The Bad-Tempered Ladybird - Eric Carle

Advantages: Lots of discussion opportunites
Disadvantages: none

The Bad tempered ladybird Another book from this ever popular author, and one which can be read to very young children. ~~Story and Illustrations~~ Not surprisingly, given the title, the story focuses on a ladybird who is less than pleasant. The front cover is appealing because it shows in bright, bold detail this bad tempered bug. Start to read the story and it's night time with a lovely dark picture of fireflies dancing round the moon. In the ...
...the aphids but from the other side comes the bad tempered ladybird and decides she wants the aphids. Although the first ladybird greets the bad tempered one, the latter refuses to share the aphids, and screams "They're mine. All mine" Although the bad tempered lady bird acts all brave, when the first ladybird doesn't back down, she flies off. At this stage of the book, the format changes, and the pages become thinner so that they can all be seen- ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent story, great illustrations. Teaches about time & why we shouldn't be so grumpy!
Disadvantages: None, apart from having to explain what aphids are!

The bad-tempered ladybird is yet another one of Eric Carle's fantastically illustrated and educational picture books. In short it's about a bad-tempered ladybird who through experience turns in to a happier little bug! (One can only hope that we all become happier bugs) ~ The Story ~ A friendly ladybird is eating a breakfast of aphids on a leaf when it is joined by a v bad-tempered ladybird (I can sympathise with morning grumpiness!) who also wants ...
...to fight for them?" The friendly ladybird says "If you insist" but with cowardice, the grump replies " Oh, you're not big enough!" and flies off.... The bad-tempered ladybird then proceeds to pick a fight with every animal he meets: 'At 6 o'clock it met a wasp. "Hey you, want to fight?" "If you insist" said the wasp showing it's stinger. "Oh you're not big enough" said the bad-tempered ladybird and flew off' As the story progresses, the animals ... Read review

Advantages: Great storyline, colourful, educational.
Disadvantages: None

...Carle is most famous for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, but off hand, I couldn't tell you what else he has written. We snuggled up on the sofa, and began to read. Now, before I explain what the story is about, it is important to mention that Eric Carle has left a note in the front of his book. Without wishing to engage in plagiarism, it is important to explain to your child that “Aphids are very small insects. They suck the juice from leaves, and ...
...“Three cheers for Ladybirds”. The story starts at 5.00 in the morning. A bad tempered ladybird wants all the Aphids on a leaf to himself. The friendly ladybird offers to share, but the bad tempered ladybird is having none of it. “no. They’re all mine, or do you want to fight me for them?” The friendly ladybird agrees to fight, so the bad tempered ladybird quickly backs down saying “Oh, you’re not big enough for me to fight.” This is where the pages ... Read review

Advantages: Great story with simple repetition, humour and education (time, size, sharing)
Disadvantages: none

...in a similar style to the classic Very Hungry Caterpillar. Here we meet a bad tempered ladybird at 5 o'clock in the morning who wants all the aphids on a leaf and isn't prepared to share with the ladybird already there. He challenges the ladybird to a fight but when she agrees he chickens out claiming "oh, you're not big enough" and flies off. At 6 o'clock he meets a wasp and challenges him for a fight and then chickens out with the same excuse when ...
...time a little big than the last and each time "oh,you're not big enough". Eventually at 5pm he meets a whale who ignores him until he's flown up to the tail where he is hit so hard he ends back on the orignal leaf. Not only is this a wonderful story where the child can join in with "Hey you, want to fight?" and "Oh, you're not big enough",and laugh when the tail (the page is tail shaped at this point) hits the ladybird, but there are so many things ... Read review

Advantages: Great illustrations, develops children's imaginations.
Disadvantages: None

...'Little Cloud' is one of the less well known Eric Carle books in comparison to the 'The very hungry caterpillar' and 'The bad-tempered ladybird'. It is nonetheless, definitely worth a mention as it is a charming book, well loved by the children I have read it to. ~ The Story ~ It's about a little cloud who drifts along in the sky behind all of the other larger clouds which eventually move out of it's sight. The little cloud who now feels like a giant cloud as it isn't being 'dwarfed' by all of the larger ones, drifts along and changes itself in to many things: a sheep, an aeroplane, a shark, a rabbit etc. On each change of shape a reason is given for the little cloud changing in to it's chosen object, e.g. it loved to watch rabbits dash across the meadow & it liked the way trees never moved and stayed in one place. Eventually all... Read review

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Advantages: Pages open up and down, vertically & unfold into a huge spread!
Disadvantages: None, just be careful that children understand that the moon is much too far away to reach with ladder!

...and the stars in the night sky and this book really brings it to life, just ensure that children do actually realise that you can't get to the moon that easily. ************************* Other Eric Carle Books ************************* The very hungry caterpillar The bad tempered ladybird From head to toe The very busy spider ****** Price ****** My hardback was £12.99 but it's worth looking on amazon as used and new ones are from £1.46 and boardbooks are from £2.88 This book is well worth a trip to the library, especially if your child enjoys Eric Carle books, it's a fantastic fantasy based book!!... Read review

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Advantages: Educates children
Disadvantages: None!

.... The pictures are fun for children, they are colourful and encouraging. The book i have is a board book so it is easy to wipe clean if messy fingers get on to it,also it is easier for my little one to turn the pages. You can get the book in paper back and different sizes. I brought this book (ISBN 0-241-00300-8) for £3.99 from my local book shop, i did look on ebay but couldnt find any one there. I would recommend this for children aged 18 months + my daughter is 19 months now and she loves it, i can sit with her for a good 20 miinutes reading this book over and over again. I would definately recommend. Eric Carle has done numerous of books like this one...such as Brown bear, brown bear, Do you want to be my friend Have you seen my cat? Bad-tempered ladybird The Grouchy Ladybug If you enjoy The Hungary Caterpillar you will enjoy the others... Read review

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