Buzz Bumble to the Rescue

Text:  Lynn E. Hazen

Illustrations:  Jill Newton

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 74757 297 6

This story about bees is captured in outstanding illustrations that make each page a work of art.

Buzz Bumble is a star in his garden. All the bees admire him for his style, speed and agility. However, when sweet lil' Baby Bumble comes flying around, all the attention is turned to her.

Buzz Bumble feels miffed but he races to her rescue when she’s trapped in a Venus Flytrap.

He makes it to the cover of “The National Bee-Geographic Magazine.”

We loved this book for its message of self-acceptance and encouraging children to be comfortable with themselves. The sunny illustrations are cheery and adorable. 

Excerpt

“Look at Baby Bumble!” announced Humble.

“Our little fuzzy-buzzy is covered with pollen!”

“Adorable,” cooed Miss Bizzy.

“Where’s Ansel Antennae?” asked Senor Sting. “He must take a picture!”

Goose on the Loose

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Vanessa Cabban

Year: 2003

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 893 9

Little Gooseberry is learning to fly. Despite a few bumps along the road, he persists, bolstered by the autumn winds and his friends’ encouragement.

He also notices that while he’s practicing great loops in the air, his friends - Beaver, Red Squirrel, Mouse and Hare are scampering around to prepare for the impending winter. He feels he needs to get ready too.

His parents remind him that geese fly to warmer lands during winter. He’s been preparing for winter, after all! 

Excerpt

Suddenly, a little chilly breeze ruffled Gooseberry’s feathers. He began to fee a teeny bit worried. 

Winter was coming!

Everyone was preparing for it – except him.

Perhaps he had better hurry up and do something – before it was too late. 

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!”

What’s that noise, Little Mouse?

Text: Stephanie Stansbie

Illustrations: Polona Lovsin

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages:  20

Book Type: Novelty book, picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 116 7

There just won’t be enough books that focus on children’s fears and how to tackle them.

This story of the Little Mouse takes the effort one step further – it’s a press-the-page noisy book!

Little Mouse is half-asleep when he’s woken by a strange sound. Soon, he’s wide awake and very aware of many more scary sounds. Each of these sounds can be heard in the book.

Of course, his mom comes in to explain all the sounds – Owly singing his song, breeze in the trees, clock ticking and so on.

It is a fun-filled book! :-)

Excerpt

But then came the worst noise of all … a rattling, chattering, clattering sound – and it was heading straight towards Little Mouse …