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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!

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Everything Goes : On Land.

2/27/2016

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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'.

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1-2-3 Peas ( The Peas Series)

2/20/2016

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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.

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There`s a Bear on My Chair.

2/5/2016

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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.

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You Look Yummy.

2/1/2016

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You Look Yummy. ( Ages 2 to 5)
By : Tatsuya Miyanishi
Publisher : Museyon ( Nov.2015)

The much loved favorite first book in a series of twelve books, with a ground breaking sales record of 3 million copies in Eastern Asia and France, is now available in English.
Volcanoes erupt, earthquakes shake the earth and a little Ankylosaurus is born. But sadly he`s an orphan.``In this big big world he was alone...The baby cried,because he felt lonely.`` His cries are not answered until a giant hungry Tyrannosaurus answers him, ``Heh heh heh .... you look yummy!`` ``Daddy! I was really lonely. I was scared.`` calls the tiny little thing cuddling to the giant Tyrannosaurus`s leg assuming that he is his father. And the giant Tyrannosaurus is stunned.
This is a heart wrenching tale about childhood innocence,their desperate need of parental protection and love. And also about the wonderful relationship between a child and a parent.
As the warm hearted Tyrannosaurus decides to be the little one`s daddy who calls himself Yummy, he saves Yummy from other predators. He also takes the task of teaching him everything he knows. Little Yummy gets to experience a bit of the warmth of a family. He admires his daddy and wants to be like him; Miyanishi has cleverly captured the thoughts of any little boy in this context and delivers it well. .
Days pass through, and when it`s time for the big Tyrannosaurus to leave, Yummy refuses to let go, ``I wanna be like you Daddy! I`ll never leave you.`` So he challenges the little one for a race. Running as fast as possible, Yummy reaches the finishing point first, where a wonderful surprise awaits! A happy ending on which, us readers and little listeners can fall asleep on.
Brilliant artwork, done in brash though deep colours, immediately captures the attention while the black outlines ensure the clarity of the images. Prehistoric settings are portrayed through volcanoes, giant rocks and earthquakes, in an almost deserted land. Beautiful starry nights and the absolute contrast in the sizes of big and the small animals seem to enhance the attractiveness of the book. The narration, with sound symbolic words(Grrrr..,Roar!!!) and very strong phrases, as well as the illustrations, are very much simple and provides only the essential amount of details; altogether ensuring the undivided attention of young readers to the story. A memorable tale about the importance of a family to a child`s life.
( With many thanks to Museyon and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review)

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Good Night, Gorilla.

Everything Goes : On Land.

1-2-3 Peas ( The Peas Series)

There`s a Bear on My Chair.

You Look Yummy.

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