsy and Tim Start School book and app.

I am worried that my child will not make friends easily at school. Is there anything I can do to help him? Don’t worry, your child will no doubt love school but if he is a little shy you can be reassured his teacher will help him join in and make friends. Before starting school you could play games with him that encourage sharing, taking turns and being patient as this will really help him in a group environment. You could also find some local playgroups to join in the months before starting school so he’s used to mixing with other children. Try not to appear too anxious yourself (easier said than done) and give him time to socialize at his own pace – he’ll get there.

Does my child need to know how to read and write before starting school?All children develop and learn at different rates and the reception class teacher certainly won’t expect children to arrive being able to read and write. When children start school, they will probably embark on a synthetic phonics programme, which will teach them all the sounds and combinations they need to be able to read and write confidently. If your child shows interest in learning before she starts school, we would encourage you to foster this early enjoyment of reading. Have a look at a few books together, such as alphabet books and simple stories and, in time, she will begin to understand the relationship between print and sounds. You could even try writing a few little stories or letters to her, containing words she can read.

Amanda with Abby and Mia

Sharing happy stories about starting school with your child will help to reassure them, giving them an idea about what they can expect from the school day and help alleviate their anxiety, for example they can learn the importance of school rules, making friends and finding their way around. Reading every day with your child continues to be really important so keep reading lots of different books together, point out words they might recognize, encourage your child to join in with repetitive phrases and talk about the story and the pictures.

During the build up to Abby starting

school we made sure there was lots of daily

reading with some quiet time listening to

stories being read. I make sure that we

read to the girls every single day and we

encourage Abby to read to herself. She is an

avid reader and can often be found reading

to herself in her room after lights are out!

Mia is at the beginning of her reading life

and is currently learning letters and

sounds. She loves snuggling down to her

nightly bedtime stories read by us or by

her big sister. Mia loves some books so

much that she memorizes them.

Amanda mum of Abby, 7, and Mia, 4

My Experience

My child is very anxious about starting school. What should I do?Almost every child is a bit nervous about starting school, it's a big step for them as well as for you! Talk about school in a positive way, reassuring him that it is an exciting place with lots of things to do and friends to make. Try to visit the school before the big day, so it feels familiar and less daunting. Have some uniform trying-on sessions and pack his new school bag together so he knows where things are. There are lots of useful books and apps that are ideal for showing children what to expect on their big day. Have a look at Ladybird’s Topsy and Tim Start School book and app.

I am worried that my child will not make friends easily at school. Is there anything I can do to help him? Don’t worry, your child will no doubt love school but if he is a little shy you can be reassured his teacher will help him join in and make friends. Before starting school you could play games with him that encourage sharing, taking turns and being patient as this will really help him in a group environment. You could also find some local playgroups to join in the months before starting school so he’s used to mixing with other children. Try not to appear too anxious yourself (easier said than done) and give him time to socialize at his own pace – he’ll get there.

Does my child need to know how to read and write before starting school?All children develop and learn at different rates and the reception class teacher certainly won’t expect children to arrive being able to read and write. When children start school, they will probably embark on a synthetic phonics programme, which will teach them all the sounds and combinations they need to be able to read and write confidently. If your child shows interest in learning before she starts school, we would encourage you to foster this early enjoyment of reading. Have a look at a few books together, such as alphabet books and simple stories and, in time, she will begin to understand the relationship between print and sounds. You could even try writing a few little stories or letters to her, containing words she can read.

lEarningtorEad(5 - 7 years)

From 5 years onwards children have a rapidly growing vocabulary and are starting to read and write. They have a greater awareness of the world around them and they love to be told stories which capture their imagination, or make them giggle! When they start school, children begin learning to read very quickly through phonics teaching and reading schemes. Understanding the way children are taught to read can feel quite daunting. Synthetic phonics is the method now used in most UK schools and there are lots of phonics books and apps that can be used at home to support your child’s phonics learning.

It is important to remember that all children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and there is no substitute for the enthusiasm of a parent or teacher to spark a love of reading in a child.

bEcoming littlE booKworms

lEarningtorEad(5 - 7 years)

From 5 years onwards children have a rapidly growing vocabulary and are starting to read and write. They have a greater awareness of the world around them and they love to be told stories which capture their imagination, or make them giggle! When they start school, children begin learning to read very quickly through phonics teaching and reading schemes. Understanding the way children are taught to read can feel quite daunting. Synthetic phonics is the method now used in most UK schools and there are lots of phonics books and apps that can be used at home to support your child’s phonics learning.

It is important to remember that all children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and there is no substitute for the enthusiasm of a parent or teacher to spark a love of reading in a child.

bEcoming littlE booKworms

Right from the start we

always read to Ula and

Owen. Now Ula is 8 and one

of her favourite books is

Black Beauty. We’ve found

the Ladybird version has

the perfect amount of the

original story and emotion without

overwhelming the child reading it. We

quite often have to stop Ula reading at

night or she’ll be up till all hours trying to

finish ‘one last chapter’ . Owen’s favourites

have always been the books about jungle

animals and anything that moves – cars,

buses, planes etc. He is now at school and

spent the second term trying to teach his

classmates how to build paper aeroplanes

as he was the only one who could read the

instructions! It certainly encouraged his

friends to read more when they saw what

he could do. I’m sure the fact that we have

read every night to them since they were

tiny, and encourage them to read has

something to do with their abilities so far.

What are the different methods of learning to read?There are lots of different methods of learning to read, so it is best to speak to the school for advice on which particular method they follow. Synthetic phonics is the most common method used in UK schools. Phonics involves making the connection between the 44 sounds (phonemes) of spoken English with letters or groups of letters (graphemes). Children are taught that these sounds can be blended to read words. Learning these phonics skills helps children to read fluently, spell accurately and write creatively. Once these have been mastered, encourage your child to read simple readers, such as Ladybird’s Read it yourself Level One. Ladybird’s Read it Yourself carefully builds on the reading skills they have already learnt using fairy tales and modern stories to make reading an enjoyable, interesting experience that will spark their enthusiasm for books.

My child is struggling to read. What can I do to help?Learning to read is often trickier than people think and some of us take longer than others to learn. You can encourage a love of reading by building it into his routine (such as a nightly bedtime story) and making sure books on his favourite subjects are easily available. You can make your reading time even more beneficial by discussing the story and asking questions such as “What do you think happens next?” This will engage his interest and encourage his imagination. All reading is good reading, so if he wants to use a reading app or pick up a comic, embrace this, it is all good practice. The most important thing is to keep going and not give up.

How can technology and apps help my child to read? aren’t these doing the opposite of reading? There are plenty of good quality apps and eBooks in the market that are both entertaining and educational, such as Ladybird’s I’m Ready for Phonics app. Schools are introducing more digital tablets into the classroom and encouraging children to learn by using these devices. Today, children are increasingly at one with all things digital, they thrive on exploring apps, pressing the buttons and navigating their way through the various elements. Ultimately, all that matters is that your child is learning and having fun at the same time!

Sharing books and reading aloud will help to foster a love of reading and it is beneficial to read as much as possible with your child. Create a list of favourite authors so you can search for books by similar authors or with similar themes. Levelled books are great for developing early phonic skills and your child’s teacher will be able to explain their levelling system with you, but it is important to read these alongside other books as this will enable children to experience a variety of language.

Abimum of Ula, 8 and Owen, 5

My Experience

Ula and Owen

Need more help?

Visit our advice and resources page on

www.ladybird.com

Right from the start we

always read to Ula and

Owen. Now Ula is 8 and one

of her favourite books is

Black Beauty. We’ve found

the Ladybird version has

the perfect amount of the

original story and emotion without

overwhelming the child reading it. We

quite often have to stop Ula reading at

night or she’ll be up till all hours trying to

finish ‘one last chapter’ . Owen’s favourites

have always been the books about jungle

animals and anything that moves – cars,

buses, planes etc. He is now at school and

spent the second term trying to teach his

classmates how to build paper aeroplanes

as he was the only one who could read the

instructions! It certainly encouraged his

friends to read more when they saw what

he could do. I’m sure the fact that we have

read every night to them since they were

tiny, and encourage them to read has

something to do with their abilities so far.

What are the different methods of learning to read?There are lots of different methods of learning to read, so it is best to speak to the school for advice on which particular method they follow. Synthetic phonics is the most common method used in UK schools. Phonics involves making the connection between the 44 sounds (phonemes) of spoken English with letters or groups of letters (graphemes). Children are taught that these sounds can be blended to read words. Learning these phonics skills helps children to read fluently, spell accurately and write creatively. Once these have been mastered, encourage your child to read simple readers, such as Ladybird’s Read it yourself Level One. Ladybird’s Read it Yourself carefully builds on the reading skills they have already learnt using fairy tales and modern stories to make reading an enjoyable, interesting experience that will spark their enthusiasm for books.

My child is struggling to read. What can I do to help?Learning to read is often trickier than people think and some of us take longer than others to learn. You can encourage a love of reading by building it into his routine (such as a nightly bedtime story) and making sure books on his favourite subjects are easily available. You can make your reading time even more beneficial by discussing the story and asking questions such as “What do you think happens next?” This will engage his interest and encourage his imagination. All reading is good reading, so if he wants to use a reading app or pick up a comic, embrace this, it is all good practice. The most important thing is to keep going and not give up.

How can technology and apps help my child to read? aren’t these doing the opposite of reading? There are plenty of good quality apps and eBooks in the market that are both entertaining and educational, such as Ladybird’s I’m Ready for Phonics app. Schools are introducing more digital tablets into the classroom and encouraging children to learn by using these devices. Today, children are increasingly at one with all things digital, they thrive on exploring apps, pressing the buttons and navigating their way through the various elements. Ultimately, all that matters is that your child is learning and having fun at the same time!

Sharing books and reading aloud will help to foster a love of reading and it is beneficial to read as much as possible with your child. Create a list of favourite authors so you can search for books by similar authors or with similar themes. Levelled books are great for developing early phonic skills and your child’s teacher will be able to explain their levelling system with you, but it is important to read these alongside other books as this will enable children to experience a variety of language.

Abimum of Ula, 8 and Owen, 5

My Experience

Ula and Owen

Need more help?

Visit our advice and resources page on

www.ladybird.com

top picKsVERY fIRST BOOKFirst Focus Cot BookA gorgeous, squishy cot book with simple, high-contrast pictures and patterns that will captivate your newborn. Prop it up next to their changing mat or play gym during the day. It even has a shiny mirror so baby can gaze at himself!

WaLKINg aND TaLKINgToddler Touch First NumbersA brilliant book for your little explorer! With textured numbers, trails to trace, flaps to lift and lots of toddler friendly detail, your little one will love learning to count.

LaNguagE DEVELOPMENTThe Wheels on the Bus A toddler classic! We love this rhyme and Ladybird’s gorgeous board book has a page per verse with peep through holes so you can guess which passenger is coming next. Beep beep!

NEW CHaLLENgES

STaRTINg SCHOOL

LEaRNINg TO REaD

fRIENDSHIP aND PLaY

This Little Potty

Who’d have thought a potty book could be so much fun? Sweet rhymes and big touch and feels, such as a shiny potty and a soft bear, make potty training a giggle andsomething to be proud of!

Topsy and Tim Start School Follow Topsy and Tim on their first day as theydiscover their classroom, pegs, playground, canteen and how much fun school can be! A reassuring read that can help prepare you both for that Big Day.

Ladybird I’m Ready for Phonics App With the help of Captain Comet this fantastic app devised by phonics experts will support your child’s phonics learning. Fun and motivating, with twelve levels to complete, www.appsplayground.com gave it five stars:

“5/5. An excellent app that walks the line between education and entertainment adroitly”

Skullabones AppYo-ho-ho! Let their imaginations sail the seven seas with Captain Cutlass and the Stinkyfish Gang in the latest amazing app from Ladybird. Dress your own pirate, play ‘Pirate Pairs’ and steer the Leaky Tub across the seas to collect treasure.

It's hard to pick favourites, but here are some suggestions of Ladybird books for each age and stage...

Want to read more? Find more books for

each age and stage at www.ladybird.com

top picKsVERY fIRST BOOKFirst Focus Cot BookA gorgeous, squishy cot book with simple, high-contrast pictures and patterns that will captivate your newborn. Prop it up next to their changing mat or play gym during the day. It even has a shiny mirror so baby can gaze at himself!

WaLKINg aND TaLKINgToddler Touch First NumbersA brilliant book for your little explorer! With textured numbers, trails to trace, flaps to lift and lots of toddler friendly detail, your little one will love learning to count.

LaNguagE DEVELOPMENTThe Wheels on the Bus A toddler classic! We love this rhyme and Ladybird’s gorgeous board book has a page per verse with peep through holes so you can guess which passenger is coming next. Beep beep!

NEW CHaLLENgES

STaRTINg SCHOOL

LEaRNINg TO REaD

fRIENDSHIP aND PLaY

This Little Potty

Who’d have thought a potty book could be so much fun? Sweet rhymes and big touch and feels, such as a shiny potty and a soft bear, make potty training a giggle andsomething to be proud of!

Topsy and Tim Start School Follow Topsy and Tim on their first day as theydiscover their classroom, pegs, playground, canteen and how much fun school can be! A reassuring read that can help prepare you both for that Big Day.

Ladybird I’m Ready for Phonics App With the help of Captain Comet this fantastic app devised by phonics experts will support your child’s phonics learning. Fun and motivating, with twelve levels to complete, www.appsplayground.com gave it five stars:

“5/5. An excellent app that walks the line between education and entertainment adroitly”

Skullabones AppYo-ho-ho! Let their imaginations sail the seven seas with Captain Cutlass and the Stinkyfish Gang in the latest amazing app from Ladybird. Dress your own pirate, play ‘Pirate Pairs’ and steer the Leaky Tub across the seas to collect treasure.

It's hard to pick favourites, but here are some suggestions of Ladybird books for each age and stage...

a reading guide from ladybird books containing expert advice on reading with your child

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