A newspaper journalist has suggested three of the best books to read to children aged nought to two years old while they are in their travel cots or elsewhere.

Julie Eccleshare of the Guardian recommended The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle as her top choice, saying that little fingers won't be able to resist the hole through which the caterpillar crawls.

Parents can also have fun making the 'pop' noise at the end of the book.

Next in the list was Rod Campbell's Dear Zoo, which is described as "a perfect flap book" which "raises anticipation and then satisfies it absolutely".

Finally, Ms Eccleshare chose The Baby Catalogue by Janet and Allan Ahlberg for its "kindly observed" pictures of babies doing everyday things.

In related news, The Very Hungry Caterpillar recently came top in a list of the best bedtime books compiled by publisher Puffin.

It was recommended as great for children cuddling up to their mums and dads at the end of the day.

Posted by Michael StevensonADNFCR-3005-ID-19772355-ADNFCR