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!

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!

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

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.

Simon and Schuster Children's Books, London, 2014

Hardback, 32 pages

ISBN: 9780857075819

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

This book starts out with a list of all the annoying things your parents do, like boss you around and tell you what to do.  Luckily it then moves on to all the great things about parents - targets for ketchup,  tent poles for wonky dens and dustbins for bits you don't want to eat.  Once they've sorted out all your pickles, there's always time for...

Walker Books Australia, Newtown, 2011

Paperback, 32 pages

ISBN: 13 digits

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

This is the story of how Ayu is chosen by the Prince of her village in Bali to dance the Legong dance.  It is the dance of the angry bird and is danced under the light of the full moon.  The dancers wear elaborate costumes and head dresses.  

This is a special story in our family as the girls' nana and siya spend winter in Bali each year.  They also love the beautiful drawings and lively tale.

Walker Books, London, 2005

Hardcover, 32 pages

978-1-8442-8296-8

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

I can vividly remember trying to draw as a kid and getting frustrated because my drawings didn't look "right."  In Ish, Peter H Reynolds has captured that feeling perfectly.

Ish is a story about Ramon.  Ramon loved to draw anywhere and everywhere.  Until the day his older brother Leon sneers at his drawing and asks, "What's that?"  It takes his little sister Marisol to help him see that he has his own, ish style of drawing.  This book is great for all budding artists, big and small. 

Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2013

Hardcover, 48 pages

ISBN: 978-0-3743-8023-6

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Ever since I was 17, I have wanted to buy a rural block of land and build my own house, just like the family in this book.  Based on a true story, Building Our House tells the story of how the author's parents bought a block of land in the country and lived in a caravan while they built their house by hand.  Collecting rocks from a neighbour's yard, mixing concrete and cutting timber with hand tools,  it took them five years. The author says "...it's hard for me to think of a better place to have grown up."  And I have to agree.

Walker Books Australia, Newtown, 2013

Hardcover, 112 pages

ISBN: 978-1-9219-7756-5

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Anna Branford and Sarah Davis have created a series of delightful books about a young girl called Violet Mackerel.  She lives with her mum and older brother and sister.  Her mum makes knitted things to sell at a local Saturday market which the whole family attend.  These stories are well written and beautifully illustrated.  Sarah Davis' pencil drawings perfectly compliment Anna Branford's stories.  They are full of heart, gentleness and warmth.  I just love everything about these books.  From the gorgeous illustrations to the delightful stories, to the size of the books and the cover illustrations.  They are a joy to read.

In Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend, Violet and her family move into a new house after her mum and Vincent get married.  Violet creates a hole in the fence and leaves a message for her neighbour.  Will her neighbour find it?  Will her neighbour (with a very tidy yard, unlike Violet's messy yard) be cross about the hole in the fence?  These books deal with the little troubles that are so big for children and the not so little ones they face in a kind and caring way.

Other titles in this series: Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot, Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery, Violet Mackerel's Natural Habitat, Violet Mackerel's Personal Space, Violet Mackerel's Pocket Protest, Violet Mackerel's Helpful Suggestion and Violet Mackerel's Formal Occasion.

Tuttle Publishing, VT, 2005

Hardcover, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-0-8048-3666-1

Suggested reading age: 4+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Long Long's New Year is a beautifully written and illustrated story about the Chinese Spring Festival.  Long Long and his grandfather have patiently counted the days until their cabbages were ready to sell at the market.  They hope to make enough money to buy the things that they need for their Spring Festival celebrations but a rival vendor is getting all the customers.  Long Long wanders around the market, wondering what he can do.  

This is a lovely story about family and is a firm favourite of my five year old daughter.  The book has a glossary of Chinese words used in the story as well as a retelling of the legend of the very first Chinese Spring Festival.