Three Picture Books that Children Will Love

In this post I focus on just three picture books. Two are from Canada and the other from New Zealand. After just returning from New Zealand and seeing Kiwis darting across paths in front of me, I just had to review this one. The other two lovely books are from a small publisher in Canada (Tielmour Press Books). Great read aloud books in class or at home, or first books for children 4-6 to read themselves.

1. 'Little Kiwi' 

This Penguin picture book is timeless, children across the generations will love it! If you've seen a Kiwi and also a Kiwi egg, you will quickly say, "Wow! How did it lay that egg?" I've just returned from New Zealand and saw many of these cute little birds scurrying around, dashing across roads, and hiding in tall grass. They lay very BIG eggs. The cover is accurate the egg is about the size of the adult female.

Now mother's everywhere will be saying, if only I could turn over my babies while I ducked out! Imagine when a young Kiwi is asked by its Mum to sit on the egg and look after it. Worse still, what if it began to crack while Mum was gone, and the baby takes off?! This is a very funny little picture book that children aged 3 to 6 will just love. A wonderful text and delightful photos by Bob Darroch.

'Little Kiwi' is published by Tielmour Press (Canada) 

2. 'When The Sea LEFT'

This is a lovely picture book with an important and message. Do we take care of our oceans? Or do we at times use it as them as dumping grounds for all manner of junk and dangerous substances like oil, old bottles and cans.

Well, in this story book, one day the ocean fights back! A great mound of mud and slush rises from the sea and a young boy who has thrown a bottle into the sea, gets a BIG surprise. The great muddy blob turns out to be an Octopus who has had enough! The boy named Felix mumbles, "I'm not the only one. It's a bit of garbage, what's the worst that it can do?" Felix repeats his offence, each time saying it's only one bag, and he flings it overboard. Once again the sea rumbles and a pair of eyes appear. He shouts, "you've one last chance". "Be careful what you do or I will take the sea away from you." The great mound tried to save it, but it was too late, and "the sea was no more". Will Felix see the error of his ways, and try to do something about this? You'll need to read the book to find out.

This is a wonderful picture book to use with children aged 4-7 years. Once again, it is published by Tielmour Press (Canada)

3. 'Drop Bear'   

This delightful picture book has been written and illustrated by Phillip Bunting. His work has been published in 35 countries,

Philip is an author and illustrator, whose picture books deliberately encourage the reader to playfully poke around at the edges of their understanding. Philip's books have been published in over 35 countries around the world, and in almost as many languages. 

He has had multiple awards from the Australian Children’s Book Council, and has also made the list for the Kate Greenaway Medal, and represented Australia at the IBBY Awards. 

As well, he was awarded the inaugural State Library of NSW Russell Prize for Humour Writing. He grew up in England’s Lake District, just down the road from Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s place. 

He followed his heart to Australia in his early 20s, and now lives with his young family on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Philip grew up in England’s Lake District, "just down the road from Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s place". He followed his heart to Australia in his early 20s, and now lives with his young family on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.