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Books for young children that you can read over and over and over

Parents will enjoy these, too

Young mother is reading a book to her two sons for a good night sleep. Night time with reading lamp.
Photograph: Getty Images

IF YOU JUDGE how well-read someone is by the number of books they get through, your correspondent is a veritable bibliophage. Most of the books are around 30 pages long and generously illustrated. They are read aloud, to a five-year-old at bedtime. His favourites, requested again and again, can start to grate. The most annoying are stored on shelves that are out of a small arm’s reach. But many are funny, thought-provoking and moving enough to stay in the rotation. Here are eight children’s books that both read-to and reader can enjoy, over and over.

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