Bridget Fidget

By Joe Berger 

Year: 2008

Publisher: Puffin Books, London 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 14150 180 2

The book's cover does call her ‘The girl in a whirl who can’t stay still!’. And, that does help explain all the zip-zap-zoom in the book.

Bridget Fidget wants a pet. So when a smaller-than-expected package arrives at home, Bridget decides to settle for a penguin instead of a unicorn. Underneath all the packaging material is a smaller box. So it’s just the right size for a mouse which she thinks ought to make a great pet. 

Her great dreams come crashing down when her dad opens the box. Or is there still hope? :-)

Excerpt

This box wouldn't open.

Bridget sniffed it. It didn't smell.

Bridget shook it. It didn't squeak.

Bridget rolled it. It didn't skitter. 

Darkness Slipped In

By Ella Burfoot 

Year: 2008

Publisher: Kingfisher Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

ISBN: 978 0 75341 845 1

This book ought to cure most kids of their fear of darkness. :-)

Meet Daisy, a brave little girl who sees Darkness slip in through her bedroom window at the end of the day. She is not scared and grabs him by the arm to dance the funky twist.  Soon, they’re good friends and they ‘dance and laugh and play’ every night.

Besides, the creative representation of darkness, the book depicts darkness quite creatively too. He comes with a glossy touch! :-)

Excerpt

And pretty soon, around the room, they danced the FUNKY TWIST!

And after all that dancing round they had a little break.

They sipped a cup of lemonade and nibbled on some cake. 

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.