Yoga Pretzels

Yoga has become a global buzzword and it’s not surprising that the concept has trickled into the children’s picture book sphere. Yoga Pretzels is a fantastic route through which to introduce the concept to kids. Tara Guber and Leah Kalish who run Yoga Ed (a centre that teaches, develops and produces health and wellness courses for a broad spectrum) have created this set of self explanatory cards with 50 fun Yoga activities. The illustrations by Sophie Fatus are colorful and clearly depict what needs to be done, making yoga simple and exciting for kids and adults.  Get set to bend, twist, breathe and relax with this great collection.

When Sophie Gets Angry; Really, Really Angry

When it comes to children’s picture books that deal with behavioral problems and how to cope with them, When Sophie Gets Angry; Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang ranks high up in the must have list. Bang conveys the little girl’s rage through color and very sparse text and prescribes self imposed solitude as the ideal anecdote to a temper tantrum that escalates slowly but surely. It is the use of color and the vibrant illustrations that have this book as a perfect one for little kids who are learning how to control their emotions.

Mama Panya’s Pancakes

Mary and Rich Chamberlin have put together an interesting tale set in a village in Kenya. The story about Mama Panya and her son Adika’s market day provides glimpses into village life along with the values of community and sharing being highlighted. Additionally the book contains a map, Kenyan trivia, Kiswahili greetings and a simple pancake recipe. The illustrations by Julia Cairns are detailed to include the foliage, animals and people and almost transport the reader into the Kenyan market.

Ruby’s School Walk

Ruby sees a whole wide wild world while she walks to school. This world cannot be seen by her mother however and this story as the title suggests, leads us along the path to school with Ruby as she spies bats, tigers, crocodiles and other beasts. Kathryn White in Ruby’s School Walk takes us on a flight of fancy with a child’s imagination running riot. The text is alliterative and the illustrations by Latimer help bring this story to life.

Shrinking Sam

Shrinking Sam appeals to all the children who are the ‘piggy in the middle’ having been born between two other siblings. Miriam Latimer’s Sam wakes up one morning to find that he’s shrinking. All his cries fall on deaf ears as he tries to cope with his pencil that has taken on the proportions of a crocodile or his pea which manages fills his entire stomach. The story is quirky but fun and never borders on scary with illustrations that fantastically convey the size differences referred to in the tale.

Kids’ Kitchen

By Master chef and founder of ‘Stirrin’ Stuf’ (a charity that teaches cookery skills and nutrition for primary school kids), Kids’ Kitchen is for the older child by Fiona Bird.  Every child should have a copy of this ready reckoner that serves as a guide to learn how to cook healthy, exciting food. The forty fun recipes are all child friendly and great fun to try out. The five main food groups serve as the base for the recipes which are printed and color coded on laminated recipe cards that are stored in a sturdy box. The set also come with an eight page booklet with tips on hygiene, kitchen safety, cookery glossary and info on the benefits of different kinds of food.

Fireside Stories

Fireside Stories retold by Caitlin Matthews is for the cold wintry nights. There are eight traditional folktales from Canada, Scotland, Austria and Russia, each of which highlight the special time of the year while expressing the uniqueness of the season.  The text is ideal for being read aloud and has been placed within a border that brings to mind a traditional setting. Added to the beauty of the stories are Helen Cann’s illustrations done in watercolor and mixed media that make this book a great option to help keeping the winter chill at bay.

Babushka

Babushka is a Christmas story that highlights the point that one always receives plenty when you give with love. This tale illustrated by Sophie Fatus has been retold by Sandra Ann Horn. Babushka is obsessive about cleaning and tidying up and in her frantic cleaning she misses out on getting to the stable to view the new born baby Jesus along with company namely the angel and the three kings. Finally she decides to embark on the journey and packs gifts for the baby which she gives away to needy people en route. She meets the baby empty handed only to find all her gifts around the baby while Mary tells her that everything she gave with love was given to her son too. This is a unique take on the traditional Russian folktale with the illustrations done in acrylic just adding to the cultural vein with the figures seeming like miniature dolls with exaggerated features.

Emily’s Tiger

Emily is a little girl who has a temper problem. When she gets enraged she turns into a tiger and wrecks havoc much to the dismay of her helpless parents. The situation is reined in when granny comes by and explains that she too has a tiger living in her but knows how to control it and be happy. Latimer’s Emily does learn how to adjust her tiger’s bad attitude and actually goes out with granny to soar over hedges, climb walls and trees and jump over the moon. With interesting, vibrant acrylic and collage illustrations this book is a good if a bit quirky one that deals with behavioral issues.

The Hare and the Tortoise

Translator Ranjit Bolt has presented 19 fables from the La Fontaine (renowned French poet) collection of over 200. Double page illustrations have been done by Gisele Potter and are charming. Adults will enjoy reading these fables out aloud as kids learn important life lessons. The fables are lyrical, light and witty and have been translated for the first time in English in this book. Some of the tales include The Fox and the Stork, The Lion and the Rat, The Hare and the Tortoise and many more familiar as well as some traditional not so well known tales.