The Giant Print Library Fiction for younger readers
Updated: January 2013
Age range: up to 7 years
Any UK member of our library service may borrow up to a maximum of 6 books per service for a 3 month loan period.
Most of the books have been produced by the National Blind Children's Society and are in 24 point type with identical covers to the ordinary print versions of the books.
Please be aware that due to their size, many of the books are split into two or more volumes, and these will have the same covers.
For details on borrowing any of the titles listed or for further information regarding the Giant Print collection please contact Liz Farrell or Hazel Sharrock, Children's Librarians at RNIB National Library Service on 0161 429 1975.
Stories for younger readers
Adams, Georgie
Mellow and the great river rescue. 2011. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Meet the Railway Rabbits! Join this irrepressible rabbit family as they get in and out of scrapes, meet new friends, perform daring rescues, and explore the ancient castle on the hill. But watch out for the wily buzzard, always on the lookout for naughty rabbits who stray too far from home.
Adams, Georgie
The real fairy storybook. 1999. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
It's nearly midnight and there are still a thousand pearls to be sewn on to the Fairy Queen's dress. Eavesdrop on Blossom, the Royal Dressmaker, and her assistants, as they chat to each other and tell their favourite stories.
Adams, Sarah.
Dave & Violet. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Being a dragon is hard when you always scare people away. This is an endearing story about special abilities and friendship.
Ahlberg, Allan
Funnybones. 1999. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
On a dark night in a cosy bed, the big skeleton has a dream. So does the little skeleton. They are both being chased by dinosaurs. But dogs can dream too - and come to the rescue.
Ahlberg, Allan
The pencil. 2009. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
When a pencil draws a rubber, a battle of wits ensues! A pencil draws a boy, a dog, a cat and a whole world for them to play in. Then the pencil draws a brush, and the brush adds colour to everything. Everyone is very happy, until the pencil draws a rubber.
Ahlberg, Allan.
Master Bun the baker's boy. 1988. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Part of the Happy Families series. Each book in this series introduces the learner-reader to the eccentric adventures of a different family. This one concerns Master Bun the baker's boy.
Ahlberg, Allan.
Miss Jump the jockey. 1983. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Part of the Happy Families series. Miss Josie Jump the jockey can't wait to gallop in a race like her mum, her brother and even her grandma, but everyone says she's too young. But then grandma's horse gets a sore throat and Jimmy Jump gets a splinter in his bottom so she might get her chance at last.
Ahlberg, Allan.
Mr Tick the teacher. 1981. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Part of the Happy Families series. Mr Tick loves teaching his six children at their little school. But then they hear news that all small schools must close, so Mr Tick starts teaching some rather unusual lessons - in how to trick stern school inspectors.
Ahlberg, Allan.
Mrs Lather's laundry. 1981. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Part of the Happy Families series. Mrs Lather is getting quite worked up in her laundry. She hates washing socks, she hates washing vests, and she really doesn't much like washing trousers or dresses either. But her job gets rather more difficult when her customers start bringing in more unusual washing loads.
Ahlberg, Allan.
Mrs Plug the Plumber. 1983. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Whenever a plumber is needed in the town, people call for Mrs Plug. And wherever she goes, Mr Plug and the baby Plugs go too. Then one night she uses her plumbing tools to save a rich man from a robber and the family end up setting sail on their biggest plumbing adventure ever!
Ahlberg, Allan.
Previously. 2007. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Do you know what Jack was doing before he climbed the beanstalk? Or what Jack and Jill were arguing about before they went up the hill? This book helps you find out what your favourite storybook characters were up to previously!
Ahlberg, Janet.
Each peach pear plum. 1989. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Familiar nursery-rhyme characters such as Mother Hubbard and Baby Bunting sneak their way into the gentle drawings. Even young children can find them lurking in the cupboard, on the stairs or deep in the woods.
Ahlberg, Janet
Peepo! 1981.Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Peepo! has so many elements guaranteed to appeal to young children - rhyme, repetition and the inclusion of every day objectives.
Armitage, Ronda.
The lighthouse keeper's lunch. 1977. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Every day, Mr Grinling the lighthouse keeper cleans and polishes his light to make sure it shines brightly at night. At lunchtime he tucks into a delicious and well-deserved lunch, prepared by his wife. But Mr Grinling isn't the only one who enjoys the tasty food. Will Mrs Grinling think of a way to stop the greedy seagulls from stealing the lighthouse keeper's lunch?
Awdry, W.
James the red engine. 1948. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A story about James, the red Engine, and friend of Thomas.
Awdry, W.
Percy the small engine. 1956. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A story about Percy, the small green Engine, and friend of Thomas.
Awdry, W.
Thomas. 2003. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A story about Thomas the Tank Engine.
Awdry, Christopher.
Thomas and the pony show. 1997.Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Thomas the Tank Engine often sees Becky riding her pony as he puffs past the farm where she lives. He wants to watch her taking part in the pony show, but his driver says they will be too busy. The Fat controller gives Thomas a very special job to do and his wish comes true!
Baker-Smith, Grahame.
Farther. 2010. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
'My father's house was safe and rooted in the rock. But inside he dreamed of air and light...' Step into an incredible world, where dreams passed from father to son make anything possible.
Barklem, Jill
Spring story. 1980. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A Brambly Hedge story. Wilfred woke early. It was his birthday. He had lots of lovely presents, but the best one was a surprise. Mr Apple had organised a secret celebration picnic and all the mice of Brambly Hedge were invited. When they arrived, Wilfred was allowed to open up the hamper to reveal a treat.
Barklem, Jill
Summer story. 1980. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
A Brambly Hedge story. It was such a hot summer. The sky was deep blue and the sun never faltered. All along Brambly Hedge, the mice did their best to keep cool. Dusty and Poppy spent more and more time together, so no one was at all surprised when they announced their engagement. They decided on a very unusual setting for the wedding ceremony, but even they didn't realise just how unusual it would prove to be!
Baxter, Nicola.
Goldilocks and the three bears. 1999. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Follow the naughty Goldilocks into the house of the three bears, and see what happens when they come home and find her!
Baxter, Nicola.
The three little pigs. 1999. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Join the three little pigs as they set off to see the world, build their houses and encounter the big, bad wolf.
Bee, William.
Beware of the frog. 2009. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Mrs Collywobbles has nothing to fear from the strange and fearsome visitors that emerge from the big, dark, scary wood - not with her pet frog guarding the garden gate. Gobble! They don't hang around for long! But when Mrs Collywobbles' frog demands a thank-you kiss, things suddenly take a surprising turn.
Bell, Juliet Clare.
Don't panic, Annika! 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Annika always panics. She panics when her coat zip gets stuck on the way to a party. She panics when she can't find her favourite toy at bedtime. Her mum, dad and brother try to help her learn how to stay calm and think her way through a problem.
Blake, Jon.
You're a hero, Daley B! 1994. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Daley B's life is so full of questions, such as What is he? And Where should he live? But what he really wants to know is why are his feet so big? He doesn't have to wait long as mean Jazzy D seems to know the answer.
Blake, Quentin
Clown. 1995. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Clown finds himself thrown head-first into a dustbin with an assortment of other discarded toys. Bravely he takes charge of his fate and goes off in search of help - and a new home.
Blake, Quentin
Mister Magnolia. 2004. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Mister Magnolia has only one boot-he has an old trumpet, two sisters, a pond, green parakeets; he's a juggler, a general, the owner of a dinosaur. But only one boot, until a wonderful parcel arrives with the most glamorous boot you ever saw.
Bond, Michael.
Paddington at the zoo. 1984. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
When Paddington hears that he his going to visit the zoo he is very excited and makes 6 marmalade sandwiches to take with him in honour of the occasion.
Bond, Michael.
Paddington goes for gold. 2012. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
This picture book features Paddington, the classic bear from Darkest Peru, as he takes part in a local family sports event, with hilarious results!
Bond, Michael.
Paddington rules the waves. 1984. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
When Paddington Bear goes to the beach, nothing goes quiteaccording to plan! Especially when, one by one, he is joined by ten hungry seagulls. Will Paddington's lunchtime snack be safe? Paddington rules the waves in this funny counting book!
Bouchard, Andre.
Daddy lost his head. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
What would you do if your daddy lost his head? Make him a new one of course! All you need is some old newspapers, paint and a potato for his nose. It turns out there are lots of advantages to having a dad with no head: he doesn't shout or snore, he always agrees with you, & he loves doing the hoovering. But will Daddy ever find his real head?
Bradman, Tony
The Frankenstein teacher. 1998.Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Class F are given a very unusual teacher - Frankenstein's monster! But although he looks very scary, he has a very big heart, and the class learn to see the real person beneath the scary appearance.
Bradman, Tony.
In a minute. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Jo is eager to get to the playground in the park with her friend Sita and Patch the dog. But Mum and Dad take so long she thinks they'll never get there. When they finally arrive they are terribly disappointed - until Patch makes a fantastic discovery.
Bradman, Tony.
The magnificent mummies. 2004. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
When Sir Digby Digger shows up at the Mummy Family's pyramid, their routine day becomes an adventure as they help the archaeologist find new transportation and then need his help to free a stuck whale.
Bradman, Tony (Editor)
Pirate stories. 1999. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
There are parrots, planks and eye patches aplenty in this treasure chest of pirate tales. Included are stories by Joan Aiken, J.M. Barrie, Colin McNaughton, Margaret Mahy, Arthur Ransome, Tony Robinson and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Breslin, Theresa
Cold spell. 2007. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Part of The magic factory series. Midden the Messy Witch and her team of helpers run the famous magic factory in StarlingCastle. The King and Queen of Winter have a problem - their son and heir, Prince Icicle, doesn't like the cold! Can Midden help, or will winter have to be warmed up?
Briggs, Raymond.
The snowman. 1980, c1978. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
The story of a small boy's friendship with a snowman and their flight together over the sparkling winter landscape. Please note there is no text in this book.
Brown, Margaret Wise
Goodnight moon. 1991. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
This classic bedtime story is the perfect first book to share with a child.
Browne, Anthony
Gorilla. 2008. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Hannah loves gorillas but has never seen one. Her father's too busy to take her to the zoo. For her birthday, Hannah asks her father for a gorilla - but is disappointed when she discovers that the gorilla she's got is just a toy one… Or is it?
Browne, Anthony
Silly Billy. 2007. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Billy worries about everything. Most of all, he worries about staying at other people's houses. His mum and dad try to help, but still Billy worries... until a visit to his grandma's shows him how to overcome his fears with the aid of his imagination - and some tiny worry dolls.
Browne, Anthony.
Through the magic mirror. 1976. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Toby is fed up. Fed up with books, fed up with toys, fed up with everything. But when he walks through the magic mirror, things are amazingly different. Toby can hardly believe his eyes!
Browne, Anthony.
Zoo. 1994. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Dad, mum and two brothers spend a day at the zoo, looking at the animals in the cages - or is it the animals that are looking at them?
Browne, Eileen.
Handa's surprise. 1994. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Set in Africa, this picture book is about a girl's eventful journey with a basket of fruit. She wonders which of the fruit her friends will like best…
Burningham, John.
Avocado baby. 1982. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
The weedy Hargraves are amazed by what happens when their new baby eats an avocado. It grows as strong as an ox - tackling burglars, carrying the shopping and even keeping nasty bullies at bay!
Burningham, John
Mr Gumpy's outing. 1990. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
One day, Mr Gumpy decides to take a trip along the river in his boat, but the children, the rabbit, the cat, the pig and a whole host of friends decide to join him. Everyone's having a lovely time, then the boat starts to rock…
Bussell, Darcey.
The magic dance. 2010. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Holly must find someone special to hand the magic ballet shoes to - could Jade the street dancing girl be the one?
Butler, Steven.
The wrong pong. 2011. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
One night, Neville Brisket wakes up from a strange dream - a dream that there was a horrible, stumpy finger stuck up his nose. Then he finds his room in a mess, and his dog in the laundry basket. Neville goes to investigate - but then he is whooshed down the toilet to the land of Under!
Butterworth, Nick.
Tiger in the snow! 2007. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
It isn't hard for Tiger to find someone to play with! But one day, when everything is covered in a chilly white blanket of snow, Tiger's friends are too cold or too busy to go out and he has to play by himself. Until he finds something very unusual buried in the snow!
Byrne, Richard.
Millicent and Meer. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
One day, Millicent is busy making sandcastles in her garden when, THUMP, a big wooden box lands beside her. Inside, Millicent finds the most unexpected new friend. Who can he be and where has he come from?
Carle, Eric.
The artist who painted a blue horse. 2011. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
Filled with some of the most magnificently colourful animals of Eric Carle's career, this is a book that celebrates imagination and the artist within us all.
Carle, Eric
The bad-tempered ladybird. 1977. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
The bad-tempered ladybird picks fights with every animal he meets, but soon learns the importance of friends and turns into a far nicer, happier bug.
Carle, Eric.
The very busy spider.1988. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
A busy spider spins her web all day long, even though a number of animals try to distract her from her task.
Carle, Eric.
The very hungry caterpillar. 1969. Suggested reading age 0-4. 1v.
A newly hatched caterpillar eats his way through all kinds of food.
Cassidy, Anne
The crying princess. 2000. Suggested reading age 5+. 1v.
Princess Alice just won't stop crying. She cries all day and all night, too. The Queen has to put cotton wool in her ears. Then, one day, the King has an idea.