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interactive, open-the-flaps book about receiving surprise presents from the zoo.
Each one has to be unwrapped and then sent back until the most perfect present of all arrives

Lots of repeated phrases and fun to join in with and enjoy.
A young family sharing the book (Scottish Book Trust)
See our ideas for sharing Dear Zoo here

For another lift the flap book see Where’s Spot? Our activities here

Hello You!
Campbell Books

rhyming, rhythmic book which takes you through key points in a baby’s day including breakfast, playing with a friend, bath and bed. Full of gorgeous black and white photographs of a diverse group of babies. An added feature is a fold out mirror page so that babies can see themselves.

Honey for you, Honey for me
Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell
Walker Books

A new book with an interactive rhyme to say or sing, containing flaps and actions for joining in. It’s tuneful and pitched just right for babies and young children.

Sung by Julia Donaldson Also see video of sharing the book with baby on same web page.

It’s a Little Baby
Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
Pan Macmillan

A new book with an interactive rhyme to say or sing, containing flaps and actions for joining in. It’s tuneful and pitched just right for babies and young children.

Sung by Julia Donaldson Also see video of sharing the book with baby on same web page.

Mine!
(Bear and Hare series)
Emily Gravett
Pan Macmillan

Bear and Hare went for a walk and found lots of interesting things along the way. “Mine!” said Hare. But Bear didn’t care until.. Hare found honey and the bees gave chase! Poor Hare. “There there” soothed caring Bear.

Beautifully illustrated and a playfully told tale of acceptance and love. Read aloud
For another book about friendship and sharing see Banana! by Ed Vere.

Peekaboo Apple
Camilla Reid, illus. Ingela P Arrhenius
Nosy Crow

Peekaboo is a favourite first game with babies and toddlers everywhere. Cleverly designed with a range of ingenious slots and sliders make this attractive board book fun to share. A baby, dog, butterfly and snail magically appear as the tabs are pulled or turned finishing with a mirror page surprise at the end of the book, so babies see themselves appear too. The text is a simple, engaging rhyme which children will enjoy sharing again and again.

Very First Mother Goose
Iona Opie. Illus. Rosemary Well
Walker

A magical compendium of classic nursery rhymes collected by renowned folklorist Iona Opie and illustrated by the irrepressible watercolourist, Rosemary Wells. Described as the ‘mother of all nursery rhyme books’, this is a collection to dip into and treasure over days and years.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Men Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus)
Walker Books

In this book we meet babies born all over the world and discover that although their skin colour may vary and they are born in very different places they have a lot in common; they all have ‘ten little fingers and ten little toes’. The rhythm and repetition of this memorable refrain makes this book fun to read aloud. There is opportunity for lots of toe tickling, cuddles and kisses with one very special baby as the book ends too.

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

The unseen narrator is in search of his lion – and is looking for the one which feels just right. The repetitive rhyme is pleasing to read aloud and for toddlers to join in with. There are feely patches on every page for little fingers explore. And of course, the narrator finds their lion at the end.
This is just one of a huge collection of That’s Not My… books from Usborne so if you and your child like this one you could look out for more at the local library.

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

| admin | June 17, 2021

Our top 10 books for baby’s bookshelf

It’s never too early to read or sing to babies. They will tune into the sounds, rhythms and patterns of your voice and will gradually focus on, and delight in, the pictures. Books are a wonderful way to engage your baby in a shared, enjoyable and stimulating activity and a perfect way to spend time together. As babies grow, they will join in with your actions, words and tunes to bring the book to life. This early experience is an important first step on their journey as readers.

The stories, songs and rhymes you share together are likely to include favourites from your own childhood, children’s classics and new books by contemporary writers and illustrators. Some will be board-books, cloth or sturdy pop-up books that your baby can handle themselves. Here are some books to bring back happy memories and introduce you to some new family favourites. You can build your collection of favourite books through exploring other titles by these exceptional authors and illustrators. For more ideas also see Our top 10 classic picture books and our Books for 0-3 years .

Dear Zoo
Rod Campbell
Puffin

An interactive, open-the-flaps book about receiving surprise presents from the zoo.
Each one has to be unwrapped and then sent back until the most perfect present of all arrives.

Lots of repeated phrases and fun to join in with and enjoy.
A young family sharing the book (Scottish Book Trust)
See our ideas for sharing Dear Zoo here

For another lift the flap book see Where’s Spot? Our activities here

Hello You!
Campbell Books

A rhyming, rhythmic book which takes you through key points in a baby’s day including breakfast, playing with a friend, bath and bed. Full of gorgeous black and white photographs of a diverse group of babies. An added feature is a fold out mirror page so that babies can see themselves.

Honey for you, Honey for me
Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell
Walker Books

This is a collection of playground songs and nursery rhymes collated by Michael Rosen and beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell. Adult readers may recognize a few here eg ‘Jelly on the plate’ and ‘The North Wind Shall Blow’ but there will be lots of new discoveries too.

Great to share with children. You will soon identify your own favourites to read or sing and maybe act out together.
Listen to Michael Rosen reading some of the rhymes here:

This book would make a perfect companion to A Great Big Cuddle by the same team which contains Michael Rosen’s original rhymes. See our activity page here for A Great Big Cuddle here

It’s a Little Baby
Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
Pan Macmillan

A new book with an interactive rhyme to say or sing, containing flaps and actions for joining in. It’s tuneful and pitched just right for babies and young children.

Sung by Julia Donaldson Also see video of sharing the book with baby on same web page.

Mine!
(Bear and Hare series)
Emily Gravett
Pan Macmillan

Beautifully illustrated and a playfully told tale of acceptance and love. Read aloud
For another book about friendship and sharing see Banana! by Ed Vere.

Peekaboo Apple
Camilla Reid, illus. Ingela P Arrhenius
Nosy Crow

Very First Mother Goose
Iona Opie. Illus. Rosemary Well
Walker

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Men Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus)
Walker Books

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

Wow! said the Owl
Tim Hopgood
Macmillan

When little owl stays awake one night he is amazed by the beautiful colours around him but he discovers the starlit night time sky is most beautiful of all.
Watch the story

A beautifully illustrated story about colours with a repeated refrain which is fun for joining in.
For more ideas to build baby’s first bookshelf see our classic picture book section and our books for 0-3 year olds.

| admin | January 26, 2017

The Zebra’s Great Escape

Katherine Rundell, ill. Sara Ogilvie
Bloomsbury
Age 5-9

When Mink is swinging in the garden, trying to avoid bedtime, she doesn’t expect to meet a young zebra, or that he can communicate AND she will understand what he is saying. Mink discovers that Gabriel (the zebra) is in urgent need of her help.

So begins a magical adventure with talking animals and a dastardly villain, who is thwarted through our heroine’s bravery and a determined team of animal helpers.

This is an exciting story with a satisfying ending and a clear message about helping others: ‘When people ask you for help, they are doing a magnificent thing, they are giving you the chance to change the world for the better.’

The Zebra’s Great Escape is a first picturebook from award winning children’s fiction writer Rundell. It is a story told with drama, warmth and humour. Her delightful text is perfectly matched by Sara Ogilvie’s lively illustrations. The book includes an A-Z of animals – which might inspire children to create their own.

Watch an introduction to the book from author, Katherine Rundell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vSqGopAfJI

Although your child may be gaining confidence and able to read the text independently this is a great story to read aloud to your child. It is divided into sections, making it ideal to read over three story times. After sharing a section or before starting the next you could talk about what you both have found out so far and what your child hopes will happen next.

Download our activity book here

Things to make and do

Play a word game of animal alphabets
Take turns thinking of animals starting with as many letters of the alphabet as you can eg
A – player 1 antelope player 2 ‘aardwark’
B player 1 beaver player 2 ‘bat’

Make an animal alphabet book
Help your child to make a series of zig zag books and join them together. Create an alphabet book with an animal for each letter – your child could make their own choices where possible.

Meet the cast
Give your child a large piece of paper to draw characters from the story.

Interview a character
With one of you is a reporter and the other a character from the story have an imaginary interview them about what happened, what they saw, how they felt. The interviewer could use a cardboard tube as a prop

Find out More

The Girl Savage

The Rooftoppers

The Wolf Wilder – see Lovemybooks activity page

The Explorer – see Lovemybooks activity page

The Good Thieves

Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob)

Simon Bartram
Templar Publishing
Age 5-7

A beautifully illustrated picture book about an apparently ordinary man, Bob, who has an extraordinary job. Bob is an astronaut who commutes to the moon every day in his rocket to prepare for tourist visits. The illustrations are a delight with so much to discover and discuss, not least the aliens on every page. Bob doesn’t think aliens exist, but readers will soon decide he is mistaken.

Share the story

Read aloud Before you start reading the book talk about the cover illustration, what children can see and what they think might happen in the story. Talking about the cover will intrigue children; they will want to find out more.

As you read the story aloud allow time for children to talk about what they can see in the detailed illustrations which add so much to the story.

Join in Children will enjoy hearing the story more than once. Leave spaces so that they can join in with bits they remember such as ‘man on the moon’, or ‘no such thing as aliens’.

Talk about the book Go back to the first double page spread and talk about this page. Can children spot the space clues?

There are aliens on nearly every page which children will enjoy spotting and counting.

Tell the story How does Bob spend his day? Encourage children to tell the story of Bob’s day using the illustrations to help them.

Watch the story Click here

A parent writes...

"Isaac absolutely loved Man on the Moon. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and they captured my son’s imagination. We spent ages spotting the aliens in the pictures and trying to deciding which alien was our favourite."

"Following the activities suggested by Lovemybooks, we had a fantastic day reading, making and talking about space. We loved making a rocket together and this inspired so much discussion and learning about space."

"Reading the book and talking about the story and pictures in detail meant that my son was really willing to do some writing himself. He wrote a book about Bob’s day and was able to sequence the story himself because he was so familiar with the story. Making a zig zag book was a fantastic recommendation because it meant he was so proud to have written a book himself."

"Thank you Lovemybooks for such a brilliant recommendation and such imaginative and inspiring activities. I really think it’s such a brilliant resource for parents and teachers!"

Things to make and do

Make your own book about Bob’s day Make a zig zag book and draw a picture on each page to show what Bob is doing at different times in the day. Click here to find out how to make a zig zag book.

Make a poster
Give your child a piece of A4 paper to make a poster about tourist trips to the moon. They could write something like ‘Come to the Moon!’ and then draw and write all the things tourists can do there.

Draw an alien Children can design their own alien, how many eyes will it have? What will its hands and feet be like? What colour will it be?

Make a rocket Stick cardboard or plastic tubes or containers together to make a rocket. Children could cover their model in glued paper and paint it.

Find out more

Read about more books by Simon Bartram here

The Diary of Dougal the Deep Sea Diver

Bob’s Best Ever friend

Alien Spotter’s Guide

Bob and the Moontree Mystery

Find out about astronauts and the moon. You could look for books at the library or click here, here and here.

Buy the book
Buy Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) here

| admin | March 6, 2014

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Rauf, ill. Pippa Curnick
Orion Books
Age 8-11

When Ahmed arrives in the classroom everyone is very curious about him and why he is so quiet, doesn’t smile and disappears at break and lunchtime. When a group of his classmates find out that he is a Syrian refugee who has experienced great sadness and been separated from his parents, they are determined to help and invent some incredible plans showing both ingenuity, bravery and determination.

A heartwarming and entertaining story about a serious subject highlighting the range of attitudes people have towards refugees and indicating some of the traumas that can befall them

Watch a video to listen to the author reading extracts from the book:

https://youtu.be/aO-HzIv5-OA

Talk about the story

What would you tell someone else about this story?

Did anything about it surprise you?

What would you have liked to say to Ahmed, to Brendon or to Alexa (55the narrator) if you met them?

Look at the author’s questions for children at the back of the book and discuss them together.

See our print-off activity book with some of these ideas and other activities

Things to make and do

Introduce the characters
Choose six or more characters from the book. Make a zig zag book. Use one page for each character to introduce them, writing a sentence or two – you could include a picture of them as well.

What does everyone think of Ahmed?
If you have any really long piece of paper, place it on the floor and ask your child to lie on it. Draw around your child to create an outline figure to represent Ahmed. Talk together about how other characters in the story think and feel about Ahmed and write their imaginary comments and questions about him outside the outline. Then talk about Ahmed’s thoughts and feelings and write these inside the outline. If you don’t have a large piece of paper, you could ask them to draw an outline on a piece of A4 or A3 paper and write comments inside and around the outline.

Draw a pomegranate
If you have the opportunity, buy a pomegranate. Give your child a piece of paper and pencils or paints to draw it whole and then cut in half looking closely at the pomegranate seeds. Try tasting them or perhaps sprinkling them over a salad.

Have an interview
Imagine one of you is an interviewer and another one of the main characters in the story, eg Alexa, Ahmed or maybe Brendon the bully. Have a conversation about what happened, what they did and why. You could use a cardboard tube as an imaginary microphone.

Film a news broadcast
Your child could imagine they are a TV news reader telling the story of Ahmed and the children’s quest to help him find his parents. If possible, set the room up with a small table and chair. Talk first about what to include when you tell Ahmed’s story and have a practice or make notes. You could video your child and then watch the recording together.

Pack a rucksack
Talk with your child about what you would take if you had to leave your home suddenly because you were in danger, for example because of war. (This would need to be whatever you could carry in a small bag such as a rucksack). Try to collect some of these things together – what would it be hard to leave behind?

Write a list
Make a list of five things you could do to make refugees feel welcome in your class or neighbourhood. For example, learning to say hello or welcome in their language.

Find out more

Find out more about refugees

Read the information at the back of the book and find out more about refugees.

Resources refugee week Children & young people | Refugee Week

Read about Ukrainain refugees on the CBBC website. Ukraine refugees: What’s being done to help? – CBBC Newsround

The Star Outside My Window

The Day We Met the Queen

The Night Bus Hero

The Great (Food) Bank Heist

The Lion Above the Door

The Journey Francesca Sanna

Wisp Zana Fraillon, illus. Grahame Baker Smith

Novels include:

Welcome to Nowhere by Elizabeth Laird

No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton

See our TOP 10 books about children in conflict

| admin | June 1, 2022

Please Mr Panda

Steve Antony
Hodder Children’s Books
Age 0-3

Mr Panda has some doughnuts to share and offers them to a series of ungrateful and greedy animals. Eventually a lemur sets herself above the rest by being much more polite and is duly rewarded. A simple story about sharing and politeness.

Author Steve Antony writes...

We asked Steve Antony about his inspiration for the book and how it became a series
The first story, Please, Mr. Panda, came to me in a most peculiar way. One lazy Sunday afternoon I was doodling pandas in bed when I heard a voice inside my head. “Would you like a doughnut?” asked the voice. I imagined this to be the voice of the deadpan Mr. Panda who was staring right at me from my sketchbook. “Give me the pink one,” replied a tiny, squeaky voice, which I imagined to be that of a cute little penguin. “No, you cannot have a doughnut. I have changed my mind,” huffed Mr. Panda. This made me chuckle. But why did Mr. Panda change his mind? I continued to imagine him interacting with other animals in a similar fashion. Then it dawned on me: none of the animals said please! That’s when I knew I had a good story. Mr. Panda wanted to teach me, and the world, a lesson or two in manners.

I never imagined in a million years that Mr. Panda would star in his very own series of books! I wrote Please, Mr. Panda a year after being made redundant from a call centre. In fact, if I hadn’t been made redundant the Please, Mr. Panda probably wouldn’t exist. The book wasn’t even called Please, Mr. Panda to begin with. It was called Would You Like a Doughnut?

The response to the first Mr. Panda book took me by complete surprise, and I just knew Mr. Panda had more stories to tell. I also love adding more black and white animals to Mr. Panda’s expanding circle of friends. I pick only black and white animals for Mr. Panda’s world because I’m red-green colour-blind, and at the start of my career I steered clear of using too much colour. Now I’m more confident with using colour. For example, my illustrations for Tim Minchin’s When I Grow Up are super colourful.

I’ve actually just finished the 5th Mr. Panda picture book. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of Mr. Panda because he’s such a funny character to develop. He’s grumpy-looking yet really generous. He’s big and gruff yet wears pink frilly aprons. He isn’t perfect, yet he tries his best to teach manners in his own unique (and somewhat unorthodox) way. Plus, he has the best fans.

Every now and then I check the hashtag #PleaseMrPanda to see what people are posting on Instagram. One school painted a gigantic Mr. Panda in their class and took turns taking selfies next to it. Another transformed their class into Mr. Panda’s doughnut factory. I often get tagged in Mr. Panda related tweets, too.

Share the story

Watch the trailer

Read aloud
Before you start reading the story, talk about what you can see in the cover illustration. What do children think Mr Panda is holding?

Read the story aloud to your child, pausing if children would like to talk about the pictures.

Join in
When children know the story well they might like to join in when you read the story, perhaps being Mr Panda while you read the parts of the naughty animals who don’t say please. It doesn’t matter if their version is slightly different from the text in the book.

Tell the story
After hearing the story a few times, children will get to know it well. Encourage them tell it to you in their own words, with some words or phrases from the story, using the pictures to help them.

Talk about the story

Can children spot the lemur hiding on the end papers at the front of the book? What has happened to him in the picture on the end papers at the back of the book?
Talk about the colours of the different doughnuts
Why do children think Mr Panda didn’t give the other animals a doughnut?
Talk about all the animals in the book (penguin, skunk, ostrich, whale and lemur) children may notice they are all black and white

Watch the story

Claire, a mother, writes

"Please Mr Panda by Steve Antony is a lovely little story which also helps toddlers and preschool children learn the importance of manners. The illustrations are lovely too. I have two girls who are two and five. My eldest understands and generally has good manners but the youngest is still learning. This book has been great for helping her. The book doesn't actually explain why only the animal that says please gets doughnuts but my 5 year old realised this and each time we read it we explain to our toddler why the rude animals don't get any doughnuts. I think it's starting to help her understand. We've read it a few times now and if you ask her after reading each animal’s reply if they are going to get any doughnuts, she knows if they will or won’t.

Inspired by the book we have done some of Lovemybooks’ activities together. The first activity we did was panda painting. I gave her a black piece of paper, a paint brush and a pot of white paint. She loves painting and as such loved this activity. We usually use colourful paints on white paper so this was a lovely change. I find simple art activities like this are perfect for young toddlers who enjoy the process of painting more than the end result. She was however very proud of her finished master piece and keen to show it her big sister and daddy after school and work.

The second activity we tried was making play dough doughnuts. Again she loves play dough so she really enjoyed this activity. I had to show her how to make doughnut shapes put she loved adding the red play dough to decorate them. Of course, being just 2, she was very good at destroying the doughnuts I'd just made for her too! All part of the fun for toddlers. It was a great learning opportunity to talk about colours and shapes. Claire'"

Things to make and do

Make playdough doughnuts
Use different coloured playdough to make a tray of doughnuts, talk about the actions you are doing to shape the dough and the different colours while you are making them together.

Act out the story
Children could use their tray of doughnuts to act out the story with you, or with their toys as the other animals.

If you have a stacking toy with rings children could act out the story using these as the doughnuts instead of playdough doughnuts.

Draw a picture
Children could draw a picture to say thank you (from the lemur) to Mr Panda.

Make a black and white picture
Give children a black piece of paper, white paint and a thick brush to experiment making blobs and marks, alternatively they could do this with a piece of white paper and black paint.

Find out more

Visit Steve Antony’s website

It includes facts about Please Mr Panda and a few downloadable activities based on the book.

Thank you Mr Panda

Betty Goes Bananas

The Queen’s Hat

Monster in the Hood

| admin | April 6, 2017

Our top 10 new picture books 2020

We have chosen some of the most exciting children’s picturebooks published this year. There are books for a range of ages, books reflecting diversity, and having lots
Lantana Publishing
Age 3-7

A Story about Afiya, James Berry, illus. Anna Cunha
Lantana Publishing
Age 3-7

In this beautifully illustrated re-imagining of the poem by celebrated poet, James Berry, Afiya’s childhood world is magically created and captured in the ever-changing patterns on her white cotton dress. From sunflowers to butterflies, pigeons to tigers, waves to boulders, the dress is printed with images. Yet, next morning, it is fresh, like a blank sheet of paper, and ready for the new day’s adventures.

Listen to the story read aloud by a young reader
Visit our activity page
Buy here

Albert Talbot Master of Disguise
Ben Manley, illus. Aurélie Guillerey
Two Hoots
Age 5-7

Albert Talbot has a very vivid imagination. He spends his days imagining he is a dangerous villain or a brave adventurer. His journey to school is an expedition as he becomes fearless mountaineer Rusti Buffels. When sharing his model at school during show and tell he is famous inventorProfessor Octavious Pickleswick. During swimming lessons, he is a brave undersea explorer. But when nighttime comes Albert decides it is nice to just be himself being tucked in cosily by his mum. A book which will encourage lots of imaginative play, dressing up and conversation, turning everyday events into mini adventures.
Buy here

Bears Love Squares
Caryl Hart, illus. Edward Underwood
Bloomsbury,
Age 3-5

Bear is very fond of squares and no matter how much raccoon tempts him with a variety of other shapes pointing out the distinctive features eg a triangle and all the fun you can have with circular hoops or balls even stars do not tempt him. Becoming desperate raccoon has one last go and makes a heart for Bear. Bear is very impressed, but he still loves squares!

An amusing rhyming book in a highly appropriate square shape which is great fun to share and return to. It is likely to prompt an interest in shapes around us too.
Buy here

The author Caryl Hart looks for squares at home and introduces her book.

https://youtu.be/LyrB-9xqhVk

The Book of Not Entirely Useful Advice
AF Harrold, illus. Mini Grey
Bloomsbury
Age 7-11

If you ever considered wearing a snake as a belt or having a picnic with a tiger this is the book for you. Packed with (not entirely useful) advice and lots of warnings eg that bears might be hiding under your cornflakes or the dangers of confusing your lunch box with your pencil case.

Topics range from food and animals to school life and indeed life in general this book packed with very silly poetry by AF Harrold perfectly matched Mini Grey’s brilliantly comic illustrations likely to lead to lots of giggles.

There are interactive elements where readers can for example use the Advice tron to select their own advice and add their own ideas for ways sausages might be useful if you are lost at sea.
Buy here

View Page

Clean Up Nathan Bryon, illus. Dapo Adeola
Puffin Books
Age 5-7

Rocket is really excited; she is going to visit Grammy and Grampy who live in Jamaica. They run whale watching tours, own a wildlife sanctuary AND Grammy is brilliant at surfing! While there, Rocket is shocked by the amount of rubbish on the beach and how it is affecting the wildlife. She decides to do something about it.

This is a delightfully illustrated story with a determined main character who sets out to make a difference. This is a story to raise awareness of the threat of plastic pollution on our oceans and ocean creatures and encourage small scale activism.
Visit our activity page
Buy here

Honey for you, Honey for me
Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell
Walker Books
Age 0-5

Great to share with children dip into develop favourites read or sing and maybe act out together.
Listen to Michael Rosen reading some of the rhymes.

This book would make a perfect companion to A Great Big Cuddle by the same team which contains Michael Rosen’s original rhymes. See our activity page here for A Great Big Cuddle
Buy here

Just One of Those Days
Jill Murphy
Macmillan
Age 3-7

The Bear family are having one of those days. After oversleeping, just about everything goes wrong. Both Mr and Mrs Bear have mishaps at work and at Nursery things don’t go well for Baby Bear either. ‘Someone Else’ has his favourite dinosaur toy and ‘Someone Else’ has his favourite mug. When they get home, they console themselves and put it all behind them. Mr Bear treats them all to a pizza and a surprise for Baby Bear.

This is a delightful story full of warmth and humour in the words and the illustrations which both adults and children will relate to. A welcome return of the Bear family we first met in the picturebook classic Peace at Last 40 years ago.

Visit our activity pages for Peace at Last and Whatever Next (also about the same family)
Hear the book’s creator Jill Murphy talk about the book
Buy here

https://youtu.be/Y5_VH7z4ByM

Last
Nicola Davies
Tiny Owl
Age 7-9

A lonely rhino pacing a zoo in a cold colourless world fears he is the last of his kind. He dreams about happy days with his mother before she was killed, and he was snatched from his home. Look closely and you can spot a child watching, a child who grows into an adult who helps return the rhino to the wild where he finds another rhino and is no longer alone.

There is lots to talk about here in a book Inspired by a true story, which highlights the plight of the white rhino and the power of every individual to notice and take action. This is the first book which acclaimed author Nicola Davies has illustrated as well as written. Colour is used very effectively to contrast the rhino’s experiences in captivity and in the wild. Carefully selected snippets of text support of the theme of the book.

Buy here
Nicola Davies

https://youtu.be/v46eTv3k9Hw

Pirate Stew
Neil Gaiman, illus. Chris Riddell
Bloomsbury
Age 7-9

What if mum and dad go out for the evening and choose a pirate cook as a babysitter? In Pirate Stew we find out exactly what might happens. This is a splendid, rollicking rhyme of a picture book guaranteed to delight young readers. The illustrations are just fabulous, packed with comic characters, lots of detail and pirate themed fun. Look out for the many references drawn from classic pirate books such as Treasure Island and Peter Pan.
Buy here

Author Neil Gaiman introduces his book and reads aloud from it here;

https://youtu.be/02RcHmicJoE

You Choose Fairy Tales
Nick Sharratt (illus) and Pippa Goodhart
Puffin Books
Age 5-9

Imagine you could be in your own fairy tale, what kind of a hero would you be? This book gives you lots of choice to help you build a fairy tale in which young readers take the starring role. Choose to be a pirate, a princess or a billy goat. Decide whether you live in a palace, a gingerbread house or a crooked house. What are your talents? Where will you go, what will you take? Who is your friend and who is your enemy?

Every page presents a stunning array of new choices in Nick Sharratt’s distinctive artwork. As you work though the book your tale can build. When you finish start again and build a different story! Creative and interactive this is a book designed for sharing and lots of talk. The latest in the very popular ‘You Choose’ series which includes You Choose in Space, You Choose your Dreams and the original book You Choose.
Buy here

Neil Gaiman reads aloud from the book here

| admin | November 12, 2020

Eileen Browne Walker Books Age 3-7

Share the story

Join in As you read and reread the book, encourage children to join in where they can. Their confidence and enjoyment will build as you revisit the book together and children become more familiar with the story and story language.

Talk about the story Talk together about which part of the story children like best and why. What do they know that Handa doesn’t? How would they feel if they discovered all their fruit had gone? Why do they think the book is called ‘Handa’s Surprise’? Is there more than one reason?

Tell the story Using the pictures, children can turn the pages and retell the story in their own words.

Watch the story

Things to make and do

Act it out Children can use animal toys and real or pretend fruit to act out the story. They can also make up their own using different fruits and animals.

Make a zigzag book Using card or paper, children can make a zigzag book and draw the story with each scene of the story on a different page. Then they can add their own writing to tell the story, using the repeated phrases, or in their own words.

Draw a fruit Children can choose one of the fruits Handa carries to her friend and draw it in as much detail as possible, choosing colours carefully and noticing patterns and textures. Children can peel or cut into the fruit to see the shapes and seeds. Afterwards they can eat it!

Balance a basket How easy is it to walk carrying something on your head? Using a small basket with a few soft items, or a cushion, children can practice walking without holding their load on their heads. This can become a game, with someone trying to take an item without being noticed.

Find out more

Read more books by Eileen Browne, titles include:

Handa’s Hen

Wait and See

No Problem

Tick Tock

Handa’s Surprising Day

Wait for Me!

Up the Tree

Other related books you and your child might enjoy:

We’re Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell

Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema

For an A-Z of Fruit see Eating the Alphabet By Lois Ehlert (see Our Top Ten Alphabet Books)

Find out more about Kenyan animals here.

Here’s a complete list of all our book activity pages – click on the link and it will take you to the activity page

Here’s a complete list of all our book activity pages – click on the link and it will take you to the activity page

V = VideoAB = Activity Book

A

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D

E

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I

J

K

L

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Dear ZooRod Campbell

Hello You!Campbell Books

Honey for you, Honey for meMichael Rosen, illus. Chris RiddellWalker Books

It’s a Little BabyJulia Donaldson and Rebecca CobbPan Macmillan

Mine!(Bear and Hare series)Emily GravettPan Macmillan

Peekaboo AppleCamilla Reid, illus. Ingela P ArrheniusNosy Crow

Very First Mother GooseIona Opie. Illus. Rosemary WellWalker

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little ToesMen Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus)Walker Books

That’s Not my LionFiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,Usborne Books

That’s Not my LionFiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,Usborne Books

Dear Zoo Rod Campbell Puffin

Hello You! Campbell Books

Honey for you, Honey for me Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell Walker Books

It’s a Little Baby Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb Pan Macmillan

Mine! (Bear and Hare series) Emily Gravett Pan Macmillan

Peekaboo Apple Camilla Reid, illus. Ingela P Arrhenius Nosy Crow

Very First Mother Goose Iona Opie. Illus. Rosemary Well Walker

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Men Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus) Walker Books

That’s Not my Lion Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells, Usborne Books

Wow! said the Owl Tim Hopgood Macmillan

Katherine Rundell, ill. Sara OgilvieBloomsburyAge 5-9

When Mink is swinging in the garden, trying to avoid bedtime, she doesn’t expect to meet a young zebra, or that he can communicate AND she will understand what he is saying. Mink discovers that Gabriel (the zebra) is in urgent need of her help.

So begins a magical adventure with talking animals and a dastardly villain, who is thwarted through our heroine’s bravery and a determined team of animal helpers.

This is an exciting story with a satisfying ending and a clear message about helping others: ‘When people ask you for help, they are doing a magnificent thing, they are giving you the chance to change the world for the better.’

Watch an introduction to the book from author, Katherine Rundell:

Read aloud

Talk more about the story➤ Did anything surprise you?➤ Did anything make you laugh?➤ Talk about your favourite scenes from the story➤ Which characters do you like best?

Eileen Browne
Walker Books
Age 3-7

V = Video
AB = Activity Book

Dear Zoo
Rod Campbell

Hello You!
Campbell Books

Honey for you, Honey for me
Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell
Walker Books

It’s a Little Baby
Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
Pan Macmillan

Mine!
(Bear and Hare series)
Emily Gravett
Pan Macmillan

Peekaboo Apple
Camilla Reid, illus. Ingela P Arrhenius
Nosy Crow

Very First Mother Goose
Iona Opie. Illus. Rosemary Well
Walker

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Men Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus)
Walker Books

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

Dear Zoo
Rod Campbell
Puffin

Hello You!
Campbell Books

Honey for you, Honey for me
Michael Rosen, illus. Chris Riddell
Walker Books

It’s a Little Baby
Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb
Pan Macmillan

Mine!
(Bear and Hare series)
Emily Gravett
Pan Macmillan

Peekaboo Apple
Camilla Reid, illus. Ingela P Arrhenius
Nosy Crow

Very First Mother Goose
Iona Opie. Illus. Rosemary Well
Walker

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
Men Fox, Helen Oxenbury (illus)
Walker Books

That’s Not my Lion
Fiona Watt, illus. Rachel Wells,
Usborne Books

Wow! said the Owl
Tim Hopgood
Macmillan

Katherine Rundell, ill. Sara Ogilvie
Bloomsbury
Age 5-9

Talk more about the story
➤ Did anything surprise you?
➤ Did anything make you laugh?
➤ Talk about your favourite scenes from the story
➤ Which characters do you like best?

Simon Bartram
Templar Publishing
Age 5-7

Make a poster
Give your child a piece of A4 paper to make a poster about tourist trips to the moon. They could write something like ‘Come to the Moon!’ and then draw and write all the things tourists can do there.

Buy the book
Buy Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) here

Onjali Rauf, ill. Pippa Curnick
Orion Books
Age 8-11