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.

Playhouse

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 959 6

Rene, an ambitious little girl asks her dad to build her a playhouse. He builds her a wonderful two-storey playhouse with real windows and a slide.

After a week, though, Rene feels the playhouse would be complete if it had a play barn. Soon, chickens and a play cow are moved to the barn accompanied by her dad's tractor and the bulldozer.

After a month, Rene decides that her playhouse misses a play mommy and play daddy. And that’s when, her parents decide that Rene’s ambitions needs to be handled. :-)

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

A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

One day, Rene went to her father and said, "Pleeeeeease make me a playhouse! Our farm is way out in the middle of the woods, and I have nobody to play with except my little brothers. I need a playhouse.”

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!

Come on, Daisy

By Jane Simmons

Year: 2004

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84362 272 6

Here’s another book for stragglers. Every family has one and this might serve as a cautionary tale.

Daisy and her mum are on their way back home. Mama Duck constantly cautions Daisy to stay close but she seems distracted by the frogs, the dragonflies and is soon engrossed in bouncing across lily pads. In all that splosh and splash, Daisy doesn’t realize that her mum’s far away and she’s all by herself. The frogs and the dragonflies have vanished too...

Of course, the story ends well, but, a lesson's learned as well.   

Excerpt

“You must stay close, Daisy,” said Mamma Duck.

“I’ll try,” said Daisy.

Pets on Parade (Leapfrog)

Text: Jillian Powell

Illustrations: Gwyneth Williamson

Year: 2008

Publisher: Franklin Watts, Australia

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 74967 960 6

A “Bring Your Pet to School” Day turns into a comical event with the dogs playing, cats chasing pet mice and a snake slithering about until Miss Brett realizes that it was perhaps not a smart idea after all, and calls for an abrupt end to the mayhem.

The illustrations are charmingly comical with lively text suited for young readers.

Excerpt

It was “Bring Your Pet to School” Day.

Most children bought a pet.

Hide & Seek

By Il Sung Na

Year: 2011

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84539 545 2

It’s time to play in the forest. The animals decide to play hide-and-seek. Of course, it was the chameleon’s idea, who is after all, an expert at hiding in plain sight.

The Elephant counts from 1 to 10. He finds all the animals except Chameleon.

We loved this book because we got to look for Chameleon, who was cleverly concealed by the author, on every page! :-)

Excerpt

At the edge of the vast rain forest, where sunlight shines through the leaves, the animals gather together.

Something is about to happen!

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.

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.

The Crunching Munching Caterpillar

Text: Sheridan Cain

Illustrations: Jack Tickle

Year: 2002

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 641 3

The kids loved this book. There were lots of primary colors, an adorable smiley-faced caterpillar and plenty of “noise” words where they got to ‘buzz’ with a bumble bee and more.

It’s the quintessential tale of transformation where a caterpillar dreams of flying and is given that magical touch by nature (metamorphosis, of course!) to make his dreams come true.

By the way, the corner of the book looks like it's been chomped off... a nice touch, me thinks! :-)

Excerpt

Caterpillar was always hungry.

For weeks he crunched and munched his way through the fresh, juicy leaves of a blackberry bush.

No Babysitters Allowed

Text: Amber Stewart

Illustrations: Laura Rankin

Year: 2008

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, New York

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Bedtime

ISBN:  978 0 74759 847 3

No Babysitters Allowed addresses the common concerns of a child who’s not happy to see his parents go out for the evening and even less happier to have a babysitter.

Ordinarily, brave and bold Hopscotch is fearless but when he realizes that his parents are going out for the evening, he “doesn’t feel brave at all.”

His babysitter, Mrs. Honeybunch, soon befriends little Hopscotch and they have a great time playing, painting and reading.

Excerpt

Hopscotch and Rabbity pressed their noses to the goodbye window, still waving long after Mummy and Daddy had turned the corner out of sight. 

At the end of the Rainbow

Text: A H Benjamin

Illustrations: John Bendall-Brunello

Year: 2004

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 003 2

This heart-warming story about two friends and their search for the mystical treasure at the end of the rainbow opens up a window into the world around us and all that truly matters in life.

Badger and Fox decide to follow the rainbow for it's treasure. During their journey, they find that their friends have different perspectives on the meaning of treasure. Squirrel places most value on his store of acorns while Mother Duck thinks of her baby as her greatest treasure. They finally meet Old Hare whose memories are most precious to him.

Badger and Fox get to thinking and it dawns on both of them that their friendship is truly a treasure.

Excerpt

“Ahh,” nodded Old Hare. “I have lots of that.”

“Really? Where?” they asked.

Old Hare patted his head. “Here,” he said. “My memories are my treasure. They make me happy.”

Just Like My Dad

By David Melling

Year: 2002

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 34094 403 5

This heartwarming and witty book is about a little cub’s aspiration to grow up to be just like his dad, a mighty lion.

The illustrations are comical and will draw laughter from young and old. :-)

Excerpt

This is my dad.

One day, I’ll have sharp teeth just like my dad.

Class Pets - Missy’s Super Duper Royal Deluxe

By Susan Nees

Year: 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York

Age: 5 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 72

Book Type: Illustrated chapter book for new readers

ISBN: 978 0 54543 852 0

Missy is excited because she’s going to bring home Eenie-Meenie, Miney and Moe, her class pets. The only problem is that bossy Tiffany also wants them.

Missy plans and plots (hilarious!) but fails to deter Tiffany.

She does bring them home, though. :-)

Excerpt

Now everything was ready. Well, not quite everything. There was just one teeny-tiny thing left to do.

Missy had to ask her mother …

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. :-)

Mole’s Sunrise

Text: Jeanne Willis, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Sarah Fox-Davies

Year: 2011

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40633 778 5

This kind and generous story of friendship offers little children a tiny peek at the window to the world of the differently-abled.

Vole is in a hurry to catch the sunrise. He stops by Mole’s house and invites him too. Soon, they are joined by Rabbit, Squirrel and Sparrow.

Each of them sees the sunrise with a unique perspective, all of which blend together to create a beautiful image for the nearly blind Mole.

This book is about kindness, friendship, generosity and so much more. The illustrations are breathtakingly detailed.

Excerpt

Vole got up just before dawn.

Mole was having breakfast but Vole didn’t have time.