Picture Books

Ahlberg, Allan Mockingbird Variation on a favourite nursery song.
Auch, Mary Jane Bantam of the opera A tall tale involving a tenor chicken who takes the spotlight when the star of the opera and his understudy both come down with chickenpox.
Bannerman, Helen The story of Little Babaji A sensitive rewrite of the infamous original, set in India, with illustrations by Fred Marcellino.
Browne, Anthony Voices in the park Four voices and four viewpoints are reflected in a variety of palettes and typefaces. Clever yet readable.
Choldenko, Gennifer Moonstruck: the true story of the cow who jumped over the moon
Clark, Emma Chichester I love you, Blue Kangaroo Lily keeps getting more soft toys until her favourite, Blue Kangaroo, feels there isn't room for him any more. A story of faithful friendship.
Curtis, Jamie Lee Tell me again about the night I was born Celebrities writing children's books don't usually produce top quality goods but this one, about an adopted baby, is well done.
Dunbar, Joyce Baby bird Baby bird strives to fly.
Dupasquier, Philippe A Sunday with Grandpa A simple but meticulously orchestrated story about a family who visit their grandfather in the country. Words and pictures are seamlessly blended.
Erlbruch, Wolf Mrs Meyer the bird Mrs Meyer, who worries about everything, rescues a bird and has to teach it how to fly.
Feiffer, Jules Meanwhile … Raymond uses the "Meanwhile …" comic book technique to move from scene to scene, adventure to adventure.
Gray, Libba Moore Is there room on the feather bed? Rollicking, repetitive, rhythmic text. A skunk wants space in the bed.
Greenwood, Ted After dusk Sensitive, poetically told conservation story.
Hartman, Wendy The dinosaurs are back and it's all your fault Edward! Brothers playing tricks.
Hoban, Tana So many circles, so many squares Another exemplary photographic picture book.
Hughes, Shirley Alfie and the birthday surprise A favourite returns.
Hutchins, Pat Shrinking mouse Concept book about size, distance and perspective.
Kolar, Bob Stomp, stomp!: a dino romp A young dinosaur causes havoc.
Kvasnosky, Laura McGee Zelda and Ivy Humorous stories about two sisters.
Loomis, Christine Rush hour An evocative look at going to work and coming back home.
Lowell, Susan The bootmaker and the elves 'Wild West' version of the Shoemaker and the elves.
McBratney, Sam Just you and me Another heart-warming tale about parent and child closeness which manages to stay on the right side of cloying sentimentality.
McClintock, Barbara The fantastic drawings of Danielle A young artist in Paris.
McKee, David Charlotte's piggy bank Charlotte receives a magic piggy bank which promises a wish when it is full. But, as the pig says, "life is hard" and you don't always get what you want.
McNaughton, Colin Hmm… Another story about Preston Pig who again outwits the wolf.
Martin, David Five little piggies Original stories generated by the rhyme This little piggie …
Marzollo, Jean Home sweet home Peaceful invocation to bless each thing.
Meddaugh, Susan Cinderella's rat The familiar story told from the rat's viewpoint. As he says, "Life is full of surprises."
Meddaugh, Susan Martha blah blah Martha, the talking dog, loses the power of speech, but everyone rallies round and reassures her that she is still loved.
Miller, David What's for lunch? Sophisticated papercut illustrations.
Rahaman, Vashanti Read for me, Mama Touching story about Joseph whose mother can't read.
Root, Phyllis One duck stuck Although it's a bit unclear how the duck becomes unstuck this a is good fun story, with lots of sound noises to imitate.
Rylant, Cynthia The old woman who named things The Old Woman, whose friends have all died, doesn't like to name things in case they outlive her. Then a nameless puppy arrives at her gate.
Satoh, Akira Animal faces Twenty-four species; twenty-one faces of each species on every page; a total of 504 photos all different. A powerful yet accessible statement about the importance of individuality.
Serfozo, Mary What's what?: a guessing game A series of guessing game questions throw up a number of disparate answers which are then cleverly combined to produce a picture of the ideal dog.
Shannon, George This is the bird Family history told through the device of a family heirloom, a wooden bird.
Slyder, Ingrid The fabulous flying Fandinis! Bobby meets a circus family.
Tofts, Hannah I eat fruit! This and another title in the series, I eat vegetables!, are excellent early identification books, each fruit and vegetable named followed by an opening flap which elaborates the basic picture.
Wells, Rosemary Bunny cakes Ruby and Max each make a cake for grandma's birthday.
Wells, Rosemary Bunny money Another winner from Wells with her bunny siblings setting out to buy a present for Grandma.
Weston, Martha Bad baby brother
Williams, Sue Let's go visiting
Williams, Suzanne Library Lil Library Lil gets the town to read. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg.
Williams, Vera B. Lucky song
Wise, William Perfect pancakes, if you please A greedy king demands too many pancakes, with unforseen results.