Milly, Molly and the Secret Scarves

Text: Gill Pittar

Illustrations: Cris Morrell

Year: 2002

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Early readers

ISBN:  978 1 87729 717 8

Milly and Molly are inseparable friends who constantly learn new things about people, places and important values.

In this heart-warming  book, Milly and Molly decide to surprise each other with a colorful scarf for Christmas. They knit and knot fervently until the scarves are done. On Christmas day, the girls are thrilled to discover how alike they are and how much they are loved.   

This book is more than just about sharing and giving gifts, it's about love and true friendship, the kind that overlooks differences, the kind that truly lasts.

Excerpt

She was still knitting on Christmas morning.

“You must love Molly very much,” her mother said.

“I do,” said Milly.

Not Norman

Text: Kelly Bennett

Illustrations: Noah Z. Jones

Year: 2005

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age:  4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 84428 288 0

A little boy has just been given a goldfish named Norman as a birthday gift. The boy is disappointed because he wanted a different kind of pet – something soft and furry, not a fish that swims round and round.

He wants to trade Norman with his friends for another pet. Every time he tries to, Norman does something outstanding that makes it harder for the boy to give it away.  Soon, the boy learns to love Norman and decides to keeps him.

Excerpt

I wanted a pet who could run and catch. Or one who could climb trees and chase a ball of string.

A soft, furry pet to sleep on my bed at night.

Not Norman. 

The Legend of the Christmas Kiss

Text: Barbie Penkins

Illustrations: Joyce Revoir

Year: 2005

Publisher: Howard Publishing Co., USA

Age: 3 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 34

Book Type: Picture book, Poetry

ISBN:  978 1 58229 450 6

Here’s a truly adorable festive story that takes place during the very first Christmas.

When Baby Jesus is born, all the angels wonder what would make a perfect gift for the baby. A little angel wishes to kiss His face. That strange wish sets in motion a series of delightful events culminating in one of the most beautiful natural events, snowflakes.

The paintings are fabulous! :-)

This is a splendid book - one that could become an heirloom.

Excerpt

Sparkling specks fell from the sky.

All day and through the night.

They didn't stop ‘til morning came

And everything was white.

Happy Birthday Santa!

Author: Gillian Rogerson

Illustrator: Ingela Peterson

Year: 2005

Publisher: Gullane Children’s Books, Great Britain

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

ISBN: 978 1 86233 761 9

We’re all used to stories and movies about Santa bringing gifts for children. This book, though, is a rarity, in that somebody actually looks out for Santa and brings him gifts in the middle of the night.

Meet Sylvie, an elf and Rudolph , a reindeer who suddenly realize they don’t know when Santa’s birthday is. Strangely, neither do the Chief Elf nor Rudolph’s old Uncle Bert at The Reindeer Retirement Home. The duo has quite an adventure but their persistence finally pays off.

I liked this book because it's about giving gifts to Santa when it’s usually the other way around. The story ever so subtly hints at determination and persistence, qualities that our children are rarely exposed to in this 'instant' age. 

Excerpt

Sylvie and Rudolph found the Wise Old Owl getting ready for a night out.

“Excuse me, Owl,” said Sylvie. “Do you know when Santa’s birthday is?”

“No, my dear, I don’t,” said the owl.

Sylvie and Rudolph sighed. 

Pig’s Eggs

Author: Elizabeth Partridge

Illustrator: Martha Weston

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Golden Books, New York

Year: 2000

ISBN: 978-0-30710-232-4

Pig and Hen are good friends and budding artists. They love painting pictures of each other. When, one day, Hen doesn't turn up for their painting session, Pig finds her sitting on eggs. Pig decides to wait with Hen until the eggs hatch.

However, when Hen is out to lunch Pig decides to do something unusual that annoys hen but eventually, results in a pleasant surprise. 

This is an engaging story of friendship with a lesson on forgiveness, a trait children ought to learn early in life.

Excerpt

Pig painted Hen in her vegetable garden.

“Beautiful,” said Hen.

They even went on vacation together so they could paint lots of pictures of each other under the bright tropical sun. 

Said Mouse to Mole

Author: Clare Bevan

Illustrator: Sanja Rescek

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 22

Publisher: QED Publishing, London

Year: 2004

ISBN: 978-1-84538-015-1

If I were to make a list of some of the finer things of life, it would include poetry, paintings and innocence. I would not have thought it possible, but I found all the above packaged beautifully into this lyrical story about two friends, a mouse and a mole.

One fine day, they find themselves gloomy and wish to be somebody else until they realize they are perfect just as they are.

Each page is a painting and the book will brighten up your children’s bookshelf. The story will delight young readers especially those who have been introduced to the concept of rhymes.

It’s one of those rare books that make you want to frame each page up.

Excerpt

Said Mole, “I wish that I could be

Taller than the tallest tree.”

Said Mouse, “But if you grow so tall,

Your little house will be too small.”

Said Mouse, “I wish that I could change

To something beautiful and strange.”

Said Mole, “But if you’re strange and new,

Will you like me? Will I like you?”

Whistle a Happy Tune and other stories

Author: C. Schmid

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 16

Publisher: Sterling Publishers, India

Year: 2006

Lately, I've been hearing this phrase quite often - ‘intentional parenting’ which means just what it says. Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed by our everyday lives that we rarely have any quality time left to give our children much less to pass on essential life lessons to them.

This gem of a book might help with that. The book isn’t great to look at nor do the illustrations grab our attention but this book is a true treasure trove of wisdom.

There are seven short stories, each of which conveys an essential lesson that, if imbibed by our children, will set them on the path of true success.

Here are the stories:

• Whistle a happy tune: On patience
• Kindness always pays
• The Sun and the Rain: On appreciating good times and bad
• The Three Lovely Flowers: Lily for innocence, Violet for modesty and the rose as a symbol of charity
• The Rain Was a Blessing: On not grumbling and complaining
• The Miracle Field: On the merits of hard work
• The Echo of Love: On being kind, caring and helpful to others

The Pink Party

Author: Maryann Macdonald

Illustrator: Judy Stead

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 36

Publisher: Scholastic, New York

Year: 2012

ISBN: 978-0-76145-814-2

Childhood is usually about strong bonds of friendship, and sometimes this magical journey gets confusing when the little green worm of envy strikes at inopportune moments like at your best friend’s birthday party or when she gets a new toy. Every parent has been acquainted with this dilemma as a child and probably relives it again through their children’s eyes. Most of us, unwisely, choose to simply brush this matter away as childishness. NOT a good idea. Which is why, I recommend this book.

Meet Rose and Valentina, best friends, lovers of pink and all it's vibrant hues. They secretly aspire to make the whole world pink, even their teeth! Throw in a pretty bag, a hand-made lunchbox, a rocking chair, a magic wand, a princess dress, a crown - all in pink building up to a theme party to honor their favorite color, you have a recipe for envy. The author deftly handles the issue without compromising on the friends’ individuality or airbrushing their emotions.  

Excerpt

She rocked in her pink rocker on her porch and tried to feel better, even though she could hear her friends having fun next door.

She rocked and rocked until all of their friends had said goodbye. Then she heard a voice from the other side of the hedge.

“The party’s over,” Valentina said.

Rose pretended she didn’t hear. 

Brown Bread and Honey

By Pamela Allan

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Puffin Books, Australia 

Year: 2001

ISBN: 978-0-14056-825-7

It’s rare to see a children’s book tackle gluttony and here’s one of those.  The story features a king who has a lot of time on his hands, and the means to live lazily. His over-riding passion is to get his chefs to cook delicacies and sample them. Until, one day, things take a turn for the worse.

In comes a stable boy, who shares his humble lunch of brown bread and honey and soon, all’s right with the king’s world.

In a world, where greed is promoted on a large scale, it might just help if parents introduce their children to this danger before they come face to face with it. This book certainly shows the way.

Excerpt

He groaned and he moaned.

‘OOOOOH! AAAAAH! OOOOOOH!’

Now that he was SO miserable and SO tired that he didn’t want to see another pie, pudding or pavlova, ever again.

He blamed the food. He blamed the cooks.

‘It’s all your fault,’ he shouted. ‘You’re sacked!’

So the sacked cooks packed their bags and went away.

Madeline in London

Author and Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

Publisher: Scholastic, London

Year: 1996 (First published by Andre Deutsch Ltd. 1962)

ISBN: 978-0-14056-649-9

Television series: Madeline

This classic picture book with its rhyming tale of the wise Miss Clavel, Madeline and her friends almost doubles as a delightful tour guide. The book traces the children’s journey from Paris to London as they go to meet their good friend, Pepito.

And you do get a mini tour of London!

Excerpt

His papa called Paris. “Hello, Miss Clavel,

My little Pepito is not at all well.

He misses you; and he’s lonesome for

Madeline and the little girls next door.

May we request the pleasure of your company –

There’s plenty of room here at our embassy.”

Other Madeline titles

• Mad about Madeline: The Complete Tales
• Madeline's Christmas
• Madeline's Tea Party
• Madeline says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book
• A Madeline Treasury

Dewdrop Babies – The Big Storm

Author and Illustrator: Patricia McCarthy

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 12

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books, London

Year: 2008

ISBN: 978-0-55255-652-1

This incredibly enchanting book with sparkly glitter on every page and cherubic dewdrop babies with names like Violet, Sweetpea and Poppy is one of those books your children will want to see and read, over and over again.

Despite its cuteness, the story addresses a critical issue that young ones struggle with – the fear of thunder and lightning. The story acknowledges the fear, (calling it a fire-breathing dragon) addresses it and moves on to the splendid after-effects of a thunder shower – shiny sun and a beautiful rainbow.

Excerpt

1       Sweetpea and Rose join in the game, and soon there are petals flying all over the Great Hall, like giant multi-coloured snowflakes.

Even Violet can’t help laughing when a shower of petals lands on her head.

The Rainbow Babies dance and whirl about until they fall into a tangled sticky heap.

Hans Christian Andersen Illustrated Fairytales – The Buckwheat

Translator: Hans Breitenstein

Illustrator: Tiziana Gironi

For Ages: 8 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Scandinavia Publishing House, Denmark

Year: 2005

This exceptionally illustrated storybook tells the humbling tale of the buckwheat – proud and arrogant until its downfall. 

I did wonder, though, if little ones would understand the story. They did, even if pride and arrogance were words or traits they did not yet comprehend.

Excerpt

Now a violent thunderstorm was coming near. All the flowers of the field folded up their crowns or bowed their fine heads while the storm raged overhead. But the buckwheat remained stiff with pride.

“Close your flowers and bow your leaves,” said the old willow tree. “Do not look towards the lightning when the heavens open. Even men dare not do so because in the lightning you can see into God’s heaven, but this sight blinds even men. What might happen to us lowly growths of the earth if we dared do that, we who are far inferior.”

“Far inferior?” said the buckwheat. “Now, that is exactly what I want, to look right into God’s heaven.”

And so it did, in arrogance and pride. It seemed as though the whole world was on fire, there were so many lightning bolts.

Hector and the Cello

Author and Illustrator: Ros Asquith

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Big Cat, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-00747-063-1

Now here’s a book that addresses an issue faced by all who dare to dream – criticism. People around us simply seem to love trampling on our dreams and aspirations. Some mean well and some don’t. Nevertheless, it is a real problem and something that we need to familiarize our children with.

Meet Hector the hippopotamus, who has a dream - to play the cello. Naturally, the lion, the leopard, the rhino and the snake express their disbelief in different ways and unknowingly, give Hector all that he needs to buy a cello and some lessons. Soon, he’s on his way to achieving his dream with happy consequences for all the animals of the wild, wet jungle.

Excerpt

“I want to play the cello,” said Hector. “Please don’t roar, or growl, or snort, or hiss.”

“Do you have a cello?” asked the lyrebird.

“No,” said Hector. “But I have a lion’s mane, a leopard’s spots, a rhino’s horn and a snake’s skin. 

Will that buy me a cello and some lessons?”

Tom’s Tail

Author: Linda Jennings

Illustrator: Tim Warnes

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 1995

ISBN: 978-1-58925-383-4

Children of the television and Internet era have a huge problem – they are bombarded with messages that seem to indicate that they could be really happy if they changed a wee bit of this or that of themselves. I liked this book, because it addresses just that – accepting yourself for who you are.

Little Tom is a perfectly made piglet but he has a problem with his tail. His kind-hearted farm friends try several remedies until Tom realizes, through a series of mishaps, that his tail is just fine, the way it was meant to be.

This is definitely a book for your personal library.  

Excerpt

“Tell you what,” said Sam, picking himself up.

“Why don’t I take hold of your tail and you can lead me along. That should straighten it!”

So Tom took Sam for a walk, past the pigsties and over the buttercup meadows.

“That’s enough!” squealed Tom. “Let me go!”

PING!

Back sprang the tail to its usual curly-twirly self. 

Paddington at the Zoo

Author: Michael Bond

Illustrator: R.W. Alley

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Harper Collins, UK

Year: 1984

Some of us grew up with Paddington bear – adorable, clever and, if I may say so, pampered- in a good way. 

In this book, the little brown bear visits the zoo with a large pile of marmalade sandwiches. He's a little miffed when the gatekeeper mistakes him for a pet and refuses him entry. Of course, Judy and Jonathan convince him otherwise.

Paddington visits the birds at the aviary, the Siberian Wild Dogs, elephants and lions who all seem to like his sandwiches, much to his dismay! 

Excerpt

The elephant didn’t wait to be asked either. It simply made a loud trumpeting noise – “Whoooohoowooo!” – and reached down with its trunk.

Paddington watched as his third sandwich disappeared. He began to feel that going to the zoo was not such a good idea after all.

Little Yellow Digger

Author: Nicola Baxter

Illustrator: Toni Goffe

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 1997

ISBN: 978-0-72141-930-5

Our car fills up with excited squeals and shouts every time the kids spot a digger or an earthmover. Which is why I picked up this book. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled.

Meet the Little Yellow Digger, a hard working machine of steel with a gentle soul. He takes his orders from a very busy but clever Man with the Plan.

The Little Yellow Digger faithfully follows his instructions, interruptions notwithstanding from curious passers-by who want to know what the digger is up to. Of course, he doesn’t have the big picture yet but he entertains theories from others – a pond for a fierce Digger-crunching Shinkle Shark or a trap for a Many-headed Mud Monster and more!

The pictures are embellished liberally with humor and happiness which makes this book a keeper.

And no, I’m not going to play spoilsport here! :-)

Excerpt

“Just leave it to me!” said the Little Yellow Digger. “Does that mean …”

But the Man with the Plan had gone off to have a cup of tea.

So with a clank, clankety clank the Little Yellow Digger carried all the earth and all the grass over to the lorries.  

Gruff the Grump

Author: Steve Smallman

Illustrator: Cee Biscoe

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-56148-669-4

Now here’s a beautiful story with brilliant illustrations that make you want to frame up a couple of pages to hang on the wall.

This tender story about a grumpy bear discovering kindness and eventually, happiness in his lonely existence is bound to evoke feelings of empathy amongst young readers.

The story is narrated extremely well. It’s not poetry but you almost want it to be. Don’t be surprised if your children pick up a few sentences and repeat them like rhymes. But then, it isn’t a rhyme, either.

I must say, meaningful stories (for children) like this are rare and a find like this ought to be treasured.

Excerpt

Gruff was a bear.

A great big bear.

A great big, scowly, growly, grizzly grump of a bear.

He lived all alone in a musty, dusty old cave where nobody ever came to visit. The other animals hid when they saw him coming. They called him, ‘Gruff the Grump’.

“HUMPH!” went Gruff the Grump to show he didn’t care. 

Milly, Molly and What Was That?

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2001

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978-1-86972-031-5

Milly and Molly are inseparable friends who constantly learn new things about people, places and important values.

Milly and Molly decide to spend the night with Bunty the ewe in Farmer Hegarty’s barn. After a night of startling sounds – the cricket, the mouse, the owl and other animals – they are each rewarded with a very special gift.

The Milly, Molly series of books (over 30!) are designed to promote healthy character and develop strong foundational values among children. 

Excerpt

“Puk puk, puk puk,”

“What was that?”

“A hen gathering in her chicks,” yawned Bunty. “Snuggle down and close your eyes.”

Flap, flap, flap.

“What was that?”

“Just a bat coming in from the night,” whispered Bunty. “You are perfectly safe.”

Milly, Molly and the Stowaways

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-1-87729-759-5

Milly and Molly are inseparable friends who constantly learn new things about people, places and important values.

In this book, they are at a play on stowaways. The captain orders that the stowaways prove their worth to earn their keep. Each stowaway exhibits a unique talent but the captain is mystified why such talented people are aboard his ship. 

In a time of worldwide immigration in every direction, it is important that we teach our children to accept and appreciate diversity. This story is just about that.

The Milly, Molly series of books (over 30!) are designed to promote healthy character and develop strong foundational values among children. 

Excerpt

“But tell me one thing,” said the Captain.

“Why are you stowing away on my ship when you all have such beautiful talents?”

“We thought we could prove our worth before being returned to shore,” said the first stowaway. 

“You see, no one gives us a chance.”

Milly, Molly and Salt and Pepper

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-1-87729-758-8

Milly and Molly are inseparable friends who constantly learn new things together about people, places and important values.

Milly and Molly visit Farmer Hegarty who lets them ride Salt and Pepper, a couple of old but very trusty horses. The children enjoy their day ambling about on the horses with their friends.

The Milly, Molly series of books (over 30!) are designed to promote healthy character and develop strong foundational values among children. 

Excerpt

And then they met Tom and George.

“Can we please come too?” they asked.

Salt and Pepper didn’t mind.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop.

The day was an amble and a rosy red apple until it was time to go home.