Just Like My Dad

By David Melling

Year: 2002

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 34094 403 5

This heartwarming and witty book is about a little cub’s aspiration to grow up to be just like his dad, a mighty lion.

The illustrations are comical and will draw laughter from young and old. :-)

Excerpt

This is my dad.

One day, I’ll have sharp teeth just like my dad.

Grow Your Own

By Esther Hall

Year: 2011

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 230 74794 4

This book about transition and its effect on the family is also a story of hope and optimism.

Sidney lives with his mum in the city. He eats food that comes out of boxes and his mum puts on grey clothes and works is a ‘big grey building.’

You, almost, know where this is heading...

Then, all the grays are banished by the vivid imagery of the countryside and the bright pop of home-grown vegetables and fruits. Thanks to Sidney’s grandmother whom he visits during his summer holidays. 

Sidney and his mum’s lives are turned around by this visit.

Excerpt

Sidney and his granny worked hard that summer, digging up vegetables and picking up fruit.

Every day Sidney tried something new to eat.

Class Pets - Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe

By Susan Nees

Year: 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York

Age: 5 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 72

Book Type: Illustrated chapter book for new readers

ISBN: 978 0 54543 852 0

Missy is excited because she’s going to bring home Eenie-Meenie, Miney and Moe, her class pets. The only problem is that bossy Tiffany also wants them.

Missy plans and plots (hilarious!) but fails to deter Tiffany.

She does bring them home, though. :-)

Excerpt

Now everything was ready. Well, not quite everything. There was just one teeny-tiny thing left to do.

Missy had to ask her mother …

Milly, Molly and the Secret Scarves

Text: Gill Pittar

Illustrations: Cris Morrell

Year: 2002

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Early readers

ISBN:  978 1 87729 717 8

Milly and Molly are inseparable friends who constantly learn new things about people, places and important values.

In this heart-warming  book, Milly and Molly decide to surprise each other with a colorful scarf for Christmas. They knit and knot fervently until the scarves are done. On Christmas day, the girls are thrilled to discover how alike they are and how much they are loved.   

This book is more than just about sharing and giving gifts, it's about love and true friendship, the kind that overlooks differences, the kind that truly lasts.

Excerpt

She was still knitting on Christmas morning.

“You must love Molly very much,” her mother said.

“I do,” said Milly.

Tortillas for the Daltons - A Lucky Luke Adventure (10)

By Goscinny and Morris

Year: 2008 (English translation) (Original in 1971)

Publisher: Cinebook Ltd., Kent

Age: 10 years and above

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Comic Book

ISBN:  978 1 90546 049 6

Meet Lucky Luke, “the man who shoots faster than his own shadow.” Set in the Wild, Wild West, Lucky Luke, a cool-as-cucumber cowboy is tasked with unenviable duty of escorting the dubious Dalton brothers from Mexico back into the United States.

There’s plenty of humor, wit and hilarious situations to keep young and old engaged. Remember the magic of Asterix comics? It’s all there except set in a different time and place. :-)

Picnic on a cloud

By Mark Icanberry

Year: 2000

Publisher: Look, Learn and Do Publications

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 48

Book Type: Picture Book, Learning

ISBN:  978 1 89332 702 7

David, his friend Jessica and Newton, their four-legged pal are on a flying adventure. Using the blimp as inspiration, with Professor Alexander’s guidance, they create a flying gondola with an innovative sail of 289 Helium balloons. They fly, float, cruise and finally, have a picnic on a cloud.

This book is more than just a storybook – it features the history, science and construction of air ships tracing its journey from a hot air balloon to dirigibles and finally, blimps. There is also a You Can Do It section at the end of the book to help little ones make a tiny blimp with a straw, a milk carton, thread, Scotch tape and a couple of Helium-filled balloons. :-)

Excerpt

Newton slowly opened his large, lazy eyelids.

David yawned and called from below, “Are you up yet, Newton?”

“Rup,” replied Newton.

The Dark, Dark Night

Text: M. Christina Butler

Illustrations: Jane Chapman

Year: 2008

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 637 6

This book is an endearing comedy of errors which features five good friends – Badger, Rabbit, Hedgehog, Dormouse and Frog.

Frog has just woken up from a long winter sleep and in his excitement, he sets off a series of mishaps caused by ‘shadow monsters!’

This ought to be a good book for little ones who are afraid of the dark.

Excerpt

Frog was very excited. All winter he had been asleep under a stone, and now it was spring, he was on his way back to the pond.

Mole’s Sunrise

Text: Jeanne Willis, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Sarah Fox-Davies

Year: 2011

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40633 778 5

This kind and generous story of friendship offers little children a tiny peek at the window to the world of the differently-abled.

Vole is in a hurry to catch the sunrise. He stops by Mole’s house and invites him too. Soon, they are joined by Rabbit, Squirrel and Sparrow.

Each of them sees the sunrise with a unique perspective, all of which blend together to create a beautiful image for the nearly blind Mole.

This book is about kindness, friendship, generosity and so much more. The illustrations are breathtakingly detailed.

Excerpt

Vole got up just before dawn.

Mole was having breakfast but Vole didn’t have time.