Wilbie and Harry

By Sally Chambers

Year: 2005

Publisher: Piccadilly Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978-1-85340-881-6

Wilbie and Harry are the best of friends. They do everything together. And then, the arrival of a football into their lives drives a wedge between their friendship.

However, their friendship is true and they realize the key to lasting friendship and happiness – sharing and caring.

It doesn't say anywhere on the book what animals Wilbie and Harry are but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that Harry is a porcupine or hedgehog and Wilbie is a duck?

Excerpt

As soon as it was morning, Wilbie rushed round to Harry’s house. Harry was playing football on his own in the garden.

“I’m very sorry, Harry,” said Wilbie, creeping through the gate.

“I don’t want the ball, I just want to be friends. Please – I want you to have it.”

Your Emotions: I feel frightened

Text: Brian Moses, Wikipedia

Illustration: Mike Gordon

Year: 1993

Publisher: Hodder Wayland, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 75021 404 9

The Your Emotions series is a fantastic idea to help not just children but parents and teachers to navigate this tricky zone in little ones' lives.

The I Feel Frightened book doesn't brush away fears as most adults are inclined to do but helps the child come to terms with the ever-present reality of emotions and offers helpful suggestions too. The book deals with fear of the dark, bugs, strange noises, first day at school and more. The  witty text and peppy illustrations offset the somber subject of the book.

What I liked best about this book? It actually acknowledges that grown-ups feel fear too!

This book is a must-have for any children’s library.

Other titles in this series:

• I feel angry
• I feel jealous, Review here
• I feel sad

Excerpt

I’m frightened when I think there are spiders under my bed.

But any spider I find is much more frightened of me.

I like to play hide and seek!

And even though I’m frightened when dad makes me jump, I still want to play it again!