Review: Stuck in the Mud

Stuck in the Mud

Written by Jane Clarke

Illustrated by Garry Parsons

Publication date: 2007
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 978-0-141-50007-2

Summary/Back cover:
Early in the morning, down on the farm,
a new day was dawning, peaceful and calm...
... until Hen discovers that one of her chicks is stuck in the mud!
How many animals will it take to pull Chick out of the mud?

Review:
This book reminds me of the old song, There Was an Old Woman who Swallowed a Fly, who ends up swallowing animal after animal, each getting bigger than the previous.  The same thing happens here, as different animals try to help pull Chick out of the mud - my 2.5 year old enjoyed guessing (or remembering, as the case became!) which animal was going to appear next.

Written in a rhyming style and with gorgeous illustrations of, frankly, quite distressed looking animals, this is a story that's been read many times in our household.

My rating: 4 out of 5.


Review written by Bronwyn

Review: The Newt in the Suit

The Newt in the Suit

Written by Margaret Chamberlain

Illustrated by Andrew Weale

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0-340-98867-1

Summary/Back cover:
There are cockatoos in high-heeled shoes, pigs in wigs, buzzing bees wearing dungarees, and a newt in a suit! But why are all the animals dressed up in their very best clothes? Count from one to ten and join in the birthday party fun!

Review:
This counting book appeals to my 3 year old hugely! There's nothing particularly outstanding about it from a parent's point of view, but the increasingly strangely dressed animals, along with the counting (and recognising numerals) aspect holds preschoolers attention very well.

The illustrations are clear and bright, and surprisingly uncluttered, given that you end up with 55 animals on the second-to-last page (all the animals from one to ten).

A good counting book, with a bit of nonsense thrown in for good measure.

My rating: 3.8 out of 5

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss

Publication Date: 1960
Publisher: Beginner Books
ISBN-13: 978-0394800134

This is less a narrative and more a collection of rhymes about random nonsensical things. Have you ever sung in the shower with a Ying? Or given a Zed a haircut? Or ridden on the hump of a Wump? Do you have no idea what I’m talking about? You’ll have to read this book to find out.

Like the other Dr. Seuss books this one is a lot of fun to read and a lot of fun to listen to.

In spite of the crazy rhymes and wild images, the book ends with a sleeping Zeep, making it a not completely inappropriate book for reading to the kids at bed-time.

My rating: 4 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat

Written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss

Publication Date: 1957
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 0-394-90001-4

According to the quick search I did on Wikipedia, this story was written in response to a challenge to write a book for children using a limited number of words considered important for children starting school to be familiar with.
Obviously, this is a classic that we remember from our own childhoods, and with good reason. The rhyming is engaging, the story is fantastical (a weird-looking cat wearing an oversized hat who just shows up on the doorstep and wrecks havoc!), and there’s enough suspense to keep us all interested to the last word.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss

Publication Date: 1990 (originally published in 1957)
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN-13: 978-0-00-786026-5

Summary/back cover:
From bang-ups and hang-ups to lurches and slumps, Dr. Seuss takes a hilarious look at the mishaps and misadventures that life may have in store for us.

Review:
Okay, if I could take a moment to amend an earlier review, this book is the one you should be sure to give your kids when they leave home. I wish it had been given to me as a burgeoning adult. It’s fantastic for putting life’s ups and downs into perspective and filling the reader with a strong sense of self:

“Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.”

This story is as beneficial to us parents as it is to our kids. In fact, it’s possible I enjoy reading this story more than my two year olds enjoy listening to it. I think some of the illustrations weird my kids out a bit! I do feel this story is a bit more grown-up than some of the others by Dr. Seuss (ie. The Cat in the Hat). It is a yellow back book, which in the Dr. Seuss collection is considered to be ideal for those children who can already read fluently.

A classic Dr. Seuss story that deserves to be included in your children’s book collection, next to Green Eggs and Ham, and The Cat in the Hat.

My rating: 4.8 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Pants

Pants

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Publication date: 2002

Publisher: David Fickling Books

ISBN: 978-0-385-61039-1

Summary/Back cover:

Before you know it, this book will have you singing and dancing and waving your knickers in the air! It’s a celebration of PANTS – for everyone who wears them… and everyone who doesn’t!

Review:

Both my 2.5 year old and my 10 month old adore this book!  Being another Giles Andreae book, I was immediately drawn to it, and although it has his Purple Ronnie style humour in it, the style of writing is more like Dr Seuss’ Foot Book – example: 

Small pants, big pants, giant frilly pig pants

New pants, blue pants, one, two, three

Rich pants, poor pants, swinging on the door pants

How many more pants can you see?

- Pants, by Giles Andreae

Small feet, big feet, Here come pig feet.

His feet, her feet, Fuzzy fur feet

In the house and on the street,

how many, many feet you meet.

- The Foot Book, by Dr Seuss

This doesn't detract from the book at all - it just keeps making me think we're reading Dr Seuss, rather than Andreae!  This particular version of the book we have is a cardboard book, so my 2.5 year old has taken it to bed with him on several evening, and it’s lasted the test of time!  Gorgeous pictures, funny due to the content (underwear!), and great rhymes.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Morris the Mankiest Moster

Morris the Mankiest Monster

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre

Publication date: 2009
Publisher: David Fickling Books
ISBN: 978-0-385-61511-2

Summary/Back cover:

It’s years since he changed his t-shirt

It’s crusty and crawling with ants  

His shoes are all slurpy and squelchy inside

and potatoes grow out of his pants.

Morris is sweet, charming and… completely disgusting! Kids will love him. Are you brave enough to open the most revolting children’s book of the year?

Review:

The back cover says it all, really - this is a completely disgusting book, that we all absolutely adored!!  It's a definite boys' book, and it captured my 2.5 year old's imagination, and had my husband laughing out loud!

With Giles Andreae's familiar rhyming storyline and beautiful illustrations by Sarah McIntyre (I haven't met any of her drawings before - will have to hunt out more now), this book is a guaranteed winner with boys.  I can imagine this one being popular with kindy and early-school aged boys - you know, those ones that take a slug to show-and-tell, and come home covered in mud.  

My rating: 4.3 out of 5 - it's everything the back cover promised it to be!

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: The Magic Faraway Tree

The Magic Faraway Tree

Written and Illustrated by Enid Blyton

Publication date: 2002 (first published 1943)
Publisher: Egmont Books
ISBN: 978-0-7497-4801-2


Summary/Back cover:
Jo, Bessie and Fanny take their cousin Rick on an adventure he'll never forget to the magic Faraway Tree, where he meets Moon-Face, Silky the fairy and Saucepan Man, and visits all the different lands at the top of the Faraway Tree. Like the Land of Spells, the crazy Land of Topsy-Turvy, and the land of Do-As-You-Please, where the children ride a runaway train!


Review:
This is a great book, was mine when I was a child so a bit of an old one but still a good one. There are friends who have a magic tree in the woods by their house, there are strange people living in the tree but even more amazing is the lands above the cloud at the top of the tree. Who knows how long they will stay or what the next one will be?

I try and read this one to the kids, Dylan loves it as he gets to make up his own lands and people ... tiggers bouncing on pink marshmallow clouds was a favourite! and use his imagination to see what else he can think of next.


Review written by Michelle

Review: Bums

Bums

Written by David Bedford

Illustrated by Leonie Worthington

Publication date: 2008
Publisher: Little Hare Books
ISBN: 978-1-9212-7234-9


Summary/Back cover:
Bums uses flaps to hilarious effect—Leopard has a spotty bum! Monkey has a bright red bum!


Review:
A fold out the flap book about the different types of bums that animals have, a definite favourite in this house!


Review written by Laugan

Review: Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs

Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs

Written by Giles Andreae

Illustrated by Russell Ayto

Publication Date: 2005

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

ISBN-13: 978-0-140-56921-6

Summary/back cover:

When Flinn discovers a pirate hiding in a cupboard, it’s all aboard, me hearties, for a real live pirate adventure! But there are some mean baddies on the loose…

Will fearless Flinn be able to captain the ship and defeat the Pirate Dinosaurs?

This is a great tale of a boy and his friends who stumble across a pirate in the school stationary room and begin the adventure of a lifetime fighting dinosaur pirates.

If you are familiar with Giles Andreae’s other books this story isn’t told in rhyme but it does flow beautifully with lots of opportunities to “ROAR!” and “Yo ho ho!”

Although I’m not usually one for limiting a book’s audience I would say this one would suit a slightly older audience than my 23 month-old boys, who didn’t have the patience for all the words I had to read before the next page got turned. The illustrations are also more edgy and less cute and cuddly than some other children’s books.

All up a swash-buckling adventure probably best read to the 5+ age group, with obvious appeal for children who love pirates and/or dinosaurs.

My rating:  4 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: The Tiger Who Came to Tea

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Written and illustrated by Judith Kerr

Publication Date: 2006 (first published in 1968)

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0-00-721600-9

Summary/back cover:

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

This book is so familiar that it must have been told to me as a child. Given that it was first published in 1968 it is standing the tests of time by still being in print, today.

The story is a delight to read and will keep your young ones intrigued. Especially if they love tigers just like one of my sons does.

I’m not sure if the tiger is meant to be real or imaginary, though. I didn’t know as a kid and I still don’t know, now. I think it’s open to interpretation.

Keep in mind that the story and illustrations reflect the era in which it was first published, so if you’re a strong feminist you might find moments such as this one a bit difficult to take:

‘Sophie’s mummy said, “I don’t know what to do. I’ve got nothing for Daddy’s supper…”’

That aside, I think this book is great and recommend it for every child’s book collection.

My rating:  4.8 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Down the Back of the Chair

Down the Back of the Chair

Written by Margaret Mahy

Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Publication Date: 2006

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

ISBN: 976-1-84507-602-3

Summary/back cover:

When Dad loses his keys, toddler Mary suspects they are down the back of the chair. Join in the fun as the family search and find everything from a bandicoot and a bumble bee to a string of pearls and a lion with curls. But will it be enough to save the family from rack and ruin?

A sparkling verse story by Margaret Mahy, winner of the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

Let’s face it - Mahy is an icon of children’s literature, both in New Zealand and internationally, and with good reason. She writes great stories that children and adults adore. Down the Back of the Chair is no exception. The rhymes are clever, and the story is far-fetched and delightful. The illustrations by Polly Dunbar are bold and fantastic.

As a mother of twins, I was most pleased to find that twins featured in the story, in fact, Mahy’s dedication at the beginning is “To those twin rascals Julia and Biddy… I have often tried to find you down the back of the chair”.

To give you a taste of the story, here is my favourite passage:

“Oh, it seemed to grin as his hand went in

He felt tingling under his skin.

What will a troubled father win

From down the back of the chair?”

My rating:  4.5 out of 5

Review written by team_s

Review: Unfortunately

Unfortunately

Written by Alan Durant

Illustrated by Simon Rickerty

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Orchard Books
ISBN: 978-1-40831-125-7

Summary:
When you are walking through the jungle, almost anything can happen. Unfortunately, sometimes it's bad, but fortunately sometimes it's good ...Young children will love this funny and original story full of different twists and turns with a fabulously unexpected ending! Written by an award-winning author, the story is brought to vivid and vibrant life by an exciting new illustrator.

Review:
My 2.5 year old son loved this book!  Written in the style of 'fortunately, unfortunately, fortunately, unfortunately', the story gets stranger and more weird as each page is turned, and it had my son laughing out loud, wondering what the next bad thing was that was going to happen.

The first pages of the book start the 'unfortunately' journey:
One bright, sunny day, a boy was walking happily through the jungle, whistling.
Unfortunately, he met a big, scary lion with very sharp teeth.
The lion ROARED and leapt at the boy.
Fortunately, the boy quickly climbed up a tree to escape.
"Can't catch me!"
Unfortunately...

As a direct result of this book, my son has now learnt the use of the word 'unfortunately', and I now get conversations like "Unfortunately, I didn't have a nap.  Fortunately, it's time to go to the playground now!" - is this a good thing or a bad thing, I'm undecided yet!!

However, I thoroughly recommend this book - it's hilarious, and the illustrations are gorgeous.  If you're interested in purchasing this title, you can pick up a copy from here.

My rating: 4.8 out of 5


Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Mess Monsters

Mess Monsters

Written by Beth Shoshan

Illustrated by Piers Harper

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Meadowside Children's Books

ISBN: 978-1-84539-238-3

Summary/Back cover:

There are Mess Monsters under the bed!  When they're out, they'll smash, they'll crash, bang and clang, stamp and stomp!  Most of all they'll make a mess.  But the Mess Monsters haven't met Mummy yet...

Who doesn't love a cautionary tale about monsters who love messy rooms, hate clean ones and are scared of your mother?

The text has most of the descriptive words and onomatopoeia in larger, bolder text for extra emphasis.  Another great rhyming scheme and super cute illustrations.  Oddly, the author of the text was not displayed on the front cover, only the illustrator. 

A fun read - 4/5 

Review written by QTCass

Review: The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

Written by Mike Reiss

Illustrated by David Catrow

Publication date: 2003

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

ISBN: 0-8431-0271-3

Summary/Back cover:

Eight-year-old Benjy, who resembles Abraham Lincoln, is tired of being teased and always being Lincoln in the school play, but a special camp helps him to appreciate his appearance.

Benjy looks like Abe Lincoln, has done so since birth, His plans for the summer are to stay in his room in the dark, but his parents send him to Camp What-Cha-Ma-Call-It, a camp for kids who like like things.  Here Benjy meets other kids like him, ones who look like random things such as a bowling ball, a box of tissues, a toaster - even one who looks like the back of a horse! (who by the end of the summer, becomes friends with a girl who looks like the head of a horse : ) )  It is here that Benjy learns to appreciate who he is and when he returns to school, gives him the courage to stand up to the bullies.

Another humorous book, reviews have seen it be criticised for the humour being too adult related.  I have no issues with this as a lot of my favourite books for my kids are the ones that have that underlying humour in there for the parents; think Shrek.  The illustrations are great and the uplifting message of the story is a good one for older children.  This is an American book though, with American subject matter.  It alludes to historical facts about Lincoln and in the end we learn of Benjy's brother Dickie who looks like Richard Nixon, complete with a tape recorder and holding up the peace sign.  This will be of no concern to the littlies as the story and pictures are funny enough for them to pick up.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms?

Why do dogs sniff bottoms?

Written by Dawn McMillan and Bert Signal

Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird

Publication date: 2008

Publisher: Penguin Group (NZ)

ISBN: 978-0-14-350288-3

Summary/Back cover

Dawn McMillan and Bert Signal provide an answer to that age-old question - why exactly do dogs sniff bottoms?

Hilarious!  The inside cover tells us how the story is based on a few lines of an old 1930s rugby song as remembered by one of the authors, Bert Signal.  It also says how that song was probably unsuitable for children.  Unfortunately, Bert did not live to see the book published. 

This kiwi book opens with the titular question and "why the embarrassing disgrace with no regard for time or place?".  We learn that a long time ago all dogs attended a canine concert, but due to the formal dress, the bouncer on the door wouldn't let any bottoms in, so they had to leave their bottoms, with their tails, at the door.  They are all enjoying the show, when someone yells "Fire!" which creates a mad panic and saw all the dogs grab whatever bottom was to hand.  Since then they have continued to search for their own by sniffing at everyone elses.

I love humourous books, and this one fits the bill perfectly.  It has a great rhyming scheme and funny illustrations so it's one that will be enjoyed by both parent and child. 

5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: There Is a Bird on Your Head!

There Is a Bird on Your Head!

Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems

Publication date: 2007
Publisher: Hyperion Books
ISBN: 978-1-4063-1470-0

Summary/Back cover:

Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.

Gerald and Piggie are best friends.

In There Is a Bird On My Head!, Gerald discovers that there is something worse than a bird on your head—two birds on your head!  Can Piggie help her best friend?

Review:
We found this book in the library among the 'emergent reader' titles, and it's just fantastic!  The words are all small enough for a beginner reader to know, and predictable enough for my 2 year old to say the next line, based on the pictures.

I love that it is so simple, but very humerous.  The facial expressions on Elephant and Piggie throughout the book are priceless, and make reading the book, which is written in speech bubbles, a lot of fun.

I can see this series of books being popular with my son when he becomes a reader - and I don't think I'll tire of them any time soon, either!

My rating: 4.8 out of 5.

Other books available in the Elephant and Piggie series:
I Am Invited to a Party!
Today I Will Fly!
My Friend is Sad

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig

Written by Diana Neild

Illustrated by Philip Webb

Publication date: 2008

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited

ISBN: 978-1-86943-874-6

Summary/Back cover:

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig

was a long sort of name for a short sort of pig

Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig lives with his parents and eight siblings, all of whom have ordinary names of ordinary length.  He doesn't like being different - until Dad explains just how special Piggity-Wiggity really is.

I've already rambled on about my love of Kiwi kid's authors, so this fits the bill perfectly.  And has the added benefit of being set in Wellington! (Karori specifically)

Rich, flowing rhyming scheme, gorgeous illustrations and the heartfelt message combine for a feel-good story.  This is also the first in a series of Piggity-Wiggity books, so if you enjoy them as much as we do, you can go onto get more.  A better read for older kiddies, but the longer length is a perfect bedtime read for our littlies as the rhyming pattern and pictures will hold their interest.

5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Ducks Don't Wear Socks

Ducks Don't Wear Socks

Written by John Nedwidek

Illustrated by Lee White

Publication date: 2008

Publisher: Viking Juvenile
ISBN: 978-0670061365

Summary/Back cover:

Emily is a serious girl. Duck is definitely not serious. Emily thinks a duck wearing socks is no laughing matter. She tries to explain this to duck in a serious manner, but he just won’t listen! Can Emily get duck to realize that ducks don’t wear socks (or ties, for that matter), or will Duck change Emily’s serious ways?

I borrowed this book from the library, soley because of the title. Ducks and socks are two of my son's favourite things at the moment so I thought he'd enjoy this one. It tells the story of Emily, a very serious little girl, and her encounters with Duck, who is not serious at all. Duck runs around wearing ties and socks (hence the title) and serious Emily thinks this is all very strange. Gradually, bit by bit, Emily loses her seriousness and starts to embrace the fun things in life with Duck's influence.

Very cute book, and I love the illustrations.

4 out of 5

Review written by Carrie

Review: I Udderly Love You

I Udderly Love You

by Kate Toms

Publication date: 2009
Publisher: Ice Water Press

ISBN: 978-1-92171-821-2

Summary/Back cover:

"I love you so much that I think I may burst!"

A reassuring story about unconditional love, told with a bit of whimsy and illustrated with delightful characters.  You'll find the message utterly moo-ving!

As the name implies, this story has the cute gimmick of being told from the first person perspective, with that first person being a cow.  Where possible, words have been "cow-ified"; moo-sic, moo-vement, moo-dy. And combined with a rhyming text result in a playful and fun story. 

The illustrations are sewn-felt collage and are so gorgeous it never fails to make me rue the fact that I can't sew and won't be able create something similar for a child's quilt.  I'm a bit of a sucker for this style of illustration and am always on the lookout to add to the few that we have.

Nice quick, amusing read along with the lovely illustrations have this on high rotation in our household.

4.5/5

Review written by QTCass