Manners at the Park

Text: Arianna Candell

Illustrations: Rosa M. Curto

Year: 2012

Publisher: Salariya Book Company, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 36

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 1 90817 710 0

It’s never too early to introduce children to rules and manners. The earlier the exposure, the sooner they’ll understand that following rules helps keep everyone safe and happy which is what this book attempts to impart to little ones.

The book takes us into Lily’s neighborhood. As each good manner is explained, we meet Lily’s friends. The book covers most manners and rules while playing at the park – taking turns, litter, involving others, new toys, holding grown-ups’ hands when crossing the road and more.

Excerpt

Rosie loves the swings so much that she could spend the whole day there! She doesn’t see the other kids waiting for a turn, so the queue is getting longer and longer. 

A Walk in the Park

By Anthony Browne, Wikipedia 

Year: 2013 (this edition), First published in 1977

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 40634 164 5

This is a sweet tale of budding friendship set amid the starkly different social backgrounds of their families. The illustrations are intriguing with quirky little elements that pop up at odd places and  waiting to be discovered like little Easter eggs. What would you make of a stone chimney that casts the shadow of a man in a bowler hat? Or a fountain pool with a, presumably resident, hippopotamus?

Anyway, the story is about Mr. Smith and his little girl Smudge out on a walk with their dog Albert. As are, a Mrs. Smythe and her son Charles with their dog Victoria. Their mannerisms and clothes suggest starkly differences but the children and their dogs get acquainted pretty quickly.

Excerpt

While the dogs played, Smudge and Charles edged nearer and nearer to each other.

Mr Smith and Mrs Smythe looked the other way.

Smudge went on the swings, swinging higher and higher, as high as she dared. Charles was not so sure. 

Topsy and Tim go to the park

By Jean and Gareth Adamson

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-1-90435-122-1

Television show: CBeebies

Topsy and Tim are a couple of lively children through whom children get to learn about school, going out, friends and a whole lot of new experiences.

This is just the right book to teach children on all that they’ll encounter and how to play safely in a park.  

Excerpt

‘Now let’s have a go on the seesaw', said Tim, when they were tired of swinging. Topsy and Kerry sat at one end of the seesaw and Tim sat at the other, but Tim got stuck up in the air.

The seesaw wouldn’t work with all three on it together, so they had to take turns. Then they all went down the slide together.

Madeline in London

Author and Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

Publisher: Scholastic, London

Year: 1996 (First published by Andre Deutsch Ltd. 1962)

ISBN: 978-0-14056-649-9

Television series: Madeline

This classic picture book with its rhyming tale of the wise Miss Clavel, Madeline and her friends almost doubles as a delightful tour guide. The book traces the children’s journey from Paris to London as they go to meet their good friend, Pepito.

And you do get a mini tour of London!

Excerpt

His papa called Paris. “Hello, Miss Clavel,

My little Pepito is not at all well.

He misses you; and he’s lonesome for

Madeline and the little girls next door.

May we request the pleasure of your company –

There’s plenty of room here at our embassy.”

Other Madeline titles

• Mad about Madeline: The Complete Tales
• Madeline's Christmas
• Madeline's Tea Party
• Madeline says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book
• A Madeline Treasury

Wild Things! Emu on the loose

Author:  Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Byrne

Year: 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age:  2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

I simply loved this wildlife book for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a whacky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one.

And besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•          Tiger at the door
•         Elephant in the attic
•          Giraffe on a sleepover
•         Hippo in the house
•          Lion who came to lunch
•          Monkey in the garden
•          Penguin in the post

Excerpt

Keep your sparkly things locked away.

An emu just can’t resist collecting them – or eating them. Bling!

You will need a padlock and a key.

Moon Rabbit

Author and Illustrator: Natalie Russell

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-67001-170-4

Moon Rabbit is a brief story of a chance encounter and a beautiful friendship between two rabbits – Little Rabbit, who’s lived all her life in the city and Brown Rabbit, who lives in a park.

This book isn’t glossy or filled with bright colors. Therefore, while it might not appeal to many children, it is a tender tale of caring, being thoughtful and generous.    

Excerpt

But then, one dark night, Little Rabbit saw the city lights glowing in the distance and suddenly she felt sad.

“The city is so beautiful," she sighed.

Brown Rabbit was quiet. How could anything be as beautiful as the moonlit park, he thought.