Children's Books > J Children's Books

Advantages: A gentle rhyming text
Disadvantages: none

A squash and a squeeze This is a children's book written by Julia Donaldson, author of 'The Gruffalo' and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It is a 24 page book published by Macmillan at a cost of £5.99. It is her first book published in 1993 which started off as a song for a children's television show. Julia writes in what was to become her usual style of rhyme to produce this wonderful text. A woman is complaining that her house is "a squash and ...
...next piece of advice is a "curious plan" but a very clever one. Just how does he make her house less of "a squash and a squeeze"? This story will have children rolling on the floor with laughter as the animals get into all sorts of trouble in the small house. The story has a clever moral as do many of her stories, which is perhaps why I enjoy reading them. This is also available on Audio CD read by Imelda Staunton and Steven Pacey and is an easy ... Read review

Advantages: Fun way to look at what babies are like
Disadvantages: May not appeal to all under 5's

***Background*** Dr Xargle's Book Of Earthlets, is said to be translated in human speech by Jeanne Willis and has pictures drawn by Tony Ross. It was first published in 1988 so this is another book that has been around for quite some time. This version was published in 2002 by Andersen Press Ltd who also publish the Little Princess series of books, written and illustrated by Tony Ross. Jeanne Willis has written a whole series of Dr Xargle books ...
...learn about earthlets or children and their behaviour. As well as this series she has also written many other books as well as TV scripts for Polly Pocket. ***The Story*** In this first of the series the aliens start by learning about babies and how they come in four colours - pink, brown, black and yellow. Dr Xargle also explains that these earthlets have only two eyes instead of the normal five and that their two short tentacles have pheelers ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic story for the whole family
Disadvantages: none

...that by others in the Duck series by Jez Alborough. We love the stories so much we have to admit we bought our own copies! ~~~ THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR ~~~ Jez Alborough was born in 1959. His first book, Bare Bear, was published in 1985 and it was a runner up in The Mother Goose Book Award. He has written and illustrated over 30 books to date and these include Cuddly Dudley and Where’s my teddy? ~~~ THE BOOK ~~~ First published in 1999 and written ...
...graphic simplicity with painterly qualities… Duck in the Truck is a picture book where rhyme, illustration, wit and inventiveness combine to produce outstanding quality’, TES Primary. ~~~ AGE BOOK APPEALS TO ~~~ It takes just a few minutes to read through the book and certainly, at 6 weeks old, that’s all you do. My son loves the rhythm of the story which can be lost if you ponder to do the, “Where’s the sheep” thing. This however is an important ... Read review

Advantages: EDUCATIONAL FROM COVER TO COVER
Disadvantages: CRITICAL OF ALL THAT MOST PARENTS THOUGHT WAS RIGHT

ARNOLD PUTS THE BALL SQUARELY IN THE PARENTS COURT. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE FOR YOUR CHILD? JUST WHERE HAVE WE SACRIFICED THEIR CHILDHOOD FOR OUR OWN INTERESTS? WHY ARE WE SO KEEN TO MOLD THEM INTO SUCESSFULL ADULTS AND CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS, INSTAED OF TREASURING AND LEARNING FROM THEM AS FREE INNOCENTS. WHAT AN ENTHRALLING BOOK! FULL OF ALL THE THINGS YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT YOUR CHILD...WHEN REALLY YOU KNEW NOTHING. MOST PARENTS MISSLEAD ... Read review

Advantages: Fun story, great illustrations
Disadvantages: Mum is so stressed.

...to the bathroom to get five minutes' peace from 'you lot'. The children immediately ask to come along, but she firmly tells them to stay downstairs. Mum runs herself a bath and pours a cup of tea. She is in heaven, soaking in the suds, but it doesn't last for long. Her son Lester barges in and asks if he can play her a tune on his recorder. Mum is not amused, but of course she gives in and Lester plays 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' more than just ...
...to the kitchen for her five minutes' peace. Do you think she gets it? You'll have to read the book to find out. This is a picture book for very young children who are highly unlikely to understand that Mum needs a few minutes to herself now and again, and it might just do the trick of helping them to realise this. Although she is thinking of herself, the mother elephant here does encourage her children, allowing one to play a musical instrument ... Read review