The Rainbow Club (Understanding Bullying)

Text: Annette Aubrey

Illustrations:  Patrice Barton

Year: 2007

Publisher: QED Publishing, UK

Age: 5 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Life Skills, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84835 005 2

This insightful and sensitive book on bullying attempts to explore the underlying causes of bullying and the varying responses and reactions that children commonly manifest.

This book is aimed at very young children where bullying often begins with children looking for a common ground to feel comfortable with one another. In the context of this book, it is as innocuous as the color of their attire on field trip day.

This book is a great way to help children who might turn out to be potential bullies by holding up a mirror to them as well as for those who might be bullied.

Excerpt

Chloe and Tommy were best friends.

They loved to find new things to do. 

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.

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.

Angelina at the Palace

Text: Katherine Holabird

Illustrations: Helen Craig

Year: 2005

Publisher: Puffin Books, London

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14138 126 4

Website: Angelina Ballerina

Miss Lilly has been assigned to teach a special dance for the three princesses of Mouseland. Angelina is thrilled when Miss Lilly asks for her help.

Things, however, don’t go as planned when a flu knocks out the tutor and Angelina has to step up to teach instead. And she does.

The princesses dance elegantly and put on a beautiful show.

The Angelina Ballerina series are a wonderful means to teach children significant life values like self-confidence, self-esteem, empathy, creative expression. Our girls love Angelina. :-)

Excerpt

Angelina could hardly believe her furry ears when Miss Lilly invited her on a special visit to the Royal Palace of Mouseland.

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.

Where the fairies fly

By Jane Simmons

Year: 2001

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 3 - 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 84121 108 7

Little Jamie can’t sleep. His sister Lucy, an avid storyteller, takes him on a magical adventure in search of the Dreamtime Fairies.

After several stops on the way, they finally find the fairies who work their magic until the children and their toys are fast asleep.

This sweet bedtime story serves to allay the common fears that children have about the dark and its shadows.

Excerpt

Lucy loved to tell stories.

She told deep blue sea stories to Mum... flying up high in the sky stories to Dad, and magic stories to her little brother Jamie.

Fancy Nancy at the Museum

Text: Jane O’Connor

Illustrations: Robin Preiss Glasser, Wikipedia

Year: 2008

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, USA

Age: 5 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

Website: Fancy Nancy World, Wikipedia

ISBN:  978 0 00789 239 6

This cheery book with cheerier illustrations is a masterpiece!

Nancy is excited about her class trip to a museum to see some masterpieces. Nancy's day almost turns awful when gets sick on the way after eating two lunches but kind Ms. Glass turns it all around.

This fantastic book very cleverly introduces children to a few big art-related words and their meanings. The illustrations are more than impressive! The book certainly deserves a place in your little girl’s library. :-)

Check out Fancy Nancy's website here! 

Excerpt

Ms Glass tells us, “Today we will see masterpieces! That’s a fancy word for great paintings.”

The bus ride is very bumpy.

Bump! Bump! Bump!

Look! I can Read! (Puffin Young Readers – Level 2)

Text: Susan Hood

Illustrations: Amy Wummer

Year: 2000

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 3 – 5 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Reading for beginners

ISBN:  978 0 44845 794 9

This book for new readers traces the learning-to-read journey of a little girl as she progresses from figuring out letters to everyday words like ‘Milk’ on a carton. Soon, she learns to write her own name, read picture books with her dad’s help. Before long, she’s thrilled to be able to read by herself.

This is an encouraging book for new readers. :-)

Excerpt

My dad reads to me at bedtime each night.

He shows me you read from left to the right.

Now I read words in the grocery store. 

Miss Smith Reads Again!

By Michael Garland

Year: 2006

Publisher: Puffin Books, USA

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14241 140 7

Here’s a fantasy adventure tale in the land of the dinosaurs.

Miss Smith has a magical Incredible Storybook where the story comes alive every time she reads a book.

This time they read Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World and Miss Smith is captured by a pterodactyl .

Excerpt

As Challenger and Summerlee continued their heated debate, a huge Tyrannosaurus rex stole up behind them.

Zack’s eyes stared at the jagged fangs of the T. rex, but before Miss Smith could stop him, Zack screamed, “Look out behind you!!”

Higglety Pigglety POP!

Illustrations: Harry Horse

Year: 1999

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Poetry

ISBN:  978 1 40632 314 6

This witty and humorous mix of poems for little ones is like a mini treasure trove of surprises. Expect to be bowled over as every page springs a different poem with its unique flavor from several poets from A A Milne to Edward Lear.

The Bobbsey Twins – Freddie and Flossie and the Train Ride

Author: Laura Lee Hope

Illustrator: Chuck Pyle

Year: 2005

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks, New York

Age: 4 and above                                                

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 41690 269 4

Website: Ready to Read

The Bobbsey Twins are back. This time they’re on a train when adventure strikes in the form of their jumpy kitty, Snoop.

Again, it’s from the Ready-to-Read Pre-Level 1 series. The sentences are small and there are plenty of repetitive words and phrases.

The illustrations liven up the text to make this book appealing to young readers. 

Excerpt

Do you want to play, Snoop?

Oops!

Come back, Snoop!

Measuring Angels

Text: Lesley Ely

Illustrations: Polly Dunbar, Wikipedia

Year: 2008

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84780 048 0

There’s trouble brewing at school. A little girl feels left out and Miss Miles the teacher finds the solution with sunflower seeds.

Miss Miles gives the little girl a flower pot and Sophie, who’s not her friend, the sunflower seed. They are not happy about having to work together and so is the sunflower. Their plant is the weediest and smallest. 

Miss Miles suggests that they talk to the plant. They do. Soon, the plant grows beautifully and the two little girls are friends.

Excerpt

“This sunflower isn’t happy,” said Miss Miles. “Why don’t you talk to it? Talking to plants sometimes helps them grow.”

So we tried. We got close. 

Ben’s Book

Text: Nanette Newman

Illustrations: Georgie Birkett

Year: 2005

Publisher: Pavilion Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 - 4 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84365 193 2

Ben’s just received a strange gift from his granny. He looks at it for a long time.

He stands on it to reach above him but things topple all over him. He, then, sits on it to watch TV but he prefers the sofa. He tries some more uses for it but they don’t quite work out at all.

His sister Lulu comes to his aid and explains that the gift, a book, is to be read and reads to him. Ben’s thrilled with the story and later tries to follow the story with the pictures. 

Excerpt

“What have you got there?” asked his sister Lulu.

“A book,” said Ben, “but … I don’t know what to do with it.”

“Books are meant to be read,” said Lulu.

Duck, Duck, Goose

By Tad Hills, Wikipedia

Year: 2007

Publisher: Boxer Books, Great Britain  

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 40

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 90625 032 4

Goose’s idyllic life is disrupted by the arrival of the aptly named Thistle, a boastful little duck. Goose is appalled that his best friend, Duck is in awe of his new buddy.

The duo are goaded into doing stuff they don't even like - hold their breath, stand on their heads, hop on one leg and several other maneuvers aimed at making Thistle look good. Soon, Duck and Goose have had enough.

They think up a clever ruse to keep Thistle engaged – they have a nap contest and decide that the winner is whoever falls asleep first and the longest. Of course, Thistle wins while Duck and Goose do the stuff they love most – listen to the river, feel the breeze, look for butterflies, and kick a ball around the meadows.

This is an adorable series and the illustrations are fantastic! :-)

Excerpt

Just then Goose heard twigs snap and leaves rustle. He watched his butterfly flutter away.

One of the bushes came Duck and Thistle.

“You missed it, Duck,” said Goose. “A butterfly was sitting on my head.” 

Other books in this series:

•   Duck and Goose
•   Duck and Goose: How are you feeling?
•   Duck and Goose: 1,2,3
•   Duck, Duck, Goose
•         Duck and Goose Colors
• 
  

Caterpillar Butterfly

Text: Vivian French, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Charlotte Voake

Year: 1993

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 - 8

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 0 74456 282 1

Here’s an engaging way to teach children about metamorphosis – that magical, beautiful process of nature where an ordinary caterpillar turns into a radiant butterfly.

The text introduces the discovery through the eyes of a little girl and her grandfather who patiently watch over a batch of butterfly eggs as they hatch, crawl, pupate and finally, emerge as butterflies.

Excerpt

The next day there were lots and lots of little tiny caterpillars crawling on the nettle leaves. The eggs were papery and empty.

Buzz Bumble to the Rescue

Text:  Lynn E. Hazen

Illustrations:  Jill Newton

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 74757 297 6

This story about bees is captured in outstanding illustrations that make each page a work of art.

Buzz Bumble is a star in his garden. All the bees admire him for his style, speed and agility. However, when sweet lil' Baby Bumble comes flying around, all the attention is turned to her.

Buzz Bumble feels miffed but he races to her rescue when she’s trapped in a Venus Flytrap.

He makes it to the cover of “The National Bee-Geographic Magazine.”

We loved this book for its message of self-acceptance and encouraging children to be comfortable with themselves. The sunny illustrations are cheery and adorable. 

Excerpt

“Look at Baby Bumble!” announced Humble.

“Our little fuzzy-buzzy is covered with pollen!”

“Adorable,” cooed Miss Bizzy.

“Where’s Ansel Antennae?” asked Senor Sting. “He must take a picture!”

Goose on the Loose

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Vanessa Cabban

Year: 2003

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85430 893 9

Little Gooseberry is learning to fly. Despite a few bumps along the road, he persists, bolstered by the autumn winds and his friends’ encouragement.

He also notices that while he’s practicing great loops in the air, his friends - Beaver, Red Squirrel, Mouse and Hare are scampering around to prepare for the impending winter. He feels he needs to get ready too.

His parents remind him that geese fly to warmer lands during winter. He’s been preparing for winter, after all! 

Excerpt

Suddenly, a little chilly breeze ruffled Gooseberry’s feathers. He began to fee a teeny bit worried. 

Winter was coming!

Everyone was preparing for it – except him.

Perhaps he had better hurry up and do something – before it was too late. 

When the snow comes

By Jonathan Allen

Year:  2010

Publisher: Boxer Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 90796 713 9

This enchanting story of the first snowfall of the season is also our very first book on yaks. :-) They look adorable in this book.

As Little Yak prepares for his very first winter, we get a glimpse into all the different ways in which his friends prepare for the cold. The Pika stores up grass, Bear hibernates and Blue Thrush flies away to his warm winter home.

Little Yak is grateful that he can withstand the icy winter, thanks to his shaggy coat, and enjoy the snowfall surrounded by his mother's warmth.

Excerpt

“Well, what do yaks do when the snow comes?” asked Little Yak.

“We stay right where we are,” said Mum. “our thick shaggy coats keep us warm.. And little yaks snuggle up close to their mums.”

Me and My Dad

Text: Alison Ritchie

Illustrations: Alison Edgson

Year: 2007

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84506 465 5

This delightfully illustrated tender expression of love from a cuddly, baby bear to his strong, tall daddy bear is a treasure.

The book traces a day in the life of the cub, from his father’s wake-up kiss to cuddling with his dad at night and packed with all their fun adventures in between.

This is a memorable book especially because of its enchanting illustrations that celebrate the love of a parent and child. 

Excerpt

My dad tells me stories as

As day turns to night.

We cuddle up close

In the twinkling light. 

Henry’s Holiday

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2009

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Book, London

Age: 3 - 7 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 0 23073 633 7

Books that feature penguins on ice are always welcome. :-)

Meet Henry, a sweet little penguin who dreams of living on a tropical island because he just feels too cold on the ice!

His wish is fulfilled but he soon misses the love and friendship at home and, of course, the icy chill!

Excerpt

The island was full of palm trees and coconuts and pineapples. Everything was bright and warm and colorful. Henry was DELIGHTED.

But when he waddled up the beach, the sand wasn't soft and smooth and slippery like the snow.