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. 

Milly, Molly and Sock Heaven

Text: Gill Pittar

Illustrations: Cris Morrell

Year: 2002

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture Book, Life Skills Education

ISBN:  942 1 00960 025 0

Milly and Molly are best friends. Their adventures are inspirational, educational and encouraging  for little ones. 

In “…Sock Heaven”, Milly and Molly investigate the case of a missing sock. As always, Gill Pittar injects gentle humor and zing.  

Excerpt

And Farmer Hegarty’s socks looked far too big and woolly.

Doctor’s Smiley’s socks were black.

Bush Bob’s socks were stripey. 

Five-Minute Puppy Tales

Text: Gaby Goldsack

Illustrations: Daniel Howarth

Year: 2003

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 44

Book Type: Chapter book, hardback

ISBN:  978 0 75257 000 5

This little gem from Parragon ought to be a collector’s item. :-)

The book offers gentle stories of friendship, love and understanding among the much-loved furry little ones.  As much as these tales are devoted to puppies, all of them are related to their human friends and therefore, one gets to read well-rounded stories that convey the power of love and friendship and caution against greed and disobedience.  

Excerpt from A Perfect Puppy

“That one’s too big,” said Polly, pointing to a Great Dane.

“And that one’s too small.” She pointed to a Chihuahua.

“How about this one?” Said Mummy, stroking an Afghan Hound.

“Too hairy.”

Five-Minute Jungle Tales

Author: Jan Payne

Illustrator: Peter Rutherford

Year: 2002

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 46

ISBN: 978 0 75257 002 1

This fantastic mini-collection of jungle tales has to be among the best animal tales I've read so far. The animals’ roles and habitat are mostly intact and yet each tale is packed with humor, wit and pragmatism that make it relevant to children.

The tales feature a monkey who wants to grow tall, rather quickly, a hippopotamus whose best friend is a hermit crab, a crocodile who can’t stop smiling, a lonely lion, an annoying tiger who copies others and a forgetful elephant.

Now, that ought to pique your curiosity. This is a must-have. :-)

Excerpt

So they built another house, this time of bamboo.

“This won’t blow away ,” said Custard.

But an elephant appeared. And, oh dear! Bamboo is an elephant’s favourite food.

“Yummy!” said the elephant. “Thanks for bringing me my breakfast!” And he stuffed Custard’s house into his mouth!