Playhouse

Text: Robert Munsch

Illustrations: Michael Martchenko

Year: 2002

Publisher: Scholastic, Canada

Age:  5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 0 43998 959 6

Rene, an ambitious little girl asks her dad to build her a playhouse. He builds her a wonderful two-storey playhouse with real windows and a slide.

After a week, though, Rene feels the playhouse would be complete if it had a play barn. Soon, chickens and a play cow are moved to the barn accompanied by her dad's tractor and the bulldozer.

After a month, Rene decides that her playhouse misses a play mommy and play daddy. And that’s when, her parents decide that Rene’s ambitions needs to be handled. :-)

This rib-tickling book is yet another gem from the Munsch-Martchenko duo. :-)

A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

One day, Rene went to her father and said, "Pleeeeeease make me a playhouse! Our farm is way out in the middle of the woods, and I have nobody to play with except my little brothers. I need a playhouse.”

Dream Animals – A Bedtime Journey

By Emily Winfield Martin

Year: 2013

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books, New York

Age: 5 - 9

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Bedtime, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 44981 080 4

This enchanting bedtime book about children’s journeys to Dreamland employs lyrical text to weave a web of dreams and twilight magic.

The illustrations are a combination of pencil sketches and elaborate finely detailed paintings that seem to be infused with life.  

Simply beautiful! :-)

Excerpt

There are animals from long ago

And twice as far away.

Their maps are made of starlight

And can’t be seen by day.

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar

Text: Sheridan Cain

Illustrations: Jack Tickle

Year: 2002

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 641 3

The kids loved this book. There were lots of primary colors, an adorable smiley-faced caterpillar and plenty of “noise” words where they got to ‘buzz’ with a bumble bee and more.

It’s the quintessential tale of transformation where a caterpillar dreams of flying and is given that magical touch by nature (metamorphosis, of course!) to make his dreams come true.

By the way, the corner of the book looks like it's been chomped off... a nice touch, me thinks! :-)

Excerpt

Caterpillar was always hungry.

For weeks he crunched and munched his way through the fresh, juicy leaves of a blackberry bush.

Born Again!

By Phil A. Smouse

Year: 2004

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, USA

Age: 4 -7 years

No. of Pages: 62

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 59310 099 5

Born Again belongs to the I Can Read God’s Word series for young children which features stories from the Bible written to suit little ones.

I liked this book because it explains complex verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 in elegant simplicity and vividly colored illustrations to etch the truth in a young child’s mind.

Excerpt from Peace (Philippians 4: 4-7)

At all times, in every way, in all things, rejoice!

Let your heart be filled with joy.

You do not need to worry.

God hears your prayers. 

Yummy Yummy Food for my Tummy

Text: Sam Lloyd

Illustrations: Jack Tickle

Year: 2003

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 898 6

Two islands, two chimps and plenty of sharks – that’s what this colorful book is about.

And yes, the sharks seem to have bitten a chunk off of the book, too. :-)

George and Jess are two lonely chimps on their islands. They use their ingenuity to brave the threats of hungry sharks to, finally, meet up and have a great party with music, dancing, yummy banana milkshakes and coconut cake.

This book is bound to be a winner, both with kids who are fascinated by sharks and those who see them as villains.

Excerpt

But there was a problem.

In the deep blue sea between the two islands were sharks!

“Yummy, yummy, yummy, food for my tummy,” the sharks sang when they saw the little chimps. 

Makeup Mess

Text: Robert Munsch

Illustrations: Michael Martchenko

Year: 2001

Publisher: Scholastic, Canada

Age: 5 - 9 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 0 43998 896 4

Julie, an industrious (and prospective investment banker!) is excited because she has finally saved up one hundred dollars. She spends the lot on make-up!

After a few disastrous trials which result in her parents falling over in astonishment, she realizes that she doesn’t need make-up to feel or be pretty.

She sells all of her stuff to her friends and earns a windfall. Now, you know why I predicted her career. :-)

This rib-tickling book is yet another gem from the Munsch-Martchenko duo. :-) A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

So Julie took some purple stuff and stuck it on her eyes.

She took some green stuff and put it on her cheeks.

She took some black stuff and put it on her lips, and she colored her hair purple.

Four Friends in the Garden

By Sue Heap

Year: 2005

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84428 554 5

Four friends - Florentina the bear, Rachel the rabbit, Seymour the sheep and Mary Clare are in the garden. They are ecstatic when a butterfly joins them.

This picture book celebrates the simple joys of life and childhood innocence with its unique story on friendship and camaraderie.

Excerpt

“Ooof!” says Florentina. “I am hot.”

She kicks off her slippers. A butterfly lands on her foot.

Laura’s Star

By Klaus Baumgart, Wikipedia

Year: 1996

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Novelty Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 696 0

Sometimes, we find the gift of friendship in the most unexpected places.

Lonely little Laura wishes for a friend. Her wish is granted in the most extraordinary manner – a star comes whirling down from the sky! 

She brings it home and tends to it as a point has broken off.

Laura has a wonderful time with the star but its glitter begins to fade. She knows a star is happiest up in the sky and sets it free.

Oh yes, the star is all silvery, shiny and smooth to touch. Little ones will love it. :-)

The book is perfect in every way especially because of the almost magical quality of the illustrations.

Excerpt

Outside on the pavement lay a little star, fizzing sparks and colours like a giant sparkler.

“You’re beautiful,” Laura whispered, as she tiptoed towards it. 

Wherever You Are

By Nancy Tillman, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York

Age: 5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Poetry

ISBN: 978 0 31254 966 4

The complete title of the book is Wherever You Are my love will find you. It’s a touching tribute to parents’ love for their children.

There are stunning comparisons to the bounties of nature to remind little ones of the everlasting nature of their parent’s love.

The beautifully detailed illustrations compliment the heart warming text. The child's special status is accentuated by a glimmering trail of stars that surrounds the child through the pages. 

It’s poetry. It’s art. It’s love. :-)

Excerpt

So climb any mountain … climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!