December 2006

This is an initial list of books for preschool children aged from 1 to 6 years old.  I shall gradually add to the list and improve it.  I have enjoyed going back over old favourites and discovering new delights.

Please Note   All prices are in Australian dollars and include 10% GST.   However this GST does not apply to exports from Australia.

Send orders to Austral Ed by post, fax or by email.  Payment can be made with Bank cheques in Australian dollars, by direct bank transfer or by credit card.  Freight is sent by the most economical method, depending on urgency.

Recommended by Kate Shepherd

Jez Alborough
Fix-it Duck  pb $14.95 
Duck is a very engaging character.  When there is a leak in the roof, it sets off a hilarious chain of events as he tries with disastrous results to try and fix it.
Also  Duck in the Truck  hardback  $26.95  pb $14.95  Board Book $12.95
Hit the Ball Duck hardback $24.95 pb $14.95 When Duck and his friends play ball, the ball gets stuck in the tree which again sets  off a very funny chain of events.  A very entertaining story with appealing illustrations.
Tall  hardback $24.95  pb $14.95  An ingenious almost textless picture book in which only five words are used.  Bobo is a little chimp but as he sits on top of a variety of animals he becomes tall.  An engaging picture book which will spark lots of talk amongst very young readers. 
Watch Out!  Big Bro's Coming!  pb $14.95   When little mouse comes running and calls out "Watch Out!  Big Bro's Coming!"  "He's rough, he's tough and he's big" all the animals are scared.  Children will love the surprise when they discover that Big Bro isn't so big - though as little mouse's big brother he is much bigger than little mouse!
Where's My Teddy?  pb $14.95  Big Book $37.95  Board Book $12.95    Eddy's lost his teddy Freddy and is searching for it in the dark wood.  Bear has lost his teddy and is also 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. 
Also It's the Bear!  pb $14.95  Board book $12.95 is a funny and slightly spooky sequel. 

Pamela Allen
Her picture books are loved by young children because of their bold bright illustrations and their fast moving story line with lots of rhyme, rhythm and repetition.  Her books have twice won the CBC Picture Book of the Year Award as well as many other awards.
Who sank the Boat?    pb $14.95 
This is a marvelous story illustrating a science concept.  Which animal finally caused the boat to sink?
Fancy That!   pb  $14.95    There is lots of clucking in the hen house as the little red hen proudly shows off her six new chicks!       
My Cat Maisie     pb  $14.95   Andrew understands why the cat doesn't like his rough play when he gets frightened by the boisterous dog.   
Bertie and the Bear   pb   $14.95   When Bertie is chased by the bear, all sorts of other people join in the chase.  Lots of fun with lots of noises.  Winner of CBC Award 1984.  Also   The Bear's Lunch pb $14.95 
Mr McGee  pb  $14.95 and Mr McGee Goes to Sea   pb  $14.95   These are simple stories, especially popular with preschoolers because of their noisy exuberance.   And a very itchy, scratchy Mr McGee and the Biting Flea pb $14.95 and Mr McGee and the Perfect Nest pb $14.95 where the bird decides that Mr McGee's umbrella is the perfect nest.   Mr McGee and the Big Bag of Bread hardback $24.95
Belinda    pb $14.95  Belinda the cow has a mind of her own but Old Tom is determined to match her, and milk her.
Alexander's Outing  pb $14.95  Alexander is a wayward duckling who has to be rescued when he strays from his family.
Clippity-Clop   pb $14.95   Two stubborn donkeys won't shift and so the little old man and woman have to think hard...
The Pear in the Pear Tree  pb $14.95  Lots of action and fun as two children want to get the pear on the pear tree but how?  It's too high. Pamela Allen uses their attempts to illustrate a number of science concepts such as gravity and water displacement, beautifully integrated into this very simple story.
The Potato People hardback $25.95  pb $14.95   When Jack and his grandma make potato people, Jack is very surprised when he sees what happens to them over a few months. 
Grandpa and Thomas   pb $14.95  Grandpa and Thomas spend a delightful day at the beach enjoying each other's company as they paddle, picnic and feed the screeching seagulls.  Lots of familiar rhythmic repetition as the sea swooshes and swishes in the background.  (4 – 6 years)

Giles Andreae and Vanessa Cabban
There's a House inside my Mummy pb $14.95
Written from the point of view of a little boy who imagines there is a house inside his mummy where the new baby brother or sister is growing.  Charming illustrations and a simple rhyming text. 

Catherine and Laurence Anholt
Kids  pb $14.95
This picture book contains many detailed charming illustrations of a large variety of kids doing all the different sorts of things that kids do.   Young children will love to look at the pictures and talk about what is happening.     (4 – 8 years)

Bernard Ashley
Cleversticks illustrated by Derek Brazell  pb $11.95
When Ling Sung starts school, he doesn't like it because everyone can do things that he can't do.  However all his problems disappear when he discovers that he can do something that no one else can do – he can use chopsticks.  A picture book which is a great confidence builder.      (5 – 7 years)

Quentin Blake
All Join In     pb $20.95
Quentin Blake is most well known for his illustrations of Road Dahl's work, but he also has a wonderful verbal rhythmic sense of fun.  This is a rollicking noisy infectious romp for very young children where everyone joins in the fun.  
Mr Magnolia pb  $18.95    Mr Magnolia is well loved and well remembered because of the remarkable fact that he had only one shoe.

Nan Bodsworth
A Nice Walk in the Jungle   pb  $14.95 
Miss Jellaby is such an enthusiastic teacher that as she walks and talks her way through the jungle she doesn't notice that her class is, one by one, being consumed by a hungry boa constrictor.

John Brennan
A is for Australia  pb $10.95  
A stunning photographic alphabet book in which some of the best known Australian icons are shown such as U for Uluru and V for Vegemite and B for billy tea.  It is an excellent introduction to Australia for young children.

Eileen Browne

• Handa’s Hen  pb $14.95  Big Book $37.95

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.            

John Burningham
Would you rather?  pb $17.95
A book of choices which invites lots of discussion as children decide whether they would rather help a witch make stew or help Santa when he delivers presents, whether they would rather eat mashed worms or spider stew.    (5 – 8 years)

Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar  pb $16.95  Board book $17.95 
Highly innovative for its time, this classic story is beautifully illustrated and told and is much loved by young children.  The hungry caterpillar eats his way through various foods till he becomes fat and finally becomes a beautiful butterfly. 

Rod Campbell
Dear Zoo pb $12.95   Big Book $45.00
This is a well loved classic.  It is also a lift-the-flap books 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.

Thelma Catterwell
Sebastian lives in a Hat  illus by Kerry Argent   pb  $13.95 
 The true story of Sebastian, the baby wombat who was orphaned and lived the first few months of his life in a woollen hat.

Rod Clement
Counting on Frank   pb  $14.95 
This is the story of a boy who is a true enthusiast about mathematics and is always estimating, calculating and working things out.  How many Franks would fill up the bedroom?  (Frank is a dog).  Striking illustrations add to the fun.          (5 – 10 years)

Trish Cooke
So Much illus by Helen Oxenbury  pb $14.95
The exuberant warmth of this Afro-Caribbean family is joyously portrayed as more and more of the family arrive and greet the baby who is loved by everyone just "so much".

Helen Cooper
Pumpkin Soup  pb $17.95
A delightful story about Cat, Squirrel and Duck and the problems caused when Duck decides he will stir the pumpkin soup instead of Squirrel.  It takes a while but gradually everything is worked and cooperation reigns again.  

Lucy Cousins
Go Maisy Go!  Board Book $19.95
This sturdy large format board and lift-the flap book shows Maisy traveling by bus, by fire engine, by aeroplane, by tractor and by train.  There are a number of very popular books about Maisy.
Where Does Maisy Live?  Board Book $12.95   This sturdy lift-the flap book is a very simple exploration of various places where Maisy could perhaps live but doesn't, until finally there is a picture of a house.   Also Where is Maisy Going?  hardback $17.95
Hooray for Fish!  hardback $27.95  A joyful brightly coloured look at many different sorts of fish in the ocean.

Niki Daly
Where's Jamela?  pb $14.95 
Jamela is not happy about shifting to a new house in a new neighbourhood but when they shift in and Jamela looks out of the window she is reassured by the sight of the same stars in the night sky.  A story set in a lively black South African neighbourhood.     (5 – 8 years)

Lynley Dodd
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy   Big Book $42.95   hardback  $21.95  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.  There are many sequels including Hairy Maclary's Bone, Hairy Maclary Scattercat and Slinky Malinki  hardback  $24.95 each  pb $14.95 each
Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack hardback $21.95   board book $14.95 is about a playful duckling who is too fast for Hairy Maclary.

Mem Fox
Mem Fox is extremely well known because of the success of Possum Magic, illus by Julie Vivas  hb $26.95 pb $14.95, Big Book $39.95 and she is also a wonderful storyteller.  Also:   Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge  illus by Julie Vivas pb $14.95
Hattie and the Fox illus by Patricia Mullins  pb $14.95   The rhythm and repetition of this story about a hen which sees a fox makes it an excellent story to read aloud to young children.
Shoes from Grandpa  illus by Patricia Mullins  pb $14.95 
Wombat Divine  illus by Kerry Argent pb $15.00  Wombat, who is a most appealing creature, wanted desperately to take part in the Christmas nativity play but for each part he was too big, or too small or ....    A marvellous text to read aloud and the illustrations have charm and humour.
Where is the Green Sheep? illus by Judy Horacek hardback $19.95   Great fun to read aloud.  In this rhythmic rollicking quest for the green sheep, we come across many other amazing sheep.

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.

Sarah Hayes
This is the Bear  illus by Helen Craig  pb $14.95  Big Book $37.95
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 $14.95   Big Book $37.95
and This is the Bear and the Picnic Lunch  pb $14.95 Big Book $37.95

Judy Hindley
Eyes, Nose, Fingers and Toes: A first Book All About You  illus by Brita Granstrom  pb $14.95   Board Book $12.95     Lots of actions accompany the playful descriptive text showing the different parts of children's bodies.  The humorous illustrations and text work perfectly together.
Does a Cow say Boo?  Illus by Brita Granstrom hardback $27.95  pb $14.95  Judy Hindley uses rhyme, rhythm and animal noises to great effect as this group of small children work out the sounds that the animals make.  Such fun!

Shirley Hughes
Alfie's Feet  pb $14.95
There are many charming stories about Alfie and his lttle sister Annie Rose.  In this one Alfie gets new yellow boots and discovers he has put them on the wrong feet. 

Pat Hutchins
Rosie's Walk   pb $16.95  Board Book $16.95
The classic story of Rosie the hen who goes for a walk around the pond, and the farmyard and doesn't once notice the fox trailing her.  Needless to say the children reading the story notice the fox and much more besides. 
Titch    pb $16.95    With an older brother and sister, Titch is the youngest member of the family and this has its problems

Mick Inkpen
The Blue Balloon  pb $15.95
A classic about a wondrous blue balloon which does amazing things.

Catherine Jinks
You'll Wake the Baby   illus by Andrew McLean pb $14.95
Annie and Andy are playing - and trying their hardest to play quietly so that they don't wake the baby.  So difficult.  When they finally play at being hibernating bears they fall asleep just as the baby wakes with a yell.

Sheena Knowles
Edward the Emu  illus by Rod Clement  pb $14.95  
Edward is the most expressive emu imaginable as he shows his boredom at being an emu and checks out the behaviour of the other animals in the zoo and then tries to imitate them.

Laurie Krebs
We All Went on Safari  A Counting Journey through Tanzania illustrated by Julia Cairns  hardback $29.00  pb $13.00  This is a delightfully illustrated counting book which as well counting up to ten in numbers and in Swahili introduces us to some of the wonderful African animals which range across the grasslands of Tanzania.  This bright and lively counting book also serves as a very helpful introduction to this African country.       (4 - 10 years)

Sofie Laguna
Too Loud Lily illus by Kerry Argent   pb $14.95 
Lily couldn't help being noisy in almost everything that she did and she was forever being told to shush.  However when the new drama teacher arrives at the school, Lily's loudness is appreciated and she is the exuberant star of the school play.

Alison Lester
Her illustration style has a charming simplicity. 
Clive Eats Alligators, Tessa Snaps Snakes, Rosie Sips Spiders and When Frank was Four pb $15.95  each
These simple picture books show the individuality and strong likes and dislikes of seven children.  Good to use as a catalyst for discussion of what students like and dislike.  The latest in this series is Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo which is a vibrant introduction to Aboriginal life and to the tropical seasons in the north of Australia.
I'm Green and I'm Grumpy and Monsters are Knocking  pb $14.95 each    Each of these inviting books involves a guessing game of who is behind the door.

 
Debbie MacKinnon
All About Me  Photographs by Anthea Sieveking   pb $14.95  Big book $37.95   
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)

David Mckee
Elmer pb $16.95  
Elmer is a patchwork elephant of many colours.  When he decides he wants to become a plain grey elephant like all the others, they soon let him know that they prefer him just as he is.

Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom
Yuck!  Hardback   $27.95  pb $14.95
A baby bird eats a wriggly worm, and a baby lizard eats a spider.  We say yuck! but these baby animals would say yuck to the cup of milk that our baby drinks.  Very engaging fun illustrations and repetition of the text make this a most appealing picture book for young children. 

Bill Martin Jr.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you see?  illus by Eric Carle  pb $14.95
Another classic picture book which introduces young children to colours and a range of animals through engaging illustrations and simple repetitive text.

Helen Nicholl
Meg and Mog  illustrated by Jan Pienkowski  pb $14.95 Board Book $9.95
This is the well loved story of Meg the witch and her black and white striped cat Mog.
Meg's Eggs pb $14.95 Board Book $9.95  When one of Meg's spells goes wrong (as usual0, dinosaurs hatch out of the eggs.  Vivid illustrations, large simple text and appealing characters make these stories a favourite with young children.  Many more titles are in the series: Meg, Mog and Og, Meg up the Creek, Meg at Sea, Meg on the Moon, Meg's Car, Meg's castle, Meg's Mummy, Meg's Veg, Mog at the Zoo and Mog in the Fog  pb $14.95 each title.
Meg & Mog lift-the flap Book  Large format Board Book $14.95  This Board Book has 42 sturdy flaps which children can lift and find out what Meg keeps in her cupboard, what is in her garden and so on.  A perfect size for very young children.  

Deborah Niland
Annie's Chair  pb $14.95
Annie has a very special chair that no one else is allowed to sit in.  But she makes an exception for Benny the dog and says that they can sit in the chair together. Very appealing bright illustrations show Annie as a character with a very distinctive personality.

Jan Ormerod
Sunshine hardback $24.95
A beautifully expressive textless picture book which describes a little girl waking up in the morning, getting dressed and then the frantic rush as she tells her parents the time and they all rush to get ready to leave.

Helen Oxenbury
All fall Down             Say Goodnight
Clap Hands             Tickle, Tickle         Board Books $14.95 each title
Very simple action rhymes provide the text for these big board books showing big bouncy babies as they clap or fall down or are tickled.  Delightful books for babies and toddlers.

Emily Rodda
Squeak Street illus by Andrew McLean pb $14.95
When the Postman delivers mail to all the houses in Squeak Street we get to see inside the houses of all the very different mice living in the Street. And last of all we see Postman Ben in Number Ten.  The story has an engaging rhyming text and illustrations.

Phyllis Root
One Duck Stuck illus by Jane Chapman  pb $14.95  Board Book $12.95
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
This is Our House  illus by Bob Graham   pb $14.95
George has decided that he is the only one who can play in the big cardboard house but the other children are determined that everyone shall play in it.  A charming and humorous picture book about sharing and cooperation.           (4 - 8 years)
We're Going on a Bear Hunt  illus by Helen Oxenbury  hardback $29.95  Big Book $37.95  pb $14.95   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!"

Jeannette Rowe
Whose nose? feet? ears?   hardback $19.95
This strongly bound book combines three very popular flip the flap books for young children.  Brilliantly coloured illustrations show which animals belong to which noses or feet or ears.
Whose House?   pb $10.95  A book of similar format showing which animals live in which houses.

Gillian Rubinstein
Dog In, Cat Out  illustrated by Ann James  pb $14.95 
Through the simple changing refrain of dog in, cat out, we follow the activities of a family through a whole day as the dog and cat come in and out of the house.  There is much to talk about.  (5 – 8 years)

April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre
One is a Snail Ten is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book  illustrated by Randy Cecil   pb $14.95   This is a counting book with a difference for it encourages children to add up and to see the differences between numbers and patterns of numbers and even to attempt simple multiplication.  The snail with its one foot is used for one.  A boy has two feet and so three is a person and a snail.  Six is an insect, and seven is an insect and a snail.  It gets more complicated at ten which is a crab and that means twenty is two crabs.  Thirty is three crabs or ten people and a crab.  And so on up to one hundred which is ten crabs or "if you're really counting slowly" one hundred snails.  (4 – 6 years)

Eve Sutton
My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes  illus by Lynley Dodd  pb $14.95
This is a very popular repetitive and cumulative nonsense rhyme about cats from countries round the world.

Elfrida Vipont
The Elephant and the Bad Baby  pb $14.95
A rollicking nonsense romp about a bad baby, who goes for a romp through the town riding on the elephant's back, but who never once says please.

Charlotte Voake
Ginger pb $14.95  Board Book $12.95
Ginger the cat is not happy when the little girl gets a small kitten who wants to share his basket and food.  This is a delightful tale of how he and the kitten learn to get along. 

An Vrombaut
Smile, Crocodile, Smile  pb $16.95 
Poor Clarabella the crocodile has so many teeth that it takes her all day to clean them, while the other animal children have quickly finished and go off to play.  When one of her friends gives her an especially long toothbrush, she also has time to join in the play.

Martin Waddell
It's Quacking Time illus by Jill Barton  hardback $24.95
Duckling is amazed to be told that he (and Granda) came in a beautiful blue egg just like the one in the nest.  The quacking and the celebration starts when the new baby duckling hatches out the egg.  A lovely celebration of the wonders of birth.    
Owl Babies  illus by Patrick Benson  pb $14.95  hardback $24.95  Big Book $37.95     A warmly reassuring story of three owl babies left on their won while their mothr goes hunting.  The text is simple and certain refrains are repeated.  The wide-eyed apprehensive baby owls are beautifully drawn.
The Pig in the Pond illus by Jill Barton  pb 14.95    Big Book $37.95   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.

Rosemary Wells
Yoko  hardback  $33.95
Yoko is devastated when the children make fun of the sushi that she brings for her lunch.  However a thoughtful teacher, a hungry friend and an International Food Day all help solve Yoko's problems. 

Ian Whybrow
Quacky quack-quack!  Illus by Russell Ayton  pb $14.95
A delightfully wacky book.  A mother gives a baby some bread to feed the ducks but when the baby decides to eat the bread himself, then a very noisy chorus of protest starts up.  Children will love to join all the noises in this chorus.

Gene Zion
Harry the Dirty Dog  illus by Margaret Bloy Graham  pb $17.95
Published first back in 1956, this is the classic much loved story of Harry the white dog with black spots who ran away because he didn't like having a bath.  He came back so dirty that he wasn't recognized because he was now a black dog with white spots. 

If you would like to order any of the books listed above, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email.    All prices are in Australian dollars.

© Kate Shepherd 2008.