Hide & Seek

By Il Sung Na

Year: 2011

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84539 545 2

It’s time to play in the forest. The animals decide to play hide-and-seek. Of course, it was the chameleon’s idea, who is after all, an expert at hiding in plain sight.

The Elephant counts from 1 to 10. He finds all the animals except Chameleon.

We loved this book because we got to look for Chameleon, who was cleverly concealed by the author, on every page! :-)

Excerpt

At the edge of the vast rain forest, where sunlight shines through the leaves, the animals gather together.

Something is about to happen!

Why Leopard has Spots (Tinga Tinga Tales)

By Claudia Lloyd

Year: 2012

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type:  Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14134 216 0

This was our very first Tinga-Tinga tale and we were thrilled by it!

According to the book, Tinga-Tinga Tales are ‘inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa and the Tingatinga artwork of Tanzania.’

The tale of how the leopard got her spots is a story of courage and kindness. It’s also a story of self-acceptance and confidence.

Puff Adder has been squished by Elephant. Leopard comes to Puff Adder's aid who in turn, gratefully, shares his spots with Leopard, turning her into a beautiful and unique animal.

A beautiful book.

Excerpt

”Oh, I wish I could have a new skin and pretty colors like you,” said Leopard. “My coat is as plain as plain can be.”

“Well, maybe I can help you,” said Puff Adder.

Bouncy Bouncy Bedtime

Text: David Bedford

Illustrations: Russell Julian

Year: 2011

Publisher: Egmont UK, London

Age: 2 – 5 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 40525 741 1

This is a truly fanciful bedtime tale that ought to have children asking for more. There are plenty of “noisy” words to engage little ones too. The kids loved chirruping, tweeting, roaring and trumpeting various animal sounds. :-)

The illustrations are enchanting as they transition from a gentle golden sunset to mild, soothing shades of blue and purple to complete the bedtime effect. 

Truly creative. :-)

Excerpt

Look who’s first!

Waddlers!

Sliding and gliding to the big, bouncy bed in the sky.

Those early birds don’t want to be late!

Slip, slap, flippety-flap!

In the Shadow of the Derricks - A Lucky Luke Adventure (5)

By Goscinny and Morris

Year: 2007 (English translation)

Publisher: Cinebook Ltd., Kent

Age: 8 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Comic Book

ISBN:  978 1 90546 017 5

Meet Lucky Luke, “the man who shoots faster than his own shadow.” Set in the Wild, Wild West, Lucky Luke, the cool-as-cucumber cowboy is sworn in as sheriff of Titusville, a town that’s just discovered oil and plenty of it.

The town, naturally, attracts con artists and men with dubious intentions. It takes all of Lucky Luke’s wits to finish his mission and get rid of the bad people.  

There’s plenty of humor, wit and hilarious situations to keep young and old engaged. Remember the magic of Asterix comics? It’s all there except set in a different time and place. :-)

Ghost Town - A Lucky Luke Adventure (2)

By Goscinny and Morris

Year: 2006

Publisher: Cinebook Ltd., UK

Age: 7 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Comic Book

ISBN:  978 1 90546 012 0

Meet Lucky Luke, “the man who shoots faster than his own shadow.” Set in the Wild, Wild West, Lucky Luke, a cool-as-cucumber cowboy unravels the mystery of an isolated and inhospitable town out in the arid desert.

There’s plenty of humor, wit and hilarious situations to keep young and old engaged. Remember the magic of Asterix comics? It’s all there except set in a different time and place. :-)

Why Giraffe has a Long Neck – Tinga Tinga Tales

Text: Edward Gakuya and Claudia Lloyd

Illustrations: Noah Mukono

Year: 2011

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Traditional

ISBN:  978 0 14133 505 6

According to the book, Tinga-Tinga Tales are 'inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa and the Tingatinga artwork of Tanzania. Here’s another beautiful Tinga Tinga tale of how the Giraffe came to have her long neck.

Many, many years ago, Giraffe had short legs and a stumpy neck. After a mango-eating binge, Giraffe is on the lookout for some honey to soothe her tummy. She finds a honeycomb in the hollow of a tree and sticks he head in for a long slurp. Unfortunately, her head gets stuck. The other animals, try to help by pulling her legs. The legs get stretched but Giraffe remains stuck.

The animals help again by pulling the tree off Giraffe. They only manage to stretch her neck and so they stop.

When she finally, pulls her head out by herself, three seasons have gone by and Giraffe has been transformed into the tallest animal in the land.

Excerpt

And while they were playing, Giraffe’s tree grew taller, the leaves turned brown and autumn came! The animals wondered what to do

Then Monkey had an idea.

“I know, let’s pull the tree off Giraffe!”

The Shape of my Heart

Text: Mark Sperring

Illustrations: Alys Paterson

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 2 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 1 40882 705 5

This brightly colored creative book introduces little ones to all the shapes, sounds and flavors a child comes across during the day.

The book is adorable for its warm and caring approach to turn the ordinary into a colorful learning experience – the hands we hold one another with. :-)

Excerpt

This is the shape of my shoes.

Aren't they nice?

And this is the shape of your feet. 

Say Hello to the Snowy Animals

Text: Ian Whybrow, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Ed Eaves

Year: 2007

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 1 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Touch-and-feel book

ISBN:  978 0 23001 620 0

The little ones were simply delighted with this stunningly beautiful touch-and-feel book with illustrations that capture the pristine beauty of snowy lands.

And yes, the book is an introduction to all the animals that inhabit the icy part of our world including the orca.

Our guide through this tour is a cute little husky who seems to have a rapport with most animals. There are plenty of opportunities for little ones to make animal sounds too. The text rhymes too! 

This must've won quite a few awards. :-) It’s just perfect!

Excerpt

Who’s that fishing over there?

Say hello to the polar bear.

Hello, Polar Bear!

Grrrr, grrrr, grrrr! 

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. 

Rumble in the Jungle

Text: Giles Andreae, Wikipedia

Illustrator: David Wojtowycz

Year: 1996

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 86039 660 7

This book is just right for all those little ones who dream about adventures in the jungles. Rumble in the Jungle is essentially a collection of witty poems, each focused on a specific animal - crocodiles, lions, elephants and the rest!

The illustrations burst with color and vitality boosted by the use of plentiful primary colors to engage babies too!  :-)

This book is a keeper. :-)

Excerpt

The night has started falling

But the jungle never sleeps,

The vultures circle slowly

While the leopard softly creeps.

Topsy and Tim go to the zoo

By Jean and Gareth Adamson

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 1960

ISBN: 978-1-40930-084-7

Television show: CBeebies

Topsy and Tim are a couple of lively children through whom children get to learn about school, going out, friends and a whole lot of new experiences.

Enjoy a trip to the zoo with Topsy and Tim as they get to meet several animals but are happy to come back hometo their loving pets.

Excerpt

‘Look!’ said Tim. ‘Horses in football jerseys.’ The zebras showed how they could kick. One kicked another with his back hooves.

‘We don’t want those zebras at home,’ said Dad. ‘They might kick us.’ 

Disney’s Brother Bear

Year: 2003

Publisher: Chuang Yi Publishing Pte.  Ltd., Singapore

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Graphic Novel

ISBN:  978 9 81241 669 8

This brilliant graphic novel based on Disney’s blockbuster animated movie, Brother Bear will cheer any comic book lover.    

Brother Bear is heartwarming tale set in ancient times and celebrates the special bond between man and animals.

A young impetuous boy is turned into a bear and he must journey through treacherous terrain to see himself change back into a human being again. This journey also transforms his perspective on life, brotherhood and kinship with nature.

This is a great way to introduce young ones to the colorful world of comics.

Wild Things! Tiger at the door

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

I simply 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

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

Excerpt

A tiger’s tongue is really rough.

It is covered in bumps that scrape meat off the bones of prey. Don’t let your tiger lick you.

You will need: A suit of armour 

Wild Things: Giraffe on a sleepover

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Byrne

Year: 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40815 679 7

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
•     Hippo in the house
•     Lion who came to lunch
•     Monkey in the garden
•     Penguin in the post
•     Tiger at the door

Excerpt

Watch out for kicking feet – they’re huge and they hurt.

A giraffe’s hoof is the size of a cereal bowl and can kill a lion with one mighty kick.

Karate classes might be a bad idea … 

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.

Hector and the Cello

Author and Illustrator: Ros Asquith

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Big Cat, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-00747-063-1

Now here’s a book that addresses an issue faced by all who dare to dream – criticism. People around us simply seem to love trampling on our dreams and aspirations. Some mean well and some don’t. Nevertheless, it is a real problem and something that we need to familiarize our children with.

Meet Hector the hippopotamus, who has a dream - to play the cello. Naturally, the lion, the leopard, the rhino and the snake express their disbelief in different ways and unknowingly, give Hector all that he needs to buy a cello and some lessons. Soon, he’s on his way to achieving his dream with happy consequences for all the animals of the wild, wet jungle.

Excerpt

“I want to play the cello,” said Hector. “Please don’t roar, or growl, or snort, or hiss.”

“Do you have a cello?” asked the lyrebird.

“No,” said Hector. “But I have a lion’s mane, a leopard’s spots, a rhino’s horn and a snake’s skin. 

Will that buy me a cello and some lessons?”

Milly, Molly and the Elephant

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 1 87733 658 0

This is a clever nature mini-book disguised as a Milly and Molly book. :-)

Gill Pittar, the author, uses the story of Milly and Molly’s visit to the zoo to teach little ones a wee bit about the wonderful world of animals and how they react to a specific problem, in this case, an annoying fly.

Milly and Molly are at the zoo to ask the elephant a question. On their way to him, they find themselves offering helpful suggestions to the other animals. Finally, they meet the elephant who answers their query. 

And yes, with a big loud sneeze, he blows the flies right out of the zoo! 

Excerpt

“Hi there, Joey.”

“You must know where to find the elephant.”

The baby kangaroo was too distracted by the fly on his nose to reply.

“Try hiding in your pouch,” suggested Molly.

And that’s just what the Joey did. 

Santa’s Littlest Helper Travels the World

Author: Anu Stohner

Illustrator: Henricke Wilson

Year: 2006

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 74759 358 4

Santa and his Helpers are hard at work “in a little village far far to the north.”  Like very year, Santa’s Littlest Helper is the first to finish his work and has time to even make a snowman.

However, Christmas Pox plays spoilsport and it just looks like children around the world may not get presents this year. That’s when, the Littlest Helper comes up with a plan. A good one too! :-)

This is a Christmas picture book.

Excerpt

But one of Santa’s Helpers had started preparing long before the others. He had finished packing his sleigh and even had enough time to build a lovely snowman. He was, of course, Santa’s Littlest Helper!

The other Helpers moaned because they still had so much to do. 

Five-Minute Jungle Tales

Author: Jan Payne

Illustrator: Peter Rutherford

Year: 2002

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 46

ISBN: 978 0 75257 002 1

This fantastic mini-collection of jungle tales has to be among the best animal tales I've read so far. The animals’ roles and habitat are mostly intact and yet each tale is packed with humor, wit and pragmatism that make it relevant to children.

The tales feature a monkey who wants to grow tall, rather quickly, a hippopotamus whose best friend is a hermit crab, a crocodile who can’t stop smiling, a lonely lion, an annoying tiger who copies others and a forgetful elephant.

Now, that ought to pique your curiosity. This is a must-have. :-)

Excerpt

So they built another house, this time of bamboo.

“This won’t blow away ,” said Custard.

But an elephant appeared. And, oh dear! Bamboo is an elephant’s favourite food.

“Yummy!” said the elephant. “Thanks for bringing me my breakfast!” And he stuffed Custard’s house into his mouth!

Albie and the Space Rocket

Author: Andy Cutbill

Illustrators: Andy Cutbill and Mark Stacey

Year: 2003

Publisher: Collins Picture Books, London

Age: 7 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-00-786522-2

This is a hilarious tale that seems to engage all the imagination of a little boy. Penguins that steal a bed, moose dancing in the loo, zebras feasting on baked beans in the kitchen, elephants that have built a rocket to Jupiter. Now you know what I mean. :-)

Albie finds that his bed has been stolen from under him. That’s how the story begins. 

Albie’s sister has been accidentally rocketed off to Jupiter. That’s how the story ends. 

In between, are several animals who somehow come together to make a comical story. The illustrations are perfectly matched too! I loved the pompous expressions on the elephant scientists' faces. 

Excerpt

“That?” said another elephant.

“Oh, that’s just a super-duper, intergalactic spacerocket.”

“But it’s built from my bed!” spluttered Albie.

“And the cooker and the downstairs loo!”

“It’s state-of-the-art,” said the elephant.