THE BEAUTIFUL ONE
Pick a Perfect Egg by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
This Easter treat from Patricia Toht tells the story of the most wholesome egg hunt you ever did see. With colourful bunting, spring blossoms and hand-dyed egg decorations, the excitement builds towards the final crescendo of a chocolate-filled feast. Full of families of all kinds having fun on a communal green, this story celebrates inclusivity and the joy of coming together as a community.
THE LAUGH OUT LOUD ONE
Hot Cross Bunny by Carys Bexington, illustrated by Mark Chambers
Heavy-browed bunny, Steve and his laidback sidekick, Nugget the chicken, haven’t grown any eggs for the annual Easter Egg hunt; will determination, and a little luck, win through? Author Carys Bexington, (of ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ book-then-movie fame), captures the 0-100 mile per hour rate at which a child can go from defeatist to ‘ruler of the World’ and all the emotions in-between. With egg-cellent puns along the way, you’ll be enraptured by the rhymes from the start and we can see this being a book that kids return to time and time again.
THE TRENDING ONE
Happy Easter from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
If you have school-aged children, you will more than likely be familiar with Drew Daywalt’s ‘Crayons’ series. His bestselling stories are highly amusing, while tapping into topics of emotional wellbeing, (and we admit it, we LOVE doing the different crayon voices), but this Easter offering is more of a tale of teamwork and creativity. Drew is known for writing ‘smart stories for smart little people’, but to be honest, any story with a confident green crayon called Esteban, gets an instant ‘yes’ from us.
THE ONE THEY WILL CHOOSE EVERY NIGHT
101 Bunny Bums by Sam Harper, illustrated by Chris Jevons
Aside from ‘treats’, the one thing that will always guarantee a raucously positive response from our own children is bums. And with that in mind, this is the book we wish we had written! From ‘tweeting, bleating bums’, to ‘floral, choral’ bums, author Sam Harper manages to make animal bottoms Easter-themed in the most fascinating way. The cute and captivating illustrations teamed with a seemingly random, yet expertly plucked range of exciting and unusual words, holds kids’ attention while expanding their vocabulary.
THE ONE FOR LITTLE CHICKS
That’s not my Easter Egg! by Fiona Watt, illustrated by Rachel Wells
Often one of the first books bought for babies and enjoyed for their bright illustrations and touch sensations, the now iconic, ‘That’s Not My…’ series from Usborne, holds a special place in many hearts. What better, then, for the newest chicks on the block, than this first introduction to the sweet and shiny world of Easter? Did you know that Fiona Watt, writer of the ‘That’s Not My’ series is the sixth biggest-selling UK children’s author? We’re not surprised.
THE CLASSIC EGG HUNT
Peter’s Easter Slide-and-Seek by Beatrix Potter, illustrated by Eleanor Taylor
Is there anything more exciting than an Easter Egg hunt? Especially one in say, a woodland filled with flowers, on a sunny day? The added magic ingredient in this game is that the players are all characters from the world of Peter Rabbit – hello Squirrel Nutkin and Jemima Puddleduck! The chunky slide mechanisms on every page, mean plenty of fun interaction – a guaranteed tale to treasure, year after year.
THE MYSTERY CHAPTER ONE
Death by Chocolate by Anna Brooke
Remember saying you were going to bed and sneaking under the covers with your favourite book and a torch? ‘Death by Chocolate’ brings back vivid memories of hiding out with a good old-fashioned mystery. Set in a struggling French Hotel, little Coco Bean teams up with Monsieur Framboise – the resident chocolatier ghost – to rustle up delicacies in the secret chocolate workshop and save the day before Easter. It’s a ‘fantastique’ way to introduce children to the world of French ‘chocolat’, and the fast-paced storyline will keep their nose glued to the book.
THE ‘NON-EASTER EGG’ EGG ONE
Crack! by Beatriz Gimenez de Ory, illustrated by Paloma Valdivia
Eggs come in all shapes and sizes, and for the non-chocolate Easter egg eater, or animal lover, in your brood, Crack! is a cracking choice. The old ‘turn the page to reveal’, is made magic with the eggs of various animals gradually sliding away to reveal what hatches from within. From teal emu to octopus pod and pouch-carrying Echidna eggs, we love this step away from the traditional farmyard to animals in more far-flung lands. A book to delight children and grownups.
THE ONE ABOUT SHARING
There’s a Bunny in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Dynamo
Oh, how we love the adventures of Monster in the laugh-along series by author (and member of band McFly) Tom Fletcher. Following the instructions, readers can bounce this book to ‘cheer bunny up’, use a finger to ‘draw a fence’ and spin the book round to ‘turn on the hose’ – genius! Designed to raise a smile and promote interaction, it also invites valuable discussion about sharing; a timeless lesson, but one that will come in most useful for any children (particularly those with siblings) at Easter time…
THE NEW CLASSIC ONE
Five Little Easter Bunnies board book by Martha Mumford, illustrated by Sarah Jennings
‘The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill’ are big time celebrities, with ‘We’re Going on an Egg Hunt’ celebrating 10 years in 2026 and ‘Hop Little Bunnies’ at over 3 million copies sold. If these titles are well-thumbed on your bookshelf, this new Easter rhyming adventure is sure to be a hit. Help the bunnies find five delicious eggs behind the flaps on each page with bunting and treats galore along the way.
THE ONE FOR CHOCOLATE FIENDS
Amelia Cheeseheart Investigates – Chocolate Cheat! By Cat Weldon, illustrated by Nene Lonergan
All the chocolate in the museum has been stolen – sounds like a case for the brave, bold, pilot mouse Amelia Cheeseheart, and her best friend, banana-loving Webster! Following a comic book story layout, the intrepid pair discover a giant chocolate statue and a force to be reckoned with. Comic style books are back in fashion (hooray!) and Amelia’s adventure combines the trend with a slice of Aztec history, chocolate facts and a whole lot of fun – perfect for Easter chocolate fiends.
THE EASTER STORY
Heaven’s Big Secret by Karen Langtree, illustrated by Natalia Moore
Two curious little angels are perched atop a cloud, wondering what all the big angels are whispering about. Flying down to Earth they discover a donkey preparing for a special journey with Jesus. Asking all the questions that a little reader might, angels Alia and Alfie discuss the characters they come across and the emotions they feel. This is a very gentle introduction to the Christian celebration of Easter, perfect for families who are keen to talk to children about this origin story in a beautifully sensitive way.
THE ONE FOR THOSE WHO WANT A REAL BUNNY
The Missing Bunny by Holly Webb, illustrated by Antonia Woodward
Do you even have a school-aged child if you haven’t been asked for a pet yet? The Missing Bunny is a gripping story of pet ownership, following Annie’s journey from pester power to finding her bunny best friend, Humbug, via lessons of responsibility, consequence and problem solving. Pocket-sized, ideal for a basket, and perfect for anyone thinking of investing in an Easter bunny.
THE NOSTALGIC ONE
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Easter Hide & Seek by Eric Carle
Did you know The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been translated into 70 languages and sold over 55 million copies? No wonder we are so drawn to the familiar, colourful collage-style illustration of Eric Carle’s ‘Easter Hide and Seek’ tale with its shiny golden egg cover. With double flaps on every page turned, everything about this book feels ‘classic’ from the farm setting to the flowers, bunnies and gingham tablecloth – and even the well-stuffed, Easter-egg-filled caterpillar, at the end!
THE ALTERNATIVE HUNT ONE
We’re Going on a Book Hunt by Goldie Hawk, illustrated by Angie Rozelaar
‘Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go around it. Got to go through it!’ Familiar words, from the famous ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, but here, pictured through a playground, a café, a fountain, and eventually, a library, where the mini adventurers find their perfect books for a snuggly story time. The repetition will encourage little readers to join in with the sounds and the story provides a nice sugar-free version of an exciting Easter hunt. Published in partnership with the National Year of Reading 2026, a UK-wide campaign designed to inspire more people to make reading a regular part of their lives, this is a great story to help kids understand the joy of a good book.
