PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!