Hector and the Cello

Author and Illustrator: Ros Asquith

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Big Cat, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-00747-063-1

Now here’s a book that addresses an issue faced by all who dare to dream – criticism. People around us simply seem to love trampling on our dreams and aspirations. Some mean well and some don’t. Nevertheless, it is a real problem and something that we need to familiarize our children with.

Meet Hector the hippopotamus, who has a dream - to play the cello. Naturally, the lion, the leopard, the rhino and the snake express their disbelief in different ways and unknowingly, give Hector all that he needs to buy a cello and some lessons. Soon, he’s on his way to achieving his dream with happy consequences for all the animals of the wild, wet jungle.

Excerpt

“I want to play the cello,” said Hector. “Please don’t roar, or growl, or snort, or hiss.”

“Do you have a cello?” asked the lyrebird.

“No,” said Hector. “But I have a lion’s mane, a leopard’s spots, a rhino’s horn and a snake’s skin. 

Will that buy me a cello and some lessons?”

Tom’s Tail

Author: Linda Jennings

Illustrator: Tim Warnes

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 1995

ISBN: 978-1-58925-383-4

Children of the television and Internet era have a huge problem – they are bombarded with messages that seem to indicate that they could be really happy if they changed a wee bit of this or that of themselves. I liked this book, because it addresses just that – accepting yourself for who you are.

Little Tom is a perfectly made piglet but he has a problem with his tail. His kind-hearted farm friends try several remedies until Tom realizes, through a series of mishaps, that his tail is just fine, the way it was meant to be.

This is definitely a book for your personal library.  

Excerpt

“Tell you what,” said Sam, picking himself up.

“Why don’t I take hold of your tail and you can lead me along. That should straighten it!”

So Tom took Sam for a walk, past the pigsties and over the buttercup meadows.

“That’s enough!” squealed Tom. “Let me go!”

PING!

Back sprang the tail to its usual curly-twirly self. 

Paddington at the Palace

Author: Michael Bond

Illustrator: R. W. Alley

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Harper Collins, UK

Year: 1986

And here’s adorable Paddington again – this time on a visit to the Palace.

It’s a beautiful day when Paddington and Mr. Gruber set out to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, the bear has a bad time in the crowd and ends up missing the parade. Just when all seems glum, a man in a bowler hat asks the policeman at the gate to let them in so Paddington can get a proper photograph!

Then they know, someone in the Palace likes bears and has let them in.

Excerpt

“Look,” said a small boy, pointing at Paddington. “One of the soldiers has dropped his hat.”

“It’s what they call a busby, dear,” said his mother.

Paddington jumped to his feet. “I’m not a busby,” he cried. “I’m a bear!”