A Little Bookshelf

Walker Books, London, 2000

Harback, 32 pages

ISBN: 0-7445-2893-3

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

A beautifully illustrated story about the journey a river takes from its beginnings high up in the mountains, through valleys and plains and ending in the sea.  A nice idea, that nature has a story too and a lovely introduction for younger readers to some natural concepts like tributaries and erosion.  There's an index at the end of key words and an overview of the river's journey.

QED Publishing, London, 2014

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7817-1683-0

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Learning to read is a big event in a little person's life and there are lots of ABC books and first readers out there.  I am a huge fan of this one with its beautiful illustrations of wildlife from around the world.

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.

The Ivy Press, Lewes, 2015

Paperback, 36 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7824-0183-4

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Another story in the Shine a Light Series of books.  Secrets of the Rainforest takes the reader on a journey through the rainforest where we meet the various animals and insects that call it home.  At the end of the book there is more information about the different levels of the forest and the plants that also call it home.

Other Titles in this series: Secrets of the Apple Tree, Secrets of the Sea Shore

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.

Candlewick Press US, Massachusetts, 2009

Hardcover, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-0-7636-1436-2

Suggested reading age: 10+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is a great book for budding naturalists and history buffs. In One Beetle Too Many x and x recount the life of Charles Darwin. From his childhood, his school years, travelling for years on the Beagle, exploring South America and experiencing earth quakes and fissured sea shells high in the Andes to his publication of the origin of the species.

I have to confess that I knew very little about the great man until I read this meticulously researched and very informative book. Clearly Kathryn Lasky loves her subject. Did you know that one one ocassion when Charles Darwin went beetle hunting and found three new beetles, he popped one into each hand and the third one went into his mouth to get is safely home?

Walker Books, London, 2011

Hardcover, 56 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8442-8-7758

Suggested reading age: 8+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Every year, in the northern hemisphere spring, thousands of animals from all over the world journey to the Arctic. Grey whales from Mexico, teens from Antarctica and caribou from Canada all head north to eat, feed and breed.

Join wildlife author Nick Dowson and award-winning illustrator Patrick Benson on this epic journey.

Amicus, Mankato MN, 2013

Hardback, 36 pages

ISBN: 9781607533511

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Another gorgeous book about the natural world from the fabulous duo of Dianna Aston and Sylvia Long.

The front end papers of this book have beautiful illustrations of all different types of eggs. The back endpapers show the creatures that hatch out of the eggs. In between we learn all about the different characteristics of eggs. Their size, shape and texture. How they are colourful shapely and clever.  Where they are kept until their owners hatch– on feet, in nests or balanced precariously on rocky ledges.  We even get to peep inside the egg and see just what os going on.

Other books in this series: A Seed is Sleepy, A Rock is Lively, A Butterfly is Patient

Scholastic, New York, 2003

Hardcover, 40 pages

ISBN: 978-0-4393-5226-0

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

In The Secret Remedy Book, Lolly goes to stay with her aunt, on her own, for a whole month.  It is something that she has been wanting to do for a very long time.  But after her parents drive away, she begins to feel sad and homesick.  Her lovely Aunt Zep knows just why to do.  Together they search for The Secret Remedy book and set about completing each remedy in the book before the first hoot of the owl.

After reading this book, I wanted to create a Secret Remedy book just like the one that Lolly and Aunt Zepp use.  Full of good remedies such drinking apple juice so fresh that you could taste the blossoms of the apples, take a walk as far as you can to see something you've never noticed before and feeding a wild thing.

The Ivy Press, Lewes, 2013

Hardback, 36 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7824-0068-4

Suggested reading age:  3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This clever book by Carron Brown and Alyssa Nassner is a shine-a-light book.  When you shine a light behind the right hand side pages, more of the picture is revealed, making it the perfect bed time story for young readers.

Secrets of the Apple Tree is all about an apple tree and the creatures that live in and around it.  We follow the apple tree through the changing seasons and get to know it and its inhabitants.  At the end of the book is more in depth information about the tree and inhabitants, making it great for older readers who want to know a bit more.

Other Titles in this series: Secrets of the Rainforest, Secrets of the Sea Shore