1. Old Bear by Jane Hissey
‘Old Bear has been up in the attic for a very long time, but he hasn’t been forgotten. Bramwell Brown leads the toys on a rescue mission to bring their friend, Old Bear, safely back home.’
This is a delightfully charming tale, which leaves you feeling warm and content. It is slower paced than many more modern stories, but this only adds to its charm. The book is beautifully illustrated, easy to read and promotes positive messages for children such as, persistence, problem solving, belonging and the power of friendship.
This book is definitely one to read to your class, especially if you are studying the topic of toys.
Want to get a copy of this book? You can get it via Amazon here.
2. Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough
‘Eddy's lost his teddy, Freddy. So off he goes to the dark wood to find him. But in the wood is dark and horrible and little Eddy is in for a gigantic surprise!’
This is an engaging rhyming-picture book. The story is simple and quite short, but is easy to read and fun. Although the language used is quite simple and possibly aimed at younger children, the use of lots of different words which all rhyme could be used as a basis for an English lesson in school.
Find this book on Amazon here.
3. Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley
‘Stanley’s stick is ordinary but it can be anything from a rocket to a dinosaur!’
This is a lovely story about a child using his imagination. The book really captures how much fun someone can have with an object as simple as a stick, and I think could lead nicely into class discussions about creativity and to show the class how perhaps simple toys could be the best.
Have a look at this book on Amazon here.
4. Threadbear by Mick Inkpen
‘There is one thing that has always been wrong with Threadbear. In his tummy is a squeaker that has never squeaked.’
This is a sweet story showing that dreams can come true. A nice one to read together especially in the lead up to Christmas. The book is well written and uses some great descriptive language which really brings it to life.
Find this book on Amazon here.
5. Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
‘Trixie, Daddy and Knuffle Bunny go on a trip to the local Laundromat. But their exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realises somebunny has been left behind…’
Anybody who has had a favourite, special toy and lost them will be able to relate to this story. It is short, simple and uses some American terms, but is lovely little story. The artwork in it is interesting and different from most other books, being a combination of photographs and illustration.
Check out this book on Amazon here.
6. The Everywhere Bear by Julia Donaldson
‘The Everywhere Bear has a wonderful time with Class One. Each weekend he goes home with one of his classmates until, one day, he falls from a backpack and has a very big adventure all on his own!’
This is an exciting story of the adventures of a bear. It is a well-written tale in lovely rhyming language, making it very easy to read. Perfect for school children who have (or are thinking about getting) a class toy to take home with them.
Get this book on Amazon here.
7. Traction Man is Here by Mini Grey
‘With an action outfit for every occasion, he patrols the house saving toys, guarding toast, searching for lost wrecks and rescuing damsels in distress. Our hero is ready for anything…or is he?’
The is a bizarre but funny story of the adventures of the toy Traction Man. It gives an insight into what the life of a well-meaning hero toy could be. It is fast paced and exciting and the illustrations are full, so there will always be something new to notice about the book.
Have a look at this book on Amazon here.
8. Kipper’s Toybox by Mick Inkpen
‘Kipper is worried. Someone or something has been nibbling a hole in his toybox. What on earth can it be? And are his toys safe?’
A very enjoyable story to read together as a class. It is an adorable book with a gentle feel, which I find refreshing compared to many stories. Has elements of counting in it so could be linked to Maths as well as to the toy topic.
Find this book on Amazon here.
9. Toys in Space by Mini Grey
‘What happens when you leave your toys out in the garden at night? They get beamed up into space, that’s what!’
This is a book with a story within a story. It is engaging and unpredictable and is sure to keep the class amused. The story covers the importance of doing the right thing, and of course has a happy ending. The speech bubbles by the toys add a funny and interesting dimension to the story.
Have a look at this book on Amazon here.
10. Little Teddy Left Behind by Anne Mangan and Joanne Moss
‘Little Teddy wakes up one morning to find that Jack and Nicola, his owners, have moved away and forgotten to take him. So begins an incredible series of adventures for Little Teddy. Will he ever find Jack and Nicola again?’
A very sweet and heart-warming tale of a little teddy finding his way home. The story is exciting without being too fast paced and has a good flow to it and is well-written. The illustrations are beautiful and realistic. This story is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who reads it.
Want this book? You can get it on Amazon here.
11. Christmas in the Toyshop by Enid Blyton
‘It's Christmas in the toyshop and the toys learn that they are going to be by themselves for four whole days. At first everyone is gloomy. Them someone suggests that they have a party with a Christmas tree, presents for everyone, and, who knows, maybe even a visit from Santa Claus.’
This is a charming story of toys at Christmas time. Both the storyline and the language could be viewed as old-fashioned by today’s standards, but it is a lovely story about giving. This book is great to read to a class to compare with more modern stories and would be a lovely way to tie in the toy topic with the festive time of year.
To see more about this book, including a video reading of the book please have a look at our specific Christmas in the Toyshop article.
12. The Bears’ Seaside Adventure by Prue Theobalds
‘A family of Merrythought bears from Ironbridge enjoy a seaside holiday with some of Prue’s bears and are soon caught up in an adventure involving a kite designed by Theo’
A delightful tale about a about teddy bears at the seaside. It is well-written and introduces children to some different toys that the children may not be as familiar with. It is also a lovely way to transition between Toy and Seaside topics for schools that may be studying both.
13. Noddy goes to Toyland by Enid Blyton
‘The first book about Noddy, the little wooden man with the nodding head – how the children will love him.’
In the first story of the series we meet Noddy and learn all about his move to Toyland. Children will be introduced to a range of toys in this exciting story of friendship. The story can also be used to raise the question ‘What is a toy?’
You can pick up a copy of this book on Amazon here.
14. Winnie The Pooh by A.A. Milne
‘Winnie-the-Pooh may be a bear of very little brain, but thanks to his friends Piglet, Eeyore and, of course, Christopher Robin, he’s never far from an adventure.’
Our list of stories about toys would not be complete without mentioning the nation’s favourite teddy bear. The original story was written as a chapter book which could be read gradually to a class, alternatively the story has been split up and rewritten numerous times to provide shorter stories about the adventures of Winnie the Pooh, each one as delightful and exciting as the next.
15. Lost in the Toy Museum by David Lucas
‘The Lights are out. The visitors are gone. Bunting wants the toys to behave- but they want to play. When they run off and hide, it’s time for an adventure…’
This is a magical adventure through a toy museum where a sensible old toy learns how to have some fun. It is easy to read and is definitely a story that every class will love to read. Plus the first page introduces you to all the toy characters, which could be a great way to get the children to look at some different types of toy.
Grab your copy of the book on Amazon here.
16. Rupert and the Magic Toy Man by Mary Tourtel
This is a story about a bear named Rupert and an adventure where he meets a Magic Toy Man. The story was originally written in the 1970s but was republished during the 1970s. The book is written in rhyme and is on the longer side, but as there is an image on every page the story can be read relatively quickly. The story is an exciting adventure and could be used as cautionary tale about strangers.
17. The Toymaker by Martin Waddell
‘Told in two parts, this is the story of a toymaker, Matthew, and the dolls he makes for Mary, his daughter, who is not strong enough to play in the street with the other children. Many years later, Mary returns to the toyshop with her granddaughter and makes some surprising discoveries’
This is wonderful, sweet, tear-jerking story with a lovely message of love and growing old. The illustrations are beautiful and show a wonderful array of different toys which could be looked at and discussed.
Have a look at this book on Amazon here.
18. Elmer and the Lost Teddy by David McKee
‘When Baby Elephant loses his teddy, Elmer comes to the rescue!’
This is a short and simple story about finding a lost toy. It’s a bit of fun based around the famous patchwork elephant. The illustrations are brightly coloured, a lovely story for adding into your toy topic.
Find a copy of this book on Amazon here.
19. I’ve lost my teddy! By Barbara Mossmann
‘Where is Lola’s Teddy? Everyone is looking for him, but they can’t find him anywhere. To cheer Lola up they play lots of games. But Lola won’t be happy until she finds her bear.’
A simple, fun story about a monkey who looses her teddy and how her family try to make her feel better.
Look up this book on Amazon here.
20. The Dolls’ Tea Party by Juliet Bawden
‘When Lucinda decides to hold a tea party in the doll’s house, all the dolls are invited – even the naughty Violet Louise! It seems nothing can go wrong…But anything can happen when Violet Louise is around.’
This is a quaint little story which incorporates the concept of a Victorian Tea Party with toys. It is a fairly gentle story compared with stories written today and each page has a photographic image of the dolls at the tea party, which is a lovely and original touch.
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