I love Kes Gray’s picture books. I always read them with a smile, a giggle and no small amount of wonder. How does he come up with all those words that rhyme?
What does rhyme with aardvark? Hmmm, think about it…
Cardshark! And there is the shark, a smiling mouth full of teeth and nifty fins holding playing cards. Riding on top, the aardvark is there too, diving gear on and cards in hand.
In this picture book, Frog has a “New Alphabetty Botty Book” to fill with creatures from A to Z. Frog’s task is to get them to sit somewhere that rhymes with their name. Cat and Dog have done this before, and they are not sure it can be done again. Frog is optimistic he can do it.
For young children, the illustrations are funny and ridiculous. Have you ever seen a donkey sit on a long key? For young readers, the rhyming text helps to ease their way in pronouncing unfamiliar words, like jays sitting on maize and mosquitos sitting on burritos.
There are a few books in this series, some are written with Claire Gray, and all of them in partnership with illustrator Jim Field.
I can highly recommend them for children 2-6 years. I guarantee you will close the book with a smile. Below are more books in this series:
Published by Puffin Books, Penguin Random House, 2020
Depression, loneliness, separation and divorce, can be difficult topics to tackle in picture books. Depending on your experiences, the story can validate how you feel or help you to understand how someone else might be behaving, especially if that someone else is a person you love. Sometimes people can withdraw from life and relationships, making it hard to be the one who is on the outside of that formidable barrier.
How to help, how to respond, how to show compassion and empathy can be challenging. The road to recovery is not always straightforward. There can be many twists and turns, big backward steps and tiny steps forward. Sometimes it is hard to articulate just exactly how you feel through it all.
Anna Walker has dedicated this picture book to her brother, someone she loves who has been through the experience of separation from his partner. In the story, we meet young Jack visiting his dad who seems lonely and sad, the house is quiet and the normal routines are not what they used to be. Jack and his dad are finding it hard to make meaningful connections in this new way of being together.
That all changes with the arrival of a very loud, green, feathery and unexpected visitor! Jimmy the parrot is found on the doorstep after a storm, and his presence shakes up everything. Suddenly Jack’s dad comes alive, the house is noisy with squawking and Jimmy’s antics bring neighbours in to see the clever parrot.
It’s great for Jack’s dad, but Jack doesn’t like surprises and he doesn’t like Jimmy. The parrot’s arrival hasn’t changed the way he and his dad connect. In fact, it seems to have made Jack seem even more invisible. One night, Jack leaves his bedroom window open and Jimmy flies away.
This is a pivotal moment for Jack. On the one hand, he feels a sense of release because Jimmy is no longer a distracting presence in the house. On the other hand, he also feels guilty because that green, noisy and provocative bird seemed to be the catalyst for his dad’s happiness and interest in life again…and now it is gone.
The rescue mission doesn’t bring Jimmy back, but it does make father and son realise just how much they mean to each other, with or without a cheeky parrot in their lives!
There are lovely, intimate details in the artwork of this story: toasters, socks, newspapers, pots and pans, stray power cords, the messiness of home. There is also tenderness in the tale of how change can affect us and those we love.
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years and below there are more suggestions for picture books which explore the themes of depression, loneliness, loss and separation:
Love Waves by Rosemary Wells
The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic Illustrated by Olivier Tallec
The Colour Thief by Andrew Fusek Peters Illustrated by Polly Peters
Thank Goodness for Bob by Matthew Morgan
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
The Cloud by Hannah Cumming
Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly Illustrated by Lisa Brown
Two Homes by Claire Masurel Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Illustrated by Geoff Stevenson
Two Nests by Laurence Anholt Illustrated by Jim Coplestone
Ride the Wind by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino
I don’t think I have met anyone who doesn’t worry about something. After all, there is plenty to worry about as we travel through life. Once the worry begins, it can be hard to keep problems in perspective and ultimately, the worry can be overwhelming.
Rachel Rooney has presented this complex issue that afflicts so many of us inside a gentle rhyming story about a small boy who traps a Worry in his net one day and decides to keep it close as a pet. Initially this seems like a great idea and they go everywhere together. As time goes by however the Worry pet becomes larger, more annoying, more itchy, more invasive and begins to feast upon the boy’s tears, sad thoughts and scary dreams. One day, the small boy realises that he can no longer live with this big Worry.
This is a great realisation.
What does he do? He goes to see the Worry Expert.
Her considered advice is to learn to live with the worry to minimize its negative affect in his life. Meditation, positive thoughts, yoga, dancing, exercising, having fun are all ways in which he (and we) can begin to achieve this.
I love the way that the Worry has been illustrated, it is like a small purple thumbprint with stick arms and legs. It is not scary or threatening, but benignly sits close to the small boy in everything he does. As it gets larger, you can see how much space it takes up and the purple thumbprint becomes more like a messy blob. When the Worry diminishes, it tries to thwart the different therapeutic techniques the small boy tries with his Worry Expert, but under her constancy and watchfulness, the Worry just becomes smaller and smaller.
This picture book, with its sensitive illustrations, validates the idea that sometimes we need professional help to overcome our problems. Together, the words and pictures provide a useful tool to begin asking the question, how are you today?
I can highly recommend this book for children 4-6 years and below are more recommendations for picture books that focus on worry and anxiety:
Silly Billy by Anthony Browne
The Worry Box by Suzanne Chiew Illustrated by Sean Julian
What’s Worrying You? by Molly Potter Illustrated by Sarah Jennings
The Don’t Worry Book by Todd Parr
The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside Illustrated by Frank Rodgers
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
Worries Go Away by Kes Gray Illustrated by Lee Wildish
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Chris Chatterten
Charlie Star by Terry Milne
Lena’s Shoes are Nervous by Keith Calabrese Illustrated by Juana Medina
My father emigrated to Australia in the early 1950s at the tender age of 17, leaving his small Italian village and family behind. He came to Melbourne, not knowing much about the language or the country, but prepared to blend together the best of what he brought with him and what he would find here. Learning the language was hard and making a life for himself even harder. Time and work and marriage softened the differences, until it was difficult to tell if he was more Australian or more Italian, but perhaps he just became a better version of both.
In this picture book, we see a small orange bird with green polka dots peeking nervously out of a closed box. An anonymous hand places it into a bird cage and the other birds completely freak out, they are not happy to make room for the scary newcomer. They worry about the lack of space, the food that will need to be shared, and the language they can’t understand.
A marauding mouse shares a little morsel of wisdom while pinching some bird seed, Hey, birdbrains! Don’t you know you’re ALL exotic birds?
And then the breakthrough happens. One soft pink bird with a curly tail decides to be a friend and the acculturation begins, stories are shared, accents are accepted and customs are admired. Before anyone knows it, the orange green polka dotted bird is part of the group, but what happens when the next scary bird comes along?
This a very clever story about acceptance, diversity, cultural norms and friendship. Being a newcomer is daunting for everyone, whether you are making a new country your home or starting kindergarten. Perhaps not so subtly, this story embraces the idea that when we focus on our similarities rather than our differences, the more harmonious all our lives can be.
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 2-6 years and below are suggestions for picture books that explore the themes of migration, fitting in and belief in the value of being you!
I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien
The Littlest Yak by Lu Fraser Illustrated by Kate Hindley
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio Illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
Josephine Wants to Dance by Jackie French Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
We Are Together by Britta Teckentrup
My Name is Lizzie Flynn by Claire Saxby Illustrated by Lizzy Newcomb
Eureka! A Story of the Goldfields by Mark Wilson
Ten Pound Pom by Carole Wilkinson Illustrated by Liz Anelli
I love everything about the Bear family. Jill Murphy captures the familiar routines, trials and joys of parenthood with just the right language and rich illustrations.
I was hooked by the first page in Just One of Those Days because I remember how squeezy it was in bed with not only one child, but three…and how long the nights could be when you didn’t get enough sleep and still had to face the day ahead.
To make things worse, as you turn the page in the story, it is raining outside and so many layers of clothing have to be put on before heading out. My favourite colour illustration is the look between Mr Bear and Mrs Bear as they venture out to work and Nursery…it speaks of love and teamwork and support for each other. So that when it is just one of those days, everyone knows they are bound together in this journey, and able to get through all the things that can go awry.
I did laugh when Baby Bear could not drink out of his favourite red cup at Nursery. Unfortunately, Someone Else got it and as we all know, water does not taste as good in the green cup. My daughter had a favourite cup and a favourite seat at the table…it did not bode well for anyone if that cup ended up in Someone Else’s hands or that seat held up Someone Else’s bottom!
And I did smile when they all arrived home at the end of the workday and Mrs Bear put on her comfy pyjamas…I do that too! Pyjamas and pizza, and a surprise for Baby Bear from Mr Bear, which makes the story complete.
This picture book is like a warm hug and helps me to believe in the wonderful restorative power of the family where everyone plays their part, despite not having enough sleep and everything that can and does go wrong.
Jill Murphy has also written about the Large family…Five Minutes Peace is another favourite for me. It’s all a mother craves some days!
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 2-6 years and below there are more titles in both series to enjoy:
Over the past few months, I have had the unexpected joy of leaving seeds for three magpies that visit my backyard. Most mornings I find them foraging for food in the garden, and it is almost like they are waiting for the lady of the house to get up and notice them. When the magpies hear the click of the back door being opened, they wing their way to the balustrade and start singing. What a privilege it is to hear them and gain their trust in this new relationship.
In the early days, we kept our distance, but lately the magpies have been edging closer and closer. When they are so near, it is hard not to miss those long, sharp beaks. When they fly over my head or hop beside me as we wander down to the feeding dish together, I wonder about their connection to each other, how they manage to survive the elements and just what they are trying to communicate to me and each other.
All birds have beaks, but not all beaks are the same! Sarah Allen recently published a beautifully illustrated picture book about Australian birds and their beaks. Gentle rhyming text introduces the reader to something significant about that bird: cockatoos screech, magpies warble, swans bob for food, lorikeets gather in mobs, fairy wrens strut their beautiful tails, brolgas dance and leap.
Twenty-five Australian birds are illustrated, and their species named. At the back of the book, a small paragraph about each bird gives the reader more detail about their habits and habitats. The drawings are instantly recognizable and a helpful guide for anyone interested in doing a bit of bird spotting in their own backyard, at the beach, in forests, or water reserves. The endpapers are covered in bird nests…it is not clear which egg belongs to which bird, but if you are curious, there is nothing to stop you discovering that information for yourself. Silver spoons are highly overrated.
I can happily recommend this picture book for children 2-4 years and below is a long list of other picture books about birds. I have so many favourites, it was hard to know which ones to leave out!
Kookaburra Kookaburra by Bridget Farmer
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell Illustrated by Patrick Benson
Windcatcher by Diane Jackson Hill Illustrated by Craig Smith
George Flies South by Simon James
Circle by Jeannie Baker
Nest by Jorey Hurley
A Busy Day for Birds by Lucy Cousins
I Spy in the Sky by Edward Gibbs
Olga the Brolga by Rod Clement
That’s Not My Robin… by Fiona Watt
Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles Illustrated by Rod Clement
Published by Otter-Barry Books, Great Britain, 2020
I really love the profound simplicity of this picture book. It reminds me of that old acronym KISS…Keep It Simple Stupid. How often do we find ourselves tied up in knots over difficult issues and delicate emotions? Sometimes we just need to peel back the layers of heavy expectations, cultural norms and complex legalities. Sometimes we just need to be human, show empathy, put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, try to imagine what their journey is like and be kind.
On one level, this picture book is a counting journey, exploring how numbers can be found in everyone’s everyday life and that is a simple connection we all share and experience, despite religion, culture or geography.
On another level, this picture book is a poetic unravelling of how kindness works, reminding and teaching us processes that we may have forgotten, infrequently practised or never been taught.
It starts with a family fleeing their homeland because it has become too scary to live there anymore. Starting with one boat, we follow their journey across the seas and into a new land, relying on the kindness of strangers and friends to help them adapt to a new life.
Meals provide sustenance and give energy, beds allow rest and warmth, books are the gateway to learning and knowledge, gifts suggest that you are in someone’s thoughts and speak of generous hearts, and finally friendship…sharing a journey is so much better when you add others to your life.
The evocative illustrations beautifully enhance the sparse text and at the end we are encouraged to reflect on how we can be kind to one another and to realise there are many millions of children who have become refugees, running away from war and persecution. On the end paper at the back of the picture book, there are the names and contact details of organisations that help refugees and migrants.
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years, and below I have included more suggestions about picture books which explore the themes of empathy and kindness:
We’re All Wonders by R.J.Palacio
I Am Human by Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed Illustrated by Doug Chayka
My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner
Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick Illustrated by Marieka Heinlen
Dogger by Shirley Hughes
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai Illustrated by Kerascoet
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena Illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Day War Came by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Rebecca Cobb
Yaffa and Fatima: Shalom, Salaam by Fawzia Gilani-Williams Illustrated by Chiara Fedele
I’m (almost) Always Kind by Anna Milbourne Illustrated by Asa Gilland
The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu
Published by Puffin Books, Penguin Random House, 2020
When my husband and I married, we moved to Northcote and discovered the delights of inner city living. We made many long-lasting friendships while we were there but there was one special lady who lived around the corner whom I have never forgotten. Her name was Gwen and she was old, ninety something and still living independently at home. Sadly, Gwen is no longer with us, but she told me something one day that I have never forgotten: be kind.
Small Town by Phillip Gwynne is all about kindness and based on the true stories of small rural townships like Pyramid Hill, Nhill and Strathbogie that have revitalized their diminishing communities by inviting refugees and immigrants to make these places their homes.
Milly narrates the story and tells us all about her wonderful home called Gong Gong: “so nice, they named it twice” is a repeated refrain throughout the book.
Milly is a member of a basketball team whose players are all called Chloe! That is not a big problem, until one by one, members of the team move away to live in the city. Milly’s parents explain that sometimes families move because there is more work in the city and sometimes they move to be closer to larger communities.
At school Milly learns about refugees, war, famine and persecution. Observing all the space available in her hometown, the houses for rent and job vacancies, Milly decides to invite refugees to come and try country living. Milly makes a video with her Granny Mac, they send it out to the world, and wait and wait.
Soon, refugees are coming to Gong Gong by the carload and a township that was diminishing is revitalized with the influx of new families, some of whom play basketball! This is a wonderful story about people being kind to people and the amazing things that can happen when we embrace diversity in our lives.
Tony Flowers created the illustrations for this book and took inspiration for his images from exploring small Tasmanian country towns. Also take a close look at the end papers and check out the Flowers Bakery in the “video”, apparently it’s a tribute to Tony’s baking skills and the fact that his family owned a bakery in Victoria from the late 1800s to early 1920. Phillip Gwynne is an Australian author and best known for his YA novel Deadly Unna?
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years and below I have included suggestions for other picture books which explore the theme of kindness:
Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood Illustrated by Irene Chan
Kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
Make Way for the Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson Illustrated by Tara Calahan King
How Kind! by Mary Murphy
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Counting Kindness: Ten Ways to Welcome Refugee Children by Hollis Kurman Illustrated by Barroux
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller Illustrated by Jen Hill
Every now and then a picture book comes along that ticks all the boxes for storyline entertainment, short word count, gorgeous illustrations and playful ending. One Fox by Kate Read embraces all these elements in a very clever counting book drama.
Beginning with one famished fox who has two sly eyes, we count on to three plump chickens and the inevitable chase that has gone on between these two adversaries for centuries. What makes this picture book remarkable is that the story becomes suspenseful with so few words and is complete by the time you count from one to ten! The illustrations match and enhance the text and, by the end, we are almost sure that the fox will have his way with those plump and now very frantic chickens. But there is a surprise after we see fox’s 10 sharp teeth. I won’t spoil the very satisfying ending, because you will just have to read it….and then you will close the book with a smile.
I can highly recommend this book for children 2-4 years and below are more suggestions for picture books that feature foxes and all the mischief they get themselves into:
Fox’s Socks by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Hello, Red Fox by Eric Carle
Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin
The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter
That is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
Hattie and the Fox by Mem Fox Illustrated by Patricia Mullins
Have you ever watched Sliding Doors? I’ll never forget Gwyneth Paltrow missing the train in one version of the story and catching the train in the other. The changes in her life all hinged on that one event. Does it make you wonder if this is the same for all of us? Life can feel like it is full of opening and closing doors. Simple decisions we make everyday have the potential to take us along different paths. Big decisions can too but we make them more consciously and we take time to weigh up the potential consequences of our choices, so I suppose it feels like we are more in control, but are we really?
This picture book by Cori Doerrfeld explores the ending and beginning of new experiences. Sometimes we have to say goodbye in order to say hullo. Sometimes, a fun day has to end so that we can embrace the cosiness of night-time. Sometimes the loss of something or someone special can leave you feeling empty, but also gives a friend the opportunity to offer you comfort and friendship. Experiences that end or begin, whether we want them to or not, whether we planned them or not, can change our lives in ways that we can’t even imagine.
These are difficult concepts for children to understand but the various scenarios presented in this picture book are engagingly illustrated and cleverly chosen. In some ways, the different scenarios are like abstract opposites. Saying goodbye to sitting alone and saying hullo to sitting together. Saying goodbye to frozen snowmen and saying hullo to watery puddles. Saying goodbye to giving up and saying hullo to giving it one more try.
I love the acknowledgment that goodbyes can be sad and not something that you want to experience. Because who knows what is around the corner? It could be worse. But it could be better. Having a conversation like that with your child is one worth having, because life is not all honey and crumpets, and this picture book will certainly get the conversation started!
I can highly recommend this picture book for children 4-8 years and below are more suggestions for books which explore the themes of leave taking, life changing experiences and saying goodbye:
Goodbye House Hello House by Margaret Wild Illustrated by Ann James
Clare’s Goodbye by Libby Gleeson Illustrated by Anna Pignataro
Leave Taking by Lorraine Marwood
Gotta Go, Buffalo: A Silly Book of Fun Goodbyes by Kevin and Haily Meyers
Oh No! Time to Go! A Book of Goodbyes by Rebecca Doughty
The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
Moving Molly by Shirley Hughes
Oliver and Patch by Clare Freedman Illustrated by Kate Hindley
Alexnader, Who’s Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst Illustrated by Robin Priess Glasser
