Core books
At Hungerford Nursery School we have chosen specific ‘core books’ which we want our children to know well by the time they leave nursery.
These books are the type of books that can be re-visited again and again, on different levels to support language development. The idea is that children will develop language and increase vocabulary in addition to gaining a love of books and will become very familiar with these known texts so that they can remember and re-tell them.
Most books are repetitive allowing young children to quickly join in and retell the story in the absence of an adult. Repetition is really important so we ensure we regularly read these stories to the children and they are always available for them to access in our book corner.
Each pod has their own set of 'core books' which you can find below. Linked to each 'core book' is a song that we learn too.
Pod 1 core books and rhymes
| Book | Rhyme |
| Brown Bear, Brown Bear | Tiny tapping teddy |
| Dear zoo | 5 little puppies |
| Every Little Thing | 2 little dickie birds |
| The Gingerbread Man | 5 gingerbread men in a bakers shop |
| Happy- first book of emotion | If you're happy and you know it |
Pod 2 core books
| Book | Rhyme |
| The Hungry Caterpillar | There's a tiny caterpillar |
| Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy | How much is that doggy in the window |
| Baby goes to market | Baby goes to market, what does she buy? |
| The Gingerbread Man | 5 gingerbread men in a bakers shop |
| I'm happy | If you're happy and you know it |
| Each Peach Pear Plum | 5 juicy peaches |
| Shark in the Park | 1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive |
| Every Little Thing | 2 little dicky birds |
| I'm sad | Rainbow fish song |
Pod 3&4 core books
| Book | Rhyme |
| Owl Babies | Mummy finger, mummy finger where are you? |
| What's in the Witch's Kitchen | |
| Goldilocks and the Three Bears | When Goldilocks went to the house of the bears |
| The Colour Monster | How do you feel today? |
| We're Going on a Bear Hunt | |
| Pink is for boys | If your clothes have any colour... |
| My World, Your World | Five little men in a flying saucer |
| Little Red Hen | Higgety piggerty my red hen |
| Ruby's Worry | Rainbow fish feelings song |
| The Smartest Giant in town |
