Daisy and the Beastie

By Jane Simmons

Year: 2000

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84362 274 1

Daisy has just heard her favorite story about a Beastie on a farm. She teams up with Pip to look for it on their farm. They look in the chicken coop, among the geese, in the barn, in the meadow, the pigsty and the orchard.

They, finally, hear strange noises from the shed and think they’ve found the Beastie …

Young children will find this book lively as they’ll get to make a whole lot of animal noises – coo, chirp, wee, buzz, beep and more! :-)

Excerpt

“The Beastie might be with the chickens,” said Daisy.

“Cheep, cheep,” chirped the chicks.

“Cheep,” said Pip.

“… or hiding with the geese.”

“Beep! Beep!” said the goslings. 

Duck, Duck, Goose

By Tad Hills, Wikipedia

Year: 2007

Publisher: Boxer Books, Great Britain  

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 40

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 90625 032 4

Goose’s idyllic life is disrupted by the arrival of the aptly named Thistle, a boastful little duck. Goose is appalled that his best friend, Duck is in awe of his new buddy.

The duo are goaded into doing stuff they don't even like - hold their breath, stand on their heads, hop on one leg and several other maneuvers aimed at making Thistle look good. Soon, Duck and Goose have had enough.

They think up a clever ruse to keep Thistle engaged – they have a nap contest and decide that the winner is whoever falls asleep first and the longest. Of course, Thistle wins while Duck and Goose do the stuff they love most – listen to the river, feel the breeze, look for butterflies, and kick a ball around the meadows.

This is an adorable series and the illustrations are fantastic! :-)

Excerpt

Just then Goose heard twigs snap and leaves rustle. He watched his butterfly flutter away.

One of the bushes came Duck and Thistle.

“You missed it, Duck,” said Goose. “A butterfly was sitting on my head.” 

Other books in this series:

•   Duck and Goose
•   Duck and Goose: How are you feeling?
•   Duck and Goose: 1,2,3
•   Duck, Duck, Goose
•         Duck and Goose Colors
• 
  

Duck & Goose: What’s up, Duck?

By Tad Hills, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Boxer Books, New York

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 90715 205 4

This vibrant, colorful picture book of opposites features an adorable duck and a goose. A part of me wished it was a story… The illustrations are just too cute!

Other books in this series:

•   Duck and Goose
•   Duck and Goose: How are you feeling?
•   Duck and Goose: 1,2,3
•   Duck, Duck, Goose
•         Duck and Goose Colors

Ducking for apples

Text: Lynne Berry

Illustrator: Hiroe Nakata

Year: 2010

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, New York 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 0 80508 935 6

The title “Ducking for Apples” is merely a play on words because the story is about five little ducklings that set out bicycling one fine day and chance upon an apple tree. That means snack, a pie and a cake. :-)

The vibrant watercolor illustrations burst with innocence and gush of energy that only little ones enjoy.

Excerpt

Three little ducks cut fruit in slices,

Mix with sugar, toss with spices.

Two little ducks press sticky dough

Down in the dish where the fruit will go. 

Icky Little Duckling

Author: Steve Smallman

Illustrator: Tim Warnes

Year: 2011

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84895 133 4

Now this is a book that many parents will identify with. :-)

Meet neat and fastidious Mr. Rabbit who chances upon a perfect blue egg. He decides to take it home to add to his collection. However, much to Mr. Rabbit’s dismay, the egg hatches and an icky, little duckling emerges. It calls him ‘mama’.

Mr. Rabbit’s life is turned upside down!

This is a perfect book, a gem, if I may say so. The text is light and lively and the illustrations are 'just so' right. :-)

Excerpt

Back in his burrow, Mr. Rabbit scrubbed and polished until everything was as neat as before.

His books were just so.

His boxes were just so.

And his collection was tip-top, totally just so.

Frog’s flicky licky tongue

Author: Jillian Harker

Illustrator: Simon Abbott

Year: 2002

Publisher: Bright Sparks, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84250 534 3

Here’s another happy story from Goosefeather Farm.

Meet Frog, apparently a novice at catching flies. Instead of flies, his tongue hits Duck on the head, gets tangled in Horse’s mane, scares little Kitten and, generally, is a bother to the animals of the farm.

Finally, all the animals get together to help teach Frog how to catch flies but the task is easier said than done. 

The Goosefeather Farm series is a colorful and cheery means to introduce children to diversity and to help them appreciate the unique differences that make each of us special.     

Excerpt

“Well,” said Cow, “have any of you ever caught a fly?”

There was silence.

“Exactly!” said Cow.

“But you don’t eat flies!” said Duck.

“No,” giggled Cow. “But they bother me all the time.”

Little Friend

Author: Katie Cook

Illustrator: Colleen McKeown

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84506 849 3

Quite often, children make the best friends for animals in need. Little Friend captures this fact through the sensitive story of a little girl and her duckling.

One chilly evening, Laura chances upon the hurt, little duckling. She befriends him and takes him home.

Laura gently nurses him to good health and soon, they are the best of friends. However, the call of the wild ducks tugs at the little duckling, who’s not so little anymore.

Laura knows she must prepare herself and her friend for a goodbye.

The book is beautifully illustrated with landscape images of windy grasslands and breezy glades. This is a wonderful book to encourage your child to explore the wonders of the living world.

Excerpt

All evening she hugged him tight, as the wild ducks called.

“You want to be with them, don’t you, Little Friend?” Laura whispered.

“I think I’ll have to teach you how to fly…