The Apple and the Butterfly

By Enzo and Iela Mari

Year: 1969

Publisher: Price Stern Sloan, New York

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 44

ISBN: 978 0 84317 230 0

So, this was our very first look at a wordless picture book.

The little ones' reactions were mixed. One liked its simplistic elegance. The other couldn't understand why the butterfly didn't have any bright colors on its wings. And, I thought it was time to introduce the kids to some ‘arty’ stuff. So there!

I found the illustrations exquisite and emotive. Using a stark, white background full of promise, the creators wordlessly and elegantly communicate the passing of seasons and change. 

Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose

Author: Julia Donaldson

Illustrator: Nick Sharratt

Year: 2005

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 40502 190 6

It’s a dinner party unlike any other. The guests are an odd assortment ranging from Seal to Shetland Pony to Hyena.

Some are hungry and some, angry. The others are greedy or just plain fussy. It's hard to imagine a good ending after the chaotic meal, but surprisingly, it does. And you know what they say - all’s well that ends well. :-)

This is a non-cluttered book with each page featuring an animal and just one pertinent sentence in rhyme. This book might be good for beginners.

Excerpt

“I’ll lick the bowl,” says furry Mole.

“I’ll like it cleaner,” laughs Hyena.

“It’s all gone,” says sad white Swan.

“I’ll eat the cloth,” says happy Moth. 

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.”  

Bop’s Hiccups – The Adventures of Abney and Teal

Text: Stella Gurney

Illustrator: Joel Stewart and Davide Arnone

Year: 2012

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 40634 421 9

It’s Abney and Teal from the popular TV series created by Joel Stewart.

It’s a windy day and suddenly Bop begins to hiccup bubbles. The hiccups then make waves on which Abney and Teal play. However, in a while, Bop gets uncomfortable with his hiccups, and Teal finds a solution. Soon, all’s well on their little island.

Excerpt

“These are the best bubbles I’ve ever seen!” shouts Teal.

“And look,” points Abney. “Every time Bop hiccups, he makes a wave as well as a bubble!”

It’s true. Bop is making waves.

“Hooray! Let’s paddle,” cries Teal.

Your Emotions: I feel Jealous

Text: Brian Moses, Wikipedia

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

Year: 1993

Publisher: Hodder Wayland, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 75021 405 8

Here’s another lovely book on emotions from the “I feel …” series. 

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

The easy-to-understand text is elegantly complimented by witty illustrations and handles the complex emotion of jealousy without sounding mean or unkind. The book uses plenty of illustrations to help a child understand jealousy and how to cope with it when it rears it's ugly, green head. 

Fantastic book. :-)

Other titles in this series:

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

Excerpt

When I find myself feeling jealous, it helps if I remember all the good things that I have.

It helps if I can be happy for my friends and enjoy what they have. 

Ten out of bed

By Penny Dale

Year: 1993

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 40632 884 4

This is an enchanting bedtime tale. It’s a fun book with humor and a hint of lyricism.

The book features a boy and his nine toys who play until they are exhausted and go to bed, one by one. No prizes, though, for guessing who's the last one to go to bed.

The story’s structure reminds me of the age-old advice of counting sheep to go to bed.

Excerpt

There were eight out of bed and the little one said, “Let’s play!”

And Rabbit said, “Let’s play THEATRES!”

So eight played theatres until Rabbit fell asleep.

Milly, Molly and Oink

Text: 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 703 8

Here’s another delightful story, featuring Milly, Molly and Oink, Farmer Hagerty’s little piglet. He grows beautifully under their care but he also loves talking to strangers.

One day, Oink vanishes from his pen. He’s been ‘pig-napped’ but the brave little piggy finds his way back home and ever since, he doesn't care for strangers.

With this book, Gill Pittar couches the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ maxim in a heart-warming story of courage, love and friendship. While the main story engages the attention of the children, the underlying message is very loud and clear for little ones – steer clear of strangers!

This book is a must-have for families especially if the children haven’t yet learned to avoid strangers.

Excerpt

Oink began to thrive and he loved to chat to everyone.

“Oink must be careful,” warned Farmer Hegarty. “If he strays onto the road a bad stranger could make friends with him and then we might never see him again.”

Frog’s flicky licky tongue

Author: Jillian Harker

Illustrator: Simon Abbott

Year: 2002

Publisher: Bright Sparks, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84250 534 3

Here’s another happy story from Goosefeather Farm.

Meet Frog, apparently a novice at catching flies. Instead of flies, his tongue hits Duck on the head, gets tangled in Horse’s mane, scares little Kitten and, generally, is a bother to the animals of the farm.

Finally, all the animals get together to help teach Frog how to catch flies but the task is easier said than done. 

The Goosefeather Farm series is a colorful and cheery means to introduce children to diversity and to help them appreciate the unique differences that make each of us special.     

Excerpt

“Well,” said Cow, “have any of you ever caught a fly?”

There was silence.

“Exactly!” said Cow.

“But you don’t eat flies!” said Duck.

“No,” giggled Cow. “But they bother me all the time.”