Scat, Cats! (Puffin Young Readers – Level 2)

Text: Joan Holub, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Rich Davis

Year: 2001

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York  

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 44846 124 3

Here’s another great book for beginner readers with plenty of three, four and five-letter words in small sentences to encourage little ones. And then, it also all about cats – fast cats, loud cats, bad cats, sly cats and more! :-)

Excerpt

Sly cats jump up high.

Show-off cats try to zoom.

Kersplat! Crash! Bang! Boom!

Stop cats!

Mrs. Hippo’s Pizza Parlor (I am Reading)

Text: Vivian French, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Clive Scruton

Year: 1999

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 75341 037 0

William’s birthday is about to arrive but he also know his mother Pizza Parlor is going through a tough time and he might not get the gift he truly wants. William knows better than to make a fuss. Soon, his dream comes true and it’s good times for his mum’s business too!

Excerpt

“Look at all those people outside our pizza parlor!”

“Dear me,” said Mrs. Hippo.

“I think they’re waiting to come in!”

“What do they want?” asked Ellie.

“PIZZAS!” said William. 

Bird Talk – What Birds are Saying and Why

By Lita Judge

Year: 2012

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, New York

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

ISBN: 978 1 59643 646 6

This beautifully-done book presents a wide repertoire of bird noises and the reasons for their songs.

Chirp, warble, quack, coo, rattle, screech!

This is a must-have book if your child shows an inclination towards feathered friends. Or not. After all, who doesn't like birds? 

Excerpt

African Grey Parrots are excellent mimics. Many learn to repeat people’s voices, but one named Alex learned to use words with human meaning. With his vocabulary of about 150 words, he could name objects, count to six, ask and answer questions, and request rewards. “Wanna nut!”

Just Mabel: I am Reading

Text: Frieda Wishinsky

Illustrations: Sue Heap

Year: 2001

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 75341 035 4

This humorous book from the I am Reading series encourages children to believe in themselves and not succumb to peer pressure. And I don’t miss a chance to let kids know early in life that their unique selves are to be celebrated.

Just Mabel uses two stories to send home a powerful message of self-acceptance. There are plenty of opinions out there in the world but children need to be comfortable with themselves and not feel miserable every time an adverse opinion is offered. 

Mabel loves singing and when she shares with a classmate her dream to become a singer, he opines that her name is far too plain. Mabel adopts several names to suit her future stardom but she doesn't find happiness. That is until she discovers that Mabel is a beautiful name and accepts it wholeheartedly.

The other story features Mabel off to school in her favorite red dress when some of her classmates begin to tease her. She goes through a miserable time until she finds the strength within to brush off all the negative opinions.

This book is a must-read for all, children and parents alike.

Excerpt

“You’re not Holly. You’re Mabel,” said Mrs. Hill.

“Not any more,” said Mabel. “I've changed my name.”

“But Mabel is a beautiful name,” said Mrs. Hill.

“Not to me,” said Mabel.

Max has a fish – Puffin Young Readers – Level 1

Author:  Wiley Blevins

Illustrator: Ben Clanton

Year: 2012

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-448-46294-3

The Puffin Young Readers is a fantastic series for young readers.

The book on Max and his fish is a sweet, simple story with beginner-level words. The longest sentence has only seven words and that appears only once. The rest are much smaller.

Excerpt

The fish looks at Max.

And looks at Max.

And looks at Max.

But the fish cannot dance. 

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: The very lonely firefly

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

Uncle Rabbit’s Busy Visit

Text: Christa Kempter

Illustrations: Frauke Weldin

Year: 2010

Publisher: North-South Books, New York  

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 0 73582 320 4

Well, this is supposed to be a children’s book but it’s could be a good morale booster for grown-ups too!

The story is about relatives, and, sometimes, friends  who brim over with so much advice and suggestions that, unknowingly, they tend to take over our homes (and lives!) in their attempt to do good for us.

Uncle Rabbit’s visiting Wally and Mae’s home. In a couple of days, though, Wally’s wallpaper has been changed, silk curtains hung up, furniture's been moved around and soon it doesn't feel like home anymore. 

Wally knows it’s time to speak up.

This is a book about being sensitive to others' feelings and it's a picture book, too. So, yes, it’s a keeper!

Excerpt

“Wait!” stuttered Wally. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I liked my carrot wallpaper. And the colorful cushions are lovely, but they’re too hard to wash. And silk curtains are just too fancy for my little house.”

Uncle Rabbit cleaned his spectacles thoughtfully. 

Hernando Fandango – The Great Dancing Dog

Author and Illustrator: Rachel Swirles

Year: 2012

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London

Age: 7 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 84539 600 8

It was bound to happen sooner than later – a book for little ones set in the backdrop of a reality show. A dance show at that too!

Meet Hernando Fandango and Miss Adelaide Mogg who love dancing. Jazz, Ballroom dancing, Tap, Ballet – you name it, they do it. 

By a twist of fate, they get a chance to perform on television and enthrall the nation.

Yes, a bit far-fetched, I know, but then, isn’t that true for almost every book for tiny tots? :-)

Again, the story is set out in lyrical form so there are a few new words like kerfuffle, sensation but that's not a reason to ignore this book.

Excerpt

The host shouted out, “Do we have any dancers?”

Adelaide knew this was the rarest of chances.

She longed to cry out,

But she wasn’t that brave,

And already a figure had taken the stage!

Can you guess who it was,

Who could waltz, jive and tango…?

The Dog Who Cried Wolf

By Keiko Kasza

Year: 2005

Publisher: Puffin Books, New York

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 14241 305 0 

We might never know if dogs have aspirations but Moka, the protagonist of this book certainly has developed a new ambition – to be a wolf. Soon, he tires of his little mistress’ attempts at dressing him up in silly clothes for her tea parties. One day, he finds the opportunity and runs away to freedom!

He, then, finds that the wild and free life of wolves is over-rated.

Hilarious. :-)

Excerpt

Soon, Moka got hungry. “No problem!” he cried.

“I’ll hunt for my food, just like the wolves do.”

And off he went.

But a rabbit outran him. A skunk sprayed him.