A Little Bookshelf

Candlewick Press, Massachuesetts, 2012

Hardback, 28 pages

ISBN: 13 digits

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

A gorgeous story of a little boy's first night with his puppy.  I'm not a dog person but the illustration of the puppy lying asleep on a pillow under the kitchen table, legs in the air with little belly exposed makes me very tempted to get a dog.  Be warned - reading this story will make your children want to own a puppy!

Barefoot Books, New York, 1999

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-9022-8360-9

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ***

Mabuti is a Pygmy who lives with his tribe in a forest on the slopes of the Mountains of the Moon.  Everyone in his tribe sings whenever they can.  Searching for berries, making a new camp and gathering mushrooms.  When Mabuti tried to sing, all his friends covered their ears and teased him.  Although he was sad at being teased, he practiced in private until he learnt to sing.  

This is a lovely story of preserving in spite of ridicule and it is something that every child (and adult!) can relate to.  The end of the book also has more information about Pygmies for readers curious to learn more.   

National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2014

Hardback, 36 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6422-7863-0

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This is the story of a train that travels once a week across the desert carrying goods to remote and isolated communities.  It has the feeling of a steampunk fantasy - a train that is a travelling shop, complete with livestock and a slaughter van? - but is based on fact.  From 1915 - 1996, the Tea and Sugar train travelled once a week from Port Augusta, SA to Kalgoorlie, WA.  

Children will love the story of Kathleen who is waiting for the train to bring sugar.  The sugar ran out on Sunday and she has to wait four long days for the train to come.   Will it be on time?  Will she see Father Christmas who travels the line once a year, bringing lollies, soft drinks and presents for all the kids on the line?  For kids (and their parents!) who want to know more, there are period photos and maps at the back of the book along with some history about the train.

Abrams Appleseed, New York, 2013

Hardcover, 40 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4197-0528-1

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Nikki McClure has used black paper to create the bold and striking illustrations in this gorgeous picture book. It's amazing how much expression and detail can be conveyed with just three colours, black, blue and white. This is a lovely picture book for younger readers, especially those that love cats.

Abrams, New York, 2014

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4197-1219-7

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is a sweet story about a lonely hat maker who celebrates her birthday each year by dressing in her most elegant dress (the one with the frills and froufrou upon it), putting on her best birthday bonnet and strolling through town to dine - alone - at the best place in town.  What happens to Madame Chapeau when she trips on a root and a bird steals her bonnet?  Does she still dine alone at the best place in town?  This elegant story about a lonesome hat maker brings joy to young children.

Putnam Publishing Group, US, 2006

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6984-0036-8

Suggested reading age: 6+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Robert Ingpen is a supremely talented Australian illustrator.  The Dreamkeeper is a tale he has written especially for his granddaughter, Alice Elisabeth.  Luckily for those of us without artistic grandfathers, the story has been published for everyone to read!

Nobody has seen the Dreamkeeper but we do know that he wears old fashioned clothes hung with charms and lures for catching mischievous creatures that have escaped from The Great Dreamtree.  Once he captures the creatures, he returns them to the tree so they can't do any harm in the space between what is really happening and what you imagine might happen.  Gorgeous!

Penguin Putnam, NY, 2008

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6700-6336-9

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

I love that in spite of a lifetime of reading, there are still gems like this one to discover.  Books that I missed in my childhood but that I can meet and share with my children in their childhoods.  And I am sure that I will still be doing the same when my girls have kids of their own!

This is a lovely tale of a forgotten toy sitting on the shelf at a toy shop, waiting for an owner.  He is lonely until one day along comes a little girl who falls in love with him and takes him home.

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 Lincoln Publishers, London, 2008

Hardback, 40 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8450-7588-0

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

"Its good.  A bit funny." - Phoebe Perera, aged 5

In this charming book, Eddie's grandad is coming to dinner for his birthday.  Eddie, his mum and sister Lily have to hustle to get all the food cooked in time for the party.  While they are busy trying to cook, Mum has lots of interruptions.  First their neighbour with the new baby comes visiting, then the cat brings a mouse into the kitchen, next Mrs Beamish needs a band aid and finally Martin calls and needs to be cheered up. Luckily, Eddie knows just what to do and with some help from Lily they manage to get ready for the party just in time.

This is an inspiring read for kids who love to mess about in the kitchen.  The back of the book has recipes for all the food that Eddie makes as well as some tips for cooking with toddlers.

Other titles in this series: Eddie's Toolbox: And How To Make and Mend Things, Eddie's Garden: How To Make Things Grow

Nosy Crow, London, 2013

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-8576-3089-6

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is a gorgeous book for little readers and neatly sums up my feelings about books and reading - Books Always Everywhere.