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Animals

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This Is Not My HatOne of our followers pointed out to me earlier today that it is National Hat Day and we should therefore do a post about hats! Naturally this made me think of Jon Klassen’s epic hat books which always have Ivy and I in fits of giggles.

Our current favourite is ‘This is not my hat’ which tells the story of a cheeky little fish who has stolen a hat. He’s not worried because he’s pretty sure that he’ll get away with it – but the big fish he stole from definitely wants his hat back. We love the deadpan humour and the fact the text tells a very different story to the pictures.

The minimalist illustrations are fantastic and there is a great sense of tension as the story gathers pace.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2DcJrNL

Some Birds By Matt Spink

Some BirdsWe are big fans of this lovely book about birds and how every type is different.

Tall and small, waddling and hopping, twitching and tweeting – all of the birds are beautifully drawn and the rhyming text is perfect for adding your own squawky sound effects.

Perfect for a tiny bird enthusiast!

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2D3YPLJ

The Bear Who Stared By Duncan Beedie

The Bear Who StaredThis gorgeous book by Duncan Beedie is about a big old bear who can’t help but stare.

The animals who live near his cave all dislike him because they think he is really rude. However what they don’t realise is that poor Bear is just a little shy and socially awkward. He wants to get to know his forest friends but he clams up and doesn’t know what to say – hence the stares. A chance encounter with a little frog gives him the confidence to try something new.

Is it possible that a simple smile could help him make friends?

The illustrations in this one are gorgeous (and as a fairly socially awkward grown up I absolutely love the story and message behind it).

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2Detljk

Tidy By Emily Gravett

TidyPete the Badger is obsessed with tidiness and likes everything to be neat and clean. He tidies flowers, grooms the local foxes, polishes the beaks of his bird chums and even vacuums the forest floor.

He enjoys his tidy little life but then one day Autumn comes and the leaves start to fall from the trees. Pete endeavours to bag them all up but then decides the empty trees look untidy so he digs them all up.

Things go from bad to worse as his attempts to tidy the forest escalate – until, surrounded by concrete, he realises that he’s destroyed his home and that of his friends. Together they work to restore the forest – but can Pete learn to live with it in its natural state?

This is a fun story which shows that sometimes you just need to know when to stop.

Ivy is a bit too young to appreciate the story but she loves the beautiful illustrations and names all of the animals as I turn the pages.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2CUsuaX

Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy By Lynley Dodd

Hairy Maclary From Donaldson's DairyWe’ve only had this one about 6 weeks but it’s been so popular with Ivy that it’s already covered in crayon!

Hairy Maclary is a fluffy little dog from Donaldson’s Dairy. He goes out for a walk and meets up with a motley crew of friends including Bottomley Potts (who is covered in spots) and Hercules Morse (who is as big as a horse).

They proudly walk through the town with their tails in the air but then spot their archenemy Scarface Claw. Who will prove to be the toughest animal in town?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2DRO3or

The Lion Who Wanted To Love By Giles Andreae & David Wojtowycz

The Lion Who Wanted To LoveLeo is not like other lions. He doesn’t feel compelled to hunt other animals, he just wants to cuddle them and shower them with love. As he is a little unusual and isn’t bringing any food to the pride, he is forced to leave his family and go it alone.

Will his loving approach help or hinder him as the little lion tries to survive on the plains alone?

This is such a sweet book with a lovely message about the importance of kindness.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2CuWHtn

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

TiddlerTiddler is a very cheeky fish who likes to tell little white lies to impress his friends. Whenever he’s late for school he tells extravagant tales of mermaids, treasure chests and sea turtles to explain away his tardiness.

One day he’s so engrossed in coming up with a new story that he doesn’t spot a fishing net and soon finds himself in unfamiliar territory. Is it possible that his tall tales might be able to save him and help him find his way back home?

This is one of our favourites from Julia Donaldson.The rhyming is super catchy and we speed up a lot as we get towards the end of the story, leaving us breathless and giggling by the last page

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2ClVGpV

Pom Pom Gets The Grumps By Sophy Henn

Pom Pom Gets The GrumpsPom Pom the Panda is having a bad day.He got out of bed on the wrong my side and now nothing is going right.

He can’t find his blanky, his cereal is all soggy, the sun is too shiny and the birds are too noisy. When he gets to school his friends try to cheer him up but he yells at them to go away. Will he be able to recover from the grumps and will his friends forgive him?

We love the cute illustrations in this one and the story teaches a good lesson about saying sorry.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2CnlJdT

Penguin Problems By Jory John & Lane Smith

Penguin ProblemsThis little penguin has big problems.

He’s cold. It’s too early. It’s too bright. The sea is too salty. He looks silly when he waddles. He can’t fly. He looks the same as everyone else. No one cares about his problems.

Yup – this penguin is your toddler!

When his complaining gets too much, a wise old walrus steps in and tries to put his problems in to perspective and encourages him to marvel at the wonderful world around him.

Can the little penguin look outside of himself and see that things really aren’t that bad for him after all?

We love the illustrations in this one and Ivy adores the ‘pingwings’.

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2kTt78P

Mog’s Christmas By Judith Kerr

Mog's ChristmasPreparations for Christmas are underway at Mog’s house and he is not a happy cat.

Everyone is busy, there are too many people in the house and to top it all off someone has brought a tree in to the living room. A tree!

He escapes to the roof but it begins to snow and he soon gets cold.

Will Mog’s family be able to coax him down and show him just how lovely Christmas can be?

Buy it now: http://amzn.to/2BTJ49D