Sam’s Snowflake

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2008

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, paperback

ISBN: 978 0 23053 178 9

This is a gentle Christmas story that explores the deep bond that children forge with their dads.

Little Sam can’t wait to do fun things with his dad but he’s gone away to ‘fetch a special Christmas surprise’.

As Christmas Eve slowly fades into a cold, dark night Sam worries that his dad might get lost. He makes a glittery star that he puts up at the highest window to guide his father back home.

The book offers a gentle opportunity to explain to little ones, especially those prone to separation anxiety that parents come back. 

Oh yes, there’s a generous smattering of glitter through the pages too! :-)

Excerpt

Sam couldn't wait for the snow to come.

Every Christmas, Dad helped him to make a snow bear, took him toboganning and played roly-poly snowball fights. 

It’s Mine!

Author: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrator: Caroline Pedler

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 84895 482 3

There just won’t be enough books for little ones on sharing. :-) This book from Little Tiger Press is outstanding, though.

The object in question is a furry little tiger toy, which is soft to touch, on the pages too!

Baby Bear loves Rory, his striped toy and finds it hard to share it with his friend, Lulu. Mummy arrives to make peace and takes them to the park. After some time of playing by themselves, which is no fun at all, they realize, it is fun to share and play with each other,  after all.

Excerpt

Slowly, Baby Bear held out another toy for Lulu.

“But I don’t want him,” Lulu frowned. “I want Rory.”

“Why don’t we go to the park?” smiled Mummy. “I’ll bring Rory along with me.”

“OK,” mumbled Baby Bear and Lulu.

Pete and Polo: Nursery Adventure

By Adrian Reynolds

Year: 1999

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84362 845 7

The first day of school is an occasion of trepidation for most children. This Pete and Polo book tries to make the unfamiliar day friendly with a gentle story about Pete and his beloved Polo, a stuffed polar bear. Pete is apprehensive at first. He slowly begins to talk to others and eventually, enjoys his day.

Excerpt

When they arrived at nursery school, there were lots of Mums and Dads and children. 

It was very noisy. All the other children had brought their teddy bears too.  

What!

Author: Kate Lum

Illustrator: Adrian Johnson

Year: 1998

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 74759 775 9

This is a bedtime story, I think, but it made the kids laugh a lot!

Meet Patrick who’s visiting his Granny, a hilariously intrepid and industrious woman who does nothing in small measures. In the course of a night, she makes a bed from a tree in her yard, a feathered pillow from her chicken’s feathers, a blanket from her sheep’s wool and more!

By the time, she’s done, though …

Yes, this book does stretch your imagination quite a bit but then, it is a child’s world. Anything goes. :-) I guess it also reminds us of that overwhelming love that only a grand-parent can feel for a child much like Granny in this book.

Adrian Johnson’s illustrations contribute to the humor, immensely.

Excerpt

‘WHAT!!!?’ cried Granny.

She ran to the yard, where some fine trees were growing, and chopped one of them down. She got her hammer and her nails and made Patrick a bed.

Then she painted it a lovely shade of blue, brought it into the house and put a bright, red mattress on it.