Thursday 12 April 2012

Favourite Read ALOUD Picture Books

I've found some great picture books to read aloud this month for my British Books Challenge and that I'd like to share with you.

 

A number of Flannel Friday folk had recommended the Hungry Hen, especially for it's surprise ending.

Hungry Henen, england, english, great britain icon Hungry Hen by Richard Waring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hungry Hen grows bigger and fatter and the red fox decides to wait until she is bigger still. Finally he can wait no longer and attacks the hen house. However, he (and the reader) is in for a surprise.The illustrations are simple and quirky - I loved them.

I liked the Hungry Hen so much, I went in search of more books by the same author and found Ducky Dives, which I liked even more!

Ducky Dives inen, england, english, great britain icon Ducky Dives In by Richard Waring
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A humorous tale of a duck who loves to get mucky. His mother tries to keep him clean, but fails spectacularly when she accidentally slides into the pond and duck and mother have the most fabulous muddy time. This text is full of great vocabulary and is enhanced with some of the funniest illustrations.



I am a big fan of Simon Puttock's Love From Louisa (aka Yours Truly, Louisa), and I had high hopes for his newest book - The Baby that Roared did not disappoint!

The Baby That Roaredscotland icon en, england, english, great britain icon The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A deer couple can't resist an abandoned baby whose note requests "I am a dear little baby. Please love me and cuddle me and read me lots of stories". However the little antlered creature won't stop roaring. Various friends and family try to sort out the "dear little baby", but they all mysteriously disappear. Granny Bear sorts the problem with her burping cure, and the mystery of the baby's identity is solved! A fun story with funny illustrations.


Mrs Floss And Mrs Fleecescotland icon en, england, english, great britain icon Mrs Floss And Mrs Fleece by Vivian French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun story about two ewe's living on a Scottish hillside with their new offspring. The ewe's have very different character traits; Mrs Floss being cautious, and Mrs Fleece being fearless. Their lambs exhibit the opposite traits from their mothers until the big bad wolf makes an appearance. An interesting book to use in discussions of difference and opposites, and possibly (road) safety. A heart-warming tale enhanced with a little Scottish dialogue.
The illustrations are somewhat stylised, but are still recognisable to wee ones and are a delight (drawn by Natalie Russell).



Rhyming Rabbitscotland icon en, england, english, great britain icon Rhyming Rabbit by Julia Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent story about a rabbit with a talent for poems and rhymes. His rabbit friends just like eating, running and sleeping, and rabbit is miserable. Then he meets a sheep who also enjoys poems and they rhyme together. A lovely book to introduce poetry and rhyming words. Slightly long for the nursery crowd, but worth persevering with.


Now for a drum roll...
And a fanfare ...
Whiffy Wilson is my favourite book this month, and should NOT be missed.

 en, england, english, great britain icon Whiffy Wilson by Caryl Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rhyming text that scans well, humorous story, endearing characterisation, wise counsel from a female character, a digestible moral tale and a lesson in personal hygiene - this book has it all! I'm sure my Nursery classes will fall in love with Whiffy Wilson, the smelly wolf. He has a number of unpleasant personal habits which will make everyone groan and maybe bring home to little ones why certain unsanitary habits are NOT a nice or healthy thing to do (if you read the book you'll know exactly what I'm alluding to). He takes the advice of a good friend though, and a sensible regular bathing regimen is agreed (oh, and he learns that new dirt is good, but old dirt is smelly, and still advocates for active and fun outdoor play).
Scholastic Books UK have a host of activity sheets to download for this book.

View all my goodreads reviews

4 comments:

  1. I'm going to have to give Ducky Dives In a go!

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    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it Anne, there are some great squelchy words in there!

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  2. I like the sound of Whiffy Wilson. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  3. Whiffy IS my personal favourite!

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