Hungry Harry

By Joanne Partis

Year: 2000

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 635 9

Little Harry, the frog, is hungry. When he asks his mum for dinner, she encourages him to find his own food.

He’s excited about it until he realizes his prey is quite clever. The dragonfly is too quick, the caterpillar too hairy and the snail lives in a hard shell.

However, his first day of finding his own food ends up to be fulfilling adventure when he finds a picnic! :-)

Excerpt

Harry Frog was feeling hungry.

“What’s for dinner?” he asked his mum.

Sam’s Bush Journey

Text: Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

Illustrations: Bronwyn Bancroft

Year: 2009

Publisher: Little Hare Books, Australia

Age: 5 - 9 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Traditional

ISBN:  978 1 92154 172 8

Little Sam is visiting his nanna. He loves the experience except that her house is surrounded by the (Australian) bush – he gets scratched by spiky shrubs and bitten by mosquitoes. Nanna believes that one day he will love the bush.

Sam isn’t so sure until he has a dream where he’s lost. He finds shelter, food and water in the bush and begins to appreciate the role of the bush in the circle of life.

This eye-opener features colorful Aboriginal art and celebrates the beauty and self-sufficiency of nature.  

Excerpt

But Sam didn’t know where to find the waterhole.

Then he heard the birds singing. His nanna had told him that birds gather by the water, so he followed the sound. 

Baby Tawnies

By Judy Paulson

Year: 2012

Publisher: Random House, Australia  

Age: 3 – 5 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 72475 577 9

The book features a family of Tawny Frogmouths, (a native Australian bird that looks like it belongs to the owl family but does not).

Reggie and Lyla, decide to get adventurous when their parents go out at night to hunt for them. Before long, they've learnt not only to sit on a branch just like their parents but also to flutter their wings and fly!

The book uses clever photography with Tawny Frogmouth dolls as illustrations.

Excerpt

The next night, Lyla and Reggie bounce out onto the branch.

‘Come on, Reggie, let’s fly,’ says Lyla as she flutters her wings and sails into the air.

Reggie lifts his wings up and down, up and down, faster and faster, faster and faster…

The Garden that We Grew (Puffin Young Readers: Level-2)

Text: Joan Holub, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Hiroe Nakata

Year: 2001

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 3 – 5 years

No. of Pages:  32

Book Type: Picture book, educational

ISBN: 978 0 44846 129 8

There’s nothing like some hands-on gardening experience for little ones to engage their energies and help them appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around them.

The text is set out in verse form with plenty of rhyming words to make reading fun for new readers.

Excerpt

These are the buds that peek from their beds.

These are the flowers that poke out their heads.

These are the pumpkins that grow on the vine.

These are the summer days filled with sunshine.

Shaggy Dog and the Terrible Itch

Author: David Bedford

Illustrator: Gwyneth Williamson

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 2001

ISBN: 978-1-84506-313-9

Meet adorable, hairy and itchy Shaggy Dog. He tries to get his friends to help scratch his back but unfortunately, their assistance comes with conditions attached. He rounds up the sheep for Farmer Gertie, washes Merv’s pots and pans. They scratch his back but the relief is temporary until Shaggy Dog walks into Mary Lou’s Poodle Parlour.  

I thought this book was quite clever, in that, the reason for the itch is never once mentioned but the illustrations give away the culprit.

Excerpt

Shaggy Dog washed towers and towers of pots and pans. Bubbles covered his legs and got into his mouth, and when he had finished, his paws were all wrinkly.

Merv used a long fork to scratch Shaggy Dog’s back.

“Ooh, ooh!” said Shaggy Dog. “That’s much better.” 

Squelch!

By Kay Woodward and Stefania Colnaghi

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-23752-895-9

This adorable book from the Twisters series is something that even toddlers will identify with easily. Full page illustrations peppered liberally with ‘noise’ words like ‘plop’, ‘crunch’ and ‘splash’ make this book a fond favorite with the tiny tots. 

Excerpt

There’s snow on the ground.

Crunch!

“I’m hungry. I’ll wash my hands.”

There’s pizza for tea.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

There’s jam for the pudding.

Plop! 

Papa Bear goes on Diet

By Maggie Wee-Ha

Year: 2003

Publisher: System Publishing, Malaysia

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

Papa Bear has been cautioned by his doctor about being overweight. So Mama Bear is enthusiastic in her efforts to help him lose weight. Papa Bear is cut-off from his honey drink, honey chicken and chocolate milk.

He’s a good sport though and perseveres with his goal to become healthy. 

Excerpt

Papa Bear ate his breakfast silently.

His family ate their breakfast happily.

“You always make a delicious breakfast on Sundays, Mama,” said Little Bessy

Papa Bear sighed. 

PC Polly - Little Workmates

Author: Mandy Ross

Illustrator: Emma Dodd

Year: 2001

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages:  24

ISBN: 978 0 72142 168 7

The Little Workmates Series is a delightfully creative way to introduce children to the various people engaged in different professions and how they impact our lives. 

It is Story Town Show day and PC Polly has a busy day ahead of her. She has two cases to solve – a missing dog and a lost package of sausages.

She finds Barker, the dog who, in turn, sniffs his way to the misplaced sausages and is rewarded for her efforts with prize-winning sausages for her tea.

Other books in the Little Workmates Series:

•  Builder Bill      
• Doctor Daisy
• Farmer Fred
• Fireman Fergus
• Footballer Fabio
• Hairdresser Hannah
• Nurse Nancy
• Postman Pete  
• Queen Clara
• Teacher Tina
• Truckdriver Tom
• Vet Vicky

       

Excerpt

Sniff … sniff…sniff… went Barker, his nose to the ground.

“He must be following a trail!” puffed PC Polly, grabbing Barker’s lead.

Sniff … sniff…sniff… went Barker, through the town square and into the park.

“Barker! STOP! Gasped PC Polly, running along behind. 

Mrs. Hippo’s Pizza Parlor (I am Reading)

Text: Vivian French, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Clive Scruton

Year: 1999

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London 

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN:  978 0 75341 037 0

William’s birthday is about to arrive but he also know his mother Pizza Parlor is going through a tough time and he might not get the gift he truly wants. William knows better than to make a fuss. Soon, his dream comes true and it’s good times for his mum’s business too!

Excerpt

“Look at all those people outside our pizza parlor!”

“Dear me,” said Mrs. Hippo.

“I think they’re waiting to come in!”

“What do they want?” asked Ellie.

“PIZZAS!” said William. 

Albert and Sarah Jane

Author: Malachy Doyle

Illustrator: Jo Parry

Year: 2007

Publisher: QED Publishing, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 22

ISBN: 978 1 84538 895 9

Before you arrive at any conclusions about the names in the title of this book, I’d like to inform you that they belong to a dog and a cat, respectively. Actually, they're pets in the same household.

Albert likes his food.  And Sarah Jane’s fishy nibbles too. One day, he gets carried away with eating and ends up polishing off the cat’s food too.

Sarah Jane is very upset and takes matter into her own hands. 

It’s a fun story in a cheeky-sort of way and the illustrations complete the package.

Excerpt

Albert spotted Sarah Jane through the upstairs window.

He smiled at her, in a doggy sort of way, but Sarah Jane ignored him.

So, Albert slipped out of the house, went round to next door’s doorstep, sat himself down by the cat’s flap, and howled.

“Come home, Sarah Jane!” he cried. 

Taste - The senses

Author: Mandy Suhr

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

Year: 1993

Publisher: Wayland Publishers, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 75025 279 9

The kids enjoyed this book quite a bit even though it’s not a ‘storybook’.

The witty text and catchy illustrations elevate this book from a mere science book to a fun book that kids will enjoy.

I also liked the fact that the book is not just limited to humans but also touches on how some animals taste their foods.

This series ought to be a great find for little kindergarten libraries and of course, for parents who like to collect books for their little ones. :-)

Excerpt

Some things taste sweet.

Some things taste salty.

Some things taste sour or bitter.

Some foods taste really good when they are tasted together!

I am Reading: Small Bad Wolf

Author: Sean Taylor

Illustrator: Jan Lewis

Year: 2005

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 50

ISBN: 978 0 75341 144 5

Now here’s a tale of the Big Bad Wolf and errr… the Small Bad Wolf, his son. Obviously, life isn't all hunky-dory for them. It sure is hard to be the bad one in a story. :-)

The Big Bad Wolf is under pressure from his son to take him on “nippy, zippy adventures like it is in the stories.” Mother Wolf wants “something decent for Sunday lunch.”

The poor wolf sets out with his old brown sack and his son to find adventure and food.

Things don’t go as planned. They get hit on the head with a frying pan, chased out and finally, the Big Bad Wolf is knocked out by little kids, no less.

This funny story from the I am Reading series, features neat illustrations and text that is neatly aggregated into five chapters to motivate young readers.

Excerpt

The Small Bad Wolf thought it looked great fun.

It was the nippiest, zippiest game he’d ever seen.

All that pouncing and chasing made him feel bubbly inside. He wasn't so happy when he’d got his disguise on, though.

Where Does Pepper Come From? And other fun facts

Author: Brigitte Raab

Illustrator: Manuela Olten

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 40

Publisher: North-South Books Inc., USA

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-7358-2218-4

Now here’s a fun book of facts.

Every parent is peppered with unusual questions from their little ones. This book answers some of those questions with a humorous twist. Check out the excerpt.

Where does pepper come from? Why do sheep have curly wool? Why is the sea salty? Why are flamingos pink? And some more questions.

I liked this book for the cute humor, the quirky illustrations and the choice of questions.

Excerpt

Why do snails carry houses on their backs?

Because they love to go camping!

NO!

The shell of a snail protects it from predators and from the hot sun.