Candlewick Press, Massachusetts, 2015
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6529-6
Suggested reading age: 4+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: ***
Where do people live? What are their homes like? Are they like ours? The beautiful illustrations of this delightful book will answer all these questions. You'll also find out where an Moonian and a raccoon live. Gorgeous!
Barefoot Books, Bath, 2000
Harback, 36 pages
ISBN: 978-1-8414-8300-9
Suggested reading age: 10+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: ****
"A person's life is just a moment in infinity." Leonardo da Vinci
I really like the illustrations in this book about the life of Leonardo da Vinci. They are in a more abstract style, reminiscent of paintings from the period. The story itself is told from the perspective of his apprentice, Giacomo. His master had this to say about the young Giacomo "1490. Giacomo has come to live with me. He is ten years old. He is a liar, a thief and a greedy brute." The book skilfully weaves quotes from Da Vinici's journals into the story.
At the beginning and end of the book are two double page spreads that describe the work of Da Vinci, using pages from his journals. A great book to introduce readers to the work of this influential thinker.
Frances Linclon Publishers, London, 2011
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-8478-0053-4
Suggested reading age: 4+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: *****
When Eddie's new neighbour, Tom, moves in next door, he asks Eddie to help him fix some things. Soon Eddie is learning how to use a measuring tape, hammer and saw. Before long he has made a boat for his little sister, has fixed his Mum's glasses and made a bird feeder.
This book is wonderful. It shows young children that they can make and mend. The things Eddie makes are simple and inspiring. There are notes at the end of the book about basic tools for a budding young maker and about attracting birds to your garden.
Other titles in this series: Eddie's Kitchen: And How to Make Good Things To Eat and Eddie's Garden: How To Make Things Grow.
Candlewick Press US, Cambridge, MA, 2012
Hardcover, 40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5893-9
Suggested reading age: 5+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: *****
I have only just discovered Bob Graham and I love his books. They are quiet, gentle and inspiring. Reading them makes me want to be a better person and leave the world a better place. A Bus Called Heaven is no exception.
In A Bus Called Heaven, an old abandoned bus is left on the street. Stella finds it and everyone helps to push it into her front yard. It quickly becomes a meeting point for her community as the adults clean up the bus while the children play underneath it. People bring donations for the bus, street gang The Ratz paint it, and Mrs Stavros brings a bus cake. Until one day, a tow truck arrives to tow the bus away because it is obstructing the footpath. What will Stella and her friends do?
Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2013
Hardcover, 48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-3743-8023-6
Suggested reading age: 4+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: *****
Ever since I was 17, I have wanted to buy a rural block of land and build my own house, just like the family in this book. Based on a true story, Building Our House tells the story of how the author's parents bought a block of land in the country and lived in a caravan while they built their house by hand. Collecting rocks from a neighbour's yard, mixing concrete and cutting timber with hand tools, it took them five years. The author says "...it's hard for me to think of a better place to have grown up." And I have to agree.
Orchard Books, New York, 1990
Hardcover, 32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-5310-8488-5
Suggested reading age: 3+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: ****
At the end of Louise Builds a House, Louise says she is going to build a boat. After she ended the first book in this way, author Louise Pfanner thought, "Now I am going to have write a book about building a boat!" This book was another happy library discovery. Originally published in the late 1980s, it was republished in 2012 with a note from the author. This edition was printed in 1990.
I love that this book shows young readers how they can build things and I also love that the main character is a woman. I am passionate about my girls growing up to believe that they can do anything they set their minds and hearts to. It's not just boys who love to build things! And there is a secret code message to decipher as well.