Just One More!

Text: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrations:  Alison Edgson

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Bedtime Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 313 0

Little Brown Bunny is ready for bed but he can’t seem to get enough stories for the night. After a few stories, his exhausted Mummy passes the books on to Daddy. Soon, Granny and then, Grandpa read to him.

Finally, after all the stories have been read, Little Brown Bunny is still not ready to sleep. However, he has a wonderful idea on how to get a new bedtime book.

Excerpt

Teatime was over. Bath time was over.

That meant just one thing …

“Story time!” cried Little Brown Bunny.

So Mummy read him a story. Then another.

At the end of the Rainbow

Text: A H Benjamin

Illustrations: John Bendall-Brunello

Year: 2004

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 003 2

This heart-warming story about two friends and their search for the mystical treasure at the end of the rainbow opens up a window into the world around us and all that truly matters in life.

Badger and Fox decide to follow the rainbow for it's treasure. During their journey, they find that their friends have different perspectives on the meaning of treasure. Squirrel places most value on his store of acorns while Mother Duck thinks of her baby as her greatest treasure. They finally meet Old Hare whose memories are most precious to him.

Badger and Fox get to thinking and it dawns on both of them that their friendship is truly a treasure.

Excerpt

“Ahh,” nodded Old Hare. “I have lots of that.”

“Really? Where?” they asked.

Old Hare patted his head. “Here,” he said. “My memories are my treasure. They make me happy.”

Books Always Everywhere

Text: Jane Blatt

Illustrations: Sarah Massini

Year: 2013

Publisher: Nosy Crow, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 85763 090 2

This endearing picture book looks at books from a toddler’s perspective. While the text engages children with all that a book is, it also introduces us to some of its unusual functions like a hat or as a chair. Well, that’s how a toddler would see it! :-)

Excerpt

Book build

Book mat

Book chair

Book hat

It’s Snowing!

By Olivier Dunrea

Year: 2010

Publisher: Square Fish, New York

Age: 6 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 31260 216 1

The first snowfall is often a magical and momentous time for most of us. This book is a tender narrative of a mother’s delight at introducing her baby to her first snowfall. The text and illustrations are enchanting.

Excerpt

“Baby, taste the snow!”

Baby opens his mouth.

“Baby, touch the snow!”

Baby flies into the air.

Buzz Bumble to the Rescue

Text:  Lynn E. Hazen

Illustrations:  Jill Newton

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 74757 297 6

This story about bees is captured in outstanding illustrations that make each page a work of art.

Buzz Bumble is a star in his garden. All the bees admire him for his style, speed and agility. However, when sweet lil' Baby Bumble comes flying around, all the attention is turned to her.

Buzz Bumble feels miffed but he races to her rescue when she’s trapped in a Venus Flytrap.

He makes it to the cover of “The National Bee-Geographic Magazine.”

We loved this book for its message of self-acceptance and encouraging children to be comfortable with themselves. The sunny illustrations are cheery and adorable. 

Excerpt

“Look at Baby Bumble!” announced Humble.

“Our little fuzzy-buzzy is covered with pollen!”

“Adorable,” cooed Miss Bizzy.

“Where’s Ansel Antennae?” asked Senor Sting. “He must take a picture!”

Goose on the Loose

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Vanessa Cabban

Year: 2003

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 893 9

Little Gooseberry is learning to fly. Despite a few bumps along the road, he persists, bolstered by the autumn winds and his friends’ encouragement.

He also notices that while he’s practicing great loops in the air, his friends - Beaver, Red Squirrel, Mouse and Hare are scampering around to prepare for the impending winter. He feels he needs to get ready too.

His parents remind him that geese fly to warmer lands during winter. He’s been preparing for winter, after all! 

Excerpt

Suddenly, a little chilly breeze ruffled Gooseberry’s feathers. He began to fee a teeny bit worried. 

Winter was coming!

Everyone was preparing for it – except him.

Perhaps he had better hurry up and do something – before it was too late. 

Humphrey’s Corner

By Sally Hunter

Year: 1999

Publisher: Puffin Books

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14056 585 0

An adorable baby elephant is about to start his day. He gathers his Mooey (blanket), a little stool and his beloved Mop, a bunny rabbit. He puts them into a box and looks around for a cozy corner to play in.

Humphrey's Corner is saturated with innocence. The text and story is endearing. The illustrations are suffused with the tender glow of morning sunlight. The font is perfect – handwritten in neat , loving pencil strokes.

A fabulous package. :-)

Excerpt

So Humphrey put his Mooey, the little stool, the bottle with the pretty colours and Mummy’s sparkly necklace into the box with Mop on top …

SO MUCH!

Text: Trish Cooke

Illustrations: Helen Oxenbury, Wikipedia

Year: 1994

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 48

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN: 978 1 40630 665 1

This was our first experience of African-Caribbean life.

The book is centered around an adorable baby who's pampered and cuddled by a string of visiting relatives. One of them wants to squeeze him, another wants to kiss him. His doting grand-mammas want to eat him while a cousin wants to fight him. All because they love the baby SO MUCH!

The illustrations are striking in their attention to detail and each person is brought alive through the lyrical prose and paintings.

This book ought to be a collector’s item.:-)

Excerpt

Nannie and Gran-Gran came inside with their handbags cock up to one side and their brolly hook up on their sleeve.

“Yoooooo Hoooooo! Yoooooo Hoooooo!” they said.