To Every Thing There is a Season

Illustrator: Jude Daly

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London

Year: 2006

ISBN: 978-1-84507-363-3

This book was timely with our little children, when we had to explain to them the loss of a dear friend.

The book is packed with highly detailed and clever illustrations that merit a deep look to help one understand the story behind each verse. As a source of wisdom and comfort in times of need, this book deserves a place in your library.

The text is essentially from the Bible, Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1-8 (King James Version).    

Excerpt

A time to weep, and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together…

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.

Percy and the Pirates

Author: Russell Punter

Illustrator: Kate Sheppard

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, London

ISBN: 978 0 74609 160 9

Here's another gem from the Usborne Young Reading series.    

Meet Percy, an enterprising and clever boy who courageously changes his family’s misfortune after an adventure with a band of pirates led by Captain Crook. Yes, that’s his name. His crew mates are Willy Weevil, Sam Scurvy and Ronnie Rum.

I liked this story because it portrays good old values of bravery, courage and honesty. But there are man-eating sharks that make their appearance more than once. Parents might want to cushion that bit of cruelty.

The watercolor illustrations weave right into the story, seamlessly.

By the way, the ships that the pirates plunder are called Crimson Cuttlefish, Pink Prawn, Blue Blowfish and Red Herring. Notice a cute pattern there? 

Excerpt

Percy didn’t want to be a pirate. But he didn’t want to be a shark’s dinner, either.

“Tell Percy the ship’s motto, lads,” bellowed Crook, and the pirates sang.

“We steal for Crook ‘cos he’s the best,

Then put the treasure in his chest.”

The ship sailed out to sea.

“Will I ever see my family again?” thought Percy.

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.”

Madeline and her dog

Author: John Bemelmans Marciano

Illustrator: JT Morrow

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Year: 2011

ISBN: 978-0-60623-128-2

Television series: Madeline

A short and sweet story of Madeline and her pup Genevieve. Genevieve thinks nothing of poking her head into a garbage bin or fishing in the river. However, Miss Clavel thinks the pup needs a bath.

John Marciano’s (Madeline's creator, Ludwig Marciano's grandson) rhyming prose is reminiscent of the original Madeline books, making her an endearing friend for little children all over the world.

Excerpt

Genevieve gets her dearest wish. 

From the river, she pulls a fish!

“Pee-Yew!” say the people all around.

“That is one dirty, stinky hound!”

Miss Clavel says, “We must go right away

and wash this dog without delay!”


Other Madeline titles 

• A Madeline Treasury
• Madeline's Christmas
• Madeline's Rescue
• Madeline's Tea Party
• Madeline says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book
• Madeline Loves Animals
• Madeline at the White House
• Mad about Madeline: The Complete Tales

The Terrible Greedy Fossifoo

Author and Illustrator: Charles Fuge

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Simon and Schuster, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-41691-037-4

Meet the brightly colored and contented creatures of the Great Green Forest who lived happily until “the terrible greedy Fossifoo arrived!”

This story about greed, repentance and propitiation ought to go well with children besides introducing them to the concept of sharing and caring for the world around them.   

I loved how Fuge uses colors to demonstrate the ravages of greed as the palette gently but inexorably moves from lush, vibrant greens to bare, lifeless browns.

Though, I must say, the name Fossifoo reminds me a lot of ‘fossil fuels’.

Excerpt

“What have I done?” whispered the Fossifoo, and he started to cry.

He cried and cried and cried until he had no tears left to cry. If only he had taken care of the beautiful forest.

Then he noticed it – beneath his feet, watered by all the tears, a tiny seed had sprouted.  

Charlie is My Darling

Author: Malachy Doyle

Illustrator: Stephen Lambert

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Orchard Books, Sydney

Year: 2000

ISBN: 978-1-84616-797-3

Here’s a heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship – between a little boy and the elderly Ellen Adams – forged by an act of kindness.

The illustrations feel just right for the story. 

And don’t forget Charlie, the furry little dog who’s the reason for the story. 

It’s important for children to read books and stories that talk of kind acts and unselfish gestures. In an ideal world, we, parents, ought to be modeling it for them but I guess, given our busy schedules, the written word will have to do.

Excerpt

She said, “Charlie is my darling, and he always wants to run. But the only time I’m out is when I’m shopping, with my stick.”

Well, Charlie looked at me with his big brown eyes, and I knew what to say.

I said, “I’ll take him to the park.” 

Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon

Author and Illustrator: Richard Scarry

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 46

Publisher: Sterling Publishing, New York

Year: 1980

It’s a holiday in Busylande, and everyone is celebrating including Peasant Pig and Lowly Worm until a huge dragon appears.

This captivating tale of a simple peasant pig set in an enchanting land (of pigs) makes for delightful reading with detailed illustrations that keep  little ones engaged for long after the reading is done.

A couple of twists in the tale serve to engage older children too.

Yes, there's an interesting jester but you’ll have to find out more about him!  

Excerpt

In the forest, poor Princess Lily was now a prisoner. The dragon had tied her up and put her to work making grape juice.

The Royal Guards could not help Princess Lily.

But help was on its way! The king’s knights rode out of the castle, crossed the drawbridge over the moat, and galloped into the forest.

But the terrible dragon leaped up!

Cow’s ding dong bell

Author: Jillian Harker

Illustrator: Simon Abbott

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Bright Sparks, UK

Year: 2002

Something is not right at Goosefeather farm. All the animals are cross or grumpy except Cow. She’s walking around with a big grin as she enjoys the sound of the bell around her neck.

That is, until she realizes that the other animals on the farm don’t quite enjoy the sound of the bell. She’s forced to sleep out in her field when she realizes that the barn her friends are in is on fire. She shakes her bell aloud and wakes the farmer and his wife who put the fire out.

The friends now celebrate Cow and her bell.

There's a message there for all of us. :-)

This friendly book, with its large print and bright, happy illustrations, belongs in your library if you have little ones.

The Goosefeather Farm series is a colorful and cheery means to introduce children to diversity and to help them appreciate the unique differences that make each of us special.  

Excerpt

Hen came rushing across the yard.

“I've really had enough of this!” she clucked. “I can’t hear myself think. Cow! Come here!”

Cow turned around.

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

Other Goosefeather Farm titles are

• Duck's scoopy doopy beak
• Frog's flicky licky tongue
• Pig's curly wurly tail

Arthur’s Lost Puppy

Author: Marc Brown

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Random House, New York

Year: 2000

ISBN: 978-0-67988-466-8

This delightful book not only features the colorful world of Arthur as seen on television but is complimented with fun stickers of key words like balloons and clowns that children can use to stick wherever the respective word appears.

Arthur and D.W. take Baby Kate to the street fair where she has lots of fun until she starts crying. Arthur is left clueless but little Pal knows and finds a way to get what she wants – a balloon!

This book belongs to the Random House Step into Reading 3 series, an initiative to encourage reading among children using creative tools.

Excerpt

The balloons rose higher and higher.

Over the roofs, over the trees, up, up, up they went.

And so did Pal!

“Look!” someone shouted.

“A flying puppy!”

Old MacDonald had a Tractor

Author: Nicola Baxter

Illustrator: Caroline Davis

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Bright Sparks, UK

Year: 2000

ISBN: 978-1-84250-0840-2

Now, here’s Old MacDonald’s farm complete with dogs, ducks, hens, cats and all. Except the stories are all new.

The author has woven stories around the very familiar Old MacDonald with a wry sense of humor.

This book features three stories:

1. Tractor Trouble: It’s just another happy day at the farm except the tractor refuses to start. Old MacDonald decides to investigate and is in for a warm, snuggly surprise.
2. So many colours: Old MacDonald decides to embark on a long overdue paint job. However, a series of accidents with Jenny the hen and Annabel the cow result in a far better job than he had originally planned.
3. Good Teamwork: It’s been raining for days and days and Old MacDonald’s tractor gets stuck in mud. He enlists the help of every animal on the farm starting with the horses, then the cows, the sheep, the dogs and cats until the addition of an unlikely member, helps roll the tractor out of the mud.

Also don’t miss the famed Old MacDonald song with a verse on the tractor:

With a brum, brum here 

And a brum, brum there.

:-)

Excerpt

What a pity that Annabel the cow chose just that moment to come racing over to see what was happening, She did see Old MacDonald – but she didn’t see the pot of paint. 

Clang! It went flying up into the air. 

Clunk! It landed all over Percy the pig’s head. 

Duck's scoopy doopy beak

Author: Jillian Harker

Illustrator: Simon Abbott

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Bright Sparks, UK

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978-1-84250-533-5

Welcome to Goosefeather farm, a warm and happy place. With delightful, brightly illustrated pages, the book deserves a place in your library.

It is Duck’s first day at Goosefeather Farm and its other residents find it hard to accept the differences between themselves and their newest member especially her beak.

Soon, they realize that the duck not only has a heart of gold but her beak comes to the rescue of Hen’s eggs, Cat’s kittens and Horse’s oats.

The Goosefeather Farm series is a colorful and cheery means to introduce children to diversity and to help them appreciate the unique differences that make each of us special.  

Excerpt

Cat, Hen and Horse gathered in the farmyard.

“Duck really does look silly,” said Cat.

“We agree,” said Horse and Hen. “What is the point of having a beak that’s so big?”

The three friends nodded to each other, but they were all soon to find out!

Milly, Molly and the Bike Ride

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-1-86972-046-9

Milly and Molly, good friends, are on their way to Milly’s grandparents’ house for lunch. On the way, they have fun – whispering with the ladybirds, fluttering with butterflies and more, until they are just in time for lunch.

Excerpt

They stopped to clamber with the goats and chew the cud with the cows.

“We can’t be late.”

“We mustn’t be late.”

Milly and Molly rode on. 

The Magic Treacle Jug

Author: Enid Blyton

Illustrator: Pam Storey

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 20

Publisher: Grandreams Books, UK

Year: 2002

ISBN: 978-0-75540-907-5

Meet sneaky Miggle doing what he ought not to – peering through somebody’s window. When the window belongs to Mother Tick-Tock’s home, it can only spell a lot of trouble. Poor Miggle, gets into one sticky mess after another until he admits his mistake to Mother Tick Tock who then sets things right but not without extracting a punishment.  

Excerpt

Mother Tick-Tock, coming back from visiting her friend, was astonished too. But she knew in a trice what had happened.

“Miggle’s borrowed my Treacle-Jug!” she said. “I saw him peeping through the window when I used it the other night. The mean, thieving little fellow!”

Noah and the Ark

Illustrator: Chris Rothero

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Award Publications, London

Year: 1994

ISBN: 978-9-65483-007-2

This ‘see and say’ retelling of the biblical story engages even toddlers in the reading too, in a very creative way.  It simply replaces key words with images where parents can pause and allow the child say the name of the picture. Images within the text include Noah, ark, window, mountains and several animals.

Our 2-year-old was delighted to be able to ‘read’.

Excerpt

In seven days down came the rain. And how it rained! It rained and rained until all the land was covered with water. The (ark) rose higher and higher in the flood. Soon the tops of the (mountains) were covered.

The (ark) bobbed about like a cork and inside Noah and his family were perfectly dry.

The rains stopped at last and (Noah’s) wonderful (ark) came to rest on top of a mountain.

Christmas at the Toy Museum

Author and Illustrator: David Lucas

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 28

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Year: 2011

ISBN: 978-0-76365-868-7

This is, in every sense of the word, a picture book with painting-quality illustrations that stretch from corner to corner.

This story reinforces the glorious message of Christmas through a fairytale of toys in a museum on Christmas Eve. They rush in anticipation to the tree only to find no presents for any of them. That is, until Bunting, a woolly cat, has an idea that ensures every toy gets a present.

Excerpt

High above, the angel smiled.

She had known this would happen, of course.

She spread her shining wings and flew down from the top of the tree.

The toys gasped.

“Happy Christmas!” she said and handed Bunting a golden box tied with a golden ribbon. 

The Frog Prince (Usborne Young Reading)

Retold by Susanna Davidson       

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, England

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978 0 74607 023 9

Meet Princess Poppy who, while playing with her golden ball, meets a cheeky, talking frog. Of course, we all know how that ends.

This book from the Usborne Young Reading series makes a delightful read for young children.

According to the publishers, this timeless fairy tale has been around since the thirteenth century. The Grimm Brothers retold the tale we know so well.

Excerpt

“Are you all right?” she whispered.

“Yes,” croaked the frog, carefully feeling his head.

“I didn't mean to hurt you,” said Poppy. “I’m so sorry.” And she bent down and kissed him.

There was a loud crash of thunder, followed by a shower of sparks. The frog had vanished. In his place stood a handsome young prince.

“At last!” shouted the Prince. “I’m human again. No more slimy skin, no more webbed feet, no more flies…” 

The Elves and the Shoemaker

Retold by Katie Daynes

Illustrator: Desideria Guicciardini

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, England

Year: 2004

ISBN: 978-0-79450-758-9

This is an abridged version of the Grimm Brothers’ heart-warming tale of a hard-working and kindly shoe-maker. The delightfully narrated and well-illustrated story, split into eight chapters makes for good bedtime reading.   

Excerpt

Everything was quiet … until midnight. Two little elves rushed in, wearing nothing but rags. They sat down at the table and quickly began to sew. The shoemaker and his wife listened carefully to the elves’ chatter.

“This is better than making cheap shoes in that rotten attic,” said the first elf.

“I wish the other elves had escaped as well,” said the second.

Wild West Willy

By Daniel Postgate 

Year: 1999

Publisher: Picture Lions, Great Britain

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 00664 671 9

Book Type: Picture Book

It’s a hilarious Wild West tale all right! :-)

The simple townsfolk of a brand new town, with errr… no name yet, has been overtaken by Big Bad Bob Bear and his cronies. From then on, it’s a classic tale of David vs. Goliath with a happy, contented ending.

If your children are into cowboys and the Wild West, or not, this book makes for good reading. 

Excerpt

Next morning, Mexican Chicken rode into town.

“Okay, Big Bad Bob, it’s time to go,” ordered the Chicken.

“Mexican Chicken!” barked Big Bad Bob’s fox. “My favorite!”

And he chased that Chicken right out of town.