1. 'Tomato Sandwich' by Caroline Magerl
Now here is a book for children with great imaginations. I know one or two children with imaginations that can take them to places, situations and adventures that only adults could dream off. This wordless book is intriguing. At first glance I thought "what?!' Then I spent time slowly flipping the pages and discovered how this is a story, about an imaginative young girl named Ottily. And how her puppy managed to take an old man, trying to get his vacuuming done, on a day he would never forget!
Caroline Magerl was born in Frankfurt Germany, but came to Australia when aged 2 (so we're claiming her as our's)! She lived on her families yacht until she was 14. In 2001 she won the Children' Book Council of Australia Crighton Award for new talent in children's book illustration for 'Maya and Cat'. Her book 'Nop' was awarded a CBCA Honour book, and her latest book 'Piano Fingers' was awarded as a 'Notable Book'.
2. 'One Day', by Shirley Marr and illustrated by Michael Speechley.
The first thing you will notice when you open this book, is that each 'page', covers two pages! Rather than opening it from right to left, you turn it on it's 'side' and flip the second page downwards and the 'page' becomes the size of some newspapers. The book tells the story of how a dragonfly, inspired by the words and threat of a frog, that a firefly will live at most for one day.
The cover blurb for this stunning book suggests that the creators have come up with a book that "inspires us to look at things differently, to live life to the fullest and seize the day, every day. "For the world out there will eat you up," says a menacing frog waiting to catch it's breakfast. And as she flys away from him, a young girl spies Dragonfly and wonders how to celebrate her one and only birthday.
This is a beautiful and book with a simple message that we might all note. Life is for living, so get on with it.
3. "Grandmas in Grand Cars" written & Illustrated by Mick Elliott
What grandchild wouldn't want a Grandma in a grand car? And what car might she have? How about your Grandma in a 'Beetle'? Or perhaps a 'Buggy' open to the sky? Or maybe a 'Rally' car and mud to splash through? Or a 'Rocket car'? Now we're talking. But for novelty, a 'Sausage Car' would be hard to beat! Or a 'Puppy' car? But the grandest car of all would be one we've made ourselves.
This is a book that your toddlers will want read again, and again, and again!
The author and illustrator is Mick Elliott is a children's television producer, scriptwriter and animator. Since 2001 he has worked for Nickelodeon Australia overseeing award-winning series for children.
4. 'The Terrakeet', Written by Jo Van Der Borgh & illustrated by Jo Beasley
"In the shade of the gobi trees on the edge of Pincer Sea,
live a family of Finlocks as peaceful as can be."
They spend their days just lomfing, or fishing fronds to cook."
Now here is a memorable lead for a picture book. Such an image of peace and solitude, now what could go wrong. There are 'fish fronds to cook'. Hang on, "fish fronds"?! So much to do and peace and tranquility in abundance. What could disturb this peace? Well, just maybe a "Frimbulitic Terrakeet!"
They've never seen this beast, "but it's said to be here". One day the youngest Finlock thought he might just "take a walk in all directions" to find other things to eat. What happens next? I'll leave you to buy this wonderful picture book and find out.
5. 'Hair Brain: Saves the Ocean' by Danny Katz & Mitch Vane
This very funny short 90 page book is suitable for the age group 8-12 or older in the case of poor readers. It is illustrated on every page with hillarious images. Danny's text is slightly tongue in cheek and is complemented beautifully by Mich Vane's equally funny illustrations.
'Hairbrain' (not her real name) modestly sets out to clean up all pollution to "save the world". A modest goal to be sure! She has lots of ideas, in fact 10,782 (approximately). For example, to get kids to drink healthy water, why not "stick a lemon on the end of bubblers so when kids drink water, it tastes like lemon flavour". She gives herself 10 out of 10 for this idea. Or perhaps, get rid of pollution by getting a "massive pump that goes over the chimneys of the big factories so all the smoke gets sucked through a massively MASSIVE tube to another country far away like Finland".
Hairbrain has everything covered, for example, water pollution could be solved by her riding her bike through the water to clean up the rubbish. For the doubters she has a plan for an "ECO-Hydro-Turbo-propello Techno-Floato Ant-pollutionary cleaning craft.
How about that? She has 'everything' covered!
"Hippos are famous for fighting and biting. But Kuno the hippo is unique. He refuses to fight even though he always gets teased.
'The
Hippo Who Hated To Fight' is the sweet, fun, inspiring story of a hippo
brave enough to be himself. Kuno leaves his family and friends to
search for the love, kindness, and acceptance he is missing.
Colourful
and creatively illustrated and written for kids aged 4-9, it teaches
them fun facts about hippos and elephants, and that it's cool to be
a different-you, everyone just need to find your herd."
This is the story of 'The Hippo Who Hated To Fight'. Kuno felt he needed to be above 'animal' behaviour. His four brothers were of course keen to toss their weight around if they had to. And they teased him for being different. Kuno was upset and felt unloved.
Kuno had no desire to bite and fight, and yet, this was very common hippo behavior. Kuno was teased mercilessly by his four older brothers. He was sad, alone and felt like no-one liked him.
So he left his family to “figure things out.” By chance, he was to meet Zema a 12,000 pound elephant! And they help one another to understand how amazing both these new friends are.
This would be a great book to share with children aged 5-8 who might have had the same experience as Kuno. It might just help them to be kinder to each other, and appreciate their fellow students for the things they are, not the differences they see.
