Ten brilliant bedtime reads for your kids, chosen by Sarah Webb

In the second of our new five-part series, the award-winning author looks at some of the great new children’s books – including many Irish titles – that can help entertain curious minds or, in this case, help them on their way to sleep

Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope and Fiona Woodcock

Sarah Webb

There’s nothing better than reading to a child at bedtime. It calms them down after a busy day and it’s also soothing for the parent or carer. Here are some new favourites, picture books that both children and their grown-ups will love, books that will withstand multiple ‘Again, again!’ readings.

by Sarah Tagholm and Jane McGuinness (Bloomsbury) The first time I read this picture book I laughed out loud. One minute a tiny tadpole is floating about with his fellow jelly-clad friends, and the next thing, bang! He’s got a tail, and even more shocks are in store once he develops legs. The text sparkles with energy, and the illustrations perfectly capture the little tadpole’s surprising journey. Grab a child who likes to giggle and read it to them — you won’t regret it. Age 3+