Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author Sharon Ling-Chai Review Lucy doesn't belong with the other ladybirds, because she has no spots. But when the frog, fish, caterpillar and bird all give her some of their spots, the other ladybirds realise that being different is great! A gorgeous visual treat that takes you through the seasons, while reinforcing a positive message to little readers about giving, sharing and accepting. A huge surprise gatefold reveals all of the creatures' amazing new spots as they jump on board with being different. Bernard the Robot loses his bottom on the park swing, and sets off to find it. Every time he gets close, it disappears again! Bird was using it as a nest, but it was too heavy; Bear used it in his drum kit, but it was too tinny; the Squirrels built sandcastles with it...and now it looks as if they're sailing away in it. Will Bernard EVER get his bottom back?

Lucy Lady Bird

Sue Hendra

No-Bot, the robot with no bottom

James Thorp The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race is a psychedelic children's story best described as, 'Doctor Dolittle meets Sergeant Pepper'. Beautifully illustrated, its zany story follows a race as feverishly competitive as any held before. All manner of dastardly plans and cheats are concocted by the beasts to gain advantage, including custard trampolines and banana diggers (the swines!). The Unicorn alone respects the rules of the race. Admirable, yes, but in this weasel-cheats-puffin world what chance of victory does that give him? Written by James Thorp and illustrated by Angus Mackinnon this anarchic and riotous story is an unmissable treat for all.

The Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race

Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author An Vrombaut Review Perfect for preschool children, 64 Zoo Lane had the highest viewing figures on CBeebies in 2011 and the 4th series is due to air in Spring 2013. With six classic 64 Zoo Lane stories now reissued, Lucy and her animal fans are bound to win yet more young fans. Lucy has some very strange neighbours with horns and humps, tails and trunks that's because Lucy lives next door to the zoo! Every night, she climbs down the long long neck of Georgina the Giraffe and listens to one of them tell her a story...Tonight it's the story of Zed the Zebra. Zed is faster than any other animal in the jungle - and he's always pointing it out. Until one day the animals plan an obstacle race and prove they can all do something well, and Zed isn't the best at everything! Melons. Melons for sale!' Every day, JoJo brays the same message and carries the heavy melons through the streets of Venice. Bullied by his master and plagued by flies, Jo-Jo is loved by nobody. But one day, somebody notices Jo-Jo. The famous Doge's daughter herself! And when danger looms, the Venetians need a hero to save them ...From the master storyteller himself comes a story about an evolving friendship between Jo-Jo and the Doge's daughter, who loves the donkey despite his lowly position. A real feeling of of warmth and hope is created in this timeless, classical tale.

Zed the Zebra

Michael Morpurgo

Jo Jo The Melon Donkey

Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author Rebecca Patterson Review No one knows who lives in that house on the corner, but when all those seagulls fly onto the roof, Sam Turner says it must be pirates! In fact, Sam Turner tells his friends all sorts of things: that they mustn't look at the pirate washing or they will turn into jellyfish, that at night the whole house glows like an aquarium, and that if the door ever opens a huge wave will come out. And that's not the half of it. According to Sam, not only are there pirates living on their street, but a family of monsters are moving into Number 2! Surely Sam Turner is just a little boy with a big imagination ...or is he? A brilliantly funny new book from the creator of THE DEEP END and NOT ON A SCHOOL NIGHT. It's time for bed. But will Fred go to bed? You bet he won't! From hiding up trees, and splashing in muddy puddles, to hiding in the kitchen sink and disappearing behind bookshelves, Fred will do ANYTHING to avoid bedtime. He would even prefer to have a bath. But what's this? All that running around couldn't possibly have made Fred sleepy ...could it? A delightful bedtime book, destined to become a classic.

The Pirate House

Yasmeen Ismall

Time for Bed, Fred!

Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author Jo Willems Review Duckling gets a cookie? What do you mean DUCKLING GETS A COOKIE?! Pigeon is NOT happy about this. Not one little itty bit. He has whined, wheedled, fibbed and hollered his way through many books. He wanted to drive the bus, he demanded a puppy, he pleaded for a hot dog party...But now, in a fantastic new title from Mo Willems, along comes Duckling, with bright twinkling eyes and impeccable manners. She asks for a cookie and what does she get? A cookie, of course! The Pigeon is outraged! Incensed! How could this have happened? HOW is it possible that this duckling gets a cookie?! Well, because she asked. Nicely. This is the very latest Pigeon title from the awardwinning, best-selling Mo Willems - laugh out loud fun for all the family! Mo Willems' distinctive cartoon artwork, drawn with black-crayon lines and set on pastel backgrounds, is strikingly expressive and, as always, very witty! This wordless picture book tells the tale of a fox stealing a chicken with the chicken's friends in hot pursuit. Or does it? With no text for guidance there are numerous interpretations to discover - one of the many charms of this book. Kitty is fed up with being a cat. Dogs seem to have more fun. But dogs can't climb trees or catch mice. Maybe it's a cat's life after all.

The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!

Beatrice Rodriguez

The Chicken Thief

Lydia Monks

I Wish I Were a Dog

Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author Bob Graham Review The brief, magical time between a baby's first step and the inevitable moment when he topples over is here neatly seen within an ever-widening set of everyday events that happen at exactly the same moment. Like ripples in a pool, every picture shows the big and bigger world outside. As Jonathan staggers shakily to his feet, beside him his big sister Jodie is drawing; in the next room his mum is playing her tin whistle; just past the window a feather floats down from a pigeon until we getto see a tanker in the bay heading out to China. Every picture tells its own story, and through them all, Bob Graham encourages readers to reflect on, and reach out to, the world around them. (4+) When Duncan opens his art box he finds a stack of messages inside; everycrayon has something to say. Red complains that fire engines and strawberries are used too much; purple is a neat-minded soul who hates it that Duncan goes outside the lines; black is equally indignant to beused just for outlines. Saddest of all, peach has lost his wrapping and isembarrassed to come out of the boxnaked. How they are all satisfied intheend is a delightful joke, executed in Oliver Jeffers's stunning illustrations. (5+)

Silver Buttons

Oliver Jeffers and Drew Daywalt

The Day the Crayons Quit

Recommended Reading Books Pre-School - 5

Book Author Emily Gravett Review With his cleverly constructed pages all paper tearing, crossings out and post-it notes full of advice, Little Mouse scared and delighted readers with his Big Book of Fears. His new Big Book is equally entertaining as Little Mouse faces some terrifying monsters. Luckily, he is resourceful and creative. Armed with his paintbox and fine brush, he paints some pretty mittens over the lion's horribly sharp claws, avoids the bear by fashioning himself an escape hole out of the page, and rolls up a newspaper to make a nifty wasp swat (and you, dear reader, can use it too) to avoid being plagued by the nasty creatures. Emily Gravett is as inventive and dazzling as ever. (6+)

Little Mouses Big Book of Beasts