Percy and the Pirates

Author: Russell Punter

Illustrator: Kate Sheppard

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, London

ISBN: 978 0 74609 160 9

Here's another gem from the Usborne Young Reading series.    

Meet Percy, an enterprising and clever boy who courageously changes his family’s misfortune after an adventure with a band of pirates led by Captain Crook. Yes, that’s his name. His crew mates are Willy Weevil, Sam Scurvy and Ronnie Rum.

I liked this story because it portrays good old values of bravery, courage and honesty. But there are man-eating sharks that make their appearance more than once. Parents might want to cushion that bit of cruelty.

The watercolor illustrations weave right into the story, seamlessly.

By the way, the ships that the pirates plunder are called Crimson Cuttlefish, Pink Prawn, Blue Blowfish and Red Herring. Notice a cute pattern there? 

Excerpt

Percy didn’t want to be a pirate. But he didn’t want to be a shark’s dinner, either.

“Tell Percy the ship’s motto, lads,” bellowed Crook, and the pirates sang.

“We steal for Crook ‘cos he’s the best,

Then put the treasure in his chest.”

The ship sailed out to sea.

“Will I ever see my family again?” thought Percy.

Five-Minute Puppy Tales

Text: Gaby Goldsack

Illustrations: Daniel Howarth

Year: 2003

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 44

Book Type: Chapter book, hardback

ISBN:  978 0 75257 000 5

This little gem from Parragon ought to be a collector’s item. :-)

The book offers gentle stories of friendship, love and understanding among the much-loved furry little ones.  As much as these tales are devoted to puppies, all of them are related to their human friends and therefore, one gets to read well-rounded stories that convey the power of love and friendship and caution against greed and disobedience.  

Excerpt from A Perfect Puppy

“That one’s too big,” said Polly, pointing to a Great Dane.

“And that one’s too small.” She pointed to a Chihuahua.

“How about this one?” Said Mummy, stroking an Afghan Hound.

“Too hairy.”

Ali Cat is a Scaredy-Cat

Author: Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrator: Janet McDonnell

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Zonderkidz, Zondervan, Michigan

Year: 2008

ISBN: 978-0-31071-702-7

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives fear away, says the Bible in 1 John 4:18. Now, this ought to be a difficult concept for children to assimilate and yet this story explains it in a simplistic manner.

Meet Katy and her cat, Ali Cat who rushes in one day, scared. Katy wants to help her Ali Cat and so she snuggles it under her shirt. It’s the only way she knows how to show love to her cat. With this simple gesture, Katy not only helps her cat but also finds the courage to say her part at the show, without forgetting and with a smile!

This book is part of the I Can Read beginner’s series. There are several other titles in this series, including some more Ali Cat stories. 

Excerpt

Katy felt like a scaredy-cat.

But Ali Cat was purring.

Ali Cat was no scaredy-cat now.

She knew Katy loved her.

And Katy knew she was loved too.

This and That

Text: Julie Sykes

Illustrations: Tanya Linch

Year: 1996

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 916 1

It’s a beautiful day at the farm and it's just right for Cat’s special surprise. 

She borrows Horse’s stable, straw from Pig, hay from Goat, wool from Sheep, a few feathers from Hen and a purple ribbon from Donkey’s hat. The animals are curious but Cat responds with a cryptic “This and that.” 

They decide to hide in the yard to find out what Cat is up to. They all get a very pleasant surprise.

Excerpt

“May I have a few of your feathers?”

Hen stopped scratching and cocked her head curiously. “You may,” she clucked.

“But whatever for?”

“This and that,” purred Cat.   

My Little Pony – Pinkie Pie’s Pretty Hair Day

Text and Illustrations: Hasbro Inc.

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 10

Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, New York

Year: 2004

ISBN: 978-0-68987-495-6

The delightful and charming TV series My Little Pony is now here, in a book.

The first thing that jumps out at you is Pinkie Pie’s little lock of pink hair (nylon, of course) with silvery streaks set into an indentation that runs through all the pages. And yes, you guessed it! This is a story of a pre-party crisis where Pinkie Pie simply cannot decide how to wear her hair. Each of her friends suggests a hair style (that the children can try too) – braids, fluffed, smooth and straight until Wysteria gets an idea.

Excerpt

Rainbow Dash said, “I can help you, Pinkie Pie!”

She took out the braids and fluffed Pinkie Pie’s hair.

Fluff, fluff, fluff!

Pinkie Pie’s hair was standing out and sticking up!

“It’s beautiful!” cried Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie wasn’t sure she agreed.

Wherever You Are

By Nancy Tillman, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York

Age: 5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Poetry

ISBN: 978 0 31254 966 4

The complete title of the book is Wherever You Are my love will find you. It’s a touching tribute to parents’ love for their children.

There are stunning comparisons to the bounties of nature to remind little ones of the everlasting nature of their parent’s love.

The beautifully detailed illustrations compliment the heart warming text. The child's special status is accentuated by a glimmering trail of stars that surrounds the child through the pages. 

It’s poetry. It’s art. It’s love. :-)

Excerpt

So climb any mountain … climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

Thunderbelle’s Party

Author: Karen Wallace

Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Year: 2007

ISBN: 978-1-84362-627-5

If your children are monster-averse, then this book might help them see the beasties in a friendlier light. The book features several pages exploding with color and lively illustrations and there is nothing strictly ‘monstrous’ about this story or book.

This story is about Thunderbelle who wants to host a fancy-dress party. The rest of the story deals with all that goes into making a party fun, in a light-hearted way, of course.

A word of caution, though. Nearly, four pages of the book are devoted to Thunderbelle eating and drinking to cheer herself up. In my opinion, that’s not a great message to send across to children. If parents can couch this the right way, then this book should be just fine for an afternoon read.

Excerpt

A fairy costume was inside! Thunderbelle put it on. She looked fantastic! (It was only a little bit tight!)

Soon all the other monsters arrived. Everyone wanted to help.

Clodbuster made a special dance floor.

Mudmighty brought a basket of fruit and vegetables.

Roxorus set up his Monster Music Machine.

And Pipsquawk thought up some new tunes to play.

There was only one thing missing. “Where is Thunderbelle?” roared Roxorus. 

When the World is Ready for Bed

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Anna Currey

Year: 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type:  Picture Book, Bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 40880 564 0

This is an enchanting bedtime book with charming lyrical text that evokes the beauty of dusk and night time.  

The innocence of the bedtime ritual is vividly captured in watercolors as three little ones prepare to sleep.

A big thumbs up! :-)

Excerpt

Let’s talk about

The things you’ve done –

All the laughter,

All the fun.

Little by Little

Author: Amber Stewart

Illustrator: Layn Marlow

For Ages: 3 to 7

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Year: 2008

ISBN: 978-0-54506-163-6

Meet Scramble, an otter, that errr… cannot swim! He can do forward roly-polys, slippery rock hopping, mud sliding and everything else that an otter ought to do but swim.

That is, until his sister has a brainwave.

‘You have got to start small,’ she says. Soon Scramble can swim and even tumble under-water.

The story did make me wonder if this story can be used to motivate children to learn swimming. Just a thought.

It’s inspiring in its own way especially for little children as they now begin to cope with the rigors and challenges of school. ‘Starting small’ can be an incredible learning for children as they learn to overcome obstacles in academics and relationships.   

Excerpt

So, on that Monday, Scramble started small. He hopped along the river bed, keeping his toes off the bottom just that bit longer every time.

On Tuesday, he did higher hops and floating (with holding on) in between.

On Wednesday, Scramble did floating with no holding on.

And, on Thursday, he did a little kicking and then a lot of kicking to the Halfway Stone.