PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS
We have shared our picture book reviews in the hope that you will find some wonderful reads for you and your little or not so little ones!
Don't underestimate the teaching value of a picture book- they can be an amazing educational tool! We have travelled, laughed, cried, shared,
worked through fears, had countless discussions and just curled up and enjoyed each others company...all through picture books! Even though
my children are getting older we still pull old favourites off our shelves and when we find a really good new one, we add it to our collection too! :-)
Eric Carle is one of our favourite authors. His books are beautifully written and uniquely illustrated in Eric Carle style. His books
also have great educational content all wrapped up in fun and well-written stories. Here are the ones we loved the most!
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This book was our introduction to Eric Carle. This was one of those
books that you read, read and read again with your little ones! A little egg
hatches into a little worm who munches his way right through the book- literally,
as their are holes in the pages perfect for little fingers to fit through- until he
is ready to complete his life cycle and become a beautiful butterfly!
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A House for Hermit Crab
A House for Hermit Crab moves along through a year of Hermit Crab's life
underwater and the creatures he encounters up until the time he plucks up
enough courage to take the plunge and change shells! There are lots of fun facts about ocean animals too!
'New experiences are not to be dreaded but are really wonderful opportunities.'
Eric Carle
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Mister Seahorse
Mister Seahorse is all about the daddies in the ocean that raise
their young and the different ways that they go about their task. Beautiful
colours splash the pages and their are some see through pages scattered
in between bringing the concept of camouflage to life. Gorgeous!
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Rooster's Off to See the World
Rooster wants to travel and sets off to see the world- a lovely
and very simple introduction to numbers, addition and subtraction for a
young child as rooster meets some friends who join him. But what will
happen when it gets dark?
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Shirley Hughes writes with an amazing understanding of young children! We have enjoyed so many of her books, but these two were voted in as the top picks.
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The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook
My children could very much identify with the outdoor adventures
of Alfie and Annie. Camping outddoors with Dad,
setting up shop in the garden and spending time on a farm are
just a few of the delightful situations that Shirley writes
about. The pictures are just as fitting.
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The Big Concrete Lorry
My little boy just loved this story! Alfie's family is getting
a little cramped in their home, and it's time for an extension- just the
recipe for loads of fun!
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Sally's Secret
A friend from all the way across the world recommended this picture book a
short while back and we so enjoyed it! Sally is very frustrated because
the 'houses' she builds are always packed away...until she finds a special
spot in the garden. Thanks Leigh!
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Handa's Surprise
This delightful story is set in Kenya. Handa packs a basket full of
fruit to take to her friend Akeyo, pops it on her head and sets off
to surprise Akeyo...but on her way a few unexpected things happen- and
Handa is the one who gets the biggest surprise. My children giggled all
the way through this brightly illustrated picture book and we read it over and
over and over again!
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Handa's Hen
Another adventure with Handa and Akeyo. Mondi, Handa's hen is
missing. Join them on a counting adventure through the African bush
to find Mondi and the reason for her disappearance!
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Roxaboxen
I think that this book rates in our top three picture books. It is based
on a true story about the recollection of special childhood memories which
will inspire your children to go outdoors and create their own special memories!
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Watch Out, Wilf!
My son is just like Wilf! Bright as a button and full of fun! He too
is full of busy but his heart is in just the right place! A lovely story to share
with anyone who knows what it feels like to want to do the right thing but not
always be able to follow through...and the parent who loves them regardless!
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Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
We were lent this picture book by an amazing lady who we worked alongside with
at an Elderly Care Facility. I went out and bought a copy shortly after that! Wilfrid Gordon
McDonald Partridge lives next door to an old people's home. He befriends a special lady
who has lost her memory and so sets off to help her find it. A warm, tenderly written
story about dealing with dementia.
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Owl Babies
Owl Babies is a sweet and simple picture book about three little owls who are not
quite sure what to so when they wake up and their mother is gone. A gentle
book that one could use to address separation anxiety in little ones.
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My Great Aunt Arizona
A touching story about a pioneer woman who grew up in a log cabin and
taught in a one-room school for generations and inspired her
students to go places that she never would.
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The Bee Tree
The Bee Tree is a beautiful story to inspire your children
to read! Mary Ellen is tired of reading indoors, but her grandfather knows
just the right thing to teach her the value of a good book.
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To Mum With Love
Stanley finds himself in a bit of a dilemma- he is the
only one who hasn't found a birthday present for Mum! But with a
little bit of creativity, he comes up with the best present ever.
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Percy the Park Keeper Treasury
A collection of stories about Percy the Park Keeper and
the delightful antics of his animal friends. We laughed and giggled
all the way through this picture book and I am sure you will too. Percy has
to fix all sorts of problems from a bossy owl to a balloon-loving
hedgehogs- beautiful illustrations and loads of fun!
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Harvey the Baker
This book also came on recommendation from across the ocean. It is part of
a series of books, all equally delightful, about a very industrious beaver!
Harvey and Chip bake a cake and you can follow alongside the baking process from
beginning to end. Great little books for young children especially as the
sequence of events is detailed and beautifully written. Look for the other titles in
this series as they are all lovely!
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Albert
Besides the beautiful pencil illustrations in this story, it is just
a gorgeous picture book! A sweet, well-written tale of a person who is just too
afraid of life to even step out of his home and how all that changed!
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