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Childrens books - top 10 best books - 18 months to 3 years

Reading to babies and pre-schoolers plays a crucial part in developing their language and literacy skills. But with so many books on the market, finding something that will be a hit with your children can prove a bewildering and frustrating experience.

To help first-time parents navigate the aisles of bookshops and libraries, we have asked a professional book reviews to compile a "classic ten" list of books for three age categories. Bear in mind that individual children develop at varying rates and also, of course, differ in their interests. However, the books below - some classics that have survived generations and some more recent titles - have all got a special quality that should give pleasure to children and parents alike. Enjoy!

Your local specialist children's bookshop will also be able to help with invaluable recommendations for books to suit your child's age and interests.

The top 10 best books for kids in the age group from 18 months - 3 years. Classic children's books that no childhood should be without.

The books in this list are in no particular order.

	Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd Hairy Maclary, a loveable, scruffy black dog, is joined by a procession of canine neighbours, and together they go exploring. The simple but inventive rhymes and the repetition will have children engrossed in the story, while adult readers will love giving each dog (with names like Schnitzel von Krumm and Muffin McLay) their own accent and personality.
	Peepo by Allan and Janet Ahlberg Here's a little baby, one, two, three, look through the peep-hole, what does he see? There are hours of entertainment in this classic, as children absorb the detail in the nostalgic illustrations.
	The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler It is hard to choose which of Julia Donaldson's books to include, but The Gruffalo is hard to beat. The imaginative and rhythmic verses are fun to read aloud, while the story, with its moral that brain can beat brawn, retains its appeal no matter how many times you read it. Axel Scheffler's illustrations offer a beautiful accompaniment to the text. The clever sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, is also a winner.
	Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson This story is a great one to read to children who are dealing with separation anxiety. The three owl babies wake in the middle of the night to find their mother gone. They ponder where she might be, but become increasingly concerned, particularly Bill, the smallest, who bleats "I want my mummy!" throughout the tale. The ending, however, leaves children reassured that their loved ones will always come back.
	Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan and Janet Ahlberg Another classic by this husband and wife team, Each Peach Pear Plum weaves together some of the best-known characters from traditional fairy tales. Use of rhyme and repetition, and clues in the pictures, make it easy for young readers to join in.
	Mr McGee by Pamela Allen Mr McGee lives under a tree, and that's not the only unusual thing about him. Pamela Allen has written over thirty picture books in two decades - this is just one of her books to be cherished
	Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak The night Max wore his wolfsuit, he embarked on a wild adventure to a land of fearsome yet somehow friendly creatures. In the end, though, there's no place like home. This story flows beautifully as Sendak's sentences run on from page to page, and the pictures, particularly of the monsters engaged in their wild rumpus, are glorious.
	Magic Beach by Alison Lester Lester's beautiful illustrations will charm young readers, as they seek out familiar characters on each page - the dog, the girl with the watermelon hat, and the bespectacled boy. The accompanying text is imaginative, engaging, and fun to read.
	I Want My Potty by Tony Ross One of a number of Tony Ross stories dealing with manners and social skills, this royal potty saga is bound to prompt a few giggles. Even princesses need to go through toilet training...and even princesses have accidents.
	There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards, illustrated by Deborah Niland Hazel Edwards has a wonderful ability to write from a child's point of view. Most young readers will empathise with the narrator, whose hippo on the roof can do all sorts of things she is not allowed to herself.

The information on this page has been contributed by Carolyn Batt. Carolyn is a former staff journalist with The Age in Melbourne and The Daily Telegraph in London, and now writes on a freelance basis for publications in Europe, the US and Australia.