The Ding Dong Bag! "When two boys go out with a large bag in which to catch all the noises they can find, you can be sure that they will have an earsplitting time! This vibrant story celebrates a rich diversity of sounds and the rhythmic text is powerfully brought to life by Jess Stockham's lively illustrations." Two young boys spend their day making ways to make different noises and sounds. Bright and lively illustrations work well with the noisy words of the text to make this a book that will be great for rhythm and rhyme storytimes. |
 |
| ________________________________________________________________ | |
Scaredy Cats is the junior version of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Louise Hay popular psychology for three year olds. The two youngest cats, Yellow Kitten and Blue Kitten are unleashed on an errand for the first time by their mother to post a letter in town. The journey becomes an epic adventure which brings them through forests, dark tunnels and nettle fields, up to a rocky ledge on the outskirts of town. Unfamiliar with this new world around them, their minds waft around in the imagination of fear. Trolls, cat-bandits, cat-witches and eagles inhabit this terrain and still they put one foot in front of the other. Their fears are allayed when they meet their grandmother who refutes their claims of terror. A smart and funny books for young readers, this book explores feelings of fear, stress, curiosity, courage and eventual empowerment. |
|
Another flight of fantasy
the adventures of a cross little girl who discovers where all the balloons go when you let go of their strings by turning into a balloon herself! |
| _______________________________________________________________ | |
|
A boy who hasn't mastered the art of tying his shoelaces is presented with the chance to swap them for a set of magic laces that never come undone. Of course he accepts the offer, but finds that with a little bit of practice his own laces might have been less troublesome than ones which never allow you to take off your shoes. A humorous reminder that quick-fixes are rarely the long-term solution. |
| _______________________________________________________________ | |
Child's Play stick faithfully to the standard text in their new edition of Hansel and Gretel. The only surprises here are the ones Hansel and Gretel get in the wood. The old woman is suitably nasty and her house is decorated with just the right selection of lollipops, sweets and tiny cherry buns to entice any child inside. Absolutely true to tradition and beautifully illustrated by Andrea Petrlik. |
Bear and Turtle and the Great Lake Race Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Alison Edgson I think that the book is saying that bigger is not always better and that if you use your brains you can outsmart people. The Bear thought that he would win but the Turtle used his brains. However, I did really like Bear and I thought that the turtles were cheating because there were so many of them. I really enjoyed the book and the pictures were nice. I will read this again and again.
|
 |
| _______________________________________________________________ | |
Mouse has an enormous collection of presents, but when reminded that the Hungry Bear may not have any, does he generously donate some to the Bear? He does not! He barricades his house in case the Bear comes and steals his gifts. Eventually the Christmas spirit wins through and Mouse makes and epic journey to the Bear's cave where he gets a Big Surprise. The expressions on Mouse's face are just the beginning of why the book is a quick favourite throughout all ages. Follows the unlikely relationship between a large and possibly scary bear and a tiny mouse who takes pity on him and brings him Christmas presents. With a strong message about sharing at Christmas, this also has a good ending full of suspense and will most definitely amuse adults as well as, or perhaps more than, children. |
Three Billy Goats Gruff - illustrated by Alison Edgson |
 |
|
 |
Wake Up, Sleepyhead Mandy Ross, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic This wonderfully written poetry book is a great resource for any key stage one classroom. Each short poem refers to a different type on animal, from slugs to sloths. In fact, almost every type imaginable is referred to. |
| As the title suggests, each poem tells the story of sleepy heads rising for a new and exciting day. These are ideal to incorporate into morning registration. The book is beautifully illustrated with colourful drawings which complement the humorous poems. They are perfect for reading aloud as part of a literacy lesson, or purely for enjoyment. BA (Ed) English Specialist, Durham University for 5 to 7 Educator February 2005 Full of songs for animals of all kinds to help them greet the new day. Fun rhymes to sing with your little ones every morning, illustrated with cute pictures. The Green Parent Dec/Jan 05 ____________________________________________________ |
|
 |
Twenty-Four Robbers Audrey Wood NOT last night, but the night before twenty-four robbers came a knocking at my door Can you remember any more of this playground rhyme? We couldn't but Audrey Wood supplies the rest of the verse, with vivid illustrations, lots of hot peppers and an ending that shows that sharing is better then stealing; as the robbers turn out to be not quite the baddies they at first appear. |
Not last night, but the night before
Twenty-four robbers came a-knocking at my door.' Twenty-Four Robbers is a hilarious and quirky book. Based on a traditional skipping rhyme, the band of bold robbers return to the same house again and again. The patient and bemused women of the house gives them what they want H-O-T
Hot Peppers'. With each return trip the robbers' expressions turn from bold, to cheeky and even flirtatious. The exasperated woman is rewarded for her kindness and generosity and the twenty-four robbers learn a valuable lesson: sharing is better than stealing. Each double-page spread captures the robbers' mischief and uproar. The lively illustrations and rhyming text encourage counting and discussion. Audrey Wood's bright-animated illustrations would make a wonderful cartoon. I would recommend this book for all ages as the twenty-four robber's expressions and antics would make everyone laugh. The night before, and the next day, and the morning before and the next hour the clever maid continually pleases the twenty-four robbers and shows the advantages of sharing in a beautifully simple book by Audrey Wood with 24 robbers to be counted on each double page. The catchy rhythm and rhyme of this book give it an exciting pace, making it perfect for reading aloud with children. The repetition and segmenting of key words also makes it ideal for beginner readers. Each page is filled with bold, colourful and detailed illustrations depicting the rhyme as it moves along. Get children to join in with this story and count the twenty-four robbers, which appear on every page. and irreverent illustrations. Parents won't mind reading this book again and again at bedtime because of the hilarious twist in the tale and the catchy rhythm. The Green Parent Dec/Jan 05 _____________________________________________________ |
|
 |
Animal Lullabies Mandy Ross, illustrated by Kriztina Kallai Nagy |
The artwork is beautiful and captures the quality of the words.The CD narrates the book and adds a lovely ambient soundtrack. Each animal lullaby is given a whole host of sounds, accents and voices, which create a loving and restful atmosphere that perfectly complements the book. We already own a couple of books from Child's Play' and the quality and spirit of them will inspire us to purchase more.
|
|
| What I Like! Poems for the Very Young Gervase Phinn, illustrated by Jane Eccles A book of poems that are not deemed by my reviewer to match the title. I don't think they're for very young children. I think it's good. The poems are quite exciting.' The Lucky Four-Leaf Clover made my reviewer giggle. When bending down to pick clover, father is butted by a goat and ends up falling flat on his face. |
 |
Little Miss Mabel drew the response, The picture of the snake who swallowed her plate is funny, and I like it because the boy is watching at the door.' I hadn't particularly noticed the boy, but now saw him clasping his hand over his mouth as he beholds the strangest of sights. I observed my reviewer taking a few seconds to study the picture for the inappropriately-named poem One to Ten. The person who did the pictures actually counted the number of foxes there are 34 of them look, 34 foxes in a den.' This is a delightful, witty book of verse written by a master. It introduces children to the world of poetry and the enjoyment of words and continues along the well worn tracks of some familiar nursery rhymes The Grand Old Duke of Kent or Mary, Mary Quite Contrary until you or the child are suddenly brought up short by the surprise of a suddenly anarchically different last line. Would a child be upset by this or just enjoy the difference? The poems are about what is closest to a young child's heart: animals, food, activities and most of all fun. The book is clearly and attractively illustrated by Jane Eccles. It is an excellent supporting text for the Foundation Stage and KS1 in England and Wales, and for the Early Intervention Schemes in Scotland aimed at raising literacy and numeracy in the first two years of the primary school. www.cbuk.info Poetry can be an exciting and stimulating way to develop children's language and literacy skills, and now there is a new collection of poems for the Foundation Stage. What I Like! from children's poet, Gervase Phinn, features over 25 original verses about food, family, nursery and animals, as well as counting rhymes, nonsense verse and finger games. Nursery Education April 2005 The irrepressible Gervase Phinn has bought out another brightly illustrated fun poetry book for Foundation Stage and KS1 (or 2). Included are some new takes on nursery rhymes Mary , Mary, quite contrary,/How does your garden grow?/I suggest you read a gardening book,/and then you'll get to know! This sparkling collection includes poems about food, family, schools and animals, with counting rhymes, nonsense verses, finger games and some unusual treatments of familiar nursery rhymes. This is an excellent text for both Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, and an ideal introduction to poetry. |
| Our Cat Cuddles Gervase Phinn , illustrated by Amanda Montgomery-Higham Here is a book which gives children a feeling for words and sounds, a joy for teachers and parents to read out loud, which uses a very ordinary, everyday kind of story to develop a very extraordinary use of language, ordinary language turned into poetry. |
 |
This is a picture book written by a children's storyteller who is a master at conjuring up pictures in the children's minds and holding their attention just by the use of sounds.How many descriptions of a cat can there be? Read this story aloud it's a book to be shared and you'll be amazed. And there's a twist in the tale at the end, to keep the children guessing. |
|
Flip-Up Fairy-Tales illustrated by Richard Johnson/ |
 |
The Three Little Pigs Illustrated by Richard Johnson Perhaps you can never have too many versions of favourite traditional tales. This one sticks more or less to the original storyline but has the added interest of quirky, amusing illustrations with flaps to open on every page. The compact size and robust construction make it ideal of those already |
|
conversant in the story to use for their own retelling. A good, plain text but be warned the wolf ends up in boiling water! Carousel, Issue 29 Spring 2005 The Three Little Pigs was a very good book.I thought it was well written and the pictures were very good too. www.forparentsbyparents.co.uk Autumn 2004 _____________________________________________________________ |
|
 |
The Tooth Fairy Audrey Wood Can you fool the Tooth Fairy? Jessica is jealous when her brother loses a tooth and she tries a con job with a piece of corn. Her trick is uncovered at the Tooth Fairy's palace and she suffers the wrath of the robot tooth cleaners, who want to throw her in jail. Jessica's dream has turned into a nightmare, but like all fairy stories, it does have a happy ending. This has its scary moments, although it is at least comforting to know in this world of uncertainty, that the Tooth Fairy really does exist and furthermore, she's not to be fooled. Cork Evening Echo Autumn 2004 |
| ______________________________________________________ | |
This traditional Afro-Caribbean tale about a monkey tricking a crocodile into helping it cross the river is well dramatized by Fusek Peters in his retelling. The illustrations are bright and emotive. Particularly well judged, in the matching of text and illustration, is the sequence in which Crocodile entices Ameerah the monkey to sit closer and closer to his mouth. |
 |
The Tiger and the Wise Man Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Diana Mayo This is from a series of traditional tales with a twist. A wise man is tricked by a tiger and thinks he will be eaten, especially as all the animals which he has asked to help are against him. |
| How will he escape from the tiger's jaws, and how does the jackal outwit the wily tiger and capture the wise man for his own dinner? Does the wise man manage to escape for a second time? Read on and find out. The text is in large print for small children and the illustrations by Diana Mayo are brilliantly coloured and delightful, often covering a double page. Look at the tiger's varying expressions, they are fascinating. This is for young readers of KS1 or those who like being read to. A good dramatic story. School Librarian, Volume 52, Number 4 Winter 2004 The Tiger and the Wise Man, by Andrew Fusek Peters, is a traditional Indian tale, illustrated by Diana Mayo. Her pictures are as bold and sharp as the tiger's tooth, in colours as hot as his breath. The story concerns a tiger that catches a wise man. Should he eat his captive? Anthropomorphic animals and a tree give their opinions on the way humans treat the natural world. This topic could run and run with Year 2 groups. |
|
| What's the Matter, Royston Knapper? by Gervase Phinn A most enjoyable read! Carousel - The Guide to Children's Books, Christmas 2001 Our teacher has just finished reading one of your tremendous stories to us. It was a story about Royston Knapper called 'The Ghost of Gritstone Grange'. We all thought the story was great… |
 |
We think your other books are going to be super,just like the one we have read. Gervase Phinn…brings to (What's the Matter, Royston Knapper?) a larger |