You’re Too Small!

Text: Shen Roddie

Illustrations: Steve Lavis

Year: 2004

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 965 5

Little Pip wakes up to a wonderful morning. He wants to help out his busy friends at the farm. The other animals, however, find that he’s too small – pig thinks he might get squashed under the marrows, Goat says he’ll get lost in the hay and Goose knows he’s too small to sit on her eggs.

Pip finds his niche though. When the animals are locked out of the barn, Pip squeezes in through a tiny hole and opens the door from within. The animals now realize that Pip is just the right size for himself.

Excerpt

Pip woke up all warm and tingly as a dot of sunshine touched his nose.

He peered out of the window.

Why Leopard has Spots (Tinga Tinga Tales)

By Claudia Lloyd

Year: 2012

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type:  Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14134 216 0

This was our very first Tinga-Tinga tale and we were thrilled by it!

According to the book, Tinga-Tinga Tales are ‘inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa and the Tingatinga artwork of Tanzania.’

The tale of how the leopard got her spots is a story of courage and kindness. It’s also a story of self-acceptance and confidence.

Puff Adder has been squished by Elephant. Leopard comes to Puff Adder's aid who in turn, gratefully, shares his spots with Leopard, turning her into a beautiful and unique animal.

A beautiful book.

Excerpt

”Oh, I wish I could have a new skin and pretty colors like you,” said Leopard. “My coat is as plain as plain can be.”

“Well, maybe I can help you,” said Puff Adder.

The Quangle Wangle’s Hat

Text: Edward Lear, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Louise Voce

Year:  2006

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd., London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40630 042 0

Kind and gentle Quangle Wangle is lonely on the top of the Crumpetty Tree. He wishes for some 

friends.

His wish comes true when Mr. and Mrs. Canary ask if they can build a nest on his lovely hat. He generously agrees and soon many other friends come his way including a Blue Baboon who plays the flute and the Fimble Fowl with a corkscrew leg.

The fanciful animals illustrated in full color and rhyming text makes for an intriguing reading session. And, oh yes, please be prepared for a lot of “what” and “why” questions. :-)

Excerpt

And at night by the light of the Mulberry moon

They danced to the Flute of the Blue Baboon

On the broad green leaves of the Crumpetty Tree.

Milly, Molly and Sock Heaven

Text: Gill Pittar

Illustrations: Cris Morrell

Year: 2002

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture Book, Life Skills Education

ISBN:  942 1 00960 025 0

Milly and Molly are best friends. Their adventures are inspirational, educational and encouraging  for little ones. 

In “…Sock Heaven”, Milly and Molly investigate the case of a missing sock. As always, Gill Pittar injects gentle humor and zing.  

Excerpt

And Farmer Hegarty’s socks looked far too big and woolly.

Doctor’s Smiley’s socks were black.

Bush Bob’s socks were stripey. 

Wanda and the Alien

By Sue Hendra

Year: 2011

Publisher: Red Fox, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84941 018 2

Wanda, a happy little rabbit befriends an alien. Her friends, however, don’t have the same reaction - they are scared. Once they get to know him, they become such good friends that they beg the alien to stay on for Christmas. :-)

This book sends out a great message to little ones  – “friends come in all shapes and sizes.” One just has to take the time and effort to get to know them.

Excerpt

The alien’s rocket had crash landed and needed to be mended. Wanda fetched her tools.

Wanda and the alien didn’t speak the same language, but they made each other laugh a lot. 

Hooray for Harry

By Kim Lewis

Year: 2006

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40630 377 3

We picked this book essentially because the cover was simply adorable. The book, certainly, did not disappoint. Three fuzzy-wuzzy friends are on a quest to find a much-loved blanket.

Harry wants to cuddle in his blanket for a nap but he can't seem to find it anywhere. Ted and Lulu help him retrace his steps through the day to find the blanket. 

The impressive detailing in the illustrations make you want to reach out and touch the blanket and the animals. This could have been a lovely touch-and-feel book. 

Excerpt

Harry thought of his blanket, so fluffy and soft. He thought very hard. He thought and thought.

My blanket was a tent, then a swing and a sail. Our picnic made it all sticky. We washed it and washed it and then …

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. 

Santa’s Littlest Helper Travels the World

Author: Anu Stohner

Illustrator: Henricke Wilson

Year: 2006

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 74759 358 4

Santa and his Helpers are hard at work “in a little village far far to the north.”  Like very year, Santa’s Littlest Helper is the first to finish his work and has time to even make a snowman.

However, Christmas Pox plays spoilsport and it just looks like children around the world may not get presents this year. That’s when, the Littlest Helper comes up with a plan. A good one too! :-)

This is a Christmas picture book.

Excerpt

But one of Santa’s Helpers had started preparing long before the others. He had finished packing his sleigh and even had enough time to build a lovely snowman. He was, of course, Santa’s Littlest Helper!

The other Helpers moaned because they still had so much to do. 

Milly, Molly and the Queen’s Visit

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2003

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 1 87733 655 6

Website: Milly and Molly

The queen’s coming to town!

Milly, Molly and friends help the Mayor spruce up their town for the regal visit. They sweep leaves, trim hedges, polish the brass, pick up litter and paint doors.

When the Queen arrives, she’s very impressed with the spotless town and invites the children to have lunch too!

Like most Milly and Molly stories, this book has a message – ‘diligence, care and perseverance in carrying out a task.’

Excerpt

“Right,” said the Mayor. “We must have our town looking spotless, with not a leaf out of place.”

Harry was given a spade and a wheelbarrow. It was his job to tidy all the edges. Poppy was given a dustpan and brush. She was asked to sweep the council steps.