Daisy and the Beastie

By Jane Simmons

Year: 2000

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84362 274 1

Daisy has just heard her favorite story about a Beastie on a farm. She teams up with Pip to look for it on their farm. They look in the chicken coop, among the geese, in the barn, in the meadow, the pigsty and the orchard.

They, finally, hear strange noises from the shed and think they’ve found the Beastie …

Young children will find this book lively as they’ll get to make a whole lot of animal noises – coo, chirp, wee, buzz, beep and more! :-)

Excerpt

“The Beastie might be with the chickens,” said Daisy.

“Cheep, cheep,” chirped the chicks.

“Cheep,” said Pip.

“… or hiding with the geese.”

“Beep! Beep!” said the goslings. 

Sam’s Bush Journey

Text: Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina

Illustrations: Bronwyn Bancroft

Year: 2009

Publisher: Little Hare Books, Australia

Age: 5 - 9 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Traditional

ISBN:  978 1 92154 172 8

Little Sam is visiting his nanna. He loves the experience except that her house is surrounded by the (Australian) bush – he gets scratched by spiky shrubs and bitten by mosquitoes. Nanna believes that one day he will love the bush.

Sam isn’t so sure until he has a dream where he’s lost. He finds shelter, food and water in the bush and begins to appreciate the role of the bush in the circle of life.

This eye-opener features colorful Aboriginal art and celebrates the beauty and self-sufficiency of nature.  

Excerpt

But Sam didn’t know where to find the waterhole.

Then he heard the birds singing. His nanna had told him that birds gather by the water, so he followed the sound. 

The Shape of my Heart

Text: Mark Sperring

Illustrations: Alys Paterson

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 2 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Educational

ISBN:  978 1 40882 705 5

This brightly colored creative book introduces little ones to all the shapes, sounds and flavors a child comes across during the day.

The book is adorable for its warm and caring approach to turn the ordinary into a colorful learning experience – the hands we hold one another with. :-)

Excerpt

This is the shape of my shoes.

Aren't they nice?

And this is the shape of your feet. 

Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You?

By Dr. Seuss, Wikipedia

Year: 1961

Publisher:  Harper Collins Children’s Books, UK

Age:  2 and above

No. of Pages: 30

ISBN:  978 0 00786 518 5

Book Type: Picture book, Poetry

It was the kids’ first encounter with Dr. Seuss and they loved it!

The younger kids chuckled with delight as they tried out different sounds like goldfish kissing and hippopotamus chewing gum among many other adventures in noise-making. :-)

If you have a toddler, this book is a sheer delight. 

A big thumbs up!

Excerpt

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Mr. Brown is a wonder!

BOOM BOOM BOOM

Mr. Brown makes thunder!

He makes lightning!

SPLATT SPLATT SPLATT

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 …

Hoppy Ever After!

Text: Alan Durant

Illustrations: Sue Mason

Year: 2007

Publisher: Zero to Ten Ltd., London

Age: 2 to 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Books, Paperback

ISBN:  978 1 84089 579 7

This happy tale of a happy frog was first published as Froggy went a Hopping.

Meet Froggy, a deliriously happy frog who wants to share his happiness with someone. He gets shooed away by the busy bees, funny bunnies and the beautiful birds. He comes back home and finds a surprise companion to be “Hoppy ever after” with.

The little ones loved this book because of all the “tweet, tweet” and “croak, ribbit” that they got to do while reading this book.

Excerpt

The sky darkened and the stars came out.

Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.

Froggy’s fingers itched and his webby toes twitched.

He wanted to twinkle too. 

Britannica Discover Library - Sounds

Illustrator: Joseph Taylor

For Ages: 2 and above

Publisher: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

Year: 2005

This book helps children discover and understand the sounds around them. Packed with full-page color illustrations, sounds and activities, this book is a winner.

Excerpt

Did you first hear a rooster crowing at dawn?

Or maybe it was a neighbor mowing his lawn.

Was it the yelp of a puppy expecting a treat?

Did you hear cars and buses out in the street?

Once you are awake, there are so many sounds to hear. 

Squelch!

By Kay Woodward and Stefania Colnaghi

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Evans Brothers, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-0-23752-895-9

This adorable book from the Twisters series is something that even toddlers will identify with easily. Full page illustrations peppered liberally with ‘noise’ words like ‘plop’, ‘crunch’ and ‘splash’ make this book a fond favorite with the tiny tots. 

Excerpt

There’s snow on the ground.

Crunch!

“I’m hungry. I’ll wash my hands.”

There’s pizza for tea.

S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

There’s jam for the pudding.

Plop! 

Bird Talk – What Birds are Saying and Why

By Lita Judge

Year: 2012

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, New York

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 52

ISBN: 978 1 59643 646 6

This beautifully-done book presents a wide repertoire of bird noises and the reasons for their songs.

Chirp, warble, quack, coo, rattle, screech!

This is a must-have book if your child shows an inclination towards feathered friends. Or not. After all, who doesn't like birds? 

Excerpt

African Grey Parrots are excellent mimics. Many learn to repeat people’s voices, but one named Alex learned to use words with human meaning. With his vocabulary of about 150 words, he could name objects, count to six, ask and answer questions, and request rewards. “Wanna nut!”