The Garden that We Grew (Puffin Young Readers: Level-2)

Text: Joan Holub, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Hiroe Nakata

Year: 2001

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 3 – 5 years

No. of Pages:  32

Book Type: Picture book, educational

ISBN: 978 0 44846 129 8

There’s nothing like some hands-on gardening experience for little ones to engage their energies and help them appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around them.

The text is set out in verse form with plenty of rhyming words to make reading fun for new readers.

Excerpt

These are the buds that peek from their beds.

These are the flowers that poke out their heads.

These are the pumpkins that grow on the vine.

These are the summer days filled with sunshine.

Harry and the Dinosaurs have a Happy Birthday

Text: Ian Whybrow, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Adrian Reynolds

Year: 2008

Publisher: Puffin Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 141 50051 5

Meet the delightful team of Harry and his adorable dinosaurs.

It’s birthday time.

When Nan bakes Mr. Oakley a cherry pie for is birthday, Harry decides to celebrate his dinosaurs’ birthday too as they turn a 100 million years old!

The vibrant colors and the lively text make for a memorable reading session. 

Excerpt

“Raaaah! We like eating cakes,” said Scelidosaurus.

“And we like ferns and gingko leaves!” said Tyrannosaurus. “Raaaah! They’re pre-historic!”

“I like being a decoration,” said Pterodactyl. 

What’s that noise, Little Mouse?

Text: Stephanie Stansbie

Illustrations: Polona Lovsin

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages:  20

Book Type: Novelty book, picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 116 7

There just won’t be enough books that focus on children’s fears and how to tackle them.

This story of the Little Mouse takes the effort one step further – it’s a press-the-page noisy book!

Little Mouse is half-asleep when he’s woken by a strange sound. Soon, he’s wide awake and very aware of many more scary sounds. Each of these sounds can be heard in the book.

Of course, his mom comes in to explain all the sounds – Owly singing his song, breeze in the trees, clock ticking and so on.

It is a fun-filled book! :-)

Excerpt

But then came the worst noise of all … a rattling, chattering, clattering sound – and it was heading straight towards Little Mouse …

Dick and Jane: Jump and Run (Puffin Young Readers - Level 1)

Year: 2013 (this edition)

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 448 45809 0

Here's another encouraging book for beginner-level readers with easy words and tiny sentences. 

The text details Dick and Jane's play time adventures with their little sister Sally and their pets, Spot and Puff.

Excerpt

Look, Dick.

See Puff jump.

Oh, look.

Look and see.

See Puff jump and play.

Bruno’s Box

By Nicola Pontin 

Year: 2011

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 845 39512 4

Every child has the unique ability to turn an ordinary object into something extraordinary and imbibed with super powers.

Bruno’s story reminds you of just that!

He has a little box that can be transformed (in his imagination!) into any kind of fanciful device or means of transport. And in a show of classic resilience that children exhibit so well, when his battered carton vanishes, he finds a paper that he rolls up into, yes, you guessed it – another fanciful scope.

Excerpt

It’s the best box in the world.

But now my box has gone.

And I can’t find it anywhere.

Busy Bugs: A book about Patterns (Puffin Young Readers – Level 1)

Text: Jayne Harvey

Illustrations: Bernard Adnet

Year: 2003

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 44845 816 8

The book cover calls it a ‘book about patterns’ and it is. The text showcases all the pretty patterns in nature – butterfly wings, the dots on a ladybird, spider webs, fireflies and more.

All of these facts are woven into a lyrical text that intertwines numbers and colors to spin a tale of fantasy and sheer natural beauty.

Excerpt

Here are eight bugs who like to sing.

They all line up from wing to wing.

One moth, one flea, one fly, one bee.




Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish, Review here
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy, Review here
• Level - 2: Madeline and her dog, Review here
• Level - 2: Princess Buttercup, Review here
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters, Review here 
• Level - 2: Snug Bug, Review here
• Level - 2: Spider's Lunch, Review here
• Level - 2: The Cow in the House, Review here
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: Who stole the cookies?, Review here

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

Fox Outfoxed (Puffin Young Readers – Level 3)

By James Marshall, Wikipedia

Year: 1992

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 44846 337 7

This book leaves you with memorable moments that will raise a snicker several days later too!

Meet Fox, a bossy and aspiring-to-be-wily, well, fox. The book features three stories, where Fox thinks he’s outmaneuvered his victim but his elaborate efforts come crumbling down on him. His Mom is terrific too as she matches him, prank for prank. The tales are hilarious and yes, it’s a Level 3 book too!

This is the kind of book that ought to get children hooked on to reading. 

Excerpt

Fox had lots and lots of comic books.

“Are you sure you have enough?” said Mom.

“I could always use more,” said Fox.

“I wasn't serious,” said Mom. 

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish, Review here
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy, Review here
• Level - 2: Madeline and her dog, Review here
• Level - 2: Princess Buttercup, Review here
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters, Review here 
• Level - 2: Snug Bug, Review here
• Level - 2: Spider's Lunch, Review here
• Level - 2: The Cow in the House, Review here
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: Who stole the cookies?, Review here

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

10 Trim-the-Tree’ers

Text: Janet Schulman

Illustrations: Linda Davick

Year: 2010

Publisher: Alfred A Knopf, New York 

Age: 0 to 4 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Board book

ISBN:  978 0 37587 302

This is a simply fantastic Christmas book for the tiniest little ones. Understandably, it is a board book with delightful festive illustrations that make this one a keeper.

Oh and by the way, it also introduces numbers to little ones using all the Christmas elements and a menorah to round out the festive spirit.

The kids loved this book because it's absolutely cheerful and bright! :-)

Excerpt

10 little neighbors about to trim their tree.

They’ll dress for the occasion.

Turn the page and see.

1 shiny golden star at the very tip-top.

2 strings of flashing lights that just won’t stop. 

Say Hello to the Snowy Animals

Text: Ian Whybrow, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Ed Eaves

Year: 2007

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 1 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Touch-and-feel book

ISBN:  978 0 23001 620 0

The little ones were simply delighted with this stunningly beautiful touch-and-feel book with illustrations that capture the pristine beauty of snowy lands.

And yes, the book is an introduction to all the animals that inhabit the icy part of our world including the orca.

Our guide through this tour is a cute little husky who seems to have a rapport with most animals. There are plenty of opportunities for little ones to make animal sounds too. The text rhymes too! 

This must've won quite a few awards. :-) It’s just perfect!

Excerpt

Who’s that fishing over there?

Say hello to the polar bear.

Hello, Polar Bear!

Grrrr, grrrr, grrrr! 

Easy as Pie

Text: Cari Best

Illustrations: Melissa Sweet

Year: 2010

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York 

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 36

ISBN:  978 0 37439 929 0

This book reminded me a lot of Harvey the Baker in that it introduces children to the delights of baking.

The story takes us through the baking (and cleaning!) routine as Jacob bakes a pie for his parents’ anniversary. He’s also a fan of Chef Monty, who hosts Jacob’s favorite television show.

Chef Monty’s culinary wisdom peeks through the pages every step of the baking process. Sample this: A happy baker bakes a happy pie.

Naturally, who would contradict such delightful insights?

Excerpt

“This pie business is harder than I thought,” he worried out loud.

But only for a second, because Jacob remembered another one of Chef Monty’s rules: Don’t give up even when what you’re making doesn't look the way it’s supposed to.

Tiny Goes to the Library (Puffin Young Readers – Level 1)

Text: Cari Meister

Illustrations: Rich Davis

Year: 2000

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 0 44845 787 1

Tiny is a big dog. No, he’s a very big dog (think Clifford but brown). He goes everywhere with his beloved friend, a clever little boy. The Tiny series is typically books for beginner readers but it’s also a heart-warming story of friendship and sharing.

Excerpt

I go inside.

Tiny stays outside.

I get dog books.

I get frog books.

I get bird books for Tiny.

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish, Review here
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy, Review here
• Level - 2: Madeline and her dog, Review here
• Level - 2: Princess Buttercup, Review here
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters, Review here 
• Level - 2: Snug Bug, Review here
• Level - 2: Spider's Lunch, Review here
• Level - 2: The Cow in the House, Review here
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: Who stole the cookies?, Review here

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

Duck & Goose: What’s up, Duck?

By Tad Hills, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Boxer Books, New York

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 90715 205 4

This vibrant, colorful picture book of opposites features an adorable duck and a goose. A part of me wished it was a story… The illustrations are just too cute!

Other books in this series:

•   Duck and Goose
•   Duck and Goose: How are you feeling?
•   Duck and Goose: 1,2,3
•   Duck, Duck, Goose
•         Duck and Goose Colors