Squelch!

By Kay Woodward and Stefania Colnaghi

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-23752-895-9

This adorable book from the Twisters series is something that even toddlers will identify with easily. Full page illustrations peppered liberally with ‘noise’ words like ‘plop’, ‘crunch’ and ‘splash’ make this book a fond favorite with the tiny tots. 

Excerpt

There’s snow on the ground.

Crunch!

“I’m hungry. I’ll wash my hands.”

There’s pizza for tea.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

There’s jam for the pudding.

Plop! 

Papa Bear goes on Diet

By Maggie Wee-Ha

Year: 2003

Publisher: System Publishing, Malaysia

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

Papa Bear has been cautioned by his doctor about being overweight. So Mama Bear is enthusiastic in her efforts to help him lose weight. Papa Bear is cut-off from his honey drink, honey chicken and chocolate milk.

He’s a good sport though and perseveres with his goal to become healthy. 

Excerpt

Papa Bear ate his breakfast silently.

His family ate their breakfast happily.

“You always make a delicious breakfast on Sundays, Mama,” said Little Bessy

Papa Bear sighed. 

Brown Bread and Honey

By Pamela Allan

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Puffin Books, Australia 

Year: 2001

ISBN: 978-0-14056-825-7

It’s rare to see a children’s book tackle gluttony and here’s one of those.  The story features a king who has a lot of time on his hands, and the means to live lazily. His over-riding passion is to get his chefs to cook delicacies and sample them. Until, one day, things take a turn for the worse.

In comes a stable boy, who shares his humble lunch of brown bread and honey and soon, all’s right with the king’s world.

In a world, where greed is promoted on a large scale, it might just help if parents introduce their children to this danger before they come face to face with it. This book certainly shows the way.

Excerpt

He groaned and he moaned.

‘OOOOOH! AAAAAH! OOOOOOH!’

Now that he was SO miserable and SO tired that he didn’t want to see another pie, pudding or pavlova, ever again.

He blamed the food. He blamed the cooks.

‘It’s all your fault,’ he shouted. ‘You’re sacked!’

So the sacked cooks packed their bags and went away.

Wild Things: Elephant in the attic

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40817 937 3

I loved this wildlife series for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a quirky "You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one or for your school library.

Besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•     Emu on the loose
•     Giraffe on a sleepover
•     Hippo in the house
•     Lion who came to lunch
•     Monkey in the garden
•     Penguin in the post
•     Tiger at the door

Excerpt

Elephants love to take a shower.

They use their trunks to suck up water. Then they spray it over their bodies.

Elephants then cover themselves in dust!

The Burglar’s Breakfast

Author: Felicity Everett, adapted by Lesley Sims

Illustrator: Christyan Fox

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, England

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978 0 79450 221 8

You’ll love Alfie Briggs, the burglar, who, ummm… is the protagonist of this sweet tale of a life of crime, remorse and redemption. Narrated simply and with lots of humor, this tale will delight your little one. Like all Usborne Young Reading Series, clever illustrations add to the story besides providing significant clues to the next part of the story.

For parents who are concerned about the moral implications of a burglar’s story, like I was, I suggest that they read it first. If you still feel uncomfortable, it’s better to stay away from the book. However, I thought it gave my children the chance to see that people changed for the better and yes, the “lived-happily-ever-after” toned ending should help make up your minds.

Excerpt

Nose pressed against his magnifying glass, Alfie followed the cornflake trail.

He followed the trail into the park. He followed it to Pets’ Corner. The thief would be sorry he’d stolen from Alfie.

Suddenly, Alfie came face to face with the thief. The thief looked even grumpier than Alfie. What’s more, he had two sharp horns.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears - First Readers

Retold by Sue Graves

Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Year: 2006

ISBN: 978 1 44541 211 5

My kids enjoy these First Readers Series and like I've said earlier- get the whole series! :-) This book presents the timeless fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with expressive illustrations in watercolors. The three bears are adorable and seem to have jumped right out of a child’s toy cupboard. :-)

Excerpt

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Daddy Bear.

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Mummy Bear.

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Baby Bear. “She’s still there!”