The Easter Chick

Text: Geraldine Elschner

Illustrations: Alexandra Junge

Year: 2003

Publisher: North-South Books, New York

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Books

ISBN:  978 0 73582 076 0

A little chick (yet to hatch!) has heard exciting things about Easter. She is determined to wait to hatch so she can be an Easter chick. It sounds like a fine idea except that no one knows when Easter is.

Max the owl comes to the rescue. The other animals at the farm learn when Easter is and how the day is decided. Of course, the farm is delighted to welcome a happy, Easter chick. 

Excerpt

The little chick counted down the days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

On Saturday night, there were three loud calls through the farmyard.

Whoooo hoooo!

Whoooo hoooo!

Whoooo hoooo!

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. 

Hospital Farm: Daisy the Dizzy Calf (Bright Sparks)

Text: Jackie Andrews

Illustrations: Jacqueline East

Year: 2002

Publisher: Parragon, UK

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84250 407 9

This Bright Sparks book (which donates one book to less fortunate children for every two sold) is about the Haven Farm Animal Hospital run by Joe and Sally’s parents.

The children help with farm and caring for the animals.

When a little calf called Daisy comes to the farm, she feels left out as the newest occupant. A misunderstanding leads to a misadventure. But all ends well. :-)

Excerpt

The little calf watched all the other animals having lots of fun, playing together.

“Maybe if I practice,” she thought to herself, “I won’t be so wobbly.”

That afternoon, Daisy ran round and round the meadow, jumping over the little stream at the bottom. 

Baa! Moo! What will we do?

Author: A H Benjamin

Illustrator: Jane Chapman

Year: 1996

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 894 7

The animals on the Buttercup Farm are in a tizzy! They’re about to have a new addition from Australia and are worried if they might be replaced.

The Rooster wonders if she can crow and the cow is concerned if she can give milk. The sheepdog, horse and the rest are worried too. 

And then, she appears ‘leaping and bounding.’ :-) Yes, you must have guessed the mystery animal by now. 

Excerpt

“What if she can catch mice?” said Cat.

“What if she catches all the mice in the barn and a few rats too? Maybe even the spiders would be scared to live there. Then the farmer would get rid of me, and I would become a stray, foraging for food in dustbins.

Miaow!

I’d miss my milk and sardines!