It's National Libraries Day today, and there are events planned all over Dorset. 

You can recommend books for Bournemouth Borough Council chief executive Tony Williams to read as part of 'Titles for Tony', join Bournemouth's Book Track 100 challenge, to encourage children to read 100 books, and take part in a host of themed sessions.

To celebrate, and to kick start our new regular books blog, we've rounded up a few recommendations for books to check out.

Please note, we won't always be writing about children's books (and any recommendations for books to read/review or discuss most welcome) but for this week, here are five picture books, all available at Dorset libraries this weekend, that your under-fives will love. 

But be warned, these are books that require your whole-hearted commitment to a silly voice at some point in the story. Feel free to recommend your own in the comments...

 

1. The Book with No Pictures, B J Novak

Bournemouth Echo:

This book, by American comic BJ Novak, cannot be read in a half-hearted fashion. The premise is simple: 'This is how books work. Whatever the words say, the person reading the book HAS TO SAY.'  Even if those words are 'my face is made of blueberry pizza'. Or 'Gluurr-ga-wocko'. And no, it's not really a picture book, but it some ways it's better. My two year old and four year olds adore this book because it's so irresistibly silly. 

2. Mr Brown Can Moo, Dr Seuss

Bournemouth Echo:

You'll need a wide range of animal impressions (and if anyone has worked out how best to make the noise lightning makes I'd love some tips) but if your children like silly noises they'll love this. And there's something strangely satisfying about saying the words 'dibble dibble dop' aloud.

3. Poles Apart, Jeanne Willis

Bournemouth Echo:

 

This is a tale of a lost family of penguins who find themselves at the North Pole and have to cross continents to get home.

My kids love this because of the accents you have to adopt in the various countries they visit (current favourite Italy - for some reason my son finds the phrase Ciao Bella totally hilarious) but you'll need an Australian, Indian and American accent too.

The penguin family dynamics will make the grown-ups smile and there's plenty to look at in the beautiful illustrations.

4. Bod's Present, Michael and Joanne Cole

Bournemouth Echo:

Yes, that's THE Bod - the four books that inspired the TV series were reissued last year, and your library will have them all. This one is my personal favourite, purely because of the number of times PC Copper says 'Ello, Ello' to the other characters. It's funny and sweet, and younger children will love making the sneezing noise at the end.

5. Daddy's Sandwich, Pip Jones

Bournemouth Echo:

 

This is the first of several promised picture books from Squishy McFluff author Pip Jones. It's the story of a girl who wants to make her daddy a sandwich from all his favourite things - which include some less than traditional sandwich fillings. It has my two giggling from the first page (which is where your best five-year-old impression will be required) and Laura Hughes' illustrations are full of detail.

So there you have it: a non-definitive list of the books that are making my children laugh at bedtime. I'd love to hear yours!