Get Well, Good Knight (Puffin Young Readers – Level 3)

Text: Shelley Moore Thomas

Illustrations: Jennifer Plecas

Year: 2002

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 44849 489 0

This is a tale of a Good Knight and three little dragons, quite unlike anything we’ve read before. The gallant knight is always on the lookout for poor souls to help.

One night, he finds three sick dragons and comes to their aid. After a couple of yucky concoctions from the Wizard, he turns to his mother (after all, mothers know best!) who makes chicken soup that is eagerly slurped down by the dragons.

Excerpt

He galloped through the forest.

He stirred the soup round and round and round again.

“Give this to your dragons,” said the wizard.

“It is scaly, snail-y soup. This will make them well.”

“Thank you. I will,” said the Good Knight. 

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish, Review here
• 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, Review here
• Level - 2: Madeline and her dog, Review here
• Level - 2: Princess Buttercup, Review here
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters, Review here 
• Level - 2: Snug Bug, Review here
• Level - 2: Spider's Lunch, Review here
• Level - 2: The Cow in the House, Review here
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: Who stole the cookies?, Review here

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

Charlie is My Darling

Author: Malachy Doyle

Illustrator: Stephen Lambert

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Orchard Books, Sydney

Year: 2000

ISBN: 978-1-84616-797-3

Here’s a heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship – between a little boy and the elderly Ellen Adams – forged by an act of kindness.

The illustrations feel just right for the story. 

And don’t forget Charlie, the furry little dog who’s the reason for the story. 

It’s important for children to read books and stories that talk of kind acts and unselfish gestures. In an ideal world, we, parents, ought to be modeling it for them but I guess, given our busy schedules, the written word will have to do.

Excerpt

She said, “Charlie is my darling, and he always wants to run. But the only time I’m out is when I’m shopping, with my stick.”

Well, Charlie looked at me with his big brown eyes, and I knew what to say.

I said, “I’ll take him to the park.” 

Pearl and Wagner: Two Good Friends (Puffin Young Readers – Level 1)

Text: Kate McMullan

Illustrations: R W Riley

Year: 2003

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 44845 803 8

This is a story of two good friends, Pearl, an industrious rabbit and Wagner, a mouse who likes to talk big.

Naturally, there is a clash when the Science Fair comes around but they are good friends and soon all is forgiven.  

Excerpt

“Have you changed your mind about my new boots?” asked Pearl.

“No,” said Wagner.

“I still do not like your boots. But you like them. And that is all that matters.”

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish, Review here
• 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, Review here
• Level - 2: Madeline and her dog, Review here
• Level - 2: Princess Buttercup, Review here
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters, Review here 
• Level - 2: Snug Bug, Review here
• Level - 2: Spider's Lunch, Review here
• Level - 2: The Cow in the House, Review here
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: Who stole the cookies?, Review here

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

Bella Gets Her Skates On

Author: Ian Whybrow, Wikipedia

Illustrator: Rosie Reeve

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Macmillan’s Children’s Books, London

Year: 2007

Meet little Bella, a baby rabbit who worries a lot so her daddy calls her Little Baby Not-Sure. But when the family decides to go ice-skating, little Bella discovers that there is a lot of fun to be had if she’d only decide to do so. And sure enough, little Bella slips, slides and skates until she’s transformed into a happy bunny.

Excerpt

And as they walked home Daddy said, “Wasn’t skating fun today! Who wants to go again tomorrow?”

“Me me me!” said Ben.

“Me me me!” said Sophie.

But Bella said, “I’m not sure…”

“Not sure about skating?” asked Daddy.

“No! I’m not sure I can wait till tomorrow!” laughed Bella.

I-Spy: Wide Eye Reading

Text: Karen Foster

Illustrations: Jan Smith

Publisher: Children First Ltd., UK

Age: 0 to 4 years

Book Type: Board book

No. of Pages: 12

Here’s another delightful bedtime book featuring Hoot, the sweet little owl. The book encourages your little ones to search for and 'spy' through peepholes on every other page. It’s a board book too so you can introduce it safely to your baby.

The book uses the much-loved I Spy theme to introduce the inhabitants of a great, big tree as ‘spied’ by a bat, Batwing.

The sleepy owls ought to bring plenty of bedtime calm to little ones.

Excerpt

Batwing says, ‘I spy two, big bright eyes.’

It’s Wide Eye keeping watch.

Goodnight Wide Eye!

I love you, Sleepyhead

Author: Claire Freedman

Illustrator: Simon Mendez

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: LittleTiger Press, London

Year: 2007

ISBN: 987-1-56148-604-5

This is a fantastic bed time book with lyrical prose and exceptional illustrations that definitely ought to be in your toddler’s library. Using the soft tones of a perfect sunset intermingled with the star-spangled blues of a clear sky, the book features animals from the Arctic, jungles, oceans and meadows. 

Each full-color glossy page, features paintings of mama animals and birds with their babies at bedtime. By the way, these paintings ought to be on the walls of a museum. 

Excerpt

Snow flakes are swirling,

all fluffy and white,

Sparkling like stars in the

gleaming moonlight.

Cuddled up close,

little penguin stays warm,

Through the cold frosty night,

till the first light of dawn. 

How to build a House

By Nick Turpin and Barbara Nascimbeni

Year: 2005

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 23753 065 5

This story of a house that Jack, supposedly, built is a humorous look at children and the grand plans they come up with, while their parents work to make those plans a reality.

Jack wants to build a house – more like a playhouse, in his yard. All, he does is come up with a plan. He, then cleverly (rather cheekily) enlists the rest of his family to finish it!

This book belongs to the Twisters series for little ones where words are few and the illustrations speak a lot.

Excerpt

“We need more people.”

“Your sister can help us.”

“Good work, Dad!”

Night-Night, Poppy!

Author: Claire Freedman

Illustrator: Jane Massey

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-1-85430-902-0

This is a warm bedtime story about little Poppy who can’t quite go to sleep because her favorite bear, Growly Ted is lost.

Her mum tucks her in with Quacky Duck instead but Poppy finds her bed too cold and so she brings in Furry Cat, Hooty Owl and more of her toy friends until at last she finds her beloved bear and falls asleep.

The cozy and snug watercolors make the book a must-have for your little one’s bedtime shelf. And, of course, the plenteous animal noises.  

Excerpt

Poppy would have fallen asleep in a flash. But OH NO! Now the bed felt all wrong. It seemed too draughty. Where had Dimple Dog got to?

Poppy found him downstairs, behind the curtains.

“Night-night, Dimple Dog and Hooty Owl,” said Poppy. “Night-night, Furry Cat and Quacky Duck.”

My Grandpa is a Champion

Text: Carl Norac

Illustrations: Ingrid Godon

Year: 2007

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 23001 441 1

Every child has a “super” figure in their lives. This charming book demonstrates the fact with a beautiful ode from a child to her grandfather whom she calls a champion.

The illustrations are equally moving too as they tread the fine line between a child’s fantasy and her perception of reality. :-)

Excerpt

He’s also the best at spotting unusual things – like monsters and dragons in the sky!

…But my favorite thing is when my grandpa pushes me on the swings. Then I feel like a world record holder. I swing so high I nearly touch the sky!