Disney’s Brother Bear

Year: 2003

Publisher: Chuang Yi Publishing Pte.  Ltd., Singapore

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Graphic Novel

ISBN:  978 9 81241 669 8

This brilliant graphic novel based on Disney’s blockbuster animated movie, Brother Bear will cheer any comic book lover.    

Brother Bear is heartwarming tale set in ancient times and celebrates the special bond between man and animals.

A young impetuous boy is turned into a bear and he must journey through treacherous terrain to see himself change back into a human being again. This journey also transforms his perspective on life, brotherhood and kinship with nature.

This is a great way to introduce young ones to the colorful world of comics.

Wanda and the Alien

By Sue Hendra

Year: 2011

Publisher: Red Fox, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84941 018 2

Wanda, a happy little rabbit befriends an alien. Her friends, however, don’t have the same reaction - they are scared. Once they get to know him, they become such good friends that they beg the alien to stay on for Christmas. :-)

This book sends out a great message to little ones  – “friends come in all shapes and sizes.” One just has to take the time and effort to get to know them.

Excerpt

The alien’s rocket had crash landed and needed to be mended. Wanda fetched her tools.

Wanda and the alien didn’t speak the same language, but they made each other laugh a lot. 

Madeline in London

Author and Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

Publisher: Scholastic, London

Year: 1996 (First published by Andre Deutsch Ltd. 1962)

ISBN: 978-0-14056-649-9

Television series: Madeline

This classic picture book with its rhyming tale of the wise Miss Clavel, Madeline and her friends almost doubles as a delightful tour guide. The book traces the children’s journey from Paris to London as they go to meet their good friend, Pepito.

And you do get a mini tour of London!

Excerpt

His papa called Paris. “Hello, Miss Clavel,

My little Pepito is not at all well.

He misses you; and he’s lonesome for

Madeline and the little girls next door.

May we request the pleasure of your company –

There’s plenty of room here at our embassy.”

Other Madeline titles

• Mad about Madeline: The Complete Tales
• Madeline's Christmas
• Madeline's Tea Party
• Madeline says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book
• A Madeline Treasury

Hooray for Harry

By Kim Lewis

Year: 2006

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40630 377 3

We picked this book essentially because the cover was simply adorable. The book, certainly, did not disappoint. Three fuzzy-wuzzy friends are on a quest to find a much-loved blanket.

Harry wants to cuddle in his blanket for a nap but he can't seem to find it anywhere. Ted and Lulu help him retrace his steps through the day to find the blanket. 

The impressive detailing in the illustrations make you want to reach out and touch the blanket and the animals. This could have been a lovely touch-and-feel book. 

Excerpt

Harry thought of his blanket, so fluffy and soft. He thought very hard. He thought and thought.

My blanket was a tent, then a swing and a sail. Our picnic made it all sticky. We washed it and washed it and then …

Wild Things! Emu on the loose

Author:  Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Byrne

Year: 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age:  2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

I simply loved this wildlife book for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a whacky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one.

And besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•          Tiger at the door
•         Elephant in the attic
•          Giraffe on a sleepover
•         Hippo in the house
•          Lion who came to lunch
•          Monkey in the garden
•          Penguin in the post

Excerpt

Keep your sparkly things locked away.

An emu just can’t resist collecting them – or eating them. Bling!

You will need a padlock and a key.

Hospital Farm: Daisy the Dizzy Calf (Bright Sparks)

Text: Jackie Andrews

Illustrations: Jacqueline East

Year: 2002

Publisher: Parragon, UK

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84250 407 9

This Bright Sparks book (which donates one book to less fortunate children for every two sold) is about the Haven Farm Animal Hospital run by Joe and Sally’s parents.

The children help with farm and caring for the animals.

When a little calf called Daisy comes to the farm, she feels left out as the newest occupant. A misunderstanding leads to a misadventure. But all ends well. :-)

Excerpt

The little calf watched all the other animals having lots of fun, playing together.

“Maybe if I practice,” she thought to herself, “I won’t be so wobbly.”

That afternoon, Daisy ran round and round the meadow, jumping over the little stream at the bottom. 

Wild Things! Tiger at the door

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

I simply loved this wildlife book for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a whacky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one.

And besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•          Emu on the loose
•          Elephant in the attic
•          Giraffe on a sleepover
•          Hippo in the house
•          Lion who came to lunch
•          Monkey in the garden
•          Penguin in the post

Excerpt

A tiger’s tongue is really rough.

It is covered in bumps that scrape meat off the bones of prey. Don’t let your tiger lick you.

You will need: A suit of armour