Three Exciting Books for Children Aged 4-12 Years

Walker Books have published many fine books. You won't be disappointed by this lovely collection.

1. 'Going Home' Written & Illustrated by Simon Howe

Two mice head off one morning with no real agenda. They just wanted to see what they might see. They see many things along the way, and Father can't always tell his little one what they all are, and junior is full of questions.

They come across a beautiful blue beetle, and a swarm of yellow bees hovering over a field of Dandelions. Hot air balloons hovering over them and a line of snails moving ever so slowly. And they enjoy a quiet look over a stone bridge while dropping in a stick to watch it float.

They finally head home by walking along the top of an old stone wall. They need to balance with arms held wide.

Such busy and tiring work and when they spy an ice cream cart. They sit down enjoy their vanilla scones when a large butterfly comes down to have a peek. They enjoy some time on swings, watch a line of ants, admire white birds flapping around them. A final moment to blow on a dandelion and watch its feathers rise, then home after a wonderful day.

I love this book and children aged 4-6 will too. The story is engaging, the illustrations are simply stunning. Even the cover sets high standards with flashes of colour and even some flashes og gold. This is a masterpiece from Simon Howe.

2. 'Tiny' Written & Illustrated by Laura Stitzel

This is the story of 'Tiny' who often feels, well tiny! This is especially the case when travelling on buses she is surrounded by 'knees'! She longs for the day when she will be "finally grown". As she ponders these things she sees somebody smaller than her, a mouse. She thinks to herself I wonder what it would be like to be smaller. And lo and behold she begins to shrink. At first this is so exciting, but over time she learns that they terrors to avoid like larger creatures, marching ants. As well, after rain there would be water flowing everywhere. Could she shrink even smaller!?

This opens a whole new world for her. Imagine being able to stand beside a mouse who is just as tall? She could sit and chat to sparrows and finches. For a snack, just one berry would do!

But where would she go to get out of the rain? Then again, she would be washed along past beetles and perhaps splash into the world of fish twisting and swirling around her.

She could sleep in flowers on soft pollen. But then there would be bees. And just then she "opens her eyes to a happy surprise", she is just the right size. Tiny decides that being 'small' at home is not bad at all. In fact she will stay as "perfect sized me".

3. 'Freddie Jones. The Mystery of the Troublesome Trees' by Kate Foster. Cover Illustrations by Jake A. Minton. Cover & internal illustrations by Sarah Mitchell.

From the opening page of this 'who dun it' book, there is mystery and intrigue. Freddie is to have his first experience of flying and he's off to stay with his family, his Grandma and his dog 'Hobnob' for a holiday in the Daintree Rainforest. This is his first special holiday and he is very excited. 

Freddie is looking forward to see a special holiday together as an extended family, and to seeing the wonder of the Daintree Forested. Almost from the beginning, they experience things that seem hard to explain. There are strange noises and lights in the evening and there is also something strange about the trees. This will be a holiday that will have special memories and experiences.

While the book has 245 pages, good readers aged 9-12 will enjoy it and find it to be a 'page turner'.