A Little Bookshelf

Walker Books, Place, Year

Hardback, 108 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4063-0491-6

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

I have to admit, it was the cute squirrel on the cover that got me to pick up this book.  And the collage style in which it is illustrated.  When I opened the book I wasn't disappointed. (see, you can judge a book by its cover!).  The gorgeous illustrations of Mark Herald are accompanied by beautiful prose from author Nicola Davies.  This is a book to dip into for inspiration and connection to the seasons.

Complete with recipes and activities based around each of the seasons this is a great book to have on your shelves at home.  Especially for those readers in the northern hemisphere.  Now if only there was a similar book for us antipodeans!  Leave me a comment if you know of one.

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.

Pfeifer-Hamilton Publications, Duluth, 1999

Hardcover, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-1-5702-5199-3

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

The Quiltmaker's Gift is a modern fable of a greedy King and an old woman high in the mountains creating quilts for the poor people in the towns below.  What happens when the greedy King demands a gift from the Quiltmaker?  Will she give him one?

This book is filled with visual detail and is a perfect accompaniment to the text.  The endpapers of this book are decorated with quilts and their names.  The discerning reader will spy these quilts scattered throughout the story.  This book became a firm favourite with everyone in our family.