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! 

Milly, Molly and W. W. Webby

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Milly,Molly Books, New Zealand

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-1-87729-747-2

This has to be the first children’s book I have come across that addresses bigotry and racism. It even uses the words.

Even if the children don’t quite get the essence of the story, the parents should. However, I've also learned not to underestimate the abilities of children. 

The story uses an unlikely messenger to convey the lesson – W. W. Webby, the friendliest spider in the Milly and Molly universe. They ask him to build a World Wide Web, which he does by connecting mountains to mountains around the whole world. Now Milly and Molly can make friends all over the world. 

Excerpt

“What about our shoes?” Milly and Molly asked. “We can’t find them anywhere.”

W.W. Webby thought deeply for a moment. “To walk in someone else’s shoes, is to really understand them,” he said wisely. “That way you can stomp on bigotry and racism, forever.