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

How to Catch a Star

By Oliver Jeffers, Wikipedia

Year: 2004

Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book, Board Book

ISBN: 978 0 00732 461 3

This is a truly delightful board book guaranteed to set afire many a toddler’s imaginations.   

The book starts with the ubiquitous “Once there was a boy” and then takes us on a fantasy adventure into a little boy’s mind who dreams of catching a star.

At last, after many creative attempts at getting a star, his wish is fulfilled. In a way. :-)

Excerpt

The boy decided he would try to catch a star. E thought that getting up early in the morning would be best, because then the star would be tired from being up in the sky all night. 

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. 

I Love You as Big as the World

Text: David van Buren

Illustrations: Tim Warnes

Year: 2008

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 0 to 3 years

No. of Pages: 20

ISBN:  978 1 84895 644 5

This is a beautiful “I Love You” board book for little ones.

It uses the imagery of a bear and its cub to convey the beauty and vitality of one of the strongest bonds known to man, that of a parent and child. I found it a great bedtime read. The kids giggled and reveled in the creative expressions of love. :-)

Excerpt

I love you as strong as the wind.

I love you as soft as the dew.

I love you as far as a star. 

I-Spy: Wide Eye Reading

Text: Karen Foster

Illustrations: Jan Smith

Publisher: Children First Ltd., UK

Age: 0 to 4 years

Book Type: Board book

No. of Pages: 12

Here’s another delightful bedtime book featuring Hoot, the sweet little owl. The book encourages your little ones to search for and 'spy' through peepholes on every other page. It’s a board book too so you can introduce it safely to your baby.

The book uses the much-loved I Spy theme to introduce the inhabitants of a great, big tree as ‘spied’ by a bat, Batwing.

The sleepy owls ought to bring plenty of bedtime calm to little ones.

Excerpt

Batwing says, ‘I spy two, big bright eyes.’

It’s Wide Eye keeping watch.

Goodnight Wide Eye!

Flea, where are you?

Author: Karen Foster

Illustrator: Jan Smith

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 10

Publisher: Marshall Direct Learning, London

A lovely lift-a-flap book featuring Hoot the resolute little owl and his friend, Flea.

After we’d finished reading through the book, we realized that each page was devoted to a color! 

This story cleverly invokes a search which requires your little one to participate in. In effect, your child becomes a part of the story. Our baby helped Hoot look for his friend under a black hat, a purple lily pad, a red flower, a yellow rock, a green tree and a blue cave.

This is one of those books your toddler will love to read every night. All the best!   

Excerpt

Flea, Flea, is that you behind the yellow rock?

“No, it’s me”, ROARED Wily.

Flea, Flea, is that you in the green tree?

“No, it’s me,” chuckled Rangatang.

Flea, Flea, is that you inside the blue cave?

“No, it’s me,” whispered Batwing.