Grug and His First Christmas by Ted Prior

Rating: 4 out of 5
ISBN: 9780731814305
Category: General
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 2010-10-01
Series: Grug Series
Publisher: SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA
Country of origin: AUS
Age: Under 5

First Sentence: "One day Grug was strolling past Cara's hollow log"

Our little friend Grug is back and it is Grug's first Christmas. Grugs friend Cara tells him all about Christmas. He then sets out to celebrate Christmas. Grug makes a Christmas tree, bakes some goodies for his friends and even gets a strange package from someone called Santa.

A cute little book for your little one. Big colourful pictures and a basic story that a new reader will find easy to follow.

This year my son was just to young to really understand, he did enjoy the pictures thought. But I suspect this book well be great next year. It should be a good way to introduce him to Christmas.

If your child likes Grug this one will also be a hit.

Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails by Tammy Yee

Rating: 5 out of 5
Board book: 16 pages
Publisher: Island Heritage Publishing (July 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1597009288
ISBN-13: 978-1597009287
Under 5

Opening Sentence: "Turtle dreams of turtle trails and riding high on whale's tails."

When on holidays in Hawaii recently I wanted to get my son a picture book with a story about Hawaii. This was a lot harder then I thought. So I settled for a Hawaiian author and a story that had Hawaii iconic things in it (like lei's and hibiscus flowers).

This is the tale of Turtle, who goes on a dreamy adventure through his habitat with his friends Seal and Whale. Along the way he encounters many things and creatures that inhabit his world.

This book is so much more then just a Hawaiian book, and I am delighted we picked it up. The story is a simple which makes it very easy to follow for young readers. It follows the rhyming and lyrical pattern which means it flows easily while reading it. Also woven into the story there is also counting, shapes, and colours.

Tammy Yee has illustrated the book itself and the pictures are wonderful. They are bright and colourful. The animals are in cartoon form with big eyes and wide smiles. What is really great is nearly every image has pictures with in the image. For instance on the pages with four big fish on it, the fish scales are pieces of fruit (for instance the orange fish has scales of oranges). So there is so much more to this then just a story and pretty picture.

This is one of my sons favorite books and I would definitely recommend it to any one with young children.

Where Is The Green Sheep? by Mem Fox

Rating: 5 out of 5
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 32 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group (Australia) 2006
Language: English
ISBN-13: 9780143501763
Under 5

Opening Sentence "Here is the blue sheep"

Another brilliant edition to Mem Fox's range of children's books. In this book we meet lots of different sheep, but we can not find the green sheep. Where is it?

Mem Fox again uses a lyrical style with rhyme and repetition. This works really well and makes the story fun, simple and easy to follow for babies and toddlers. The whole way through its shows lots of different sheep and at various points the book asks where is the green sheep? This builds the anticipation for children as right at the end Mem Fox says "turn the page quietly - let's take a peep...." and there is the green sheep fast asleep.

Judy Horacek has done a lovely job illustrating the book. She has used bright and vibrant colours. The pictures are simple and clear making it all stand out. Each page has a sheep "doing" what it is. For instance the bath sheep is sitting in a bubble bath. Even though the art work is simple the sheep still manage to be full of character.

A wonderful book to read to your toddler and for them to learn to read with. If you only get one or two Mem Fox books this has to be one of them.

The Dance of the Dinosaurs by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins

Rating: 4 out of 5
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (4 Nov 2002)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0007114443
ISBN-13: 978-0007114443
Product Dimensions: 25.8 x 22.8 x 0.6 cm
Recommended Ages: 3-6

First Sentence: "Lightening flashed, on a wild and stormy night and Georgie and Dee shivered in fright".

It's a dark and thundery night and Georgie and Dee could not sleep. Their cat, trying to show them there is nothing to fear of thunder storms, takes them on a magical journey to a land where Dinosaurs roam, and party creating thunder!

A lovely bedtime story for children about Dinosaurs who dance and make thunder. The story uses rhyming couplets that make it fun and easy to follow. The rhythm is good and the pacing just right for reading aloud. There is also opportunity for the reader to interject noises, such as loud roars, which makes the story more interesting to the child listening.

The illustrations are bright and colourful, filling most of the page. The animals are in cartoon form with big round eyes, and large smiley mouths. This makes them non threatening and very cute.

A delightful book with a lovely message of there being no need to fear thunderstorms. Because it is just Dinosaurs having some fun and dancing the night away. Is a perfect book to read at bedtime.

Grug Goes To Hospital by Ted Prior

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
ISBN: 0731814371
EAN: 9780731814374
Dimensions: 23.0 x 15.0 centimeters

First Sentence: "Grug was showing Cara how he could swing on a rope....."

Grug is a fictional character who stars in his own educational series. He is a little bush creature who explores the world around him. Each book deals with an issue or task like swimming, going to the zoo, or dancing.

In this adventure Grug falls and has to go to hospital. There he gets to play games, do drawings, and walk on crutches.

It is a basic story which helps children understand going to hospital is not a scary thing. It shows that hospital can be a good place where you go to get better.

The story is simple and the words are in a large font, this would make a good early reader book for young children.

The Grug series is a popular and charming Australian children book series (celebrating 20 years!). My 8 month old enjoyed looking at the pictures which are also simple but colourful.

Your Baby and Child by Penelope Leach

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book by Penelope Leach is intended to be a baby bible. A one stop book that covers virtually everything that is baby related from birth to five years old. This book covers everything from sleeping to development, feeding to playing, health to crying, and may more subjects.

Your Baby and Child has been a international best seller for twenty years. The book has been kept up to date and across the latest research, theories, and advice for raising children and babies. Penelope Leach is a research psychologist who specializes in child development. She is also president of the National Childminding Association, research advisor to National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, founding committee member of UK branch World Association for Infant Mental Health, and a mother and grandmother. Needles to say Penelope Leach has lots of experience in the art of raising children.

Ms Leach breaks the book into age groups which makes it easy to read and find the section you need when you come across individual problems (such as teething). At each stage she covers everything you will need to know and expect to find at the stage your child is going through. There is a comprehensive table of contents at the start of the book which assists you in finding the information you require.

The advice is practical and none judgemental. Penelope Leach presents both sides of an issue and has advice on what to do no matter what you decide, for instance she handles the issue of breastfeeding or bottle feeding with compassion and facts. She does not tell you what you should do or make you feel guilty. The information is presented clearly and in plain English. It is also based on the latest research and statistics.

This is an excellent beginners guide. If you have very little experience with babies and children this is the book for you. The book goes through nearly everything you need to know about caring for a child. I would recommend this book for all new parents and even experienced parents.