One Sleepy Night

By Sebastien Braun 

Year: 2013

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 – 4 years

No. of Pages: 20

Book Type: Bedtime, Board Book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 512 7

This charming bedtime board book is beautiful. And, of course, the central character is a baby bear on his way to bed. They stop by one sleepy owl, two badgers and three fireflies before finally calling it a night.

The rhyming text is memorable too!

Excerpt

Three sleepy fireflies litter and peep.

Softly, the wind whispers, “Hush! Time for sleep!”

One little bear has a wash before bed. 

One Winter’s Night

Author: Claire Freedman

Illustrator: Simon Mendez

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-84506-971-1

This book truly comes across as a gem amongst children’s books not just for the splendid illustrations but also for the poignant story that evoke tender thoughts in the readers.

A mysterious badger with warm, kindly eyes appears out of nowhere, hungry and cold. Fox, Mouse and Hare scamper to help him in their own tiny ways.

Each page is a marvelous expression in beauty. From snow-swept landscapes, to dark woods to glorious sunrise, Simon Mendez has captured details in stark clarity.

This beauty, definitely, belongs in your child’s bedtime library.      

Excerpt

Then together they curled up cosy and warm in their snowy den.

The wind howled and snow fell thickly, but they had never slept so well.

The next morning Badger had gone!

Home

By Alex T. Smith, Wikipedia

Year: 2009

Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 1 40710 540 6

“A house is made of BOARDS and BEAMS

A home is made of LOVE and DREAMS. – anon.

And, that’s how the book starts.

The book does keep its promise as it uses the example of four friends, named simply as One, Two, Three and Four to bring home the lesson that people and relationships make a home not the walls and floors.

It’s a delightful read.

Excerpt

First they talked.

Then they argued.

Then they fought.

Finally they decided to go their separate ways.

“If I’m going,” they all shouted, “I’m taking the house with me!”

Don’t Wake the Bear, Hare!

Text: Steve Smallman

Illustrator: Caroline Pedler

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 1 84895 032 0

Here’s another adorable grumpy bear story. :-) (One of my favorites - Gruff the Grump.)

All the little animals of the forest are getting ready for Spring Party Day. They include badger, fox, hare, mice and the ants too!

They tiptoe around and organize the party very quietly so as to not disturb the hibernating bear. If he does wake up, he’s going to be very hungry and grumpy.

Best of all, this story is told in catchy, rhyming verse with illustrations that are witty and colorful. And, oh yes, there are plenty of opportunities for your little ones to engage in sounds – grr… humph… zzzzz…:-)

Excerpt

The lanterns were carefully hung in the trees.

The mice tied up ribbons that danced on the breeze.

They brought in the very last blueberry tart

And their party was now almost ready to start!