The Rainbow Club (Understanding Bullying)

Text: Annette Aubrey

Illustrations:  Patrice Barton

Year: 2007

Publisher: QED Publishing, UK

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Life Skills, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84835 005 2

This insightful and sensitive book on bullying attempts to explore the underlying causes of bullying and the varying responses and reactions that children commonly manifest.

This book is aimed at very young children where bullying often begins with children looking for a common ground to feel comfortable with one another. In the context of this book, it is as innocuous as the color of their attire on field trip day.

This book is a great way to help children who might turn out to be potential bullies by holding up a mirror to them as well as for those who might be bullied.

Excerpt

Chloe and Tommy were best friends.

They loved to find new things to do. 

Why Leopard has Spots (Tinga Tinga Tales)

By Claudia Lloyd

Year: 2012

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type:  Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14134 216 0

This was our very first Tinga-Tinga tale and we were thrilled by it!

According to the book, Tinga-Tinga Tales are ‘inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa and the Tingatinga artwork of Tanzania.’

The tale of how the leopard got her spots is a story of courage and kindness. It’s also a story of self-acceptance and confidence.

Puff Adder has been squished by Elephant. Leopard comes to Puff Adder's aid who in turn, gratefully, shares his spots with Leopard, turning her into a beautiful and unique animal.

A beautiful book.

Excerpt

”Oh, I wish I could have a new skin and pretty colors like you,” said Leopard. “My coat is as plain as plain can be.”

“Well, maybe I can help you,” said Puff Adder.

The Dark, Dark Night

Text: M. Christina Butler

Illustrations: Jane Chapman

Year: 2008

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 637 6

This book is an endearing comedy of errors which features five good friends – Badger, Rabbit, Hedgehog, Dormouse and Frog.

Frog has just woken up from a long winter sleep and in his excitement, he sets off a series of mishaps caused by ‘shadow monsters!’

This ought to be a good book for little ones who are afraid of the dark.

Excerpt

Frog was very excited. All winter he had been asleep under a stone, and now it was spring, he was on his way back to the pond.

I am too absolutely small for school

Author and Illustrator: Lauren Child

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-0-76362-887-1

Now here’s a book that tackles the apprehensions of a reluctant pre-schooler.

Meet Charlie and his little sister, Lola who thinks she’s “still really quite small” and therefore, not ready to go to school. Older, wiser Charlie assuages her fears and counters every reason Lola can come up with. Until Lola, does go to school and brings home a friend!

The narrative captures the imagination and conversational skills of young children, like a photograph. :-) It’s just the way they talk.

And, of course, there is an imaginary friend in the mix – Soren Lorensen whose presence Charlie deftly grasps to convince Lola about school.

The illustrations are a mix of collages, simple sketches and everyday objects, photographed and placed just so as to complete the effect.   

Excerpt

“But I absolutely will NOT ever wear a schooliform. I do not like wearing the same as other people.”

I say, “But Lola, you do not have to wear a school uniform. At our school you can wear whatever you like.”

“Oh,” says Lola.

You wait there. I know exactly what I can wear…”

Whistle a Happy Tune and other stories

Author: C. Schmid

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 16

Publisher: Sterling Publishers, India

Year: 2006

Lately, I've been hearing this phrase quite often - ‘intentional parenting’ which means just what it says. Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed by our everyday lives that we rarely have any quality time left to give our children much less to pass on essential life lessons to them.

This gem of a book might help with that. The book isn’t great to look at nor do the illustrations grab our attention but this book is a true treasure trove of wisdom.

There are seven short stories, each of which conveys an essential lesson that, if imbibed by our children, will set them on the path of true success.

Here are the stories:

• Whistle a happy tune: On patience
• Kindness always pays
• The Sun and the Rain: On appreciating good times and bad
• The Three Lovely Flowers: Lily for innocence, Violet for modesty and the rose as a symbol of charity
• The Rain Was a Blessing: On not grumbling and complaining
• The Miracle Field: On the merits of hard work
• The Echo of Love: On being kind, caring and helpful to others

Uncle Rabbit’s Busy Visit

Text: Christa Kempter

Illustrations: Frauke Weldin

Year: 2010

Publisher: North-South Books, New York  

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 0 73582 320 4

Well, this is supposed to be a children’s book but it’s could be a good morale booster for grown-ups too!

The story is about relatives, and, sometimes, friends  who brim over with so much advice and suggestions that, unknowingly, they tend to take over our homes (and lives!) in their attempt to do good for us.

Uncle Rabbit’s visiting Wally and Mae’s home. In a couple of days, though, Wally’s wallpaper has been changed, silk curtains hung up, furniture's been moved around and soon it doesn't feel like home anymore. 

Wally knows it’s time to speak up.

This is a book about being sensitive to others' feelings and it's a picture book, too. So, yes, it’s a keeper!

Excerpt

“Wait!” stuttered Wally. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I liked my carrot wallpaper. And the colorful cushions are lovely, but they’re too hard to wash. And silk curtains are just too fancy for my little house.”

Uncle Rabbit cleaned his spectacles thoughtfully. 

Wild West Willy

By Daniel Postgate 

Year: 1999

Publisher: Picture Lions, Great Britain

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 00664 671 9

Book Type: Picture Book

It’s a hilarious Wild West tale all right! :-)

The simple townsfolk of a brand new town, with errr… no name yet, has been overtaken by Big Bad Bob Bear and his cronies. From then on, it’s a classic tale of David vs. Goliath with a happy, contented ending.

If your children are into cowboys and the Wild West, or not, this book makes for good reading. 

Excerpt

Next morning, Mexican Chicken rode into town.

“Okay, Big Bad Bob, it’s time to go,” ordered the Chicken.

“Mexican Chicken!” barked Big Bad Bob’s fox. “My favorite!”

And he chased that Chicken right out of town. 

The Listening Walk (Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends)

By David Kirk

Year: 2005

Publisher: Callaway and Kirk Company

Age: 8 and above

No. of Pages: 34

ISBN:  978 0 44843 999 9

I love the bright colors and illustrations that characterize Miss Spider books.

Little Wiggle can’t go to sleep because he hears scary noises. So his mom take him on a jungle tour where he realizes that the whooshing sound was just Louie Luna the moth, the creaking sound was Spindella the spider, and the clack-clack was only Eunice Earwig crunching on a snack.

There are a few difficult words to this bedtime tale and, at least, for the first time, a parent will have to read the book with the child.

Excerpt

“I do believe in monsters!” Wiggle croaked. “Don’t eat me, please!”

“They’re only fireflies!” laughed his mom. “We've come along this way

To get our chance to see them dance the firefly ballet.”