Book Reviews

By Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
One of the classic picture books and a must-have for a toddlers bookshelf. It's effortlessly rhyming text and beautiful illustrations tell the story of how Gerald the Giraffe learns to dance despite being laughed at by all the other African animals...we can do anything if we really want to!

By Sharon Rentta
This is a book that little J picked up from the library because like so many little boys he LOVES firefighters. But this is a firefighting book with a difference! With its witty text we found ourselves laughing out loud, and yet it is full of accurate detail. I highly recommend this book and because of the fantastic illustrations even the younger firefighters (18 months - 6 years) might enjoy it. ! I will be looking out for more books from this author. Have you read any of Sharon Rentta's other books?

By Eva Katzler and Jess Mikhail
I fell in love with this book when someone on my course introduced me to its delights. Florentine and Pig has such a exciting use of language, with rhyme and alliteration galore. It's a book that you will not tire of reading again and again to your little ones. The characters are busy preparing for a picnic, but they need to get apples from the tree to make their favourite apple and carrot muffins. And at the end of the book, a surprise...6 delicious recipes for you to try out! And that is exactly what we are going to be doing this week. A wonderful way to encourage children to interact with the books that they love.

By Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
A great book for teaching about colours and animals to younger readers, with illustrations by Eric Carle who wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The repetition of the text throughout the book make it a great one for little children to join in with and learn by heart. It's a short text, but be prepared to read it over and over!

By Steve Webb
This is such a fabulous book and both my boys and I love it. It is a short read and definitely not for night time wind-down reading. In fact it begs you to get a drum out and join in with the rythm of the text, for you to shout out the words and stamp your feet in time to the beat. The book teaches young children about syllables (an essential skill for reading and writing), about musical rhythm and the joy of words and language.

By Tony Mitton & Guy Parker-Rees
This is one of my favourite books to read aloud to the children because it's so joyous and lyrical. The rhythmic beat of the text begs to be read with a country and western style swing to your voice. The crops wont grow and the animals wont feed on Joe's farm...what they need is a bit of music! And using the poetry of the text and the rhythm of your voice you can provide that music for the children and have them 'yee-haring' and dancing round the living room.

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