Picks and Reads for Kids-A collection of hand-picked titles for children. - Ages 0 to 3

Hold Your Temper, Tiger.

3/9/2017

Hold your Temper, Tiger ( Ages 2+ )
By : Carol Roth & Roshin
Publisher : North South Book ( April 2017 )

Here is a great book for all those little tykes who cannot hold back their temper tantrums, coming from two award winning picture book creators. The tempermental little tiger stomps his feet, cries and yells everytime he is asked to do something he does not want to...until one day, when his mother has had enough and threatens him "You had better hold your temper, Tiger,....or else!..." The little Tiger is a bit shaken. "What could mommy`s "or else" mean?" he thought, "Maybe it meant no playtime / Maybe it meant no dessert" And he decides to hold his temper, but how? And where? From holding it in his pocket to underwear he thinks of many alternatives but finds the best way to hold his temper in the end....

A very short book which is ideal for very young readers. The engaging text is short, simple and funny. And is well supported by colorful illustrations. The anger itself has a firery red image with a face whch is expressive and obviously would keep the young readers occupied! The combination of text and illustrations together makes a strong impact on it`s readers and may make them rethink about their tantrums.
( With many thanks to North South Books and NetGally for the ARC )

Hold your Temper, Tiger

Herbie`s Big Adventure.

8/5/2016

Herbie`s Big Adventure ( Age 1 to 4 )
By : Jennie Poh
Publisher : Capstone Young Readers ( September 2016)

A lovely Autumn read-aloud full of seasonal features and colors!
Herbie the little hedgehog is growing fast. He has been in and around his home with his mommy. Finally, it`s time for his first "foraging adventure", his mother tells him. But little Herbie is not so sure about that at first. With his mother`s encouraging words he steps out alone, into the wide world.

He does not have much time to look around, as the westerly wind whisks him up and carries him to a far away wintry land. Herbie, for the first time in his life, experiences winter. When Herbie feels cold, a great snow bear keeps him close to her ( indicates hibernation ) until another wind carries him back to his mommy.

This little adventure is ideal for tiny adventure seekers. It introduces the word "forage" and supports a conversation about foraging.The book also touches on the concepts of seasons and hibernation while keeping the little ones wrapped up in a lovely motherly snuggle. The cute little Herbie`s image and his loving mother's are sure to capture little hearts! The book also encourages children to be more independent.
( With many thanks to Capstone Publishers and Netgally for the ARC copy )

Independent Bookstores

Herbie`s Big Adventure

Little White Fish has Many friends.

8/1/2016

Little White Fish has Many Friends ( Ages 1 to 5)
By : Guido van Genechten
Publisher : Clavis Books ( August 2016 )

What a beautiful,bubbly book ! It oozes happiness and lots of colors, Kids will love this story - coming from an aquatic wonderland - of the deep sea life of a little fish. It`s fluorescent colors and cheerful sea animals depict the joyful life of a sparkling little child.

The little fish is loved by all. He rides on turtle`s back. Plays tag with the little goldfish. Gives little slug Eskimo kisses. And plays train with the sea star family ........ An appealing theme for children presented with utter simplicity. "Little white fish loves to blow bubbles with octapus / Oh the bubbles they make are beautiful! / And with little shrimp little white fish dances the cha-cha!"

Interestingly, the little white fish is very plain compared to all other colorful sea animals but he seems to have a very cheerful and a friendly character -which makes him special. And it seems that it`s the person inside him that attracts all the love and friendship. The illustrations are a visual treat, with colorful undersea life set amongst a black backdrop. Kids will want this " again and again"
( With many thanks to Clavis books and Netgally for the ARC )

Little White Fish has Many Friends

You Belong to Me.

6/29/2016

You Belong to Me ( Age 1 to 5 )
By ; Mamoru Suzuki
Publisher ; Museyon ( August 2016)

This simple story delves into the universality of love and adoration for little kids with the help of an array of animals! The book portrays many different animals, all holding the baby. And the accompanying text promises him their love "I love you so much / You are my favorite person in the whole world" It offers this enormous assurance and commitment for him.
The book artfully brings out the warmth of love and protection through the expressions of these animals. Illustrations of animals holding the baby are all atmospheric; the dove holds the baby under her wings,the ice bear hugs him and the fox promises to "lick your tears when you cry." The fact that all these animals hold a human baby , and actually the same baby will make the little listeners feel that the book addresses them and that they are special.
The concept of the book "love and care" is something very small kids can understand and relate to, and the absolutely charming and clear illustrations of different animals in muted shades may evoke their curiosity and hold their attention.The simple and short lines suit them well and will be helpful in entertaining the ideas of comfort and assurance. Brilliant for small ones and a beautiful declaration of love!!

You Belong to Me

Grumpy Pants.

5/20/2016

Grumpy Pants. ( Ages 2 to 5 )
By : Claire Messer.
Publisher : Albert Whitman & Company ( May 2016)

A simple absorbing tale about a grumpy little penguin, who`s trying to overcome his bad mood by removing all his cloths, but nothing seems to work and the little penguin is still grumpy. The little penguin, just like all little grumpy girls and boys doesn't know why he is feeling grumpy.
A lovely book that addresses daily chaos of many households with little kids. With minimum text accompanying un-fussy illustrations, the book is easily accessible to youngsters. And the overall peaceful clarity of the book, done in a white backdrop using few basic colors, is a comforting accompaniment to talk about feeling grumpy.
As for our 'little penguin', a nice warm bath before getting into his favorite pajamas followed by a lovely hot chocolate does the trick!

Peep and Egg : I`m Not Hatching.

3/10/2016

Peep and Egg : I`m Not Hatching
By : Laura Gehl & Joyce Wan
Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux ( Feb.,2016)

Peep is a little chick who`s eagerly waiting for a play mate. And there`s an egg out there to be hatched. So he cannot wait till the egg is hatched. Peep has many plans to do together, a lot of fun things from watching the sunrise from the roof of the hen house to splashing in puddles. But the egg is refusing to hatch . The little chick inside is scared of the wide world. And the egg says " The roof is too high and puddles are too wet " A brilliant book to address childhood fears.

It`s appealing illustrations with a very cute and cheerful Peep and a gloomy egg compliments the story well. Short and delightful phrases are easily remembered and easy to follow. The spread in which Peep`s imagination of them watching sunrise together on top of the hen`s house, with it`s beautiful colours and lines, is a spectacular treat for the reader. And the kids wanting to know at which point the egg will hatch may listen intently. There is a lot of humour all through out the story with Peep suggesting and the egg refusing. " I`m not hatching" egg chants. A lovely book that kids will want to hear "again and again"

Good Night, Gorilla.

2/29/2016

Good Night, Gorilla.( Ages 2 to 4 )
By : Peggy Rathmann
Publisher : Puffin Books ( Reprint 2002)

The book won the 1994 Cuffie for " Most Likely to Succeed in Years Ahead" and many more awards as well. This story to me, is one of the best bed time reads ever.
Caldecott winner Ratmann, In this fantastic story structure provides ample space for imagination and story telling.Where parents and kids together can create their story as descriptive and lengthy as they wish it to be .

It`s bed time for all animals at the zoo and the sleepy zoo keeper goes to every cage for a final check and to wish them good night, starting from a mischievous looking Gorilla. The zoo keeper says " Goodnight Gorilla" and turns back but the gorilla grabs the keys hanging on zoo keeper`s belt and silently walks behind him in the darkness following him as he bid goodnight to other animals .But also letting them all out by unlocking their doors behind the keeper. Soon there`s a long parade of animals walking silently behind the zoo keeper.Although the keeper is not aware of them at all and seems to be too sleepy ,They all walk behind him into his bedroom and nicely cuddles to fall asleep in the warmth of the room. Gorilla settles to sleep next to Zoo keeper`s wife in bed. But as the Zoo keeper`s wife bid a final goodnight to her mate with closed eyes and half asleep they all reply her with a Goodnight to which she awakes properly and switches on the light............

Only text in the book is Goodnight , Goodnight and Goodnight the rest is to read in illustrations, Those lovely and mischievous looking animal characters and expressive illustrations in nightly colours with many details altogether creates a warm yet a hilarious bet time romp to fall asleep on!

Everything Goes : On Land.

2/27/2016

Everything Goes : On Land ( Ages 2 to 5)
By : Brian Biggs
Publisher : Balzer + Bray ( Sept.,2011)

An ideal book for little vehicle-lovers. This is a busy book full of cars, trucks, bikes, trains, and construction vehicles as well! Slightly cartoon-like images and caption boxes provide answers to the many questions that may occur to their minds as they ride along with Henry and his dad into the big city.The story of Henry and his dad in a little purple car riding through the pages, keep the busy pages intact and woven into a story.Their conversations are helpful in providing information that many little readers would wish to know. Although the book is unique in it`s illustrations and story telling features, it reminds me of Richard Scarry`s 'Busy' books.But this one is more educational.

This is a book to keep kids engaged for hours looking into details, making up many side stories, counting and (together with a grownup) they could make use of it`s seek and find features. Illustrations are colourful and every detail is made interesting to look at (there are birds with hats, for example). There is no doubt that children will adore this book -a book that provides lots of fun and learning facilities.

This is the first book in a series of three, the other two being 'Everything Goes : In the Air' and 'Everything Goes : By Sea'.

1-2-3 Peas ( The Peas Series)

2/20/2016

1-2-3 Peas ( The Peas Series )
( Ages 2 to 6)
By : Keith Baker
Publisher : Little Simon ( 2014)

A great book to practise counting for kids which comes as a follow up on New York Times best seller "LMNO Peas". With attractive pastel shaded images and cute little peas the book is no doubt a hit.

The rhyming text ensures that children will enjoy while counting along " One pea searching look, look, look / Two Peas Fishing Hook,Hook,Hook." One could see these tiny peas involved in various activities from fishing, rowing,planting,biking and driving around the large colourful numerals, naturally will keep children busy scanning the activity filled spreads. The numerals are on spotlight by large size and vibrant colours, while the tiny peas with skinny arms and legs, dressed in various pieces of headgear is a very attractive feature.
And what better way is there to introduce counting than counting with peas , an innovative parent/teacher may do one hundred things with tiny peas from counting to additions. Kids can count along from 1 to 20 and then to 100 by tens. The book addresses two levels of counting as the first twenty numbers, counting in individual numbers is for the introductory level and then as the book moves on to counting by tens which is the next level for those around five years. And the final spread will be a pleasant surprise with one hundred peas sitting on a giant number 100, each holding a pennant of their number.

There`s a Bear on My Chair.

2/5/2016

There`s a Bear on My Chair ( Ages 2 to 5)
By : Ross Collins
Publisher :Nosy Crow ( June.,2015)

An unwelcome visitor in the house, sitting on his chair, What would the poor mouse do? The bear is too big, He might even break the chair,and that`s his favorite chair. The little mouse is unhappy and wants the bear out!
With brilliant romping rhyming verses and magnificent pictures, Ross Collins has created a tale to remember. As there are always a few number of books that we carry in our memories to our adulthood, this is destined to be one of those.
It`s presented in such a delightful way,The mouse is doing everything possible to get the bear out of his chair. While the bear, sitting on the chair is doing the same to ignore the mouse.
The duo depict a common situation that many little kids get into; always drawn to others' belongings from food to toys to many other things. The bear with his silly facial expressions, together with each others tactics, from dressing up to reading a paper ensures that readers will stay attached to the book till the end. The text, full of expressions with red highlights, different font sizes and it`s hilarious rhyming effect are memorable. "I understand that bears are rare. I know they need utmost care".... "But still I cannot stand this bear". The text and the illustrations compliment each other well. "I must admit he has some flair. He has fine taste in leisurewear. I`m fond of how he does his hair. But still I wish he was not there" And finally as the mouse leaves, the bear decide to go back home. And there`s a big surprise awaiting for him as he enters his house.
This book has been nominated for the 2016 CILIP Kate Greenway Medal.