Just One More!

Text: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrations:  Alison Edgson

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Bedtime Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 313 0

Little Brown Bunny is ready for bed but he can’t seem to get enough stories for the night. After a few stories, his exhausted Mummy passes the books on to Daddy. Soon, Granny and then, Grandpa read to him.

Finally, after all the stories have been read, Little Brown Bunny is still not ready to sleep. However, he has a wonderful idea on how to get a new bedtime book.

Excerpt

Teatime was over. Bath time was over.

That meant just one thing …

“Story time!” cried Little Brown Bunny.

So Mummy read him a story. Then another.

More Pies!

Text: Robert Munsch

Illustrations: Michael Martchenko

Year: 2002

Publisher: Scholastic, Canada

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 0 43998 896 4

Little Samuel is very, very hungry. After a shockingly big meal, he’s still hungry enough to eat “seven fried chickens”. His exasperated mother sends him out to play where his little brother suggests that he join the pie-eating contest at the park.

Samuel competes against a fireman, a lumberjack and a construction worker to take home the first prize – a pie…

This rib-tickling book is yet another gem from the Munsch-Martchenko duo.:-)

A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

Samuel woke up really hungry.

He went downstairs and ate a bowl of cereal: Chuka – chuka – chuka – chuka – chuka – chuka – CHOMP!

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

Illustrations: Caroline Jayne Church

Year: 2002

Publisher: The Chicken House and Scholastic Inc., USA

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 43951 840 7

This little book features the beloved, traditional children’s song “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” devoted to their best friends, dogs and now made famous by Barney and Friends.

While the song itself doesn't really seem to mean much, the illustrations in the book add a deeper meaning and an interesting narrative to the song. 

Excerpt

Do your ears hang low?

Do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?

Can you tie them in a bow?
 

Dream Animals – A Bedtime Journey

By Emily Winfield Martin

Year: 2013

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books, New York

Age: 5 - 9

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Bedtime, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 44981 080 4

This enchanting bedtime book about children’s journeys to Dreamland employs lyrical text to weave a web of dreams and twilight magic.

The illustrations are a combination of pencil sketches and elaborate finely detailed paintings that seem to be infused with life.  

Simply beautiful! :-)

Excerpt

There are animals from long ago

And twice as far away.

Their maps are made of starlight

And can’t be seen by day.

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.

Angelina at the Palace

Text: Katherine Holabird

Illustrations: Helen Craig

Year: 2005

Publisher: Puffin Books, London

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14138 126 4

Website: Angelina Ballerina

Miss Lilly has been assigned to teach a special dance for the three princesses of Mouseland. Angelina is thrilled when Miss Lilly asks for her help.

Things, however, don’t go as planned when a flu knocks out the tutor and Angelina has to step up to teach instead. And she does.

The princesses dance elegantly and put on a beautiful show.

The Angelina Ballerina series are a wonderful means to teach children significant life values like self-confidence, self-esteem, empathy, creative expression. Our girls love Angelina. :-)

Excerpt

Angelina could hardly believe her furry ears when Miss Lilly invited her on a special visit to the Royal Palace of Mouseland.

Tortillas for the Daltons - A Lucky Luke Adventure (10)

By Goscinny and Morris

Year: 2008 (English translation) (Original in 1971)

Publisher: Cinebook Ltd., Kent

Age: 10 years and above

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Comic Book

ISBN:  978 1 90546 049 6

Meet Lucky Luke, “the man who shoots faster than his own shadow.” Set in the Wild, Wild West, Lucky Luke, a cool-as-cucumber cowboy is tasked with unenviable duty of escorting the dubious Dalton brothers from Mexico back into the United States.

There’s plenty of humor, wit and hilarious situations to keep young and old engaged. Remember the magic of Asterix comics? It’s all there except set in a different time and place. :-)

Picnic on a cloud

By Mark Icanberry

Year: 2000

Publisher: Look, Learn and Do Publications

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 48

Book Type: Picture Book, Learning

ISBN:  978 1 89332 702 7

David, his friend Jessica and Newton, their four-legged pal are on a flying adventure. Using the blimp as inspiration, with Professor Alexander’s guidance, they create a flying gondola with an innovative sail of 289 Helium balloons. They fly, float, cruise and finally, have a picnic on a cloud.

This book is more than just a storybook – it features the history, science and construction of air ships tracing its journey from a hot air balloon to dirigibles and finally, blimps. There is also a You Can Do It section at the end of the book to help little ones make a tiny blimp with a straw, a milk carton, thread, Scotch tape and a couple of Helium-filled balloons. :-)

Excerpt

Newton slowly opened his large, lazy eyelids.

David yawned and called from below, “Are you up yet, Newton?”

“Rup,” replied Newton.

Rainy Day Fairies

Text: Julia Rowe

Illustrations: Eric Kincaid

Year: 2000

Publisher: Brimax, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 20

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85854 155 6

If you’ve ever wondered where fairies come from, take a closer look at the raindrops. You might just see a tiny one clinging to an “extra large, shiny raindrop.”

This series by Julia Rowe provides a refreshing look at fairies and their origins. Puddles made by dragonflies and colors lent by a kind kingfisher are just some of the intriguing details that make this book exciting for little ones. 

Excerpt

When they were ready the beautiful kingfisher flew over each of them in turn and hovered over them. 

He flapped his wings so fast that you could barely see them move.

Also in this series:

• Sunny Day Fairies
• Snowy Day Fairies
• Rainbow Fairies

Miss Smith Reads Again!

By Michael Garland

Year: 2006

Publisher: Puffin Books, USA

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14241 140 7

Here’s a fantasy adventure tale in the land of the dinosaurs.

Miss Smith has a magical Incredible Storybook where the story comes alive every time she reads a book.

This time they read Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World and Miss Smith is captured by a pterodactyl .

Excerpt

As Challenger and Summerlee continued their heated debate, a huge Tyrannosaurus rex stole up behind them.

Zack’s eyes stared at the jagged fangs of the T. rex, but before Miss Smith could stop him, Zack screamed, “Look out behind you!!”

Grandad

Text: Rachel Elliot

Illustrations: Katie Pamment

Year: 2005

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84539 055 6

This charming story of a little girl and her granddad (obviously from the Flower Power era) who lives in her backyard in a gypsy caravan ought to put a broad smile in your day.

The granddad is bursting with joie de vivre and his little grand-daughter soaks it all in. Their day is filled with music, laughter, treats and happiness.

The illustrations are very cheery and lively. :-)

Excerpt

We watch the waves splashing and feed the seagulls.

I have two ice creams.

Grandad has three.

“Life’s for living!” says Grandad. 

The Shape of my Heart

Text: Mark Sperring

Illustrations: Alys Paterson

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 2 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 1 40882 705 5

This brightly colored creative book introduces little ones to all the shapes, sounds and flavors a child comes across during the day.

The book is adorable for its warm and caring approach to turn the ordinary into a colorful learning experience – the hands we hold one another with. :-)

Excerpt

This is the shape of my shoes.

Aren't they nice?

And this is the shape of your feet. 

Doodleday

By Ross Collins

Year: 2011

Publisher: Gullane Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages:  32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 86233 847 0

It’s Doodleday and it’s hilarious!

Despite instructions from his mom to the contrary, mischievous Harvey decides to doodle a fly which comes alive and wreaks havoc in the kitchen. He then draws a spider, to eat the fly. The spider turns on Harvey’s dad, instead.

He then draws a bird to prey on the spider and that doesn’t work either. After some more misadventures, Harvey yells for his mum who rescues the town from Harvey’s doodles. :-)

Excerpt

Harvey couldn’t see what she was drawing.

What could swat a giant fly?

Eat a gigantic spider?

Bring down a monstrous bird?

Be more ferocious than a Giant Squid?

Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You?

By Dr. Seuss, Wikipedia

Year: 1961

Publisher:  Harper Collins Children’s Books, UK

Age:  2 and above

No. of Pages: 30

ISBN:  978 0 00786 518 5

Book Type: Picture book, Poetry

It was the kids’ first encounter with Dr. Seuss and they loved it!

The younger kids chuckled with delight as they tried out different sounds like goldfish kissing and hippopotamus chewing gum among many other adventures in noise-making. :-)

If you have a toddler, this book is a sheer delight. 

A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Mr. Brown is a wonder!

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Mr. Brown makes thunder!

He makes lightning!

SPLATT SPLATT SPLATT

The Sleepy Way Home to Bed

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Veronica Vasylenko

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture book, bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 84895 278 2

Now, here’s a bedtime book that most parents of little ones will identify with – the reluctance of a child to sleep.

The sun’s about to set in a brilliantly portrayed golden glow but Little Hare is as energetic ever. So Mummy Hare decides to take the ‘sleepy way back home’ – a winding path where they get to meet all their special friends who in their own sweet way try to get Little Hare sleepy.

This is a warm tale of friendly neighborliness and childhood innocence and the paintings are simply glorious.

A keeper, I must say!

Excerpt

“Oh, I see!”  smiled Mouse with a twinkle in his eye. “I know that special path. Follow me, Little Hare!”

Giggling, Little Hare went scurrying and hurrying after Mouse.

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. 

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. 

Beautiful Ballerinas

Text: Elizabeth Dombey

Illustration: Shelagh McNicholas

Year: 2014

Publisher: Grosset and Dunlap, New York

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 44846 714 6

My 4-year-old zoomed into this book at the library like a bee to a flower. She’s passionate about ballet, rather, her idea of ballet and ballerinas.

This book is a soft introduction to ballet for little girls, and combines cute illustrations with photographs. The book touches on basic positions; common terms and also devotes eight pages to the history and evolution of the art. 

It should keep your budding artist engaged for quite some time! :-)

Excerpt

Now on to the allegro (say: ah-LEG-roh) portion of class!

The music picks up and the dancers perform faster, livelier steps, such as turns and small jumps.

Then it’s time for grand allegro, which is a series of large jumps. 

Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat

By Stephen Michael King

Year: 2003

Publisher: Philomel Books, New York

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 39924 240 6

The world resonates with chance encounters that often end up as radical experiences that transform people into content and fruitful selves. 

Meet Jack and his Cat, wandering minstrels who come into a bustling town expecting to put up just another show and move on.

They bump into Milli, a shoe maker for all practical purposes but, in reality, is a free spirited dreamer who “could take a thing that was a nothing and make it into a something!”

Their friendship grows and like all good friends, they help each other excel and find their destiny. 

This is a tender story of friendship but comes power-packed with the perks of having a good friend – finding courage and confidence to follow your dream and live a full life.

Excerpt

Then one morning, two vagabond minstrels from faraway places trudged into town … Jack and the Dancing Cat.

People rushed and bustled here and there, never stopping long enough to notice anything even a little different.

“Just another town,” said Cat. Jack nodded his head.

Wherever You Are

By Nancy Tillman, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York

Age: 5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Poetry

ISBN: 978 0 31254 966 4

The complete title of the book is Wherever You Are my love will find you. It’s a touching tribute to parents’ love for their children.

There are stunning comparisons to the bounties of nature to remind little ones of the everlasting nature of their parent’s love.

The beautifully detailed illustrations compliment the heart warming text. The child's special status is accentuated by a glimmering trail of stars that surrounds the child through the pages. 

It’s poetry. It’s art. It’s love. :-)

Excerpt

So climb any mountain … climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!