Grow Your Own

By Esther Hall

Year: 2011

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 230 74794 4

This book about transition and its effect on the family is also a story of hope and optimism.

Sidney lives with his mum in the city. He eats food that comes out of boxes and his mum puts on grey clothes and works is a ‘big grey building.’

You, almost, know where this is heading...

Then, all the grays are banished by the vivid imagery of the countryside and the bright pop of home-grown vegetables and fruits. Thanks to Sidney’s grandmother whom he visits during his summer holidays. 

Sidney and his mum’s lives are turned around by this visit.

Excerpt

Sidney and his granny worked hard that summer, digging up vegetables and picking up fruit.

Every day Sidney tried something new to eat.

Happy Birthday Santa!

Author: Gillian Rogerson

Illustrator: Ingela Peterson

Year: 2005

Publisher: Gullane Children’s Books, Great Britain

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

ISBN: 978 1 86233 761 9

We’re all used to stories and movies about Santa bringing gifts for children. This book, though, is a rarity, in that somebody actually looks out for Santa and brings him gifts in the middle of the night.

Meet Sylvie, an elf and Rudolph , a reindeer who suddenly realize they don’t know when Santa’s birthday is. Strangely, neither do the Chief Elf nor Rudolph’s old Uncle Bert at The Reindeer Retirement Home. The duo has quite an adventure but their persistence finally pays off.

I liked this book because it's about giving gifts to Santa when it’s usually the other way around. The story ever so subtly hints at determination and persistence, qualities that our children are rarely exposed to in this 'instant' age. 

Excerpt

Sylvie and Rudolph found the Wise Old Owl getting ready for a night out.

“Excuse me, Owl,” said Sylvie. “Do you know when Santa’s birthday is?”

“No, my dear, I don’t,” said the owl.

Sylvie and Rudolph sighed. 

Little Yellow Digger

Author: Nicola Baxter

Illustrator: Toni Goffe

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 1997

ISBN: 978-0-72141-930-5

Our car fills up with excited squeals and shouts every time the kids spot a digger or an earthmover. Which is why I picked up this book. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled.

Meet the Little Yellow Digger, a hard working machine of steel with a gentle soul. He takes his orders from a very busy but clever Man with the Plan.

The Little Yellow Digger faithfully follows his instructions, interruptions notwithstanding from curious passers-by who want to know what the digger is up to. Of course, he doesn’t have the big picture yet but he entertains theories from others – a pond for a fierce Digger-crunching Shinkle Shark or a trap for a Many-headed Mud Monster and more!

The pictures are embellished liberally with humor and happiness which makes this book a keeper.

And no, I’m not going to play spoilsport here! :-)

Excerpt

“Just leave it to me!” said the Little Yellow Digger. “Does that mean …”

But the Man with the Plan had gone off to have a cup of tea.

So with a clank, clankety clank the Little Yellow Digger carried all the earth and all the grass over to the lorries.  

Moon Rabbit

Author and Illustrator: Natalie Russell

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-67001-170-4

Moon Rabbit is a brief story of a chance encounter and a beautiful friendship between two rabbits – Little Rabbit, who’s lived all her life in the city and Brown Rabbit, who lives in a park.

This book isn’t glossy or filled with bright colors. Therefore, while it might not appeal to many children, it is a tender tale of caring, being thoughtful and generous.    

Excerpt

But then, one dark night, Little Rabbit saw the city lights glowing in the distance and suddenly she felt sad.

“The city is so beautiful," she sighed.

Brown Rabbit was quiet. How could anything be as beautiful as the moonlit park, he thought.