Three books I totally recommend for young children.
A Book of People Like Me by Joelle Avelino
(published by HarperCollins Children's Books)
A fabulous book showing how we can be like each other in many ways but we are all unique.
Kenny likes all sorts of things from the colour purple to making friends, riding his bike and eating spaghetti but he his dog, Ketchup. As he enjoys his day he wonders if other people like the same things as him. He likes to dream big and yes so do the children around him. But they all have different dreams ... And the other children all have their own unique look, some wear glasses, some have blonde hair, or dark hair or are red-headed.
They all do different things when they find it hard to sleep. What they all hate is having their faces and hair washed but love being silly.
At the end of his discoveries, Kenny realises that although there are lots of people like him, there's only one him – and one Ketchup!
A great books for discussing what makes us different and similar with great illustrations.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
How to Grow a Mermaid by Rachel Morrisroe and Steven Lenton
(published by Puffin)
Guaranteed to bring a smile to any adult's face as they read to young children. "Step into this store for magic galore!" is the subtitle of this fantasy, written in rhyming couplets and illustrated to perfection.
A lonely boy, Jasper, wanders into the shop and chooses a packet of seeds to grow a friend – a mermaid friend. In the shop he meets Sarah who grows everything in the shop. "I'll help you," she offers and well that's when just about everything goes wrong in the most amusing way.
I won't spoil it for you by describing what happens but rest assured there's a very satisfying ending. The book will bear reading again and again as you see more to talk about in the pictures.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Dragon by Candy Bee and illustrated by Tom Knight
(published by HarperCollins Children's Books)
We reviewed Sleepy Unicorn, an earlier book in this series, here.
If anything I like this one better – maybe because I was born in the Year of the Dragon! Here we countdown what the Little Dragon sees as he flies home to bed beginning with "10 magical birds flying by in the sky."
Again we have a narrative in rhyming couplets which always appeals to young children. Plus the illustrations are superb, gently encouraging the little listener to wind down for bed. I loved it.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥