Fox Eyes by Margaret Wise Brown and Garth Williams

"Whiskerchew," is the catchphrase in this retro picture book which made its debut in 1951.  It is also the word uttered by the old fox as he goes about his daily activities and notices the hiding places of other woodland animals and their secret stashes of food. They are unnerved by the red fox and are panicked into departing from their daily routines. Author, Margaret Wise broom  published over a hundred children's books and unfortunately for the literary world only lived to be forty-two. This little gem which introduced many a ninety-year old to reading is now sadly out of publication. The above Collins Picture Lions edition was published in 1980. Below is one of the beautiful illustrations by illustrator  Garth Williams and you can see the fox spying through the rocks.

My Brown Bear Barney by Dorothy Butler and Elizabeth Fuller

Nothing like a book with repetition to get a child reading. My Brown Bear Barney by Dorothy Butler is a is delightful book which is based on the many common experiences children will have with their beloved soft toy and what goes on in an ordinary household. It looks at outings in the pram, grocery shopping, gardens, visits to the beach and visits to the grand parents, bedtimes, and starting school. It's a book about growth from being a toddler to starting school and that precious relationship a child often develops with his or her favourite toy. Young children will readily identify with the every day objects depicted in the book and the attachment they may have to their own special friend.  Below is a link to the reading of the book by Anne Hartshome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYm8R23IUs

Where's My Teddy? by Jez Alborough

This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for a bedtime story. In a nutshell it is about mistaken identities and the associated humour that comes with the mix up. It begins with a small boy meandering through a forest desperately searching for his beloved teddy called Freddie. Suddenly he chances upon a huge teddy in the forest which he mistakes for his own Freddie even though he can't understand how he got to be so enormous. Then along strides the real owner! The rhythms and repetitions in the book book enhance the action in the story and make this a great read-aloud book. Jez Alborough's water colour, crayon and pencil drawings underscore the humour in this quirky little tale. This is the miniature version which fits in one hand, and it is shelved on The little bookshelf for little books in the classroom.

A Teddy Bear's Little Instruction Book by David & Tracey Brawn

This is a light-hearted read which adults and children would enjoy alike. It was given to me by a beautiful young student Miriam back in 1996 and I have read it many times. It has some little words of wisdom, some play on words and some advice from a teddy bear's point of view. At the bottom of each page is an ink teddy. You can flip through the pages rapidly to watch a bear descend from the sky with a balloon and do a  short dance routine...or, flip it the other way and watch him do this in reverse. It sits upon one of the shelves in the little shelves of little books.  Here is some great advice if you are a bear.

If you are a bear

*get plenty of exercise - walk round and round the garden

*Eat up - obesity is more acceptable in a bear than anorexia

*Travel in style - not hanging from the rear-view mirror

*Don't become a projectile in domestic disputes

*Never be a substitute handkerchief

*Avoid the indignity of the Lost Property Office

*When camping, take only the bear essentials

*Handwashing is much more gentler than going in the washing machine

*Don't be ashamed if you are stuffed with old tights.

You and Me, Little Bear by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth

This is just one book in the Little Bear Big Bear series which are popular world wide. Little Bear wants to play yet there is a lot of work to be done first. After gathering wood for the fire, fetching water from the stream and cleaning up the cave among other jobs, Big Bear finally takes a rest then spends time playing with Little Bear. This story mirrors what might be a typical day with a preschooler at home with Mum or Dad. Author, Martin Waddell is very skilled at depicting life's lessons in a gentle and natural manner.

Muted water colours and pencil drawings depict the forest habitat and the facial expressions of both bears show the love these two bears have for each other. This would be a great book to take home and share with a pre-school sibling.

Click on the link below to hear this book read in Dutch. So cute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNcathQUM44