Children's picture books

Helen Speirs reviews a selection of picture books for children.

THE OTHER BROTHER
Stephanie Thatcher
Scholastic

Poor Bertie McQuerty the piglet is fed up.

Fed up with hearing all about how brilliant his brothers are. Fed up with not being the sporty brother, the arty brother or the clever brother. Fed up with being "the other brother''.

Sadly his plans to become equally as brilliant don't come to fruition, but then he discovers, just by being himself, he can make his mark.

This is a lovely little book about identity, with simple pencil and watercolour illustrations, and an important message to boot.

Ages: 3-7


THAT'S (NOT) MINE
Anna Kang and
Christopher Weyant

Hodder/Hachette

The two furry creatures from You Are (Not) Small are back, and this time they're arguing over who gets to sit in the big armchair.

There's a bit of pleading, a bit of reasoning and a bit of conniving, before they realise fighting might not be the best solution.

This is a simple book with a concept that will be familiar to parents and children alike!

Ages: 2+

 


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BEE & ME
Alison Jay
Old Barn Books/Walker Books  

In a tall building in a big city a little girl sits quietly reading. Next minute, a bee flies through the window.

Initially startled, she soon realises the bee has more to fear from humans than the other way around and, in fact, there is something she can do to help. And so begins a beautiful relationship.

This wordless book is exquisite and carries an important message about the plight of bees, humans and the environment.

All ages.


THE LION INSIDE
Rachel Bright and Jim Field

Orchard/Hachette 

In a dry dusty African savannah lives a meek little mouse, who is feeling very overlooked.

By contrast, Lion is busy letting everyone know how much he rules the roost.

Mouse decides the way to be noticed is to ask Lion to teach him how to roar, but not all goes according to plan!

This is a delightful rhyming story with the moral that "no matter your size, we all have a mouse AND a lion inside''.

Ages: 3+

 


WHAT COULD IT BE?
Sally Fawcett
EK Books/Exisle Publishing

This book is subtitled "Exploring the imaginative world of shapes'' and encourages children to "think outside the square''.

They are asked to find circles in the garden, squares in the house, triangles on a mountain skifield, and a range of other shapes masquerading as familiar objects.

A great resource for the home or early childhood centre.

Ages :3+


- Helen Speirs is ODT books editor.

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