Age 7
Following My Paint Brush by Gita Wolf
Following My Paint Brush is a fascinating account of how an Indian artist, Dulari Devi, learnt to paint. Her story is accompanied by her wonderful illustrations and it has given us an insight into life in a different culture.
One More Candle by Merry Susiarjo & Emmeline Pidgen
My daughter calls this beautifully illustrated book ‘Nola’s story’ which is so apt as throughout the book Nola struggles to accept that she is younger than her sister, Betty. How old you are and who is older / younger than you are very important to young children and One More Candle introduces the theme of…
Picture Books for International Friendship Day
To celebrate International Friendship Day we have put together a list of our favourite picture books about friends and the activities that they like to do together (or in Amos McGee’s case, friends who take care of each other).
Prince Cinders by Babette Cole
Prince Cinders isn’t your archetypal dashing prince (unlike his three, large, hairy brothers) but with the help of a dirty fairy he does get his happy ending!
Friends by Helme Heine
This story about friendship and the relationship between a trio of very different farm animals has been translated from the German story, Freunde.
The Hundred Decker Bus by Mike Smith
Come and join The Hundred Decker Bus on its colourful journey (and don’t forget your swimsuit, it even has a pool!).
Rachelle Meyer recommends The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
The Story: The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea, in a beautiful pea green boat… so begins one of the most treasured classic children’s poems in the English language. Their voyage on the sea continues for a year and a day and they eventually land, marry and feast in the land where the bong tree…
Mrs Pepperpot Learns to Swim by Alf Prøysen & Hilda Owen
I loved reading the Mrs Pepperpot stories as a child and they have lost none of their magic now that I am an adult. Mrs Pepperpot has a very peculiar characteristic, she shrinks (without warning) to the size of a pepperpot (hence the name!). I was very excited when I discovered picture book versions of…
The Trouble with Gran by Babette Cole
I have always loved Babette Cole’s humorous stories with their quirky illustrations and I first read ‘The Trouble with….’ stories when I was doing my teacher training. We already enjoy The Trouble with Gran picture book so I was very curious to see the newly published eBook. The Story: Gran is not like other grans,…
Mrs Armitage and The Big Wave by Quentin Blake
I loved Quentin Blake’s illustrations in the Roald Dahl books that I read as a child but I hadn’t read any of his picture books until my daughter brought Mrs Armitage and The Big Wave home from a birthday party. She thinks the story is hilariously funny and giggles in anticipation of her favourite pictures.…
