Mole’s Sunrise

Text: Jeanne Willis, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Sarah Fox-Davies

Year: 2011

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40633 778 5

This kind and generous story of friendship offers little children a tiny peek at the window to the world of the differently-abled.

Vole is in a hurry to catch the sunrise. He stops by Mole’s house and invites him too. Soon, they are joined by Rabbit, Squirrel and Sparrow.

Each of them sees the sunrise with a unique perspective, all of which blend together to create a beautiful image for the nearly blind Mole.

This book is about kindness, friendship, generosity and so much more. The illustrations are breathtakingly detailed.

Excerpt

Vole got up just before dawn.

Mole was having breakfast but Vole didn’t have time.

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.

Sunny Day Fairies

Text: Julia Rowe

Illustrations: Eric Kincaid

Year: 2001

Publisher: Brimax, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 20

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 85854 171 6

Bright, golden sunbeams don’t just bring light and warmth to earth, they also act as the means to convey tiny little Sunny Day Fairies. 

This series by Julia Rowe provides a refreshing look at fairies and their origins. An elegant Queen Buttercup and a pollen party are just some of the intriguing details that make this book exciting for little ones. 

Excerpt

The older fairies continued to shake the flowers, and the harder they shook, the more golden pollen came floating down onto the brown wings of the babies.

Also in this series:

• Rainy Day Fairies
• Snowy Day Fairies
• Rainbow Fairies

Measuring Angels

Text: Lesley Ely

Illustrations: Polly Dunbar, Wikipedia

Year: 2008

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84780 048 0

There’s trouble brewing at school. A little girl feels left out and Miss Miles the teacher finds the solution with sunflower seeds.

Miss Miles gives the little girl a flower pot and Sophie, who’s not her friend, the sunflower seed. They are not happy about having to work together and so is the sunflower. Their plant is the weediest and smallest. 

Miss Miles suggests that they talk to the plant. They do. Soon, the plant grows beautifully and the two little girls are friends.

Excerpt

“This sunflower isn’t happy,” said Miss Miles. “Why don’t you talk to it? Talking to plants sometimes helps them grow.”

So we tried. We got close. 

Buzz Bumble to the Rescue

Text:  Lynn E. Hazen

Illustrations:  Jill Newton

Year: 2006

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 74757 297 6

This story about bees is captured in outstanding illustrations that make each page a work of art.

Buzz Bumble is a star in his garden. All the bees admire him for his style, speed and agility. However, when sweet lil' Baby Bumble comes flying around, all the attention is turned to her.

Buzz Bumble feels miffed but he races to her rescue when she’s trapped in a Venus Flytrap.

He makes it to the cover of “The National Bee-Geographic Magazine.”

We loved this book for its message of self-acceptance and encouraging children to be comfortable with themselves. The sunny illustrations are cheery and adorable. 

Excerpt

“Look at Baby Bumble!” announced Humble.

“Our little fuzzy-buzzy is covered with pollen!”

“Adorable,” cooed Miss Bizzy.

“Where’s Ansel Antennae?” asked Senor Sting. “He must take a picture!”

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 …

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. 

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! 

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. 

One Magical Day

Author: Claire Freedman

Illustrator: Tina Macnaughton

Year: 2007

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84506 457 0

Claire Freedman waves her pen once more to create a magical book that celebrates the beauty of life through the eyes of young ones – fawns, ducklings, lambs, piglets, puppies and more.

While the lyrical text is captivating by itself, the illustrations by Tina MacNaughton make this book a keeper.

I would hesitate to tag this one a children’s book, because it could very well be the perfect feel-good book for parents too! We sometimes need a child’s perspective to awaken the wonder of the world around us. :-)

Excerpt

Into the stable the bright sunlight streams,

Bathing the foal with its soft, golden beams.

Sun-drowsy kittens pad home to their mother.

Washed one by one, they curl up with each other.