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.

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

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.  

Barefoot Books, Bath, 2014

Hardcover, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-1-7828-5091-5

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

My five year old daughter loves this book and so do I!  It is a great picture book / first reader.  The book takes us through a day in the life of Felix, Sam, Maya, their parents, grandfather and pets.  The gorgeous illustrations are labelled with descriptive words so little readers can start to connect word with meaning.  Think of it as a step up from flash cards with a story to boot.  Interspersed with the story are pages asking questions like, "What kind if home would you like to live in?" and "Which story characters would you like to meet".  On these pages are gorgeous illustrations and descriptions of different options the reader can choose.  These pages fit neatly into the overall story.  A brilliant book to share with your budding young reader, In would highly recommend it.

Scholastic, New York, 2003

Paperback, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-4390-6758-4

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Julie Vivas is one of my favourite illustrators and in Let's Eat she has teamed up with Ana Zamorano to create a gorgeous tale about Antonio and his family.  

Every day at 2pm, Antonio and his family gather at the big wooden table his Papa made to eat their lunch.  There are seven people in the family, soon to be eight as Antonio's mother is going to have a baby any day now.  I loved the family mealtimes with Alicia asking a thousand questions and Salvador wriggling off his chair to hide under the table.  This book is full of Spanish phrases and has a glossary at the back.

Kingfisher, New York, 2001

Hardcover, 224 pages

ISBN: 9780753453322

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is a collection of stories about Milly Molly Mandy, the little girl who lives in the nice white cottage with a thatched roof.  They were originally published in several different books and were reissued in this edition.  Milly Molly Mandy lives with her mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, uncle and auntie.  The simple black and white illustrations by the author bring the stories to life and speak to us of life in an English village last century.  

Although the stories were written a long time ago, they manage to capture the innocence and sweetness of childhood and are still relevant today.  The language is a little quaint and it does take some getting used to but it is well worth the effort.  I have read and reread these stories to my girls and they still love them (even the nine year old!).

Tate Publishing, London, 2011

Hardcover, 52 pages

ISBN: 978-1-8543-7943-6

Suggested reading age: 3+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Alice Melvin is the talent behind this beautifully written and illustrated book.  I just loved everything about it.  The wonderful, read-a-loud rhyme accompanies some gorgeous fold-out drawings as Sally visits the High Street to buy all the things on her shopping list.  The High Street seemed quintessentially English to me.

My five year old daughter loved the way that the pages opened to reveal what was inside each shop.  The ending has a delightful twist as Sally tries to find the last thing on her list- a yellow rose.