Some of these books we were graciously sent for reviewing and others we've received for birthday gifts or bought:
Whale in the Bath by Kylie Westaway - this is one of those cute stories where a little person is telling the truth but everyone assumes it's their great imagination. There is something about the illustrations that is almost comic book in style. Perfect read for any little one who likes to have the last laugh and would be captured by the idea of finding a whale (who'd prefer krill scented bubble bath) in their bathroom.
Details - Allen and Unwin, Sept 2014 RRP $19.99 HB
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt - this was Bounce's choice from the Scholastic catalogue. Paired with Oliver Jeffers illustration, Duncan receives a series of letters from each of the crayons in his crayon box. Some are supremely frustrated by their overuse or the way they have been overlooked. There are arguments between yellow and orange who both believe that they are the 'true' colour of the sun and a few happy crayons too. This book is cute and funny and perfect for any little reader who also loves to draw and who likes 'attitude' given to inanimate objects.
Details - Harper Collins Children July 2014 RRP $24.99 HB
The Wombats At the Zoo by Roland Harvey. This is the kind of book I would use with upper primary children. There are all sorts of cute hidden details in the illustrations and the narrative is driven by different characters as they report on their favourite animals. This is one I would choose for the child who likes to linger over pages, find out strange facts about animals and engage with characters. Would be a fun start for a writing unit following a class trip.
Details - Allen and Unwin, Sept 2014 RRP $24.99 HB
SHH... We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton - we came across this one at the art gallery shop story time session. In NZ we have his other book Lost and Found. Bounce loved this (and so did I) and so I went back and bought it for his birthday. The language is very simple and sparse but the gorgeous collage illustrations hold the narrative perfectly. Four little hunters have a plan, except that number four's plan is quite different from the first three. Filled with the best kind of suspense and punch and judy - we can see what's going to happen - humour it is readable for an early reader but delightful to read aloud together. Suitable for anyone who loves a good kindness will triumph tale.
Details - Walker Books, March 2014 RRP $24.95 HB
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen - this is a classic that I have read the boys in the past and that I bought to give away recently. Bounce spotted it on the gift pile and started telling me how much he loved that book so when a friend asked for a birthday recommendation for him I suggested this one. A lion visits the library and people aren't sure what to do with that - there are no rules about lions in the library. The lion loves the library - he becomes a special part of the furniture until one day he is faced with a terrible dilemma - break the rules to help a friend if it means you can't come to the library anymore? This story is text heavy but the characters are sublime. It ultimately tells the tale of friendship, sacrifice and redemption. Beautiful and one to enjoy for many years.
Details - Walker Books, August 2006 $32.95 HB
Mix It Up by Herve Tullet - if you have read his best seller Press Here you won't need any convincing to have this one on your wish list. What I love about Tullet is his supreme creativity when approaching illustration and interaction with the reader. This book teaches about the way colours are used to make other colours but it is unlike any other instructional colour book you'll have experienced before. It's just so clever and innovative and perfect for little people who hold the sense of magic and awe and are prepared to interact with a text, even as an adult on my own I still follow the instructions! Colours that do what you tell them to? Yes indeed. Magical, colourful, a whole new way to experience a text.
Details - Allen and Unwin, Oct 2014 RRP $19.99 HB
The Smallest Turtle by Lynley Dodd - I found this at the oxfam bookshop and snapped it up remembering how much someone loved it when we got it out of the library some time ago. How can you not love a story about a little turtle struggling to make it to the sea - so cute! Someone little was very excited to see this one come home.
Details - Penguin Group NZ 1982 RRP $14.99
You Can Do It Bert by Ole Konnekke - we absolutely love Anton and the Battle and I actually use it quite a lot with teachers and students when I am teaching drama and dance, so I was thrilled to receive this one from Gecko. What I adore about this book is that it achieves what a good adult novel does - it leads you to think that you know where the story is going - and then you are wrong! Love it. I like the illustrative style they are simple but full of personality - again the illustrations are doing a lot of the narrative work. This is a joyful piece of writing. Great for any little people probably 2-7 ish.
Details - Gecko Press, 2014 RRP $19.99 PB
Details - Allen and Unwin, Oct 2014 RRP $19.99 HB
The Giant Jam Sandwich by - another one we had to leave in NZ but I found a gorgeous original copy in the Oxfam bookshop the other day for 50c! This is a classic book that I remember as a child. The rhyme scheme is perfect and the illustrations are highly 60s/70s stylised which really appeals to me. One hot summer in Itching Down four million wasps flew into town.... We gave this to a gift to one of our favourite little people at 2 and by 3 she could tell the story verbatim but we still love it at primary school and adulthood. Maybe it's the giant loaf of bread or the crazy flying tractor?
Details - Houghton Mifflin, April 1987 RRP $6.95 US
Possum Magic by Mem Fox - we haven't strictly got this one yet it's going under the tree - shhhh! Mem Fox wrote Where Is the Green Sheep which is one of my absolute favourite books for early reading (from about 18months) and Bounce has had and loved this one at school. Obviously with a possum in the lead role it's an Australian rather than Kiwi approach (we kill ours, they protect theirs!).
Details - HMH Books, Sept 1991 RRP $15.99
Phew!! Hopefully you've got some inspiration in there for your Christmas List.
What's on your Christmas reading list? What is your go-to book for children?
love you more than a stack of wonderful and an afternoon to snuggle together xxx
