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Inspiring reluctant little readers

Being a bookworm I was bewildered when I had not one but two children who didn’t seem to love reading. They loved being read to, and could read well, but choosing a children’s book over running outside, playing with lego or watching TV? Not so much.

Research shows that well-read children have an improved vocabulary and general knowledge, are more world-aware, have more empathy, and are better overall students. I also think reading is a life tool – you’ll never be lonely or bored with a book in your hand.

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Books for 0 – 3 year olds

Sophie Johnson: Unicorn Expert

Who doesn’t love a unicorn? Sophie Johnston: Unicorn Expert loves them so much she ‘owns’ 17 unicorns of her own. Or course there’s a lot of work involved in training them and looking after them but Sophie rises to the challenge with style. But who’s that hiding in plain sight on every page?

Harry’s Stormy Night

“All evening the North wind roared.” These evocative words set the atmosphere for the story about the night Harry and his family hole up inside while a storm roars around them.

Oi Frog!

Oi Frog! is a fun rhyming caper though all the places animals sit. It starts with Frog saying he does not want to do what everyone tells him to and sit on a log. He wants to sit on a sofa. As you do.

Swimming in the Sun

What a delightful, happy little book by South African author Jenny Hatton. Swimming in the Sun follows a typical day at the beach with glorious illustrations by Joan Rankin.

Here We Are – Notes for Living on Planet Earth

Acclaimed illustrator and author Oliver Jeffers has a new book to share with little children everywhere: an introduction to the world. Written on the birth of his son, this reads as an intimate guide to Earth and its inhabitants – both human and animal.

Richard Scarry’s Best Treasury Ever

This Richard Scarry classic is a happy primary-coloured trip filled with illustrations and much-loved characters to keep little ones entertained for hours. The detail-filled illustrations and story lines – filled with characters such as Huckle, Lowly, Bananas Gorilla, Sergeant Murphy, Sam and Dudley are still as entertaining and humorous as ever.

My Daddy Says

By Justine Smith and illustrated by Angie Stevens (Pan Macmillan) Lets cuddle up for bedtime with My Daddy Says – a special story about dads. The second title in the series about special relationships in the lives of little children, My Daddy Says features the partners of the two moms we first met in My Mummy Says and their children. Beautifully illustrated, warm and humorous in tone, the simple story is about two daddies and their children; friends who meet regularly in the park to chat and play until it’s nearly dark, and is about the very special relationship that exists between children and their daddies. A soft and gentle take on family life and relationships that perfectly captures the humour and impulsive nature of family life, and those people who hold a special place in the lives of every child. Also good for starting discussions about what your child’s daddy says and exploring the relationship he has with your child. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Nyambura Waits for the Bus

Nyambura is a little girl who is going to visit her Gogo (granny). To get there she has to take a bus all on her own. This doesn’t bother her – even though she has to wait in the queue for a LONG time.

This is the Chick

This is the Chick is a delightful tale about the repercussions of one tiny ‘cheep’ from a little guinea fowl chick – so fluffy and small. As each of the animals reacts to the other – they begin to stampede to the ranger’s house – convinced there is a horrible monster ‘with terrible teeth and and an enormous head, ‘ on the loose.

We’re All Wonders

August is a little boy who looks different from anyone else. Really different. He has one eye and other strange, misshapen features that make children stare at him. But inside he is just a little boy who loves his dog Dasiy, likes to play ball, eat ice cream and ride his bike. Since he knows he can’t change the way he looks, he wonders what it would be like if people could change the way they see him.

Love is My Favourite Thing

In Love is My Favourite Thing we follow the lovable story of the author’s dog Plum. Plum has lots of favorite things—catching sticks, her bear, her bed—but really, LOVE is her absolute favorite thing. Did we say we LOVE this book?

Plenty Of Love To Go Round

When Binky the cat moves in next door, Plum the dog can’t understand why everyone thinks Binky is so great. Plum is used to feeling like the no 1 favourite and suddenly she feels left out!

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight

This hilarious picture book is an updated version of the classic nursery rhyme, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. Here we have a very hungry dragon who is not going to stop until he’s gulped down almost the entire kingdom, knight’s armour and all.

The Story Cure

No matter the life experience, adventure or challenge a child is going through, I always find myself thinking: ‘There’s a book for that!’ And now there is a book to tell you which book they should read.

The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past

The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past is – of course – about a dinosaur that poops. In this story Danny has a Dinosaur friend who has some tummy troubles. Together they go on a time-traveling adventure, save some Dino friends and get back to the present time.

My Cape Town ABC

My Cape Town ABC is a treasure trove of all things Cape. Parents will enjoy being reminded of some of the history of Cape Town and the surrounding areas, while kids will learn new words, including uniquely South African words, such as koeksister and Zeekoevlei.

The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep

The Rabbit who Wants to Fall Asleep is the bestselling hit from a psychologist who claims that reading this book to your kids will guarantee sleepy nights, every night.

Annie Learns to Swim

Swimming season can be a splashing joy for some children and a nightmare of swimming lessons and the scary deep end for others. When Annie’s mom buys her a new swimming costume Annie doesn’t want to swim – the water is wet and splashy and deep.

Badger’s Parting Gifts

When badger dies his friends are heartbroken, especially Mole who feels ‘lost, alone and desperately unhappy.’ The animals are so sad through the winter but then as spring draws near they gather together and talk about the days when Badger was alive.

Charlie and Lola: One Thing

Charlie is the kind and clever big brother, Lola his inquisitive busy-body little sister. In this latest book, Lola is confused by numbers – if mum says they can choose one thing from the shop each, is that two things?

The Kissing Hand

Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school. He wants to stay at home with his mom, and play with his toys, and swing on his swing… He asks his mom: “Please may I stay home with you?”

Yes Days, No Days

Is it a Yes day or a No Day? Every child has their moods. Helping them understand and manage them is the message in this friendly little children’s book by parenting coach and self-help facilitator Mia Von Scha.

Happy!

A super happy, catchy book version of singer Pharrell Williams’s chart topping single. Page through the bright gorgeous photos and you’ll be humming along too!

And I mean it, Stanley

As a scruffy little girl gathers old discarded junk objects to build a fantastical ‘great thing’ she talks through a fence to Stanley, telling him she knows he is there, and she’s not going to show him what she’s made, so he mustn’t bother coming out. So who is Stanley?

Smile!

Sunny is a little girl with a big smile. Most days. But today her mom says she can’t have any more cookies. Now Sunny feels a little down. What can she do?

The Crown on Your Head

A beautiful, soulful baby book about the magnificence of each child, who is born with a sparkling glimmering crown of ‘moonlight, fireflies and dragonfly wings’ on their heads – their souls.

Go, Go Gorilla!

Go, Go Gorilla! is a lovely lyrical tale about a new friend who arrives to stay with a little boy and his family. The new friend is a large hairy gorilla. Cue parents nervous expressions.

Curious George

Curious George is a very curious little monkey who is captured in Africa by The Man in the Yellow Hat and bought to live in a zoo in ‘the big city’. he ends up living with the Man in in the Yellow Hat and has all sorts of funny escapades and adventures.

Party Time

If you love to throw themed birthday parties for your children and want fun ideas on decor and food – this is a good starting point. From Cowboys and Dinosaurs to picnics and Candy Land there are plenty of ideas to choose from.

The Great Balloon Hullaballoo

Simon the Squirrel sets off with a shopping list from his mum – with strict instructions not to forget the cheese. Here follows a madcap adventure through the planets with the help of Old Uncle Somerset’s special balloon.

The Little Engine That Could

‘I think I can, I think I can, I know I can!’ Were more encouraging words ever spoken to a child? This childhood classic is still just as powerful, 70 years on after children first read about the little steam engine that got stuck and couldn’t get over the mountain.

Moving House!

Moving house can be overwhelming for little ones and this is a very practical book about all that needs to be done to get the big move underway.

Up, Up and Away

Mattie is a little girl living on a farm in Africa. Life is boring and lonely without siblings until she discovers that the animals can visit her at night and they go on wonderful adventures in her dreams.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama is waiting for his mama, who has tucked him in to bed then gone to fetch him a glass of water. When she doesn’t come back quickly, he starts to worry and fuss, eventually hollering for her as he gets cross. Such a familiar scenario – the perfect rhyming bedtime read.

Little Hands Trust Books

A sweet set of Little Hands Trust books for toddlers that explain concepts such as colors, shapes and textures in a simple and accessible way. Tom was immediately transfixed and looked at each page carefully making little noises when he saw the instruments.

Kipper’s Birthday

Kipper plans his birthday party, baking a yummy cake the day before and making invitations – inviting everyone to his party ‘tomorrow.’ Only problem is he delivers the invites the next day and suddenly gets confused. Is his party today or was it yesterday? Or maybe it’s only tomorrow?

Please Mr Panda

Mr Panda has a tray of doughnuts and he’s offering them to all the animals that come his way. But not one of them gets one until lemur comes along. Why did lemur get one (in fact the whole tray) and the other animals not one crumb?

Press Here

This award wining creative book is a gift to children. Wonderfully interactive and fun, you’re invited to press the yellow dot. Turn the page and it doubles, turn through the next pages and you’re invited to shake the pages, tilt the book and find out what happens next.

Lets make More great placemat art

Making art fun is Marion Deuchars’ calling. Her range of Let’s make Great Art books inspire creativity, design and art for people of all ages. Making place mat art is just what it sounds like – fun activities that can be made at the dinner table.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 123

Eric Carle’s lovely illustrations make the perfect Christmas counting story. Starting from 1 Father Christmas and ending with 10 presents, this is a cute way to introduce Christmas ideas and counting for little ones.

I Like Myself!

This charming Dr Seuss-inspired rhyming book about a little girl who likes herself no matter what is the perfect gift to encourage a little self-love. The heroine is a little girl who lists all the ways she likes herself no matter what she looks like and no matter what anyone thinks of her.

We’re going on a Bear Hunt

An absolute must-have for any child’s library – the tale of a father and his three children going on a bear hunt ticks all the boxes. Beautiful, whimsical illustrations by award winning Helen Oxbury. A clever funny and slightly scary interpretation by Micheal Rosen and a delightfully theatrical chorus: “we can’t go over it, we can’t go under it, oh no we’ll have to go through it!”

Where the Wild Things Are

The ultimate toddler tantrum book. When Max has one of those wild up-to-no-good evenings his mom sends him to bed without any dinner. In his room Max’s anger grows into a forest and Max decides to sail off on a boat, ‘through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are.”

The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water

‘Once upon a time there was a little crocodile. And this little crocodile didn’t like water.’ So begins Merino’s charming tale of a a crocodile who wants to love playing in water just like his brothers and sisters, but try as he might he just can’t take to it. Until the day he decides to force himself and something unusual happens.

Igor – The Bird Who Couldn’t Sing

We took this book out the library and Joe, 8 loved the simple story of a bird who for the life of him cannot sing. When he does open his beak the other birds hold their ears and even his teacher, Mother Goose, gives up, telling him “I have done all I can. I’m sorry. I have failed.”

Charlie and Lola series

Losing a tooth is one of the highlights in a child’s life and it can be both exciting and scary. In classic Charlie and Lola style, the author captures these mixed emotions as Lola has a wobbly tooth which is about to fall out – but not if Lola can help it.

A librarian’s recommendations

We chatted to Bette Mosher Geci, a retired librarian from Connecticut in the States whose passion for children’s books and reading is so inspiring. Bette shared some of her all time favorite children’s books.

I Want My Hat Back

By Jon Klassen (Walker) A bear has lost his hat. He wants it back. He asks a few animals but they have not seen it. Even the rabbit who, funnily enough, is wearing a red hat, has not seen it. Wait a moment. What happens after the bear remembers where he last saw his hat is both laugh-out-loud hilarious and a little dark…

This is Not My Hat

By Jon Klassen (Walker) Age 0-3, 4-6 This Is Not My Hat has just earned the double honour of winning both the Kate Greenaway medal and the Caldecott Award. A delightfully simple moral tale with a twist of humour about a fish who steals a hat and thinks he’ll probably get away with it. Probably.

Everywhere Babies

Everywhere Babies is the simple story of what babies do all over the world, from getting cuddled to playing, eating, crying and sleeping is told in rhyming text, creating a wonderful celebration of baby life.

What’s That? & Can You?

What’s That? is a first words book perfect for getting 0-3’s to identify familiar objects and animals from the farm, the park, the home, the shops, and the road. Rhyming text makes the words stick in their minds and the clear illustrations are friendly and descriptive.

Hello, Goodbye

One of the first words we teach babies is Hello! and Goodbye! Wave hello, wave goodbye we say many times during the day. This is a lovely little book that shows bear saying hello to the tree and all the animals and insects.

Diary of a Wombat

This humorous diary of what wombat did with her day will have little kids laughing out loud. Monday: Morning: Slept. Afternoon: Slept. Evening: Ate grass. Scratched. Night: Ate grass. Slept. By Wednesday the gorgeously lazy little wombat is starting to interact with humans and their home: ‘fought a major battle with a flat, hairy creature’ which is in reality a door mat, ‘and won the battle’ and by Sunday she’s demanding rolled oats and observing: ‘Am constantly amazed how dumb humans can be.’

My Mummy Says

How lovely to read a sweet little story about a day at the beach. The simple tale of how a mummy and her toddler daughter and another mummy and her baby son go to the beach and have a chance encounter is perfect for under 3’s.

French Children Don’t Throw Food – Parenting Secrets from Paris

I have to confess I aspire to being a laid back French style mother. I have the inheritance for it – my family is French. But being born and raised in South Africa my parenting inspiration leans more towards the Anglo-Saxon model of vague hovering and over analysing things.

Hello! London

This interactive book for little ones introduces them to the highlights of London, from the Tower Brigdge that moves up and down, the tube with doors that open and close, The London Eye that spins around, and Buckingham palace where the royal family wave regally.

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

Toddlers love this original tale of a very civilized tiger who decides he wants to go wild. First he starts walking on all fours. Then he jumps in the fountain and roars and finally he takes all his clothes off! His animal friends are not impressed and tell him to go be wild in the wilderness.

Too Many Tickles

A happy and feel-good book about all the kinds of tickles a little brother and sister get from their mom, dad and grandparents – from swirly-whirly tummy button tickles to easy-teasy slightly squeezy behind-the-kneesy-tickles.

When I’m Feeling… Series

I’ve been looking for a good series that explores emotions and feelings for younger children and this is perfect. When children read about how emotions make us behave – feeling loved makes us kind, or feeing sad can make us angry – they have a safe space to explore how their emotions make them act.

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Little Mouse’s Big Book of Beasts

Filled with the most beautiful illustrations this is a visual feast of a book. Follow Little Mouse as he lists the animals that make him run. Quite funny because it’s a mouse most people run away from! He starts with a lion and moves on to a shark, bear, wasp, crab, crocodile, rhino, owl, jellyfish and snake.

Busy Airport, Busy Town

This is a brightly coloured interactive series of books for busy toddlers who will love pulling and sticking their fingers into the pull tabs, shifting tabs and moving all the components.

Dear Zoo

“I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet…” In this simple tale a child asks the zoo to send a pet – but each one is more undesirable than the next. Movable flaps reveal the contents of each package and little kids love

Wriggle, Wriggle What’s That? Hand Puppet Book

Babies go mad for this interactive hand puppet book. There’s something about the furry green ‘thing’ that totally captures their imagination. As you turn each page the furry object goes from being an alien’s head to a fuzzy beard and a magical moustache until the last page revels it’s a…

Sophie Johnson: Unicorn Expert

Harry’s Stormy Night

“All evening the North wind roared.” These evocative words set the atmosphere for the story about the night Harry and his family hole up inside while a storm roars around them.

Oi Frog!

Oi Frog! is a fun rhyming caper though all the places animals sit. It starts with Frog saying he does not want to do what everyone tells him to and sit on a log. He wants to sit on a sofa. As you do.

Swimming in the Sun

What a delightful, happy little book by South African author Jenny Hatton. Swimming in the Sun follows a typical day at the beach with glorious illustrations by Joan Rankin.

Lots of Dots for Little Hands

We’re dotty about this wipe-clean book for little ones. Dot-to-dots are brilliant for hand-eye co-ordination (that magic word) and they also help kids see the connection between lines making a bigger picture.

Judy Moody and the Bucket List

By Megan McDonald (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Lily Todes (Age 9) Judy Moody and the Bucket List was about a girl called Judy Moody. She had a grandmother who had a bucket list and Judy wants to create a bucket list of her own. A bucket list is a list of all the things people desire to do in their lives – things that they want to experience. Her bucket list has things like ‘learning to do a cartwheel, riding a horse and inventing something rad.’ To be honest, unfortunately, this book wasn’t my kind of book. I enjoy books that have more action and more mystery in them. Although her lists were quite amusing and interesting, so I am glad I read it. Parents Note: Judy Moody is a bestselling series about a funny and feisty young girl in Grade 3 and all the adventures and escapades she gets into. Judy is precocious, moody and full of individuality and attitude. Peter Reynold’s illustrations and the easy writing style make this the perfect first chapter book series for 6-9 year olds. There are 13 books in the series – the most well known is Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer which was made into a feature film. There is a companion series of books about Judy’s young brother, Stink which fans may love too. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Hack and Whack

Bedtime reads just got more boisterous. Hack and Whack are two red-haired terrors who run away from their mother’s bedtime call. “We’re Hack and Whack on the attack!” they yell and promptly run away causing mayhem and damage throughout the viking village.

Richard Scarry’s Best Treasury Ever

Ballerina Dreams – A True Story

When Michaela DePrice was a little girl in an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone, she found a magazine with a ballerina on the cover. She dreamed of someday being a ballerina too but at that time it seemed impossible.

Nyambura Waits for the Bus

This is the Chick

The Elders At The Door

The Elders at The Door is a warm retelling of a favourite African fable. When three elders named Blessing, Wisdom and Love are invited to enter a house, they reply that the family must choose which of them to invite inside. What will the family choose?

The Museum

“When I see a work of art, something happens in my heart. I cannot stifle my reaction, my body just goes into action.” The Museum is a gorgeous picture book that celebrates the many varied reactions a little girl has as she twirls through an art museum.

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Do you wish there were more books about kick-ass female role models to share with your kids? Superwoman is all well and good but Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is the real deal. Real women doing extraordinary and inspiring things.

We’re All Wonders

The Word of Mouse

The Word of Mouse is about a sky-blue mouse called Isaiah “whose life has been one big fright fest”. Isaiah gets separated from his family and has to find his way back.

Mr Hare Meets Mr Mandela

When Mr Hare discovers a R200 note in his doorway and sees Mr Mandela’s face on it, he decides it must belong to him. He calls all the animals to announce that he will brave the city of Johannesburg to find him. The animals all warn him that he can’t read so he needs to be careful he doesn’t get lost in the ‘city of readers’.

Jeremy James: Elephants Don’t Sit on Cars

Jeremy James is a little boy who always finds interesting things to do… even if the grownups sometimes wished he didn’t. Jeremy is honest to a fault, usually telling everyone exactly what he thinks and asking them a million questions in the process.

Love is My Favourite Thing

Plenty Of Love To Go Round

When Binky the cat moves in next door, Plum the dog can’t understand why everyone thinks Binky is so great. Plum is used to feeling like the no 1 favourite and suddenly she feels left out!

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight

A Dog’s Purpose: Ellie’s Story

Ellie is a puppy with a purpose. Trained as a search and rescue dog she will be able to track down a lost child in a forest or find an injured man in a burning building. She does this all – and more – when she finds a way to ‘rescue’ her handlers, the widowed Jakob and the lonely Maya.

A Tribe of Kids

Follow a young boy as he discovers the collective nouns for animals, plants and the world and comes to find his own collective family at the end: ‘there is a tribe of kids’ he can belong to.

Top 4 Activity Books

Activity books are a great way to get kids to do some light reading and keep them busy. We tried out a few this holiday and can highly recommend the following…

What Do You Do With A Problem?

What do you do with a problem? Do you ignore it, do you shoo it away or hide from it? A beautifully simple book about facing problems and finding their gifts. When a little boy is filled with anxiety about an unnamed problem following him around, he struggles to think what he can do.

The Story Cure

Rainbow Magic: Elsa the Mistletoe Fairy

Just in time for Christmas look out for Elsa the Mistletoe Fairy. Rachel and Kirsty are looking forward to spending Christmas together but then Jack Frost gets up to his usual mischief and steals Elsa the Mistletoe Fairy’s magical objects.

Rainbow Magic – Mary The Sharing Fairy

The Rainbow Magic series of books is perfectly aimed to take your beginner reader through to a chapter book reader level. The safely predictable story lines all focus on the friendship between best friends Rachel and Kirsty and their adventures in fairy land and the mean goblin Jack Frost who is always looking to stir up trouble.

Nicholas and The Wild Ones

Nicholas and The Wild Ones is another Niki Daly delight – this time dealing with the eternal issue of bullying. It’s Nicholas’s first day at school and already he’s noticed the ‘wild ones’ a group of wild kids who do mean things and rule the school.

The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past

My Cape Town ABC

Chocolate Me!

Chocolate Me! is a picture book about differences and how they can be celebrated if seen in the right light. Chocolate Me is a little boy who wonders about all the ways he is different from his white friends, Timmy, Johnny and Mark who, with their ‘normal’ names, straight hair, and fair complexions make Chocolate Me feel like he is all kinds of wrong. A perfect springboard for diversity discussions.

Drawing Made Easy

By E.G Lutz (Lom Art – an imprint of Micheal O’Mara books) First printed in 1921, this is the book credited with inspiring Walt Disney’s animation career. A simple step-by-step breakdown of how to draw using basic shapes and drawing everything from birds and animals to people, actions and objects. Joe, 10, loves drawing and this is the book he chose from French book shop L’ecume des pages on St Germain Boulevard in Paris. He sat and started breaking down the things he loves to draw, explaining that he will still put his own style on them, but use this as a building block. Any book that inspires that has to be good! And Walt did go on to have a rather memorable career – so this could be a great investment… Available from Amazon.com and all good book stores. Try your local art stores too. Joe’s artworks in Paris… (and yes, that is a baguette pen 🙂 Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Annie Learns to Swim

Why Must I Go To School?

Why must I go to school? Why must I do as I am told? Good question. Said no parent ever. Now you can direct them to this philosophical series about the big questions children ask, leaving kids to decide for themselves.

Hoot Owl

Written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Jean Jullien (Walker Books) One of our favourite picture books to swoop onto the scene is Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise. Hoot Owl is a comically melodramatic hero on the hunt for food – disguising himself alternately as a carrot, mommy sheep, bird bath, and a waiter. Hoot Owl’s deadpan descriptions are rich, evocative and very funny: “The night has a thousand eyes, and two of them are mine. I swoop thought the bleak blackness, like a wolf in the air.” and “The shadowy night stretches away forever, as black as burnt toast.” We love the use of so many new and unusual words and descriptions – which bring to mind a child dressing up in a tin pot waving a paper sword around shouting “I am a fearsome knight and I will cut the sky into a hundred pieces with my dangerous sword.” You feel like you’re playing along with his fantasy in the best possible way. The deadpan humour might be a little sophisticated for younger readers – who also might not like the thought of the rabbit, lamb, and pigeon being eaten up – but Owl is really bad at dressing up and disguising himself so he can’t catch anything. Until he gets to the last unsuspecting prey… And don’t worry – your little ones will be cheering this one on! A special mention for the comic-like illustrations by Jean Jullien – they perfectly support the quirky style with bold, flat graphics and saturated colours. Never have two round eyes expressed so much. Check out the book trailer here. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Tidy

When Pete the Badger gets a neat freak attack he starts cleaning up the forest – and the animals – with disastrous results.

Badger’s Parting Gifts

Charlie and Lola: One Thing

The Kissing Hand

Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school. He wants to stay at home with his mom, and play with his toys, and swing on his swing… He asks his mom: “Please may I stay home with you?”

Sebastian’s Roller Skates

Sebastian is shy. When people talk to him, he freezes up, even thought he has lots to say and plenty to share. When the barber cuts his hair like a billiard ball, Sebastian thinks of what he’d liked to say but all he says is ‘fine.’ Oh don’t we all know a Sebastian?

Yes Days, No Days

Happy!

A super happy, catchy book version of singer Pharrell Williams’s chart topping single. Page through the bright gorgeous photos and you’ll be humming along too!

And I mean it, Stanley

The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish

This is the off-beat tale of a boy who is left with his younger sister in his dad’s care while his mom goes out. All dad wants to do is read the paper. All the kids want to do is play. Then he gets offered two goldfish – what will he find to swap…

Smile!

Sunny is a little girl with a big smile. Most days. But today her mom says she can’t have any more cookies. Now Sunny feels a little down. What can she do?

The Crown on Your Head

A beautiful, soulful baby book about the magnificence of each child, who is born with a sparkling glimmering crown of ‘moonlight, fireflies and dragonfly wings’ on their heads – their souls.

Go, Go Gorilla!

Go, Go Gorilla! is a lovely lyrical tale about a new friend who arrives to stay with a little boy and his family. The new friend is a large hairy gorilla. Cue parents nervous expressions.

Curious George

Olivia

With her love of dancing, being creative, accessorizing her school uniform and exercising her wild imagination Olivia will charm young readers aged 3-6.

Party Time

Way Home

The story opens on the back street of a big city – it’s early evening and a dog barks and a cat with no name scrambles up a fence. Shane, a young boy, spies the cat and coaxes the “Spitfire, Kitten Number One’ to climb into his jacket, promising he will take it home to ‘his place.’

The Great Balloon Hullaballoo

The Little Engine That Could

Moving House!

Moving house can be overwhelming for little ones and this is a very practical book about all that needs to be done to get the big move underway.

Up, Up and Away

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Kipper’s Birthday

Mr Men and Little Miss Series

The series offers a very clever way of getting children to discuss emotions and personality types and how we need all types in the world. In each story the character is given a challenge – Little Miss Sunshine comes across Miseryland – she is reprimanded for breaking all the rules and when she asks why people aren’t allowed to smile and laugh she’s told because that’s the rule!

Please Mr Panda

Milly-Molly-Mandy’s Family

This is all about Milly-Molly-Mandy (her real name is Millicent Margeret Amanda which is too long to shout out so her family shortened it). She lives with her father, mother, grandpa, grandma, uncle and aunty in a small white cottage with a thatched roof. Her family are kind. Everyone in the family has jobs to do and hers is to run errands for everyone.

Unstoppable Me!

This book came just in time to save me from yet another argument in our house around taking responsibility. Subtitled ‘10 ways to soar through life’, this inspirational book is jam packed with life lessons. It brings you back to the basics and reminds you – and your children – what is really important.

My First Book of Seashore Life

A great companion to rock pool adventures and seaside holidays in the Southern Hemisphere. The book introduces over 50 creatures and plants found along our shores and beaches from sea bamboo to hermit crabs, cowries and the feather-duster worm.

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Christmas Decorations to Cut, Fold and Stick

Making Christmas decorations has always been one of our favourite family traditions and it takes us the first few weeks of the holidays, keeping the kids happy and lots of glitter sprinkles over every surface of our holiday house.

Lets make More great placemat art

The Something

“Underneath the cherry tree in our garden there is a little hole. We found it one day when I bounced my ball and it didn’t come back.” The mystery of who made the hole and what lives inside fills this little boy with wonder and imaginings

Aunt Amelia

Being left with a babysitter is often no fun – especially when it’s a new babysitter and your mum and dad leave a strict list of rules and instructions. Luckily Aunt Amelia follows the rules with a little twist – whatever they say don’t do – she does!

Angelina Ballerina’s Christmas Stories

Angelina Ballerina is a firm favorite in our house – the endearing tales of a little mouse called Angelina who loves to dance and play with her friends has captured little girl’s imaginations round the world since she was launched in 1983. This is a compilation of two previously released stories.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 123

Kids’ Market Day

Now you have an answer to that eternal question: “Mom, what can I do?” “Make something and sell it!” is the answer. I don’t know about your kids, but mine absolutely love the idea of making things that they can sell and it’s always lovely to support their initiatives. Kids’ Market Day is jam-packed with wonderful creative ideas of crafts, yummy treats and decorative objects your children can make, with varying scales of difficulty.

A Perfectly Messed Up Story

Little Louie is so excited to tell his story but nothing goes as planned. From jelly to chunky peanut butter falling on his head, Louie keeps on, admirably trying to get his story across. Kids will learn that no matter what happens, persevering cheerfully is what’s important, not finishing perfectly.

I Like Myself!

We’re going on a Bear Hunt

Library Lion

Everyone knows libraries have special rules. So what to do when a lion enters the library and doesn’t want to leave? Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is quite put out at first but she soon realises that he just wants to listen to story time and help her out.

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Madeline

“In an old house in Paris all covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed …” So begins one of the great classic children’s books written by author and artist Ludwig Bemelmans in 1939.

Where the Wild Things Are

The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water

Igor – The Bird Who Couldn’t Sing

Foxy Tales: The Road to Fame and Fortune

By Caryl Hart and illustrated by Alex T Smith (Hachette) Foxy Tales: The Road to Fame and Fortune is a book about a alligator called Alphonso and a fox called Foxy Du Bois. She tries to get rid of Alphonso because he is a pain in the neck. If she doesn’t feed him he says he’ll eat her up!

Charlie and Lola series

A librarian’s recommendations

Not So Fast Songolola

This was one of the first books I read many years ago by the talented Niki Daly. Shepherd goes into the city with his Gogo (grandmother) to help her do the shopping. Gogo walks very slowly, but Shepard likes to take his time as well, hence his nickname Songolola, which is Zulu for millipede.

I Want My Hat Back

This is Not My Hat

Katie Meets The Impressionists

This delightful book was lent to us by a friend and we hardly wanted to give it back. Katie and her grandma visit the art gallery for her grandma’s birthday. Katie is gazing at a picture of The Luncheon by Claude Monet when she spies a garden in the backdrop.

The Great Sheep Shenanigans

A lovely spin on the wicked wolf looking to eat the lamb story. A wily old wolf called Lou Pine is desperate to disguise himself as a sheep so he can cunningly slip into the flock and eat them all up.

The Paper Dolls

I was immediately attracted by the image of paper dolls, which I used to love cutting out as a child. I still make them with my younger kids and they love colouring in their clothes and giving them accessories. In the book a mom and daughter make a string of paper dolls together, which go off on a fantastical adventure as they travel through the house and out into the garden.

Albert Le Blanc

When Albert le Blanc arrives in Mr Jolly’s toy shop, he immediately catches everyone’s attention. Not because he’s so big, but because he doesn’t have a smile.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Oh how I love this book. It so perfectly sums up how every child (and adult!) feels once in a while. Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day begins when he wakes up with chewing gum in his hair…

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

It’s Junie B Jones’ first day in Grade 0 and she has to ride on a bus. She manages to get to school but when it’s home time she decides there’s no way she’s repeating that experience – so she hides in the school until everyone leaves.

Winnie the Witch series

Winnie the Witch is something of a celebrity in children’s literature. What makes Winnie a winner is her friendly, scatter-brained personality. She’s literally an accident waiting to happen – luckily a touch of magic usually sets her straight.

Mummy & Me Cook

Few activities are as much fun as cooking with mom or dad. This lovely cookbook offers the perfect balance of quick bakes and a few more ambitious projects, such as chicken risotto and a blueberry sponge cake. I love the introduction of the food type, such as rice or tomatoes, and the explanation of what they are and how to cook them. Read more…

A Walk in London

This retro style introduction to famous cities like New York, Paris and London gets huge points for its artistic style. Follow a mother and her daughter as they take a tour of London, hopping on a red bus, stopping over at the main sightseeing attractions and learning little bits of interesting info on them.

Secret Kingdom Series 1-6

When a book has an over abundance of words like ‘giggles, pink, magical, spells, sparkles, rainbow, glittering, mermaids, pixies, unicorns, elves and happily ever after” lots of little girls get very excited.

Manfred the Baddie

Manfred is the leader of an audacious gang. He kidnaps brilliant inventors and forces them to create outrageous machines for villainous robberies and piracy on the high seas. Manfred is also a mean bully of a boss and his henchmen have no love for him.

The Utterly Otterlys

The illustrations grabbed my attention first. Then the title. I love anything to do with Otters. (Like rabbits they are the most endearing animals. Must be the whiskers.) The Otterlys are very happy in their cosy little home in a burrow where mum is cooking fish and the kids play with their sea toys.

Dirty Bertie series

We’re big Dirty Bertie fans in our house. Dirty Bertie is a little boy with nose-pickingly disgusting habits and an infectious energy for madcap ideas. It’s impossible to keep Bertie clean – even when his mum begs him to look smart for the school photo – despite his best intentions – Bertie just can’t avoid mud and mayhem.

Marshall Armstrong Is New To our School

Marshall Armstrong is new to our school. He looks different to me. His laces are straight, not criss-crossed like mine, And his eyes are always looking at the blackboard. Marshall Armstrong doesn’t fit into our school. Not one bit…’

Katie Morag Series

Katie Morag is a feisty tomboy adored by children for over 30 years. Katie lives on the island of Struay, which is loosely based on the Isle of Coll in the Hebrides where Hedderwick used to live. Her beautifully detailed illustrations capture daily island life and all the adventures Katie gets up to, living above the island’s only shop where her mum is the postmistress and her dad runs

The Boy Who Cried Ninja

It’s hard when no one believes you. Tim is always getting into trouble – except he tells his parents it wasn’t him who did all those naughty things… it was the ninja, or the astronaut, or the giant squid, or the pirate. Of course they don’t believe him and tell him to go water the vegetable patch and think about how bad he’s been. “If he told the truth, he was in trouble and if he lied he was also in trouble. What could he do?’

Penguin’s Hidden Talent

It was time for the big annual talent competition and everyone was practicing their talent. Except Penguin. “Penguin couldn’t think what his talent was.” He knew it wasn’t baking, map reading or knitting, so his friends tried to help him find out what he was good at.

An Awesome Book

This is one of the books that inspired me to create this site. I found it through word of mouth (my sister-in-law) and ordered it on the internet. (www.averyawesomeworld.com)

Mr Tiger Goes Wild

When I’m Feeling… Series

Little Mouse’s Big Book of Beasts

The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin

by Sarah Webb (Pan Macmillan) Guest reviewed by Eva Rose Agulnik (9) I liked The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin very much because it was interesting. It’s mainly about family and friendship. I think dolphins are beautiful and reading taught me a lot about how clever and amazing these creatures are. It makes me think that people should pay more attention to dolphins. This book made me really realise that (like Aurora without a mother) , it must be very difficult for children without any mothers. Also, if this were a true story, I would be amazed how Aurora got over her mom dying. I loved this book. I would like to read more in The Songbird Cafe Girls Books. Parent’s Note: This is the third book in Sarah Webb’s heartwarming series about friendship and family, set on the fictional Cork island of Little Bird. After the death of her mum, Aurora – nicknamed Rory – finds solace and healing in the fascinating world of dolphins. When she bonds with a dolphin called Click she realises that all the dolphins are threatened by the use of dolphin nets. She’s determined to do something to protect the dolphins and her friends at the Songbird Cafe are only too happy to help. The healing bond between animals and humans is beautifully explored. Perfect for readers aged 9 – 12. Find out about the other books in this lovely series here. SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveShare this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Judy Moody and the Bucket List

Beast Quest Series

Beast Quest is a bestselling fantasy adventure series for 7-11 year olds that boasts over 130 books and millions of fans around the world. In series 1 the story starts in the land of Avantia, where the evil wizard Malvel has cast spells on the great protective beasts of the land, including Ferno the Fire Dragon who watches over Southern Avantia, protecting the water supply for all the people.

Under the Blood Red Sun

Written by Graham Salsibury (Yearling) Guest reviewed by Mauli Pupuhi, Grade 7, Aka’ula School, Molokai, Hawaii The main character of Under the Blood Red Sun is a Japanese boy named Tomi. His full name is Tomikazu Nakaji and his grandpa and his parents were born in Japan. Tomi was born in Hawaii on Oahu and is second generation Japanese. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Tomi’s dad is out fishing. Tomi is worried about his family because they don’t know what will happen to his dad or if he is even alive. His grandfather doesn’t understand why he can’t live his Japanese culture openly, and his mother is stressed that she might lose her job. Can Tomi keep his family safely together or is it hopeless? Read Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury to find out. Parents Note: This award winning book is a good spring board to explore the ways in which war impacts on ordinary people’s lives. Issues such as prejudice, immigration, internment camps, patriotism, friendship and more can be explored. A movie version of the book was made and it looks really good – check out the trailer here.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Loot: How to Steal a Fortune

Written by Jude Watson (Scholastic) Guest reviewed by Nathalie Hosten, Grade 8, Aka`ula School, Molokai, Hawaii Loot is one of my most favorite books of all time. If you met the main character, March, you would probably think that he’s a normal American teenager. He’s not. His father is the notorious cat-burglar, Alfie McQuinn, infamous for stealing jewels. March is his most trusted sidekick. But is Alfie as good a thief as he makes out? March is left alone in the world when Alfie dies during one of their heists by falling off a rooftop. The last thing he did before he died was to give March a paper bag containing a moonstone and a series of strange clues. Dazed, March runs away, but he is soon caught by the police and forced to go to an orphanage for juvenile delinquents along with another girl who is supposedly his long-lost twin. There he meets Izzy, a computer genius, and Darius, who may look tough, but inside is the most caring and loyal friend you can get. On TV night at the orphanage they learn about a terrible curse that will cause March and Jules to fall from a great height on their birthday… and die. To break the curse, the four kids must have a collection of magic moonstones and a special riddle, except the moonstones are spread all across the US as they were pulled away from their brethren and made into other jewelry. So how can Jules, Izzy, Darius, and March even get them? By stealing of course! Along the way they will encounter many strange people, a large amount of danger, and a LOT of money. Can Jules, Izzy, Darius, and March pull off their most dangerous heist ever and save March’s and Jules’ lives? With, of course, the added plus of gaining millions of dollars? Jude Watson has a huge fan bas as she is also author of a few 39 Clues books and many Star Wars books. If you want to try a sample of Loot listen to the You Tube reading here. And if you love Loot try the sequel, Sting. Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Ballerina Dreams – A True Story

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

The Lotterys Plus One

The Lotterys are a unique and diverse family with four parents, seven kids and five pets – all living happily together in a big old house. Nine-year-old Sumac is looking forward to a long summer of fun until her grumpy grandpa moves in with them.

The Word of Mouse

The Word of Mouse is about a sky-blue mouse called Isaiah “whose life has been one big fright fest”. Isaiah gets separated from his family and has to find his way back.

Mr Hare Meets Mr Mandela

The Thing About Jellyfish

“Not everything makes sense, Zu. Sometimes things just happen,” says Suzy’s (Zu’s) mom when her best friend Franny dies from drowning. Heartbroken and confused, 12 year old Suzy refuses to accept this and begins a journey to find out what could have caused her to drown. The Thing about Jellyfish is a beautiful story of friendship, grief, forgiveness and acceptance.

The Private Blog of Joe Cowley

This is about a 14 year old teenager who is desperately wanting to sort his life out because everything is going wrong. He wants to kiss a girl before the end of the year and he also wants to get revenge on a bully who gives him a very rough time. This book is the funniest book I have ever read.

The Songbird Cafe Girls: Aurora and the Popcorn Dolphin

Beast Quest Series

Wolf Hollow

By Lauren Wolk (Dutton Books) An award winning book about a young girl called Annabelle coming of age during the 2nd world war. While the war rages on she deals with a much closer threat – another young girl who bullies and manipulates her way into their community and rips it apart. Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. Toby is a local vagabond of few words who has become something like a friend of Annabelle’s family. Betty’s violent malice only grows, until one day she goes missing. Toby immediately becomes the prime suspect in Betty’s disappearance and Annabelle is determined to prove Toby’s innocence. The narrative is powerful and beautifully written and at times possibly too adult for young readers. Some may find the story arc a little depressing – you’ll have to judge your child’s maturity levels. Life is not sugarcoated – there are pointlessly cruel people, courageously kind people, and those who simply pass the gossip. Brilliantly crafted, Wolf Hollow is a haunting and pertinent tale for all times that will make you think of To Kill A Mockingbird.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Under the Blood Red Sun

Loot: How to Steal a Fortune

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

The Lotterys Plus One

Freak the Mighty vs The Mighty

Freak the Mighty is a popular middle grade novel, about two unusual boys and their friendship. Max is a slow learner stuck in the body of a teenage giant and Kevin (Freak) is a small boy with a near genius brain stuck in leg braces. Our reviewer compares which is better – the book or movie version?

The Thing About Jellyfish

The Private Blog of Joe Cowley

Orbiting Jupiter

Written by Gary D Schmidt (Penguin) Guest reviewed by Aimee (13) Orbiting Jupiter is a heartwarming story about a teenage boy called Joseph, who has a baby. Joseph moves in with a foster family but all he can think about is meeting his daughter. The story is told from the viewpoint of Jack, his foster brother. As Joseph tells him all about Madeleine, the girl he loves, we learn more about how Joseph came to be such a young father. Joseph also explains why he was a troublemaker at all his old schools. There is a story that goes around that he tried to kill his teacher and this could make you judge him but then you learn the circumstances. This book is about a journey with a 14 year old boy, a foster family and new characters along the way. One of the main themes is brotherhood and love. I found this story page turning and exciting. It was hard to read as it was sad but beautiful. It is for an older audience (13 and above) because it has difficult and mature themes. Orbiting Jupiter is one for your bookshelves. Parent note: The book deals with teenage pregnancy and abusive fathers and is better for more mature young readers. That said, it is beautifully written and it deals sensitively with these issues, impressing that you should never judge someone until you know their story. Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal.Share this…FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedin

Wolf Hollow

Letters to the Lost

Letters to the Lost is a beautifully written exploration of grief, loss and acceptance explored through the lives of two very different teens – Juliet who has lost her mother, and Declan who has lost his sister.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Freak the Mighty vs The Mighty

My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer

This is the mixed-up summer that twelve-year-old June Farrell learns about making the best pies and sticking by her family – even if it means facing bullying and shame.

The Lost Boys’ Appreciation Society

Gary, John, and their dad are lost without their mum, who died in a car accident. Fourteen-year old Gary feels locked in his own pain which is made worse by his falling grades at school and his inability to come to terms with his mum’s death. He begins to go off the rails, getting involved with local thugs and teetering on the brink of being on the wrong side of the law.

Wing Jones

We can’t wait for this debut novel about a young girl who discovers a love for running in the midst of a family tragedy. Wing Jones is a young girl in a mixed-race family who deals with her brother’s accident by searching for an escape.