|
Book Reviews www.help4everyparent.com |
||||
|
Books Even babies love books and there are wonderful ones available for them, with thick pages and bright pictures. Books will become companions for life if introduced in the earliest years. Here are some children will want over and over again. Knock, Knock – David Bedford Illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo ISBN 187700380-8 From the green front pages to the hot pink end pages, Knock, Knock is a delight. There are repetitive and sound-sensitive words just right for toddlers, and the colourful pictures are captivating. Each double page shows the same part of the house but with subtle changes – the birds with a nest outside the window, and the things hanging on the peg inside the door. These remind us who has arrived. Just a hint is given of each visitor who is knocking. I love the mouse struggling into his clothes between interruptions. The final joyous picture invites the reader to join in the fun. Congratulations David and Bridget. Books by David Bedford and Bridget Strevens-Marzo have been published around the world. All over the world cookbooks are
top sellers. Cooking is a skill that we can develop early in our lives and
children love be involved. This month I have chosen a book Cool Kids Cook - Donna Hay, Illustrated by Danielle Holden ISBN 1-74045-548-7 Murdoch Books This colourful cookbook for kids is the best I’ve seen. It is well organized and easy to follow. Each recipe is on a separate page with a catchy name. The steps are shown by three small pictures and the facing page has a full size illustration. Twenty savoury recipes come first then twenty sweet ones. I particulary like this idea as there is a need for more emphasis on healthy food. Several other cook books for kids that I looked at in the bookshop, only included sweet or party food. There are clear safety guidelines and tips for success. The good quality paper will be durable. My only criticism is that the pages do not lie flat. A spiral backing would have allowed this. Upper primary school children will be able to use the book independently. Parents and carers will find this book a joy to use as they introduce children aged 4 to 10 to cooking activities. Max Meets a Monster – Tracey Hawkins Illustrated by Chantal Stewart New Frontier publishing ISBN-10:1-921042-36-2 ISBN-13:978-1-921042-36-2 This picture book will be a great success with children 4 to 7 years of age. Max is excited about sleeping over at Grandpa’s house especially as Grandpa serves up all the food he likes best. However, there is an awful sound in the middle of the night that surely only a monster can make. Max bravely grabs his teddy bear and, using his torch, goes on a monster hunt. The sounds made by Grandpa as he snores will delight any child who listens to this story. The clever pictures of objects and clothes Max sees on his search help the tension to build to just the right pitch. Well done Tracey and Chantal. Tough Boris – Mem Fox Illustrated by Kathryn Brown Puffin books ISBN-0-14-056453-5 I’ve only just discovered this wonderful picture book although it was published in Australia in 1998. I’m sure it will remain a favourite for many years to come. Boys in particular love pirate games and books and this one will appeal to children who are beginning to read alone, as well as those who love to hear a story. The carefully chosen words capture the essence of the rollicking pirate’s life and will add colourful words to a child’s vocabulary too. Through Kathryn Brown’s marvellous illustrations a secondary story about a violin unfolds. The pictures are rich in colour and movement and invite discussion. This is a book children and adults will return to again and again. Summer – June Factor Illustrated by Alison Lester ISBN 1-877035-54-8 This is a delightful book that captures the essence of a hot Australian bush Christmas. The simple rhyming text is fun to read. Alison Lester’s wonderful detailed pictures about the farm will have children asking questions and talking about their own experiences. This is a book the whole family will love. Doodledum Dancing – Meredith Costain Illustrated by Pamela Allen ISBN0-670-02822-3 This is a delightful book of rhythm and rhyme for 3 to 7 year olds. Some rhymes would make wonderful knee-bouncing rhymes for an adult to say while bouncing a baby, or playing baby-tickling games. Many rhymes can be used in hand clapping or skipping games by school-aged children. The book begins with dinosaurs stomping, clomping, munching and crunching and is ideal for four year olds who usually know lots about dinosaurs. It contains rhymes about being sick, losing a tooth, the weather, etc. The poems and rhymes cry out to be spoken aloud, and children will soon master the almost tongue-twisters that are a special feature of the book. Pamela Allen’s clever illustrations capture the mood of the verses perfectly. A must have book for every junior grade teacher, and one lucky children who have their own library should have on their shelf to look at often.We honestly CAN look after your dog - Lauren Child ISBN0-141-38210-4 (Puffin) This book is a winner in every way. Three year olds who want a dog or have one in the family, will relate to Lola and Lotta. Seven year olds will love the humour in the situation. The words and phrases are tumbled around the pages in an amusing and effective way and the simple pictures will appeal to everyone. For children learning to read, there is lots of repetition. The use of several types and sizes of script, will encourage word recognition in even the younger children.Blossom Possum – Gina Newton Illustrated by Kilmeny Niland ISBN1-86504-794-5 (Scholastic) Blossom Possum has a subtitle – The sky is falling down-under. It is a delightful story based on the traditional story of the sky falling on Henny Penny’s head, but all the animals are native to Australia. Each animal has its own expression of amazement at the possum’s news. The animals trot, strut, bounce etc in a cavalcade until they meet By-Jingo Dingo. The story is resolved in a most satisfactory way, so no child will be upset. Blossom Possum is rich with colourful and descriptive words and the superb illustrations reflect the spirit of the story. Children from three to ten will love it as a book to listen to or one to read alone. Grandparents will want to buy it for small grandchildren. Teachers will love it as a text on which to base drama. Go out and buy it today. Mrs Wiggins’ Wartymelons –Glenda Millard Illustrated by Stephen AxelsenI SBN 0-7333-1380-9 Mrs Wiggins, and nearly everyone in Korweinguborra, grew potatoes. Nobody grew watermelons; people said it couldn’t be done. Mrs. Wiggins and her remarkable goat, Ralphie, set out to prove everyone wrong. This is an amusing story and Mrs Wiggins meets her challenge in a surprising way. The humorous illustrations that accompany the text, tell us a great deal about country life. Children from 5 to 8 years, will enjoy this book and it will be a valuable addition to classroom libraries. Play School (ABC 2005) ISBN 0-7333-1607-7 My grand daughter received this book for her second birthday in September and it is ideal for toddlers. It is a collection of fourteen well known rhymes including Hey diddle diddle, Rub-a-dub-dub, and Ring-a-ring-o’ roses. Big and Little Ted, Humpty, Diddle, Jemima and other toys from Play School are dressed to illustrate the rhymes. As Estelle was also give a Play School DVD, she loves to see the familiar toys in her book. From their earliest days, children love nursery rhymes and will continue to want them all their pre-school years. If you know a baby or toddler, put this book on your list of must haves. Gordon’s Biscuit – Kerry Millard Puffin 2006ISBN 0-14 350 158-5 This story is fun with a capital F. Kids love biscuits and Gordon, the dog, does too. Every illustration is crowded with amusing and interesting details. The park is a riot of amazing equipment for people and animals of many shapes and sizes. When a new rule bans dogs from the park, Gordon, a big, bouncing, scruffy dog, becomes depressed. His friends, Ella and Sam, have a great idea to cheer him up. Children will pore over the joyous pictures and learn heaps of words from the text. I was a little disappointed that the ‘No Dogs’ rule wasn’t overturned but this can be a point for discussion with older children. Parents and teachers will find this book is a favourite with the 3 to 9 age group. Howard Rees ISBN 1-86282-106-2 (Allan Cornwell 1990) This is book cleverly uses a smaller page in the centre of every double page, to partly reveal what is coming next. The children are waiting at the window for Santa to arrive but each time the door opens, the picture revealed is a complete surprise. Children will laugh at the amusing pictures and enjoy spotting Santa who is actually hiding in each picture. The book is ideal for three year olds but older children will love it too. The scenes are set in a snowy climate, so some hot climate people may be disappointed. Odette Ross ISBN 0-14-350163-1 Puffin Baby This book is one in the new series of Puffin books for babies and toddlers. The pages are tough glossy card and each illustration is simple and bright. The sentences in this book are on the left hand page while the illustrations are on the right. Bud is a small bilby who sets off in a boat with his treasure map but meets a pirate along the way. I wondered at first if the 12 to 24 month age group would relate to a pirate but those with older siblings certainly will, and the pirate in this case is another animal. Toddlers will love the clear drawings, and the story is simple enough for them to follow when read by an adult who knows the child and is alert to his/her interests and what may need explanation. My two year old grand daughter giggled at the story and wanted it read to her three times without a break. She loved the page where the spade went Clunk This series of books will be an ideal way for parents to introduce their babies to books and imaginative play. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a child my personal library was small but I loved my books and most of them have stayed with me always. Books are very precious belongings in my family and I hope books are precious for you and your children too. In *The Reading Bug by Paul Jennings, he says that when you read to your child you start ‘a lifelong love affair between a child and reading.’ He explains that by sitting to read, you are giving your child your full attention, ‘sharing the fun, the fears, the fellowship of this magic moment.’ This reminds me at once of my two year old grandchild. When I visit her, or she comes here, one of the first things she says is ‘Read a book, Nanna, okay?’ When I settle and she brings a book, she sits spellbound to the end of the story even if it is one she has heard many times and knows by heart. Then I talk to her about the pictures and relate them to her own life. She is totally immersed in the book and the conversation. If I don’t take up her suggestion of reading a book and turn instead to speak to other family members, she will stand beside me saying ‘Nanna, Nanna,’ over and over again because she wants my attention and is trying to think of a way to capture it. Estelle already owns a whole bookshelf full of books and has access to books that have been handed down by her older sister and brother. There is no doubt that she loves books and this is the first stage of loving to read. If you want your child to read well, help them to love books by reading to them, not sometimes but every day. Your life is busy, maybe hectic, but squeeze in time for reading to your child each day. You and your child will be rewarded in so many ways for years to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dinnertime- Ann Weld Illustrated by Kerry Argent ISBN 1 876288 30 2 Working title Press 2001 This is a story in rhyme about a fox who is trying to catch a rabbit for his dinner. The simple two lines of text on each page and the catchy refrain make this story ideal for the very young. The illustrations are appealing and apart from the rabbits, there is a scarecrow and sheep, ducks and mice on each page. The animals and scarecrow have expressive faces and the scene and actions change from page to page so that there is plenty of interest for older children too. The rabbits disappear one at a time. As with all books it is best for the adult reader to study the book first or you may mistakenly think that fox does catch these fat rabbits. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clancy's Long, Long Walk - Libby Gleeson Illustrated by Chantal Stewart Puffin Books -Aussie Nibbles- 2007 ISBN 978 0 14 330288 9 Most of the books I’ve reviewed for the E-zine have been picture books but Clancy’s Long Long Walk is for children who are reading themselves. The story should appeal to readers of 8 to 10 years. I’m sure all children can relate to getting really tired like Clancy. He sets off determined to complete the challenging walk but gradually his spirits sag. I like the way his sister and brother as well as the parents, encourage him so positively to keep going. Big brother Sam, comes up with an excellent idea when Clancy is about to give up. The illustrations, in soft grey, show interesting detail of the bush and will help to keep readers turning the pages as this is quite a long book. Even when kids are independent readers, they like a parent to read the odd page to them and this is a good book for an adult to get involved in. I can imagine conversations after the book is read, where parents and kids recall similar situations in their own family. It is also gives opportunities to discuss safety in the bush and at the beach. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black Dog by Pamela Allen Puffin 1991 ISBN : 978014054957 I take a particular delight in books by Pamela Allen and when I found this one, I was surprised to find it had been published in 1991 yet I’d not seen it before. It has been reprinted recently. The story of Christina, a small girl and her black dog, reminded me a great deal of the book John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat by Jenny Wagner that was published by Puffin in 1979 and has also recently been reprinted. Both are stories about love. In both, the human’s companion is a dog and problems arise when another creature enters the environment–a blue bird in Christina’s case, and a cat in Rose’s case. The dogs try to resolve the problem, John Brown by shutting out the cat, and Black Dog by trying to become a bird. Both these books are more meaningful for children five and over. To adults the meaning is clear –tell those about you that you love them. Don’t take them for granted. The stories tug at the emotions and I find it hard to read them without shedding a tear or two. Children, however will probably not have this problem. A discussion about the people and animals we love, and why we love them will help children relate these two stories to their lives. _______________________________________________________________________ Flashing Fire Engines by Tony Mitton Illustrated by ant Parker Kingfisher Publications 1998 ISBN 9780753 402986 The red fire engine on the cover of this book with its animal firemen looks ready for action. The text is in verse that is easy to read and describes the action clearly and should prove a favourite with both girls and boys. There are descriptive words that convey the urgency of a fire fighting task and every page has information that helps children to understand what is happening. The final page has more sketches of fire fighting gear and clear explanations of each piece of equipment. Tony and Ant have two more books in this series. Terrific Trains and Cool Cars. They are written in the same informative, racy verse style and will prove winners if you get all three for your Child Care Centre. ______________________________________________________________________ Clancy the Courageous Cow Written and Illustrated by by Lachie Hume An Omnibus Book – Scholastic 2006 This book has been short listed for the Crichton award for New Illustrators in the Children’s Book Council of Australia annual awards. The illustrations are striking with a childlike simplicity. Every beast shown has expressive eyes and subtle differences in the way the horns are drawn. Primary aged children looking at these drawings, will feel encouraged about their own art work. In In the story, Clancy, a Belted Galloway with a difference, tries to fit into the herd without success until he is recognised as an animal of remarkable size. He becomes a hero to the other Galloways. The happy ending is especially appropriate as Clancy helps former foes to become friends. A note from the publisher explains that although Clancy is actually a bull, Lachie wrote the first draft of the story when he was still a child and Ommnibus felt it would spoil the story to change the title. Look for Clancy the Courageous Cow in your library today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Written and illustrated by Judith Kerr Harper Collins ISBN 978-0-000-721599-7 This book was first published in 1968 and is a wonderful tale for pre-schoolers. Millions of copies have been sold, and it great to see it re-printed for another generation of children to enjoy. When the doorbell rings, Sophie and her Mummy are not expecting anyone so when they open the door and find a tiger waiting, anything could happen. The tiger has no manners, just what one would expect of a tiger. When he leaves, the house is in a mess. Daddy arrives and solves the problem of what to do about dinner. The whole family will love this tiger story. This is an online magazine for four to 10 year olds produced in Queensland by editor Jenny Melnik. It hasn't been going long but has a good range of stories and deserves to thrive. This month one of my sewn pictures is on the home page and my story Football Fever for 6 to 8 year olds is included. Some pictures take a while to load but the words load quickly. There will also be things kids can do each month and ideas for parents and teachers and a guest book to comment in. Check it out at www.cherububble.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maisy, Charlie and the Wobbly Tooth Written and Illustrated by Lucy Cousins Walker books, 2006 ISBN 978-1-4063-0532-6 Charlie, the crocodile has a wobbly tooth and visits the dentist. This book will be a winner with children. The text is large and extra black and invites beginning readers to read it for themselves. The illustrations are bright with just the right amount of detail, and many of the pages have coloured backgrounds too. Wobbly teeth and going to the dentist are experiences that every six and seven year old will relate to. For younger children this book is an excellent way to encourage tooth care and introduce the dentist. I imagine even toddlers will be looking in the mirror to see if their teeth are dazzling like Charlie’s -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Goat Who Sailed the World by Jackie French Angus and Robertsons (Harper Collins, Australia) 2006 ISBN 978 0 207 200779 Unlike the books I usually review here, this is not a book for the littlies. I’ve been reading books for the late primary school/ early secondary school kids lately. Families often have such a big age range of kids to cater for, including nephews and nieces who may be much older, so I thought it appropriate to include this one. As an eight year old I loved reading a series of books about boys who had sailed with the great discoverers such as Vasco Da Gama. My own sons became very interested in history about the same age and have retained their interest into adulthood. I think this book is one to whet the appetite of budding historians. The goat was famous. She did exist. She had already sailed around the world before being chosen to accompany Lieutenant James Cook on his voyage in the Endeavour to watch the transit of Venus in 1769 and go on to search for the Great South Land. Isaac Manley was 12 years old when he joined the crew for the three year voyage. Through his eyes we learn about life at sea; the hardships, dangers, routines, food, and discoveries at ports of call and the mapping of the east coast of Australia. Jackie French has researched meticulously thus enabling her to mix fact and fiction in a way that will engage both child and adult readers. This book was a pleasure to read. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written and illustrated by Pam Adams ISBN 0-85953-757-9 Child’s Play (international) Ltd. 1998 Mrs Honey receives a letter while her grandchildren are staying with her but she can’t read it because she has lost her glasses. The children help her to search in many unlikely places. In the process both Mrs Honey and the children get very dirty. This book is ideal for pre-schoolers and also for a child who is learning to read. The script is clear and there are not too many words on each page and at the foot of each page there is a refrain. The situations are amusing and the pictures are simple but attractive. Luckily there is a series of books about Mrs Honey. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Smartest Giant in Town Written by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler ISBN 36461442X Koala books 2002 This book was recommended to me by a four year old at the local library. He was eagerly choosing books to borrow and picking up others he recognised as ones he’d taken home on previous visits. He liked stories about giants and he liked the bright illustrations in this book. The story is about a kind giant who buys new clothes but gives them all away. The book appeals because of the silliness of the story, the repetition, and the rhyme and rhythm of the words. Julia Donaldson’s picture books are delightful and will become favourites with your children, especially four to eight year olds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Slinky Malinky's Christmas Crackers Written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd Puffin ISBN 978-0-141-50109-3 2007 Ideally I should have written about this book before Christmas, but supplies were short as everyone, who is familiar with Slinky, wanted a copy. Slinky Malinky is every cat-lover’s favourite mischief-maker and he is up to tricks with the Christmas tree. It never fails to amaze me that Linley Dodd can come up with such deliciously expressive words for each of her books. Slinky acts with mischievous glee and causes chaos by knotting, swatting and batting the decorations. The illustrations match the words so well. Slinky is one expressive cat. A cut-out Slinky appeared at the top of my granddaughter's Christmas tree, much to her delight. If you didn’t see this book before Christmas, buy it now. You’ll be so glad you did. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Things to Make and Do with Paper written by Amanda Gulliver and Stephanie Turnbull Illustrated by Molly Sage ISBN 9780746058503 Usborne Books 2007 There are days of fun ahead for both boys and girls who have access to this book. There are 18 projects explained in simple instructions with clearly illustrated steps. Some of the projects, such as the fairy castle and the patterned houses, can be made by pre-schoolers with little help from adults. Older children will have no trouble following instructions by themselves. Scissors and glue are needed but paper can be used from coloured magazines or recycled scraps. Many stickers are provided for decoration. Once children have started making projects they will be inspired to make more cards, pictures and games. I bought this book as a gift for children aged four, seven and ten and I am sure they will enjoy it. I would like to keep it myself as it has inspired my storytelling mind. It is really useful for holidays or rainy days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maisy, Charlie and the Wobbly Tooth written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins Walker books 2006 ISBN9781406305326 Charley is a crocodile and his mouse friend, Maisy, suggests he go to the dentist because he has a wobbly tooth. The simple, colourful illustrations and well chosen words give children a lot of information that is relevant to all five and six year olds. The bold text that accompanies the amusing pictures will encourage beginning readers but it is also a book for pre-schoolers. A great addition to libraries at centres and schools. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo Written and illustrated by Alison Lester Hachette Books 2001 ISBN 9780733621055 From cover to cover this book is a feast of colour, fun and information. Ernie goes to Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory for a year, while his parents work there in a hospital. The simple sentence about the season at the top of each page is in the form of a letter to one of Ernie’s six friends. The book is skilfully designed with six small pictures on the pages that show Ernie’s six new friends. The pictures show details of the interesting lives of the Indigenous children in this remote part of Australia. A full page picture follows each season to show a special activity. The reader will be impressed with the richness of the culture of Indigenous families. I always admire Alison Lester’s work and this is superb. She includes help with pronunciation and dedicates the book to the children in Gunbalanya who shared their stories with her. In this year when the Government has at last said ‘sorry’ to the Indigenous people, this book has special meaning. It is a book to read over and over for enjoyment and for information including how to structure a successful picture book. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lofty’s Mission by Krista Bell Illustrated by David Miller Lothian 2008 ISBN 978 0 7344 0981 2 Lofty is a homing pigeon and his owner, Harley, is reluctant to let his pet go to the army to be trained as a carrier pigeon during the war. Harley’s Dad explains that sacrifices must be made for the war effort and after special training, Lofty is sent to New Guinea. Lofty has a dangerous mission to fly one day, and if he fails a whole platoon of soldiers will die or be captured. Although this story is fiction, it is based on the story of real birds. I like the way the wartime era is presented and while Lofty is facing danger in New Guinea, Harley is battling to overcome polio at home. The release of this book is timely too as every April Australian schools focus on Anzac Day and this story fits well into the Anzac tradition. Beautiful illustrations enhance the story. I recommend the book for children from 5 to 12. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grandpa’s Shed by Joy Watson Illustrated by Wendy Hodder Scholastic 2003 ISBN 1869435621 I was delighted to find this book in my local library recently. Joy Watson has written two other books about Grandpa and all capture his personality beautifully. In this book we find out how industrious he is as he works at some gardening project every day. He mows, cleans his tools, fixes the fence, plants seeds etc. but puts off cleaning out the shed each time until the next day. Grandma’s personality shines through too as she offers to help. When she finally gets her chance, Grandpa discovers what a big shed he has and we discover that Grandma hasn’t changed from when we met her in Grandpa’s Slippers. Adults as well as children will have a good chuckle at this book. The illustrations suit the text perfectly. If it isn’t available to buy, look for it in the library. Ideal for 3 to 8 year olds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Lone Morton Illustrated by Louise comfort B Small Publishing 1997 ISBN1-874735-44-1 Angus, a boy who lives in Scotland, has friends all over the world and we are invited to meet six families in their homes. The right hand page of each opening shows the outside of a house and by lifting the flap we see inside the home. The reader must concentrate in order to find the listed items in each home. Each home shows the lifestyle of the family, pets, sports played and items common to the different cultures as well as differences. The home of the Malaysian family shows that they live above their shop that sells a variety of baskets and lamps. The Australian child obviously loves sport and lives close to the beach as there are surfing boards and a variety of balls in the house. Three and a half to four year olds will be engrossed in this book while helping an adult to search for the objects. At this age they like detail and remembering where things are. The illustrations are bright and the book encourages conversation, and memory. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mrs Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H Lippert and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis Published by Henry Holt & Co. New York 2003 ISBN 0-8050-7047-8 This engaging traditional story was told to Won-Ldy by his grandmother when he was a child. Chicken looks at her reflection in a puddle but wants to see a bigger picture so goes to the river. There crocodile is waiting for her breakfast and she grabs Chicken by the leg. Chicken, however, very cleverly outwits Crocodile. I am always pleased to find stories from other cultures and this one is great entertainment especially for 4 to 6 year olds. The simple illustrations match the text well. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bush Babies written and illustrated by Kim Dale Published by Lothian 2003 reprinted 2006 ISBN 0-7344-0875-7 This book is written in verse. Each verse is on the left-hand page and is printed over the top of a delicate watercolour that extends across the whole double page. The watercolour suggests the environmental habitat of the baby animal that is hidden behind a large flap on the right. A great deal of thought has gone into the verses so that they hold clues to the identity of the hidden creature but the name isn’t given here. The names are written in small type under each Australian native animal picture. There are fifteen pictures, some of lesser known Australian wildlife. At the end of the book there is a double page of information about the animals with a small map of Australia above each to show the distribution throughout the continent. Kim Dale is a wildlife carer and this book reflects her knowledge and love of the animals to which she devotes her life. The book is beautifully produced on high quality paper and would be a valuable addition to any library for infants or primary school children, as well as a wonderful gift to any child. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ by Marianne Musgrove, illustrations by Cheryl Orsisi Random House 2007 ISBN 978 1 74166 231 3 Juliet, the ten year old character in his paperback is a girl who worries about almost everything. Her many problems cause her to break out in a rash and there is nowhere she can get away from her annoying younger sister. She has been promised a room of her own and it is in that room that she discovers the Worry Tree painted on the wall. Long ago the room belonged to her Nana who explains to Juliet that the animals under the tree will look after any worries that are hung on the branches. Juliet moves into the room, and begins to put her worries on the tree each evening but she isn’t the only one with problems. Dad and Mum are always arguing and even Nana is unhappy. At school there is a bully and Juliet seems to be the reason her friends are fighting. It takes her some time to discover that she isn’t to blame and she doesn’t have to fix everything either. Children will relate to the realistic problems Juliet, her friends and family face. The chapters are short and the action is well paced for children who can read alone. The small illustrations at the start of each chapter are attractive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bread Comes to Life – A Garden of Wheat and a Loaf to Eat by George Levenson Photography by Shmuel Thaler Tricycle Press 2008 ISBN978-1-58246-273-8 This splendid non fiction picture book is all about bread from sowing the seed to eating your slice. The photos are really works of art as well as being clear and informative. Some small pictures are grouped on a page, others are large, taking up the whole page with the words written onto the picture. Rhyme is used but never forced. The text is in minimal words but very expressive. For example with seven pictures on one double page, there are the words: “Dump it. Thump it. Dust it. Knead it. Squash it. Stretch it. Toss it.” This is a book that children from toddlers to senior primary school will enjoy. Many different types of bread are shown. There is even an easy recipe at the end that children will delight in using. A must have book for schools and a delight for any family. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Book of Things to Make and Do by Anna Milbourne and Rebecca Gilpin Illustrated by Stephen Cartwright and Molly Sage and photos by Howard Allman Published by Usborne Publishing 2008 ISBN 978074608971-2 This is an ideal gift for the child who asks what can I do today? There are 34 things to make and do here and once started, children will extend the ideas to make more. Many of the projects need paper, pencils, paint, scissors and glue. All items are commonly found in the home and some projects use re-cycled items such as plastic bottles and egg cartons. Projects range from growing bean seeds and making decorations for Christmas, to cooking biscuits and making birthday cards. The book has tough, glossy paper pages that will be easy for a child to turn and I like the spiral binding so that pages will lie flat at each turning of the page. The illustrations are bright and childlike in form so that no project looks too difficult. The projects will be ideal for children 8 to 10 who are independent readers as instructions are simple and brief and set out in numbered sequences. Younger children will need adult help, although I’m sure they will follow the illustrations to construct many things without adult help. Cooking needs adult supervision and it would have been a good idea to include safety rules. In the centre of the book there are over 400 attractive stickers for the children to use. Small yellow ducks are hidden on some pages, giving younger children an incentive to study the pictures and reward themselves with a sticker. This book will give days of fun to children from 4 to 10 years and be an ideal one to take away on summer holidays. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maisy Bakes a Cake Lucy Cousins Walker books 2009 ISBN 9781406314786 This is the most appealing book I’ve seen this year. It is a Maisy first science book, and it sets out to involve children in the full process of cooking, from weighing and measuring the ingredients, to the eating of the cake that we see rise in the oven. There are tabs to pull and flaps to lift and side bars showing items that are necessary but not mentioned in the story eg. cooking gloves and timer. The text is just right for beginning readers as well as those pre-schoolers who simply love to help in the kitchen. In this book they even get to sprinkle the icing sugar on the cake. Charlie the crocodile is there at the end to taste it. You just must look at this book. It will be hard to walk away from the book shop without a copy in your hand. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Room on the Broom Julia Donaldson illustrated by Alex Scheffler McMillan children’s Books 2001 ISBN 9780333903384 This story, in rollicking verse, will be loved by children of 4 to 8 years and their parents too. The witch and her cat set off on the broom but it is stormy weather. Soon the witch must come down when her hat, and other important belongings blow away. A dog, a frog and a bird politely help her search and then join her in her adventures until the broom snaps with almost disastrous consequences. There is plenty of movement as the animals bound, clamber, wail, shriek, flutter, tumble and splutter while the friendly witch keeps calm. The bright illustrations are full of details that will have the children eagerly scouring the pages. On the surface this is a poem full of movement and surprise but on a deeper level, it is also about good manners, sharing and cheerfulness. A song on the accompanying CD makes a perfect ending to a delightful book. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2009
|
|
|||
