> Skip to content

Article  •  12 May 2016

 

Mem’s preschool picks

Mem Fox selects eight must-have books for preschoolers.

She’s the bestselling author of Where is the Green Sheep?, Possum Magic and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, among many others. So we were keen to find out what Mem Fox recommends as must-have classics for children aged from birth to four. Here’s what she offered up...

  1. Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg
  2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin Jr
  3. Where’s Spot? By Eric Hill
  4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  5. Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Diary by Lynley Dodd
  6. Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen
  7. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
  8. The Elephant and the Bad Baby by Elfrida Vipont

More features

See all
Article
Easy costume hacks for Book Week 2021

Bluey masks, Roald Dahl favourites, Friday Barnes, Ginger Meggs and more.

Article
Australia’s top 10 kids’ books of 2020

Here are some of the best selling books of the year.

Article
Let us tell you a story

Australian authors and personalities read some of our favourite picture books.

Article
Mem Fox on becoming a grandparent

Australia's most loved children's author Mem Fox reflects on becoming a grandparent for the first time.

Activity
A new colouring in page every day!

Parents: Click here for 10 minutes of peace. (You're welcome).

News
Meet Mem Fox: learnings from a lifetime of stories

Australia's number one picture book author releases The Tiny Star, a moving story about the journey of life.

Article
Penguin Fantasy Fest is returning for 2026!

Penguin Fantasy Fest is coming to Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Meet the authors, get exclusive sneak peeks and more – this is an event not to be missed!

Article
Are We There Yet?

Fun road trip games and books to keep little kids happy!

Article
QUIZ: Which character are you from Beth Is Dead?

Take this quiz to find out whether you're a Beth, Amy, Jo or Meg!

Article
How to go analog

Join the analogue movement! Check out four key tips for the best screen free hobbies, from colouring in to starting a book club.

Article
Your questions answered – what to know about People We Meet on Vacation book and film

The film adaptation of Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation is fast approaching it’s January release. The film follows Poppy and Alex over 12 summers as their relationship transforms from enemies, to friends, to… you’ll have to wait and see.

Article
The best books of 2025

Check out some of the best books of 2025. How many have you read?

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image