Children's Books > T Children's Books > W

Advantages: interesting characters and plot; idealistic views
Disadvantages: edition binding weak: allows pages to fall out!

The opening chapters may make this seem to be simply a satire on the extreme value sometimes placed on a certain form of education, but it swiftly becomes something far broader and more imaginative. Kestrel and her twin brother Bowman are citizens of Aramanth, a mysterious walled city in which exams determine everything, from where people live, to how they dress, to their ambitions. Essentially, Kestrel rebels against the ethos of Aramanth and then ...
...leads her to accept that the only hope for herself, her family and her city is to retrieve the voice of the mysterious wind singer that dominates the centre of the city. Thus Kestrel, Bowman and the class dunce, Mumpo, set out on a dangerous quest to retrieve the voice and meet some unlikely allies along the way. This is where the fantastical elements begin to creep in but the way other characters live makes them seem plausible and warm characters. ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful artwork, famous lyrics, lots for discussion, part of oral history tradition.
Disadvantages: Not the cheapest picture book around, you'll have to order it.

"This land is your land, this land is my land, From California to the New York Island From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and me." You all know those words, right? Just in case you don't (and then shame on you), they form the chorus of one of America's most famous folk songs, penned by possibly its most famous folk musician, Woody Guthrie. I love Woody Guthrie; to me he's the John Steinbeck of music. He ...
...many Americans feel as though this song is almost an unofficial national anthem), but they're here, where they should be, in my book. It's a beautiful book, and there is so, so much contained within its thirty-two short pages, I truly just don't know where to begin. The lyrics to This Land Is Your Land have been set in a picture book for children, illustrated by famous American folk artist Kathy Jakobsen. They are followed by a few words from that ... Read review

Advantages: Great little story for Thomas Fans
Disadvantages: None

Thomas, Percy and the Squeak is a lovely little book based on the Thomas TV series. The cover of the book has a green banner at the top with the title in Yellow lettering and a picture of Thomas and Percy below. The back of the book has a green border and a yellow inside which features smaller pictures of other books available to buy in this collection. THE STORY The story begins by telling how the engines on the Island love the summer as the ...
...a famous singer is coming to Sodor to sing at one of the concerts. James, Gordon and Thomas all decided that they might be chosen to collect the singer. Gordon comes along and decides that the Fat Controller will not pick Percy as he is very dirty. Percy announces that he is dirty because he works so hard. The next morning the Fat Controller goes to decide who is to collect the singer, he chooses Thomas and tells him to take Annie and Clarabel ... Read review

Advantages: great book really captivating
Disadvantages: none

Justin Somper has made this book brilliant and inspiring. Anthony Horowitz described it as "Totally Original". This book is amazingly based around an old sea shanty about Vampirates. It is quoted below: "I'll tell you a tale of Vampirates, A tale as old as true. Yea, I'll sing you a song of an ancient ship, And it's mighty fearsome crew. Yea, I'll sing you a song of an ancient ship, That sails the oceans blue... That haunts the oceans blue. ...
...wings in flight. They say the captain, he wears a veil So as to curtail your fright At his death-pale skin And his lifeless eyes And his teeth as sharp as night. Oh, they say the captain, he wears a veil And his eyes never see the light. "You'd better be good, child - good as gold, As good as good can be. Else I'll turn you in to the Vampirates And wave you out to sea. Yes, you'd better be good, child - good as gold, Because - look! ... Read review

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...on the pavement outside of Laura's window. Laura rushes outside with her torch to take a closer look at the star. Laura is in awe of the stars beauty, but then notices that a point of the star has broken off. Laura gently carries the star back into her house and manages to stick the broken point of the star back on. Laura then takes the star into her bed and tells it her secrets. When she wakes up in the morning the star has disappeared. Laura ...
...lots of fun detail, like Laura's dragon mug and plate of cookies. Teddy peeps out from under the duvet. This is a lovely, touching story of friendship and putting the needs of others before your own needs. It can be read on many different levels. A very young child will love the illustrations and simple story. For an older child the story can help with a discussion about the needs of others and important friendships. My son and I discussed how important ... Read review