My Wild Life: I am an owl

Author: Camilla de la Bedoyere

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 25

Publisher: Miles Kelly Publishing, UK

Year: 2012

ISBN: 978-1-84810-621-5

Most children find owls fascinating. And this book will seal that love. :-)

This fun, nature-lover’s book from Animal Planet introduces children to the world of owls with fun facts, jokes, craft ideas, puzzles, poems, quizzes and more. It comes with a poster, an owl mask and stickers.

This book simply makes learning fun.

Excerpt

How fast do you fly?

I fly more slowly than other hunting birds.

I spread my wings wide, and lean forwards. The wind catches my wings, and I soar through the sky.

Water World – Pop-up fun

By Christian Riese Lassen

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 12

Publisher: The Book Company, Australia

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978-1-74047-180-0

This brilliantly illustrated and arranged book by the famed Christian Riese Lassen is a collectible. Nevertheless, it is a pop-up book for little ones, so how long the book lasts is anybody’s guess.

The words are lively and get the children excited. The book features a pod of dolphins and then a pod of killer whales and several brightly, colored coral fish.

This has to be classified as a ‘happy’ book for it is guaranteed to transform your emotions, no matter what your age.

Excerpt

A mighty whale bursts from the water shooting into the air with a KERPOW!

KERSPLASH!

What a show-off!

Two whale babies stay close to their mother, rolling and spinning in a BUBBLING FIZZ.

I am too absolutely small for school

Author and Illustrator: Lauren Child

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-0-76362-887-1

Now here’s a book that tackles the apprehensions of a reluctant pre-schooler.

Meet Charlie and his little sister, Lola who thinks she’s “still really quite small” and therefore, not ready to go to school. Older, wiser Charlie assuages her fears and counters every reason Lola can come up with. Until Lola, does go to school and brings home a friend!

The narrative captures the imagination and conversational skills of young children, like a photograph. :-) It’s just the way they talk.

And, of course, there is an imaginary friend in the mix – Soren Lorensen whose presence Charlie deftly grasps to convince Lola about school.

The illustrations are a mix of collages, simple sketches and everyday objects, photographed and placed just so as to complete the effect.   

Excerpt

“But I absolutely will NOT ever wear a schooliform. I do not like wearing the same as other people.”

I say, “But Lola, you do not have to wear a school uniform. At our school you can wear whatever you like.”

“Oh,” says Lola.

You wait there. I know exactly what I can wear…”

Clever Little Fairy

Author: Nicola Baxter

Illustrator: David Pace

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 1998

ISBN: 978-0-72141-991-6

We have all been astonished, at times, when we find answers to problems in unexpected ways and places. 

Bella Mirella, is almost ready for fairy school but she needs to learn a few spells before she joins. A doubling spell is supposed to be simple, at least, according to her mother but Bella has a tough time with it.

After a series of misadventures, including turning her little sister, Tina Marina, into a frog, she realizes that it’s easy when you are just yourself. In her case, she just had to be a fairy to do all that a fairy ought to be able to do.

Excerpt

Bella Mirella was so shocked that she had to sit down. What had she done? And how?

“Oh no, this will mean double trouble,” thought Bella Mirella.

And just as the words slipped through her mind…

PING!

There were two frogs!

Whistle a Happy Tune and other stories

Author: C. Schmid

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 16

Publisher: Sterling Publishers, India

Year: 2006

Lately, I've been hearing this phrase quite often - ‘intentional parenting’ which means just what it says. Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed by our everyday lives that we rarely have any quality time left to give our children much less to pass on essential life lessons to them.

This gem of a book might help with that. The book isn’t great to look at nor do the illustrations grab our attention but this book is a true treasure trove of wisdom.

There are seven short stories, each of which conveys an essential lesson that, if imbibed by our children, will set them on the path of true success.

Here are the stories:

• Whistle a happy tune: On patience
• Kindness always pays
• The Sun and the Rain: On appreciating good times and bad
• The Three Lovely Flowers: Lily for innocence, Violet for modesty and the rose as a symbol of charity
• The Rain Was a Blessing: On not grumbling and complaining
• The Miracle Field: On the merits of hard work
• The Echo of Love: On being kind, caring and helpful to others