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!

Milly, Molly and Henry

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978-1-87733-657-2

The more Milly and Molly books I read, I am impressed.

This book is about Milly and Molly’s true-to-self friend and classmate, Henry.

He’s just an ideal child – polite, unafraid, confident and not shy to express himself.

In a world that increasingly seeks to conform our children into a mold, this book breaks free of the traditional mindset and celebrates a child for who he is. Kudos Gill Pittar, for this path-breaking book.

I would like to read this book to my kids a few more times.

Excerpt

He laughs loudly at the funny parts and cries openly through the sad bits.

Reading to the class is a breeze and making mistakes not a problem.

Henry takes math in his stride and plays patter ball one handed. 

Chanting Rhymes - First Verses

Text: John Foster

Illustration: Carol Thompson

Year: 1996

Publisher:  Oxford University Press, UK

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 19276 143 9

This is a fun and quirky collection of 17 chanting rhymes that little ones will enjoy. There are a couple of traditional rhymes too from the Caribbean and Africa.

From ‘Little Amanda sat on a Panda’ to ‘Mabel Murple’ to ‘I don’t like Custard’, it’s a creative and happy assortment of rhymes.

Milly, Molly and Grandpa’s Oak Tree

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2001

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978-1-87729-705-4

I love the way Milly and Molly books introduce a wide range of topics to children including sensitive issues like the death of loved ones. And, this has to be the most touching book I've read in the series.

Milly and Molly love Grandpa and Granny Peg. They are almost 100 years old and the center of their homestead is a grand old oak tree. It’s also time to bid goodbye to their loved ones.

Even though the story is about the passing away of beloved grandparents, the author deftly weaves in the story of the great oak tree to remind Milly and Molly of hope, the goodness of people they love and true love that endures and is passed on from generation to generation. 

Excerpt

Grandpa  and Granny Peg belonged to everyone. Everyone had enjoyed a pot of strawberry jam from Granny Peg’s pantry.

And everyone’s woodshed had been given a barrow of Grandpa’s firewood during moments of hardship.

Everyone, especially Milly and Molly, loved Grandpa and Granny Peg. 

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. 

Lucy’s Cat and the Rainbow Birds

Author: Anthony Hill

Illustrator: Jane Tanner

Year: 2007

Publisher: Puffin Books

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-14350-160-2

Cats will never befriend birds even if they are colored in all the brilliant hues of a rainbow.

Lucy’s cat “Artemis – the Hunter” chases the birds that come to feed in the garden. After the near capture of a bird, Lucy ties a bell around the cat’s neck.

Artemis masters the art of stealth even with a bell around his neck. Lucy ties another bell. Artemis seems more determined than ever until Lucy straddles him with another bell. And another.

She doesn't give up until peace reigns in the garden.   

Excerpt

And, next morning, when Lucy went into her garden to feed the rainbow birds, Artemis crept behind her.

Softly,

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle!

Stealthily,

Rattle! Rattle! Rattle!

But not at all silently.

HA! HA! HA! Shrieked the rainbow birds, safe on the topmost branch.

‘You can’t catch us. Ridiculous!’

Dick and Jane, Go, Go, Go: Puffin Young Readers (Level 1)

Year: 1956 (This edition in 2003)

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 44845 788 8

Meet Dick, Jane and their little baby sister, Sally as they have loads of fun and adventure during their playtime.

This is one of those truly easy-to-read books for early readers featuring the much-loved duo and their delightful family.

Excerpt

Oh, Jane.

Look and see.

See Sally go.

See Tim go.

See Spot and Puff go.