A Little Bookshelf

Orca Books, Canada, 2013

Hardback,  32 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4598-0107-3

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: **

I love this book.  It was one of the first multicultural books I discovered at our local library.  My daughters love it as well and we have borrowed it many times. Moncakes is the story of a little girl's Chinese Moon Festival celebrations with her family.  They make moon cakes, light paper lanterns and sit outside under the light of the moon telling stories about the moon.  This book beautifully weaves together traditional stories with the story of the little girl.

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.

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, 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.

Orchard Books, NY, 1999

Hardback, 42 pages

ISBN: 978-0-5313-3133-0

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

The queen of fantasy, Ursula K Le Guin has written a gorgeous tale for younger readers.  Complete with colour illustrations by S.D. Schindler, this is a lovely tale about being different and finding your place in spite of the difficulties and dangers that being different can create.  Jane, the heroine of the story is a cat with wings who longs to venture out into the wider world, in spite of all the dangers.  She longs for adventure and new friends.

Other titles in this series: Catwings, Catwings Return, Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings

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.

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!

Econo-Clad Books, Topeka, 2003

Hardcover, 40 pages

ISBN: 978-0-6136-9484-1

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: *****

Set at the turn of the 19th century, this is a tale of immigration and finding a new home in an alien land.  It is beautiful, haunting and heartwarming.  As I read it, I shed a tear or two over the story of Jessie, sent from Europe to America at the tender age of thirteen.  She leaves behind her grandmother to live and work as a lacemaker in New York cit.

Magnificently illustrated with wonderful sensitivity and compassion by Kate Greenaway medallist P.J. Lynch.  It is rare to find a children's book so beautifully illustrated.  The pictures could easily hang on a gallery wall.  Both my daughters (aged 9 and 5) loved this story and begged for it to be read again and again.

Puffin, London, 2013

Hardback, 200 pages

ISBN: 978-0-141-38339-6

Suggested reading age: 5+

Reviewed by: Indrani Perera

Rating: ****

Long before Harry Potter and his friends took the world by storm, there was another boarding school for sorcery - Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches.  First published in 1974, the Worst Witch series of books are written and illustrated by the supremely talented Jill Murphy and feature the accident prone Mildred Hubble.

In this book, Mildred Hubble is given the job of being lantern monitor.  Can she manage to fly around the castle on her broomstick every evening to the light the candles and again every morning to douse the candles without causing a mishap?  The bite size chapters and gentle story make this a perfect bedtime story for little folks.  There is also enough adventure and excitement to keep older readers entertained.