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Content by ABCeDar
Reviewer Rank: 11
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Reviews Written by
ABCeDar
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Little Tiger gets the opportunity to stay up all night, 16 Nov 2009
instead of following his usual bedtime routine............like all his friends.
But does getting his own way make him a happy little tiger?
From the back cover:-
'Little Tiger was very naughty.
He did not like going to bed.
When one night Mummy Tiger roared,
"All right, you can stay up all night then!"
he couldn't believe his good luck, and scampered off into the jungle, before she could change her mind.......'
As Little Tiger sets out to visit his playmates, they are all in the process of settling down for the night, e.g. bath-time or listening to a bedtime story, with their Mummy or Daddy.
The Little Tiger Press/2006 version measures in at approximately 26 cm x 23 cm, with appealing paperback covers opening to 30 high quality shiny pages in the popular 2-page spread format.
Example of the descriptive text, enhanced at times FOR EFFECT:-
'Little Tiger decided to visit his second best friend, Little Hippo.
He found him splashing in the river; having a bedtime bath.
'It's bedtime," bellowed Daddy Hippo.
"Why are you still up?"
"I don't want to go to bed!" said Little Tiger, and he scurried off into the jungle before Daddy Hippo could give him a bath, too!.......'
....and so the story continues in similar fashion, offering plenty of opportunity to join in with the main repeat elements:-
"It's bedtime,"
"Why are you still up?"
"I don't want to go to bed!"
When Little Tiger gets to his 4th best friend he has exhausted his options, so he ventures deeper into the jungle where he meets....
..... two very large yellow eyes!
What can it be?
Don't worry!
It is all right....and the ending has a subtle twist on the theme!
Superbly illustrated throughout, by Tim Warnes, offering great scope for further discussion.
ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo
BOOK with CD VERSION:-
'I don't want to go to bed!'
'Complete story with original music and sound effects'.
Safely enclosed in a plastic CD envelope on the flap at the back of the book, the CD runs for just over 17 minutes.
After about a two minute musical run in, the story is superbly narrated by HELEN LEDERER, who also does the female voices...... and CRAIG KELLY as the voice of 'Little Tiger' and the Daddies!
The jungle type music is catchy and reasonably dramatic, when required, suitably enhancing the narration.
The story is read through completely in the first half at a good pace, with the sound effects .....then the opportunity to read-along is given on the second half of the CD, with a page turn noise and suitable delay to help younger reader/listeners.
All in all, a super package for a great price, at the time of writing!
Look out for
Smiley Shark
and
The Teeny Weeny Tadpole
read by the same duo!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A likeable Tadpole sets out on a mission........., 5 Nov 2009
....to learn the art of jumping, just like Mummy Frog!
From the back cover:-
'...."Mum, why can't I jump like you?" asked Tadpole.
"Oh but you will, Tadpole," said Mother Frog.
"You will. Just keep splishing and splashing!"
Every creature the teeny weeny tadpole meets seems to be able to jump, except him.
Then he meets the big bad fish, who can't jump - but he can swim very, very fast, and he eats little tadpoles..........'
Oh no!
Little faces in my reading corner audiences tend to look up in dismay........
but, don't worry........
It is all right at the end!
The Little Tiger Press version measures in at approximately 26 cm x 23 cm, with appealing paperback covers opening to 30 high quality shiny pages in the popular 2-page spread format.
Example of the lively and descriptive text :-
'The teeny weeny tadpole swam in and out of the lily pads.
Splish! Splash!
"Hello, my busy little tadpole," said Mother Frog.
"It's a lovely day for splashing!
And leaping...."
Boing! went Mother Frog high into the air.....
Flippity-flop, she landed with a plop!
"I could do that," said Tadpole and he tried to leap on to a lily pad.
All he managed was a splish and a splash.
"Mum, why can't I jump like you?" asked Tadpole.
"Oh but you will, Tadpole," said Mother Frog.
"You will. Just keep splishing and splashing!"....'
So the little tadpole swims off to splish and splash, noting his mother's warning about the big, bad fish. Over the course of the next few days Tadpole meets some others and enquires whether they can jump?
Boing!
and
Springity-sprong!
goes lamb....... in a practical demonstration...as he leaps across two pages!
Tadpole is suitably impressed!
....and so the story continues in similar fashion, offering plenty of opportunity to join in with the odd Boing! and the other main repeat elements:-
"Hello," said Tadpole.
"Who are you?"
and
"Can you jump?"
as the inquisitive Tadpole meets another creature!
The superb illustrations are further enhanced by meaningful facial expressions, and offer great scope for further discussion - e.g. feelings, especially with the rather large mouth of the big, bad fish........
which actually has a useful effect in helping little tadpole achieve his life-changing goal!
Young audiences tend to pick up additional information from the story without realising - e.g. the woolly-faced lamb, the twitchy-nosed rabbit and the bug-eyed grass-hopper!
The most observant spot the changes in the appearance of the 'teeny weeny tadpole', as the story progresses!
A super story, which is one of my favourites for reading out loud..... but a copy with the CD of the story is useful for those times when one wishes to follow the story, alone!
ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo ooOoo
The Teeny Weeny Tadpole : BOOK with CD VERSION:-
'Complete story with original music and sound effects'.
Safely enclosed in a plastic CD envelope on the flap at the back of the book, the CD runs for just over 16 minutes.
After around a two minute musical run in, the story is wittily narrated, with CRAIG KELLY doing the storylines along with the voices of Tadpole & Big, Bad Fish, and HELEN LEDERER doing the other narratives.
The music is twirly and reasonably dramatic, when required, suitably enhancing the narration.
The story is read through completely in the first half, at a good pace, then the opportunity to read-along is given on the second half of the CD, with a page turn sound and suitable delay to help younger reader/listeners.
Look out, also, for Smiley Shark, read by the same duo!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Oh no......just what you need at bedtime......, 3 Nov 2009
a 'Bing-Bong' at the door, and the return of the small white tufty one!
This review is for the 'ORCHARD BOOKS' large hardback edition, measuring approximately 26.5cm x 24.5cm.
Durable hardback covers open to 30 high quality pages about a rather stubborn little girl called PEARL, who likes to be..... well........negative, especially when it is time to go to sleep.....for she is much TOO BUSY!
That is, until 'that bear' arrives on the doorstep...with his suitcase.....and soon makes it quite clear that he is NOT keen on the idea of BEDTIME, either!
In fact, quite the opposite as it turns out, as the duo indulge in a bit of:-
bouncing on the bed
and the bear stands on his head .......
and then.........a BIG ADVENTURE begins......
as they soar off in search of the aforementioned 'PARTY-TIME', with sticky paws everywhere..........just for a change!
Although all this riotous activity happens in a very short period of time... by the end, Pearl is surprisingly keen to settle down for the night:-
'..."A little bit sleepy," says Pearl.
"NOT SLEEPY!" says the bear.....', in his typically limited way!
The text is in a variety of fonts and suitably enhanced in places, FOR EFFECT!
Example of text:-
'There's a girl called Pearl and she's very wide awake.
She says,
"I'm really really busy and I'm not going to sleep!"
"I'll put this all away," says Mum, "ready for tomorrow, and tuck you up."......'
Beautifully illustrated throughout, the seemingly simple pictures are packed with further discussion opportunities, including spotting 'the cat' (who features throughout the series), a bit of reverse counting (saving the best 'til last!).....and a hint at the art of sharing......
or not as the case is...
.....with the rather selfish bear in control!
This super book follows on from The Bear with Sticky Paws, also available as a neat little gift:-
The Bear with Sticky Paws Suitcase Set, containing a little plush bear
and
The Bear with Sticky Paws Goes to School.
Every so often, something that little bit different comes along, and, ..... I have to admit it......I simply love this series of books!
True classics in the making (in my opinion), by Clara Vulliamy - daughter of Shirley Hughes.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Oh no......not again....., 27 Oct 2009
'Sticky Paws', the small white tufty one, returns with a bing-bong!
'There's a bear on the doorstep, a small white tufty one, standing on his suitcase to reach the bell.
When Pearl and the Bear go to Bear School, it's time for more messy fun - with sticky paws...... everywhere!'
This review is for the 'ORCHARD BOOKS' edition.
Durable hardback covers open to 30 high quality pages about a rather stubborn little girl called PEARL, who likes to be..... well........stubborn, especially when it is time to go to school, as she throws down her school-bag with a CRASH!
That is, until that bear arrives on the doorstep...with his suitcase, and makes a lasting impression, with sticky paws everywhere!
At 'Bear School', things are quite different to normal school......as the duo throw their coats in the air instead of hanging them on the pegs and, after registration, go on to indulge in a spot of:-
Painting (messy!)
Music (noisy!)
Cooking (messy!)
Story-time (different!)
As the bear is rather.......well........selfish, Pearl is soon fed up with Bear School, preferring to do her numbers than play cars, and when they play shop......chaos breaks out in a BIG way!
As all this activity happens in a very short period of time... by the end, Pearl is surprisingly keen to go to her own school....as a point is made, in more ways than one!
The text is in a variety of fonts and suitably enhanced in places, FOR EFFECT!
Example of text:-
'There's a girl called Pearl and she's walking very slowly.
She says,
"I don't want to go to school today!"
"Hurry up, Pearl," says Mum.
"We'll be late!"
"But it is just too silly at school.
I've got no one to play with...."...'
Hmmm..... one wonders why?
Beautifully illustrated throughout, in pastels, the seemingly simple pictures are packed with further discussion opportunities, including 1-2-3 counting and a hint at the art of sharing......or not as the case is...with the rather selfish bear in control!
This super book follows on from The Bear with Sticky Paws, which is also available as:- The Bear with Sticky Paws Suitcase Gift Set, a useful and different gift idea for Christmas, containing a little plush bear!
Look out, also, for the newly released title:-
The Bear with Sticky Paws Won't Go to Bed
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Kipper's class go on an outing to a farm in this title, 20 Oct 2009
from the Read at Home 'First Experience' series by ORT (Oxford Reading Tree).....
......and most are happy to get involved in the various activities. One class member is, however, less keen on the physical side and watches the others....until he finds something he is happy to partake in ........but where is he at the end of the trip? Don't worry - all is well, of course!
Durable board covers open to 30 high quality shiny pages, illustrated throughout, in the usual format with the majority of the pages having a double-spread picture and 2-4 short sentences in medium-sized text underneath.
A 'Talk about the Story' opportunity with 4 questions is on page 27, followed by 'The Story of Milk', in bite-size chunks, over two pages. This book winds up with a match the baby animals to their mums puzzle.
Oh...... don't forget to look out for the ten sparrows hiding in the pictures!
Example of text:-
'.....Kipper's class was going to spend a day at a farm.
"Farmers produce food for us to eat," said Miss Green.
"We get our eggs from chickens," she said, "and our milk from cows.
We get flour from wheat, and our meat from animals."........'
as she points to the diagram on the whiteboard, in the picture, which also has a line of farm products displayed.
A typical pre-class trip briefing before the class set out the next day.
n.b. this book covers the need for the children to be careful to wash their hands very thoroughly before eating their lunch, after involvement with the various animals.
Also, my copy, supplied by Amazon, has the same ISBN - 9780198468912 and cover picture, but is entitled 'At the Farm', as in the above image.
From the back cover:-
'First Experiences can be read by children at Level 4 of Read at Home.'
'Read At Home First Experiences introduce young children to new situations and are ideal for reading together. Each book contains all the elements of a first time experience in an entertaining story full of humour and details.
For parents to share with their children, 'First Experiences' allow you to:-
explore the wider world with their child
talk about shared feelings and emotions
build vocabulary through the fun activities
Published in 2009, this title is one of the recent additions to this excellent series which include:-
On a Train
At the Dance Class
and
Kipper gets Nits
The series also contains 12 older titles:-
At School
At the Hospital
At the Optician
At the Match
At the Doctor
At the Dentist
At the Vet
At the Pool
At the Hairdresser
On a Plane
Pet Rabbits
Bottles, Cans, Plastic Bags
and these can be economically purchased as a COMPLETE SET OF TWELVE BOOKS
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
A tribute to humble MINCE, this mix of oldies and some more exotic, 20 Oct 2009
100 recipes in all!
Old favourites, such as Cottage Pie, Cornish Pasties and Spaghetti Bolognese mingle with the lesser well-known, and intriguing, Golabki, Gushtaba and South African Bobotie to present a super book, simply entitled 'Mince!'
It combines Mitzie's own recipes along with those from other chefs and aims to provide a nutritious and, often, reasonably inexpensive priced dish on the table.
Some of the recipes are 'tweaked', i.e. a new spin on an old theme, and like the title ingredient - 'mince' - are comforting in that respect.
The recipes vary in complexity with appeal for both experienced and 'new-to-the-kitchen' cooks.......and .........'cheating' is allowed, e.g. a jar of pasta sauce to quicken things up, on occasion, although the full recipes are given - naturally!
Certainly, whatever culinary skills one possesses it is worth bearing in mind that one can't go too far wrong with mince!
From the back cover:-
'Mince is magic. It's the easiest, quickest meat you can cook with; that unique staple that feeds families and friends, that can be on the table in minutes with the minimum of fuss, that tastes wonderful.....that curious thing that everyone, actually, likes! Lasagnes, chillis, pasta bakes, burgers....and a feast of fresh ideas and magical meals from around the world....'
Strong paperback covers (with extension flaps) open to 160 shiny high quality pages split over 6 main chapters:-
HUNGRY HOARDS
ROLL UP, ROLL UP
HUMBLE PIES
PASSION FOR PASTA
HANDHELD HEAVEN
WONDERS OF THE WORLD
sandwiched between an introduction and a full index, winding up with a 'Measures' page - Weight, Volume and Length (Metric/Imperial).
The introduction includes a guide to buying the various types of mince, e.g. beef & lamb, pork, turkey & chicken, venison & game, along with cooking and freezing.
Each chapter uses a different combination of colours for the main header text and opens with an introduction, followed by the recipes. Each recipe is clearly laid out in the same format:-
The title at the top with a relevant note underneath; the number of servings, prep. & cook times and the list of ingredients on the left. On the right is the method and a note to wind up, e.g. freezing/defrosting guidelines.
Interspersed throughout are some beautiful full-colour photographs, but there are not that many, which may prove slightly negative to those who like to see what they are aiming for on the plate, e.g. Rumbledethumps Pie, but Mitzie does go on to describe:-
'This is a lovely autumnal dish and a great way to get the family to eat more veg. Rumbledethumps is a traditional dish from the Scottish borders - simply potato, swede, cabbage and cheese when served as a side dish, but use it to top minced beef and you have the perfect comforting supper.' (...some would say...'Bubble and Squeak with Mince'.....nevertheless, a good - possibly new - idea, if it is not already part of your 'what to do with the left-overs' repertoire!)
A small taste of the other recipes contained within:-
Meat and Tatties
Phil Vickery's Really easy Mince Hotpot with Mushrooms
Beef in Red Wine with Stilton and Rosemary Scones
Pork and Bacon Pie with Cauliflower Cheese Mash
Chilli con Carne
Asian-spiced Patties with Mango Salsa
Thai Chicken Balls with Noodle Soup
Beef, Guinness and Oyster Mushroom Pie
Cheese Burger
Simple Samosas
Moroccan-spiced Pie with Harissa Yoghurt Dressing
Lasagne
Cypriot Pork Pasta Bake
Korma Kebabs with Cumin Raita
Middle Eastern Nut Pilaf
Beef Enchiladas
Quesadillas
Lamb Tagine
Goulash Soup
American Meatloaf
Thanksgiving Turkey Turnovers
Lamb Moussaka
Keema Curry
along with the cover picture:-
Mozzarella Meatballs and Spaghetti with a Roasted Pepper Sauce
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Featuring a host of jungle animals, Colin West presents a more complex story, 15 Oct 2009
with the usual twist at the end!
Simply illustrated paperback covers open to 30 high quality shiny pages, in the popular 2-page spread format.
With detailed illustrations throughout, this book is further enhanced by meaningful facial expressions and the repeat element.
Clearly laid out text....far more than the other titles in the series......representing a true challenge!
Example of text:-
'Hey, today it is my birthday!
thought the elephant one morning.
I'll go tell it to the toucan,
so then he'll tell everybody
all about my birthday party,
and we'll have a jamboree!
So Old Jumbo looked around him
but he couldn't find the toucan,
so instead he told the tiger:
"Hey, today it is my birthday!
Please go tell it to the toucan,
so then he'll tell everybody
all about my birthday party,
and we'll have a jamboree!....'
....and as the tiger also struggles to find the toucan, he passes the message on and.....
......as that toucan remains elusive, more and more creatures, including:-
the rhino
the zebra
the ostrich
the lizard
the leopard
the cricket.............
join the growing list!
Until, eventually........success, at last........
....or is it?
In my experience, this book has proved the most challenging of the titles, especially on the narrating front with the task to get to the end of the list of 2-syllable animals...
...... all seeking the toucan
.......... to pass on the message
...... before running out of breath, which generally proves amusing to older listeners.
In the older age group, useful extension work is provided by a test-the-memory game, asking the more attentive what animal comes next - also giving an excuse to pause for that aforementioned gasp for breath!
The younger age group are generally less receptive because some of the animals are new to them and their attention does tend to wander!
However, one of the other titles in the series is a great starting point to progress from:-
"Pardon?" said the Giraffe
"Not me," said the Monkey
"Have You Seen the Crocodile?"
"Hello Great Big Bullfrog!"
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Colin West produces another 'GREAT' story, 15 Oct 2009
with the usual twist in the tale!
Simply illustrated paperback covers open to 24 high quality shiny pages, in the popular 2-page spread format.
With delightful illustrations throughout, this book is further enhanced by meaningful facial expressions and the repeat elements.
Clear, easy-to-follow text....enhanced in places....FOR EFFECT!
Example of text:-
' "Hello, I'm a great big bullfrog," said the great big bullfrog.
"Hello, great big bullfrog! Guess who I am!"
"I'm a great big rat," said the great big rat.
to the great big bullfrog........'
offering a paw-shake, as he looks down.
Along comes an even bigger friend on the right hand page, with a claim to even bigger greatness........and another......
...and so the story carries on, with the list of 'greats' increasing on the left hand page as the poor 'great big bullfrog' diminishes in importance and declines to have a 'great big HULLABALOO', by default!
However........ something happens to restore his faith in his claim!
In my experience, this book has proved VERY NOISY in the reading corner, as the listeners join in with varying voices for the great bullfrog et al.......and the phrase:-
"Guess who I am!"
as they try and recall the order of the animals, in a mini-memory game.
It has also proved useful in further discussion with the scanning of the super illustrations for feelings and clues to the next character to emerge....and ......the final outcome.
One title of a seemingly under-exposed series by this super author/illustrator which includes:-
"Pardon?" said the Giraffe
"Not me," said the Monkey
"Have You Seen the Crocodile?"
"Go tell it to the Toucan!"
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Colin West produces another great story, 15 Oct 2009
with a twist in the tale!
Simple but appealing paperback covers open to 24 high quality shiny pages, in the popular 2-page spread format....with a note about the origin of the story from the author, on the very last page.
With pastel illustrations throughout, this book is further enhanced by meaningful facial expressions - the eyes have it - and repeat elements!
Clear, easy-to-follow text....enhanced in places....FOR EFFECT!
Example of text:-
' "What's it like up there?" asked the frog
as he hopped on the ground.
"Pardon?" said the giraffe.
"What's it like up there?" asked the frog
as he hopped on the lion.......'
to gain a little more height. But the response from the polite giraffe is the same....
...and so the story carries on, with the rather abrupt frog enlisting the help of a couple of even bigger friends.........to gain even more height .........as more of the very polite giraffe is revealed on the right hand page!
However........when the frog finally reaches his goal, something happens to bring him back down to earth with a bump!
In my experience, this book has proved quite NOISY in the reading corner, as the youngest listeners join in with the repeat phrases and our improvisation of putting a hand to an ear, to accompany "Pardon?"!
It has also proved useful in further discussion with the scanning of the simple illustrations for feelings, clues to the outcome and the moral!
Extension artwork exercises have proved 'interesting' in terms of the size of the various characters, but the very polite giraffe is definitely the favourite!
One title of a seemingly under-exposed series by this super author/illustrator which includes:-
"Not me," said the Monkey
"Have You Seen the Crocodile?"
"Go tell it to the toucan!"
"Hello, great big bullfrog!"
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
The Bear with Sticky Paws, 13 Oct 2009
a story with a subtle message, or two!
This review is for the 'ORCHARD BOOKS' edition.
Durable hardback covers open to 30 high quality shiny pages about a grumpy, rather disobedient little girl called PEARL, who likes to say:-
'No!'.........
.....a lot!
That is, until a small white tufty bear arrives on the doorstep...with his suitcase and reverses the trend....eventually!
Whilst Mum is out, this bear is more than happy to indulge in a spot of breakfast and lunch and tea.... with sticky paws everywhere.....
......as the duo make a lot of mess in between meal-breaks.....
playing
hiding and sliding
leaping and climbing
dressing up
swimming
By the end, the bear is the one who is decidedly negative.... and.... just before Mum gets back, he and his suitcase make a convenient exit!
Mum is not terribly impressed with THE MESS but as the previously negative young Pearl becomes considerably more..... well....
....positive........
the ending is sweet and makes a point, in more ways than one!
The text is in a variety of fonts and suitably enhanced in places, FOR EFFECT!
Example of text:-
'There's a girl called Pearl and she's being grumpy, stamping her feet and slamming the door.
She says,
"I don't want all this breakfast!" and throws down her spoon.
"No, I won't wash my face.
No, I won't bush my hair.
No, I won't get dressed....
No!.... No!.... No!.... "
Until Mum calls out.....
"Stop!"....'
...and..... all this before Mum goes out!
Hmmm!
Beautifully illustrated throughout, in pastels, this is a super book and destined to be a classic, in my opinion.
This book is also issued as:-
The Bear with Sticky Paws Suitcase Gift Set, a useful and different gift idea, which contains a little plush bear!
Look out for the other title in this series:-
The Bear with Sticky Paws Goes to School
and the newly released title:-
The Bear with Sticky Paws Won't Go to Bed
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