Feburary 2008
I am often requested for Big Book recommendations. This is a selection
of Big Books, both fiction and non-fiction, which I think will be for
helpful for teachers. I have included other editions of each title
where available, not just the Big Book.
All prices are in Australian dollars and include 10% GST tax. However
this GST does not apply to exports from Australia.
If you would like to order any of the books on the list, send the orders
to Austral Ed by post, fax or by email. Payment can be made by
direct bank transfer or bank cheques in Australian dollars or by Credit
card especially for private purchases. Freight is sent by
the most economical method within Australia or overseas, depending on
urgency.
Recommended
by Kate Shepherd
Jez Alborough
Where's My Teddy? pb $15.95 Big
Book $39.95 Board Book $12.95
Eddy's lost his teddy Freddy and is searching for it in the dark
wood. Bear has also lost his teddy and is searching for him in
the dark wood. Children will love the mix-up when Eddy finds Bear's
huge teddy and Bear finds Eddy's tiny teddy.
Jeannie Baker
The Hidden Forest hardback $27.95 pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95
This picture book, also made from collage work, is set in the kelp forests
of the oceans round Tasmanian. As usual the collages are made up
of natural materials - rock, sand, wood, feathers and seaweed. This
is an unusual look at life in a very different type of forest – an
ocean forest. (8 years up)
Where the Forest meets the Sea hardback $27.95 pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95
This picture book is made from intricate collages. Set in the Daintree
rainforest in northern Queensland, it shows a fragile rainforest area
next to the sea, easily threatened by too much human activity. (7
years up)
Window hardback $27.95 pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95
This is a study of a changing view through the window of a house as more
and more houses encroach on the countryside seen from the window. (8
years up)
Graeme Base
• Animalia pb $19.95 Big book $45.00
This exceptionally detailed picture book is an A - Z which has a wealth of hidden objects and ideas.
Eileen Browne
Handa's Hen pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
When Handa searches for Mondi the black hen, she finds two fluttery butterflies
and then three stripy mice and other animals till they finally find Mondi
the hen and her ten chicks. A charming story that is a counting
book and also shows us about life and the animals in a Kenyan village. (4 – 7
years)
Handa's Surprise pb $15.95, pb with DVD $19.95, Big Book $39.95
When Handa takes her friend a surprise of seven different African fruits,
she is the one who is surprised when all the fruits have disappeared
by the time she arrives at her friends' village. (4 – 7
years)
Rod Campbell
Dear Zoo pb $14.95, Board Book $12.95, Big Book $45.00
This is a well-loved classic. It is also a lift-the-flap book in
which the flaps are truly an integral part of the story. The zoo
sends all sorts of pets in all sorts of packages but none of them is
right until finally a puppy is sent in a basket. (3 – 7 years)
Kathryn Cave
W is for World (in conjunction with OXFAM) pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95
A large number of countries are included and the daily life of adults
and children is brought to life with simple text and stunning photographs. It
is much more than just an alphabet book as it also has a message about
people's basic rights of shelter, food, water, health care and
education. (5 - 9 years)
Penny Dale
Ten in the Bed pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
A subtle variation on the favourite nursery song illustrated with warm
and lively illustrations. (3 – 6 years)
Prodeepta Das
I is for India pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
A very informative, beautifully photographed alphabet book which gives
readers an introduction to the cultural background and everyday life
of China. (5 – 8 years)
Lynley Dodd
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy Big
Book $42.95 hardback $24.95 pb $14.95 Cassette $10.95 Hairy Maclary and his friends are all
terrified of Scarface Claw, the toughest tomcat in town. This
rhyming story has a rollicking pace and lots of humour. (3 – 7
years)
Julia Donaldson
Gruffalo pb $16.95, hardback $26.95, Book and CD pack $19.95, Big Book
$45.00
A deliciously scary book. When a quick-witted mouse takes a walk
through a dark wood and Fox and owl and Snake want to eat him he makes
up tales of a fearful Gruffalo to scare them off. But then he does come
across a real hungry Gruffalo. (4 – 7 years)
Mem Fox
Possum Magic, illus by Julie Vivas hb $30.00
pb $16.00, Big Book $40.00
The extraordinarily popular story about a possum called little Hush and
her Grandma Poss. (3 – 7 years)
Amanda Graham
Arthur illus by Donna Gynell pb $16.95
Big Book $42.95
Children love this story about Arthur, a dog in a pet store desperately
wanting a home but nobody seems to want him. He imitates all the
other pet shop animals in the hope of being bought but just when he has
given up hope a little girl buys him. (3 – 7 years)
Sarah Hayes
This is the Bear illus by Helen Craig pb
$15.95, Big Book $39.95
Very engaging rhyming story about a boy and his teddy bear. The
repetition of the text and delightful illustrations make it a perfect
story for very young children.
Also This is the Bear and the Scary Night pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95
and This is the Bear and the Picnic Lunch pb $15.95
Big Book $39.95 (3 – 7 years)
Paul Jennings
Rascal Stories by illustrated by Bob Lea pb
$9.95 each
Rascal the Dragon, Rascal's
Trick, Rascal in Trouble, Rascal Takes Off, Rascal at the Show, Rascal
and the Cheese, Rascal and Little Flora, Rascal and the Hot Air Balloon,
Little Rascal to the Rescue, Rascal and the Dragon Droppings, Rascal
and the Monster and Rascal goes Fishing. Rascal
the Dragon is an engaging young stray dragon who has been adopted by
a young boy and his father in much the same way that a family would
take in a stray puppy. The stories are enjoyable, humorous and
very simply written for children just beginning to read. Also
would be good for ESL. Rascal the Dragon, Rascal in Trouble, Rascal Takes Off and Rascal’s Trick are
also available in larger picture book format. pb $14.95
Rascal Takes Off is also available as a Big Book $45.00 each (5 – 7
years)
Margrete Lamond and Bill Wood (adapted by)
The Tiger, the Brahmin and the Jackal (A Play) makes
a simple but very effective play for young readers. Excellent
for use in the classroom, especially at Grade two or three level. Small
book $9.90 Big Book $44.95
Jill Murphy
Quiet Night In pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
Mrs Large plans for a quiet night in with Mr Large to celebrate his birthday. However with
a large family things often do not work out as planned. (4 – 7
years)
Ifeoma Onyefulu
A is for Africa pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
This beautifully photographed alphabet book gives a vivid portrait of
day-to-day village life in Nigeria. Informative text. (5 – 8
years)
Chidi Only Likes Blue: An African Book of Colours Big Book $39.95
While Chidi only likes the blue of his best shirt, his sister loves all
the colours of their African village. This picture book cleverly
combines an exploration of colours with a description of an African village,
a simple text and beautiful photographs of the houses, designs, food,
plants etc in the village. (5 – 10 years)
Gwen Pascoe and Veronica Jefferis
Deep in a Rainforest pb $16.95 Big
Book pb $44.95, small paperback $4.95.
A beautifully illustrated picture book which shows the colour and beauty
of the flora and fauna of the rainforest. (6 - 9 years)
Phyllis Root
• One Duck Stuck illus by Jane Chapman pb $14.95 Board Book $12.95 Big Book $39.95
When “one duck gets stuck in the muck, down by the deep green marsh”, it takes many different creatures to help her free. Repetition, alliteration, rhythm and rhyme ensure this is great fun to read aloud. Also a counting book with lively engaging illustrations.
Michael Rosen
We're Going on a Bear Hunt illus by Helen Oxenbury hardback
$29.95 Big Book $39.95 pb $15.95
A wonderfully illustrated
and retold version of the well know action rhyme. Children will love
to act out walking through the grass "Swishy swashy!" and wading
through the mud "Squelch squerch!" (4 – 7
years)
Jessica Souhami
Rama and the Demon King. An ancient Tale from
India pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
The illustrations for this very simple retelling of the story of Rama
have been adapted from Souhani's own shadow puppets and the retelling
is dramatic and exciting. Elementary.
Martin Waddell
Owl Babies illus by Patrick Benson pb $15.95 Big Book $39.95
A warmly reassuring story of three owl babies left on their won while
their mother goes hunting. The text is simple and certain refrains are
repeated. The wide-eyed apprehensive baby owls are beautifully drawn. (3 – 6
years)
The Pig in the Pond illus by Jill Barton pb 15.95 Big
Book $39.95
It is a very hot day at Neligan's farm but the ducks and geese
are cool swimming in the pond. The pig is watching and getting
hotter and hotter and all pandemonium breaks out when he finally decides
to jump into the pond. Great fun to read aloud. (4 – 7
years)
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell illus by Helen Oxenbury Big Book $39.95 pb $15.95 This Award winning
book has overtones of Animal Farm for littlies. The animals use their
initiative and take over the running of the farm from a domineering, lazy and
bossy farmer. (6 – 13 years)
Can't You Sleep Little Bear illus by Barbara Firth pb
$15.95 Big Book $39.95 Delightful story of Little Bear who
is fearful of the dark and when he cannot sleep is taken out to see the stars. (3 – 6
years)
Non-Fiction
All About Me by Debbie MacKinnon Photographs
by Anthea Sieveking pb $12.95 Big book $39.95 Beautifully
photographed, this is a most engaging picture book for preschoolers showing
the exuberance of young children in play, eating, getting dressed etc. (3 – 7
years)
Festivals (Little Nippers series)
by Monica Hughes
My Christmas pb $16.95 Big
Book $44.00
My Easter pb $16.95 Big
Book $44.00
These are very simple information books. Each title looks at the
preparations and details of the festival described and follows a young
child enjoying the preparations and then the celebrations. Very
helpful for there are few books as simple as these at this level. (5 – 7
years)
Keeping Silk Worms by Josephine Croser pb small $7.80 Big
Book $44.00
Describes the life cycle of the silk worm and also describes how they
can be raised and how the silk can be harvested. (6 – 10
years)
Levers Very Useful Machines series hardback $29.95
Big Book $44.00
A simple introduction to this simple machine showing how it works, parts
and materials as well as how we use them. Contains facts box, glossary
and index. (4 – 8 years)
Life Cycles of Australian Animals series by Greg Pyers
Emu hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Green Turtle pb
$14.95 Big Book $44.00
Koala hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Lace Monitor hardback $29.95 Big Book
$44.00
Little Penguin pb $14.95 Big Book $44.00
Red Kangaroo hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Saltwater Crocodile hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Seahorse hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Spotted Grass Frog hardback $29.95 Big
Book $44.00
Tasmanian Devil hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
Wedge-tailed Eagle hardback $29.95 Big
Book $44.00
Clear simply written text describes how these animals live, their habitat,
and how they care for their young. Excellent photographs, Glossary
and index and additional facts are also included. (8 – 11
years).
Life in a Rainforest: A Tree Top Walk by Rodney
Martin pb $7.80 Big Book $44.95
Describes the features of a sub-tropical rainforest in northern Australia
and some of the flora and fauna that may be seen during a walk that takes
readers from the forest floor to the canopy. (Teacher Notes pb
$13.95) (6 – 10 years)
The Life of a Duck by Josephine Croser pb small
$7.80 Big Book $44.95
Clear description of the stages in the life cycle of a duck. (6 – 9
years)
Snapshots of Asia by Sue Ledger and Richard Ledger $196.15
nett for the whole pack
This is a very special pack. These 6 Big Books make a wide range
of information on China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam
much more accessible. Each country is introduced through a family
and stories of daily life and fact files on environment, school, getting
about etc help capture various physical and cultural aspects of life
in each country. Bright coloured photos are contrasted with appealing
cartoon style drawings and each book also contains a map, a board game,
shopping lists, a cooking recipe and instructions. The books aim
to help develop literacy while introducing Asian content. The accompanying
teacher guide contains additional information, classroom activities and
blackline masters. For the lower and middle primary classroom,
it would also be very effective with ESL students. Teachers' Guide pb
$32.95
Three extra Big Book titles India, Malaysia and Philippines have
now been published in the Snapshots of Asia series. This
pack contains three Big Books and a Teachers' Guide $99.00
Big Books of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam and
also India, Malaysia and Philippines can
now be purchased individually $43.95 each.
We're from India by Vic Parker hardback
$29.95 Big Book $44.00
We meet a number of children who live in India and learn about their
schools, families, as well as information on transport, landscape, food,
festivals and weather in India. (4 – 8 years)
Where Does it Come from series
Bread hardback $29.95 Big Book $44.00
Honey hardback $29.95 Big book $44.00
Milk Big Book $44.00
Paper hardback $29.95 Big Book $44.00
Peanut Butter hardback $29.95 Big Book $39.95
Water hardback $29.95 Big Book $44.00
These books trace the raw materials through the various stages of collections,
to production to sale and then to consumption. (6 – 8
years)
Who Helps us in the Street (Little Nippers series)
by Vic Parker hardback $22.00 Big Book $44.00 Looks
at the roles of different people a child may meet in the street and how
these people may be able help both the child and the community. (4 – 8
years)
All prices are in Australian dollars. If you would
like to order any of the above books, send orders to Austral Ed by
fax, post or email.
For additional lists of recommended books and
newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our website www.australed.iinet.net
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