The Rainbow Club (Understanding Bullying)

Text: Annette Aubrey

Illustrations:  Patrice Barton

Year: 2007

Publisher: QED Publishing, UK

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Life Skills, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84835 005 2

This insightful and sensitive book on bullying attempts to explore the underlying causes of bullying and the varying responses and reactions that children commonly manifest.

This book is aimed at very young children where bullying often begins with children looking for a common ground to feel comfortable with one another. In the context of this book, it is as innocuous as the color of their attire on field trip day.

This book is a great way to help children who might turn out to be potential bullies by holding up a mirror to them as well as for those who might be bullied.

Excerpt

Chloe and Tommy were best friends.

They loved to find new things to do. 

Class Pets - Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe

By Susan Nees

Year: 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York

Age: 5 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 72

Book Type: Illustrated chapter book for new readers

ISBN: 978 0 54543 852 0

Missy is excited because she’s going to bring home Eenie-Meenie, Miney and Moe, her class pets. The only problem is that bossy Tiffany also wants them.

Missy plans and plots (hilarious!) but fails to deter Tiffany.

She does bring them home, though. :-)

Excerpt

Now everything was ready. Well, not quite everything. There was just one teeny-tiny thing left to do.

Missy had to ask her mother …

Books Always Everywhere

Text: Jane Blatt

Illustrations: Sarah Massini

Year: 2013

Publisher: Nosy Crow, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 85763 090 2

This endearing picture book looks at books from a toddler’s perspective. While the text engages children with all that a book is, it also introduces us to some of its unusual functions like a hat or as a chair. Well, that’s how a toddler would see it! :-)

Excerpt

Book build

Book mat

Book chair

Book hat

Fancy Nancy at the Museum

Text: Jane O’Connor

Illustrations: Robin Preiss Glasser, Wikipedia

Year: 2008

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, USA

Age: 5 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

Website: Fancy Nancy World, Wikipedia

ISBN:  978 0 00789 239 6

This cheery book with cheerier illustrations is a masterpiece!

Nancy is excited about her class trip to a museum to see some masterpieces. Nancy's day almost turns awful when gets sick on the way after eating two lunches but kind Ms. Glass turns it all around.

This fantastic book very cleverly introduces children to a few big art-related words and their meanings. The illustrations are more than impressive! The book certainly deserves a place in your little girl’s library. :-)

Check out Fancy Nancy's website here! 

Excerpt

Ms Glass tells us, “Today we will see masterpieces! That’s a fancy word for great paintings.”

The bus ride is very bumpy.

Bump! Bump! Bump!

Caterpillar Butterfly

Text: Vivian French, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Charlotte Voake

Year: 1993

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 - 8

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 0 74456 282 1

Here’s an engaging way to teach children about metamorphosis – that magical, beautiful process of nature where an ordinary caterpillar turns into a radiant butterfly.

The text introduces the discovery through the eyes of a little girl and her grandfather who patiently watch over a batch of butterfly eggs as they hatch, crawl, pupate and finally, emerge as butterflies.

Excerpt

The next day there were lots and lots of little tiny caterpillars crawling on the nettle leaves. The eggs were papery and empty.

It was a Cold, Dark Night

By Tim Hopgood

Year: 2010

Publisher: Collins Big Cat, London

Age:  4 - 6 years       

No. of Pages: 16

ISBN:  978 0 00732 922 9

Book Type: Picture book, Nature

This guided reading book from Collins Big Cat is a short, warm story of Ned, a hedgehog, who is in need of a home to snooze in during winter.

The leaves are falling fast, the wind is blowing colder and most homes have been taken. Ned finds the perfect place, finally, with some help from the bats.

Excerpt

It was a cold, dark night and the wind was blowing.

The hedgehog looked up at the old barn.

The bats said, “This is our home. But look down, Ned!”

Dinosaurs Galore!

Text: Giles Andreae, Wikipedia

Illustrations: David Wojtowycz

Year: 2004

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 2 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, poems

ISBN: 978 1 84362 609 8

This book could easily be the signature book of dinosaurs for little ones. With enchanting rhymes devoted to famous dinosaur species, this book is, truly, a gem from the creators of Rumble in the Jungle. :-)

This book will add loads of color to your child’s library.

Excerpt

So now you've met the dinosaurs,

What a fierce bunch!

Some of them would really like

To eat you for their lunch!

Wild Things: Hippo in the house

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Byrne

Year: 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40815 680 3

I loved this wildlife series for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a quirky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one or the school library.

Besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

• Elephant in the attic    
• Emu on the loose
• Giraffe on a sleepover
• Lion who came to lunch
• Monkey in the garden    
• Penguin in the post
• Tiger at the door

Excerpt

Bath time is a big deal for pygmy hippos. They LOVE it!  

Pygmy hippos can close their ears and nostrils to hide under the water from predators.

Pygmy hippos can hold their breath for seven minutes. 

Anna Hibiscus’ Song

Author: Atinuke

Illustrator: Lauren Tobia

Year: 2011

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 40

ISBN: 978 1 40633 841 6

This is the first time I've read a children’s book by an author of Nigerian origin and I am enthralled by the joie de vivre that sparkles through the pages. 

Anna Hibiscus is the quintessential happy child who feels happy for no particular reason. Just like any other child.

She shares her happiness with the people of her homestead (it feels like a joint-family) and they all, in turn, try to help her find ways to let out all that happiness bursting inside her.

When Grandma is happy, she squeezes Grandpa’s hand, when her cousins are happy, they cartwheel, somersault or walk on their hands.

Anna’s mother, finally, helps her find the answer.  

I loved the amazing illustrations and the text, well, it just jumps out at you with happiness!

Excerpt

“Papa! Papa! What can I do?” laughs Anna Hibiscus.

“I am SO happy, soon I will pop like a balloon.”

“When I am happy,” Papa smiles, “I go to Mama and tell her how much I love her.”

Wild Things! Penguin in the post

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978-1-40817-942-0

I loved this wildlife book for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a whacky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one.

And besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

• Tiger at the door
•  Elephant in the attic
• Giraffe on a sleepover
• Hippo in the house
• Lion who came to lunch
• Monkey in the garden
•  Emu on the loose

Excerpt

Penguins spend most of their time in the ocean.

They eat and play in the water. They come to land to lay their eggs.

You will need

·         To move to the seaside

·         To love the water – as much as your pet!

Wild Things: Monkey in the garden

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40817 940 6

I loved this wildlife series for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a quirky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one or for your school library.

Besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•     Elephant in the attic
•     Emu on the loose
•     Giraffe on a sleepover
•     Hippo in the house
•     Lion who came to lunch
•     Penguin in the post
•     Tiger at the door

Excerpt

A monkey uses its tail like an extra arm, to grip onto branches.

The end of a monkey’s tail has a tough pad of skin.

A monkey can hang from branches by its tail alone.

Wild Things: Elephant in the attic

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40817 937 3

I loved this wildlife series for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a quirky "You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one or for your school library.

Besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•     Emu on the loose
•     Giraffe on a sleepover
•     Hippo in the house
•     Lion who came to lunch
•     Monkey in the garden
•     Penguin in the post
•     Tiger at the door

Excerpt

Elephants love to take a shower.

They use their trunks to suck up water. Then they spray it over their bodies.

Elephants then cover themselves in dust!

I like Monkeys because …

Author: Peter Hansard

Illustrator: Pat Casey

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 38

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Year: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-56402-196-0

Amongst the many friendly books that are available to introduce children to the animal world, I liked this one a lot. The friendly water-color illustrations make the books friendly for even the little ones.

The text is very child friendly and jargon-free despite offering a wealth of information on the world of monkeys.

Definitely, one for your nature library. 

Excerpt

I like monkeys because …

I like the funny way they play. Young ones tease and trick, then scamper off as fast as they can go.

I like monkeys because …

I like the way they jump from branch to branch, from tree to tree. 

How to build a House

By Nick Turpin and Barbara Nascimbeni

Year: 2005

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 23753 065 5

This story of a house that Jack, supposedly, built is a humorous look at children and the grand plans they come up with, while their parents work to make those plans a reality.

Jack wants to build a house – more like a playhouse, in his yard. All, he does is come up with a plan. He, then cleverly (rather cheekily) enlists the rest of his family to finish it!

This book belongs to the Twisters series for little ones where words are few and the illustrations speak a lot.

Excerpt

“We need more people.”

“Your sister can help us.”

“Good work, Dad!”

PC Polly - Little Workmates

Author: Mandy Ross

Illustrator: Emma Dodd

Year: 2001

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages:  24

ISBN: 978 0 72142 168 7

The Little Workmates Series is a delightfully creative way to introduce children to the various people engaged in different professions and how they impact our lives. 

It is Story Town Show day and PC Polly has a busy day ahead of her. She has two cases to solve – a missing dog and a lost package of sausages.

She finds Barker, the dog who, in turn, sniffs his way to the misplaced sausages and is rewarded for her efforts with prize-winning sausages for her tea.

Other books in the Little Workmates Series:

•  Builder Bill      
• Doctor Daisy
• Farmer Fred
• Fireman Fergus
• Footballer Fabio
• Hairdresser Hannah
• Nurse Nancy
• Postman Pete  
• Queen Clara
• Teacher Tina
• Truckdriver Tom
• Vet Vicky

       

Excerpt

Sniff … sniff…sniff… went Barker, his nose to the ground.

“He must be following a trail!” puffed PC Polly, grabbing Barker’s lead.

Sniff … sniff…sniff… went Barker, through the town square and into the park.

“Barker! STOP! Gasped PC Polly, running along behind. 

Fire Drill

Text: Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender

Illustrator: Huy Voun Lee

Year: 2010

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, New York

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 80508 953 0

Fire drill, though a life saving procedure, can be hard to explain to kids. This book, however, works like a charm. It capitalizes on little ones’ fondness for rhymes and uses it creatively to deliver the essential nature of a fire drill without any sense of alarm.

The illustrations, created using cut-paper collages, are exceptional too!

The book is a must-have on all counts.

Excerpt

Hear your name.

Raise your hand.

Say out loud: “Here I am!”

Now we wait.

Now we stay.

Smelling: Super Senses

By Mary Mackill

Year: 2006

Publisher: Raintree Publishers, UK

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 40620 024 9

This is yet another ‘science-made-fun’ book from the Read and Learn series. The book employs easy-to-read text laid out in neat little chapters and brightly-colored photographs to introduce children to the sense of smell and its care.

Excerpt

Your sense of smell helps you to stay safe.

Smelling smoke could mean that something is on fire.

The smell of food can make you feel hungry.

Other titles in this series:

• Hearing
• Seeing
• Special Animal Senses
• Tasting
• Touching, Review here 

Bird Talk – What Birds are Saying and Why

By Lita Judge

Year: 2012

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, New York

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

ISBN: 978 1 59643 646 6

This beautifully-done book presents a wide repertoire of bird noises and the reasons for their songs.

Chirp, warble, quack, coo, rattle, screech!

This is a must-have book if your child shows an inclination towards feathered friends. Or not. After all, who doesn't like birds? 

Excerpt

African Grey Parrots are excellent mimics. Many learn to repeat people’s voices, but one named Alex learned to use words with human meaning. With his vocabulary of about 150 words, he could name objects, count to six, ask and answer questions, and request rewards. “Wanna nut!”

What does Daddy do?

By Rachel Bright

Year: 2009

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 14150 264 9

Daisy, a precocious little kindergartner is quite stumped when she realizes she doesn't quite know what her dad does for a living. Dexter’s dad is a fireman, Evie's a doctor and the others also seem to know their dads’ professions.

Daisy, then industriously puts together all the snippets of information that she has about her dad and it is soon concluded that he is an “Explorersuperknight”!

This is a heart-warming perspective into a kindergartner’s way of thinking and analyzing facts. The illustrations are hilarious, too. 

Simply adorable! :-)

Excerpt

And then Bob said, “Well, my daddy is a teacher! He makes children very clever and he knows everything about everything, especially volcanoes.”  

I Love the Rain

Author: Margaret Park Bridges

Illustrator: Christine Davenier

Year: 2005

Publisher: Chronicle Books, USA 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

ISBN: 978 1 58717 208 3

Read this book and you’ll remember everything that is beautiful and exciting about rain. :-)

I loved it for the highly imaginative narrative and the joie-de-vivre that shines through Molly and Sophie. As they get home from school on a rainy day, they imagine all sorts of happy images for all that a rain means – the drops, the wet street, the puddles.

Of course, my kids wanted to jump into the very next rain that came along. It’s the book. Its happiness is infectious.

Excerpt

“What’s that sound on the roof?” asks Sophie.

“Tap dancers!” I jump in. “A whole chorus line on stage above us.”

We tap our toes all the way to our stop.