Winner:GOLD - Best Baby Book 0-2 Years
Who:Jo & Nic’s Crinkly Cloth Books
What:Nursery Times Newspapers for Babies
Why:
These beautifully designed six-page cloth Newspapers, with their safe, satisfying crinkle, are guaranteed to make an impression. Available in a huge range of titles, there’s something to delight little ones from newborn until three to four years. Flowers and the Bee introduces children to flowers, colours and the vital role of bees through bright illustrations, simple rhyming text and wonderfully tactile crinkly pages. Cleverly designed to make learning feel like play, it encourages sensory exploration, early learning and fine motor skills. Lightweight, washable and perfectly sized for little hands, these charming newspapers are made to be enjoyed, loved and passed on. Beautifully presented in a card envelope, our judges also felt they would make a brilliant ready-to-post gift.
"This is absolutely gorgeous. I can’t stop picturing my baby “reading” it at home while we all enjoy reading time together with her older siblings. I love the way it brings back the nostalgia of the lost art of reading a newspaper, reimagined as a modern, beautifully designed sensory toy. It’s such a thoughtful way to encourage a love of books and reading from an early age."
"This not only looks fantastic with its bright, colourful, eye-popping design; it's also visually stimulating to parents! Tres chic! The crinkle feel and sound will be so appealing to young babies and it's super easy to carry around and shove in a bag without worrying if it will get damaged."
"Will never get over the simple but genius concept of a miniature newspaper for babies that doubles up as a satisfying sensory toy!"
Winner:JOINT SILVER - Best Baby Book 0-2 Years
Who:DK Children's
What:Pop-Up Peekaboo! Seashore
Why:
Little ones will love lifting the big flaps to discover five delightful surprises, from a scuttling crab and playful seal pup to an octopus hiding in a rock pool. The engaging rhymes and evocative pop-up scenes make each page a joyful surprise, encouraging curiosity, interaction and early literacy. Our judges agreed that this is a brilliantly designed first pop-up book for babies and toddlers, combining the much-loved game of peekaboo with a gentle introduction to seashore habitats and animal life. Sturdy flaps and robust mechanisms are made for little hands, while every reveal encourages children to look, guess, discover and join in.
"The bright, high-contrast illustrations really bring the seashore to life, helping young children connect the world on the page with the world around them."
"A wonderfully tactile, interactive book that turns story time into a game of discovery."
"A beautifully designed interactive book that perfectly balances fun and learning. The engaging pop-ups would capture my children’s curiosity while encouraging a love of books and shared reading from an early age.”
Winner:JOINT SILVER - Best Baby Book 0-2 Years
Who:Nosy Crow
What:Fairy Trails: Jack and the Beanstalk
Why:
The classic fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk is given an imaginative interactive twist in this beautiful board book, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan. Sliding counters on every page invite little ones to join Jack on his adventure and help bring the story to life. Our judges loved the way this book puts little readers at the heart of the story. They can guide Jack along the right path, climb the beanstalk, gather treasure and help him escape the giant – all through simple, engaging actions – a wonderful first fairytale for babies and toddlers.
"A great adaptation of the classic story using sliding counters that encourage fine motor skills, concentration and hand-eye coordination. A great multifunctional interactive book for little ones."
"My children absolutely love books with interactive sliding pieces, and they always keep them engaged. We’ve had several similar books over the years, and Jack and the Beanstalk is a wonderful story to add to the collection… it’s lovely to see this classic tale brought to life in such an engaging and interactive way."
"I absolutely love the nostalgic illustrations and interactive pages. The perfect way to bring this quirky, magical story to life for little ones."
Winner:BRONZE - Best Baby Book 0-2 Years
Who:The Quarto Group
What:Ask Me About: Farm, A playbook with flaps and a decider slider
Why:
With bright graphic illustrations by Susie Hammer and a clever interactive slider and lift-the-flaps, our judges felt that this is a board book that really gets little ones involved. Children can spot the Quizzy Bean characters, make choices, share what they know and discover a surprise or two along the way, all while building confidence in expressing their knowledge and preferences. The JDA panel agreed that this is a brilliantly engaging, multi-sensory board book that makes every child an active part of the reading experience.
"I really like the way this book makes reading feel fun and interactive. A great addition to the nursery bookshelf."
"Very well designed with attractive colours for toddlers…"
"Bright, colourful and super engaging for little ones! I especially love the decider-slider which is a really unique and fun mechanism which gets kids really engaged."
