Patrick Paints a Picture

Text: Saviour Pirotta, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Linzi West

Year: 2007

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Educational, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84507 719 8

Little Patrick and his aunt are painting a golden yellow cornfield when a red squirrel brightens the landscape. The squirrel is soon accompanied by a bluebird, a butterfly, a green frog, a lamb and more.

This exciting book on colors engages the imagination of little children to make for a wholesome reading and learning experience.

A big thumbs up! :-)

Excerpt

Patrick and Aunt Emily were sitting in the shade of a tree.

“Let’s paint a picture of that cornfield,” said Aunt Emily.

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. 

Shape Spotters – Puffin Young Readers – Level 2

Author: Megan E Bryant

Illustrator: Sami Sweeten

Year: 2002

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-44846-125-0

This book from the Puffin Young Readers series is a creative puzzle book rolled into a wisp of a story and packaged just right for 2 to 4-year-olds. Our toddler loved spotting shapes and (by default!) colors on every page. 

Excerpt

The shape has no beginning.

The shape has no end.

It goes around and around.

It curves and it bends. 

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: The very lonely firefly
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

One Magical Day

Author: Claire Freedman

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Year: 2007

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84506 457 0

Claire Freedman waves her pen once more to create a magical book that celebrates the beauty of life through the eyes of young ones – fawns, ducklings, lambs, piglets, puppies and more.

While the lyrical text is captivating by itself, the illustrations by Tina MacNaughton make this book a keeper.

I would hesitate to tag this one a children’s book, because it could very well be the perfect feel-good book for parents too! We sometimes need a child’s perspective to awaken the wonder of the world around us. :-)

Excerpt

Into the stable the bright sunlight streams,

Bathing the foal with its soft, golden beams.

Sun-drowsy kittens pad home to their mother.

Washed one by one, they curl up with each other. 

Little Pink Ballerina

Author: Ronne Randall

Illustrator: Helena Owen

Year: 1997

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 0 72141 923 2

Little Pink Ballerina packages most little girls' dream to be a ballerina in a charming story of grit, determination and hard work. 

Madame Plie is about to host a special performance of the Fairy Princess Ballet. She announces that the most graceful ballerina will dance the lead part of the Star Fairy Princess.

All the little ballerinas work hard and manage to “whirl, twirl, leap” except for the Pink Ballerina. Her moves are limited to “whirl, twirl, thump!”.

After hours of practice, she’s inspired by Madame Plie’s words: A fairy princess must be graceful as a feather floating through the air…”. 

Yes, the story has a fairy-tale ending and I won’t ruin it for you. :-)

Other books in this series:

• Little Yellow Digger, Review here
• Little Red Car
• Brave Little Train
• Little Blue Tractor
• Big Little Bus
• Noisy Little Truck
• Forgetful Little Fireman
• Busy Little Postman
• Daisy Little Dancer
• Brilliant Little Elephant
• Bold Little Tiger

Excerpt

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something flutter down from the cherry tree.

It was a slender, silvery-white feather. The Pink Ballerina watched as it drifted gracefully through the air. And she remembered Madame Plie’s words…