A Little Bookshelf

Hodder Children's Books, London, 2014

Hardback, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4449-2441-1

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ***

Numbers and maths are just as important for young children as letters and language.  There are lots of ABC books already out there so it's great to see this fantastic 123.  Paul Thurby is a full time illustrator based in London and with this book he was trying to make numbers fun.  I think he succeeded!  The illustrations have a vintage vibe with some great pop culture references that parents will love - the number four is represented by the Fab Four.  So go ahead and get counting!

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.

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!

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.

Simon and Schuster, NY, 2010

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4169-8703-1

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Emily Gravett is one of my favourite authors and illustrators. She has a very quirky and mischievous way of looking at the world and her books are anything but ordinary.  In this book, the unseen narrator tells us all about her love of dogs.  All dogs.  Stroppy dogs, soppy dogs, hairy dogs and bald dogs.  But who is her favourite dog?  Read the book and find out!

Thames and Hudson, London, 2013

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-5006-5015-8

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is a cute book about a little girl and her grandmother.  They share the same name and the same birthday but unfortunately live on different sides of the world.  How will they manage to spend their birthday together?  The illustrations have a retro feel to them with a limited colour palette.  The book itself is a flip-over book.  One side is Dot's story and the other side is her grandmother's story.  Neat idea, nicely done.

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.  

Templar Publishing, Surrey, 2015

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7837-0169-8

Suggested reading age: 2+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Your toddler will love trying to find all the animal and insect pairs in this gorgeous hardcover. The text rhymes and flows beautifully and is accompanied by delightful illustrations. A wonderful addition to any collection.

Walker Books, London, 2004

Paperback, 35 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8442-8513-6

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

The Pigeon Drive the Bus is one of a very funny series of books by award winning author, Mo Willems.  The books are about a cheeky pigeon who gets up to all sorts of mischief.

I know I said I hate books where animals dress up as people.  And I do.  Draw people if you want to tell a story about people and if you are doing a story about animals, make them animals, doing animal things.  The pigeon in this book acts like a person but thankfully, isn't wearing a cute little dress.  It is stretching things a bit to include these books on the site but that darn pigeon captured all our hearts.  He is cheeky, irreverent and just more than a little bit like a small child.  He is also funny enough that all the family like him - kids and parents alike.  But whatever, you do, don't let the pigeon drive the bus!

Other titles in this series: The Duckling gets a Cookie?!, The Pigeon Needs a Bath, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late, The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog and The Pigeon Has Feelings Too.