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.

Far away the fairies fly

By Jane Simmons  

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978-1-84616-217-6

Rainbows always cheer up little ones. This story is founded on just that fact.

Jamie finds it hard to sleep with the sound of the howling winds and rumbling thunder. Lucy, his sister, decides to take him to a place with no thunder.

They have a series of adventures until they finally reach Fairy Castle. They help the fairies paint bright sunshine everywhere until the sky is lit with a brilliant rainbow and the storm is gone. 

This ought to make a good bedtime tale for little ones who are scared of the dark and thunder.'

Excerpt

They reached the door.

“It’s shut!” said Lucy, pushing hard. “It’s too big!”

“Everyone push!” shouted Jamie. He threw himself forward and they all pushed …

and pushed and slowly the huge door began to creak open…

… and they tumbled into the light. There were fairies everywhere! 

Teacup in a storm

Text: Lucy M George

Illustrations: Il Sung Na

Year: 2009

Publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books, London 

Age: 2 – 4 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture Book, Paperback

ISBN: 978 1 84539 363 2

Even if the intriguing title doesn’t tease your grey cells a bit, then the cheery teacup on the cover will certainly draw you into an unlikely and, sometimes, mysterious journey of adventure and discovery. The mystique is compelling but then you learn it is but a ‘teacup in a storm.’ :-)

The illustrations don’t give you a clue as to how the tale ends too… Hmmm…

Excerpt

They went on a very long voyage together.

Through the stormy seas they sailed.

On wild and foaming waves they rode.

They went practically around the world. 

In comes the tide

By Colin King and Valerie King

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978-0-721-41916-9

This book belongs to the Ladybird Picture Book series. It features a humorous story in rhyme bolstered by very clever illustrations that make you want to visit the pages over and over again.

There are a few big words that will need some explaining but it’s a cheery book for your children's bookshelf. 

Excerpt

In comes the tide, splashing pirates of old,

Out goes the tide, leaving cargoes of gold.

In comes the tide, with sea horses prancing.

Out goes the tide, crusty lobsters are dancing.