Who’s been Eating My Porridge?

Text: M. Christina Butler

Illustrations: Daniel Howarth

Year: 2004

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 1 85430 976 1

This book replays a scene that occurs in almost every household – a child who’s fussy about food and parents trying different means to get him to eat.

Little Bear doesn’t like to eat his porridge.  So Mummy Bear leaves his porridge on an old tree stump for Old Scary Bear.

The next day, his parents drizzle some honey on the porridge to entice Little Bear to eat. He doesn’t budge. So his porridge is left out again. This happens a few times and each time, Little Bear observes that his bowl is left empty. He’s now a little worried about Old Scary Bear and begins to eat his porridge.

The story ends happily, though. There isn’t anything scary at the end. :-) We loved the illustrations especially the cuddly-wuddly bears.

Excerpt

That night Little Bear had a bad dream. Old Scary Bear was chasing him through the woods.

“I want your porridge,” he growled. “It makes me big and strong!”

It’s Snowing!

By Olivier Dunrea

Year: 2010

Publisher: Square Fish, New York

Age: 6 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 31260 216 1

The first snowfall is often a magical and momentous time for most of us. This book is a tender narrative of a mother’s delight at introducing her baby to her first snowfall. The text and illustrations are enchanting.

Excerpt

“Baby, taste the snow!”

Baby opens his mouth.

“Baby, touch the snow!”

Baby flies into the air.

Little Deer Lost

Text: Janet Bingham

Illustrations: Rosalind Beardshaw

Year: 2011

Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40711 0 400

Silver and Sparkle, a couple of little fawns are ecstatic at their very first snowfall. The snow turns out to be everything their mom promised it would be – cold, soft and beautiful. They play, race each other, roll and slide on the snow until they find themselves lost. Suddenly, the snow feels cold, heavy and very deep.

After a while though, their mum finds them and the magic is renewed.

Excerpt

Soon the sky was full of snowflakes. Silver chased them, and Sparkle flicked them with her tail.

As the snow settled, Silver kicked up little flurries, and Sparkle made patterns with her footprints.

After a while the snowflakes stopped falling, and Silver and Sparkle gazed around. A blanket of snow lay over everything. 

Humphrey’s Corner

By Sally Hunter

Year: 1999

Publisher: Puffin Books

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14056 585 0

An adorable baby elephant is about to start his day. He gathers his Mooey (blanket), a little stool and his beloved Mop, a bunny rabbit. He puts them into a box and looks around for a cozy corner to play in.

Humphrey's Corner is saturated with innocence. The text and story is endearing. The illustrations are suffused with the tender glow of morning sunlight. The font is perfect – handwritten in neat , loving pencil strokes.

A fabulous package. :-)

Excerpt

So Humphrey put his Mooey, the little stool, the bottle with the pretty colours and Mummy’s sparkly necklace into the box with Mop on top …

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.”

The Sleepy Way Home to Bed

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Veronica Vasylenko

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture book, bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 84895 278 2

Now, here’s a bedtime book that most parents of little ones will identify with – the reluctance of a child to sleep.

The sun’s about to set in a brilliantly portrayed golden glow but Little Hare is as energetic ever. So Mummy Hare decides to take the ‘sleepy way back home’ – a winding path where they get to meet all their special friends who in their own sweet way try to get Little Hare sleepy.

This is a warm tale of friendly neighborliness and childhood innocence and the paintings are simply glorious.

A keeper, I must say!

Excerpt

“Oh, I see!”  smiled Mouse with a twinkle in his eye. “I know that special path. Follow me, Little Hare!”

Giggling, Little Hare went scurrying and hurrying after Mouse.

What’s that noise, Little Mouse?

Text: Stephanie Stansbie

Illustrations: Polona Lovsin

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages:  20

Book Type: Novelty book, picture book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 116 7

There just won’t be enough books that focus on children’s fears and how to tackle them.

This story of the Little Mouse takes the effort one step further – it’s a press-the-page noisy book!

Little Mouse is half-asleep when he’s woken by a strange sound. Soon, he’s wide awake and very aware of many more scary sounds. Each of these sounds can be heard in the book.

Of course, his mom comes in to explain all the sounds – Owly singing his song, breeze in the trees, clock ticking and so on.

It is a fun-filled book! :-)

Excerpt

But then came the worst noise of all … a rattling, chattering, clattering sound – and it was heading straight towards Little Mouse …

Wherever You Are

By Nancy Tillman, Wikipedia

Year: 2010

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends, New York

Age: 5 - 10 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Poetry

ISBN: 978 0 31254 966 4

The complete title of the book is Wherever You Are my love will find you. It’s a touching tribute to parents’ love for their children.

There are stunning comparisons to the bounties of nature to remind little ones of the everlasting nature of their parent’s love.

The beautifully detailed illustrations compliment the heart warming text. The child's special status is accentuated by a glimmering trail of stars that surrounds the child through the pages. 

It’s poetry. It’s art. It’s love. :-)

Excerpt

So climb any mountain … climb up to the sky!

My love will find you.

My love can fly!

How to build a House

By Nick Turpin and Barbara Nascimbeni

Year: 2005

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 23753 065 5

This story of a house that Jack, supposedly, built is a humorous look at children and the grand plans they come up with, while their parents work to make those plans a reality.

Jack wants to build a house – more like a playhouse, in his yard. All, he does is come up with a plan. He, then cleverly (rather cheekily) enlists the rest of his family to finish it!

This book belongs to the Twisters series for little ones where words are few and the illustrations speak a lot.

Excerpt

“We need more people.”

“Your sister can help us.”

“Good work, Dad!”