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25 Before 5: three
If Shakespeare were alive today, what’s the bet he’d be reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! to little Hamnet? In celebration of all that’s divine about the art of storytelling, here are 25 great books we consider worthy of the under-5s canon.
photographed by ian macpherson
text by elizabeth bentley

5 great books for children under three.
The Foggy Foggy Forest
Using silhouettes and translucent pages, author Nick Sharratt invites us to guess what’s happening in the foggy forest? Funny fairytale characters are revealed as the fog is lifted with each turn of the page.
Nick Sharratt, (Walker Books) A$25.99.
Olivia
Everyone’s favourite overachieving piglet in her debut book. Olivia is hilariously dramatic and unusually gifted at building sandcastles. Ian Falconer’s utterly endearing illustrations make this a must-have for any library.
Ian Falconer, (Atheneum Books) A$12.95.
How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
Even naughty dinosaurs have parents who love them. Toddlers (and parents) learning how to deal with their emotions in familiar scenarios will appreciate the entertaining spreads and big, childlike characters.
Jane Yolen, (HarperCollins) A$19.99.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
How many creative ways can a pigeon come up with to get what he wants? Mo Willems artful and funny style reveals the very nature of the wily toddler in all his feather-flying glory.
Mo Willems, (Walker Books) A$29.95.
Elmer
Celebrate the joys of individuality in this sweet tale about Elmer, the cheery, colourful, patchwork elephant.
David McKee, (Andersen Press) A$14.95.
All titles featured are available at kinokuniya.com
MORE 25 BEFORE 5
One
Two
Four
Five
