I am Reading: Princess Rosa’s Winter

Author: Judy Hindley

Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain

Year: 1997

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 50

ISBN: 978 0 75341 038 9

It’s a tale of long ago in a land where winter is a dark time. Princess Rosa feels grumpy with the weather and it looks like nothing will bring cheer to her or the courtiers in the castle. They try to cheer each other up with memories of warmer times. That doesn’t work either.

The King, then, remembers Hode, their ‘wonderful, winter visitor.’ Soon everyone is on their feet, dancing. Princess Rosa, now happy, finds beauty in the winter moon and snow.

I liked this story because it encourages children to look beyond their circumstances and find happiness in what they have.

The GOBBLE GOBBLE MOOOOOO Tractor Book

Author and Illustrator: Jez Alborough

Year: 2010

Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-1-93527-966-2

Yes, the book does have an odd name but it really is a simple story of some farm animals who are out to have some silly fun with the farmer’s tractor.

Meet Sheep, the first to get the brilliant idea. Then Cat, Turkey and the rest of the gang use their vocal chords to make a ruckus loud enough to sound like a tractor at full throttle.

A sweet, nutty story guaranteed to keep your little ones engaged. Did I mention, the book has a spread-out that details all the animals up to their ludicrous antics? 

Excerpt

‘Can I come too?’ said Mouse.

‘I can do the wheels! The great big wheels which go round and round with a SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK…

‘Wait for me!’ said Goose. ‘I can do the horn, which shouts, “Get out of the way!”

Arthur’s Fantastic Party

Author and Illustrator: Joseph Theobold 

Year: 2005

Publisher: Collins Big Cat, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Arthur plans to host an exciting party but only for fantastic animals. So who really are the fantastic animals? The three little pigs who love mud or the wolf who likes dressing up or the bear family that can cook good porridge? Oh dear!

I’d recommend this book to young readers for two reasons. One, the detailed illustrations and the bright colors make for a very happy reading time. Two, this story drives home the point that all of us are fantastic in our own way – something every child ought to know at a very young age before the world’s cut-throat competitiveness attempts to ruin the self esteem of the little one.

Excerpt

Arthur said, “Are you fantastic?”

“We make good porridge,” said the bears.

“Yuk! That doesn’t sound fantastic to me,” Arthur said. “You can’t come!”

That evening, Arthur put out the food and drinks. He was ready to party!

But something was wrong …

Ballet Sisters – The Newest Dancer

Author and Illustrator: Jan Ormerod

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Scholastic, New York

Year: 2008

ISBN: 978-0-43982-282-4

Sisters make for such fun reading!

Little Sylvie watches her sister Bonnie at her ballet classes. It’s obvious she loves dancing as much as her big sister. 

Kindly Miss Trisha watches as Sylvie waddles, flaps and quacks at her ducky dance. Impressed, she arranges for the little one to have her very own dance lessons. 

Excerpt

Sylvie learns knee flaps, knee bends, and jump, jump, jump.

She learns pony trots and rag dolls, elephants and butterflies.

Then the girls curtsy and the boy bows.

Miss Amy says, “Well done, dancers. And well done to our newest dancer, Sylvie.”

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney!

Author: Leslie Kimmelman

Illustrator: Nancy Cote

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, USA

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-0-80753-152-5

Here's a patriotic book for little hearts!

The book features an all-color snapshot of 4^th of July celebrations in an unnamed town. Each page describes different people, from Baby Lily to Mr. Jonas, a veteran and their preparations for this national holiday honoring USA’s birthday – all of it in rhyme. There's also a dog, Rags, who weaves in and out of every one's homes. 

Excerpt

Lisa practices her twirling.

Luis salutes the flag unfurling.

Mr. Jonas finds his cap.

Baby Lily takes a nap.

Mayor Swanson writes her speech.

Rags keeps running out of reach.