Books To Read » humour

George and Martha by James Marshall

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:57:01 +0000

These picture books are a little like Frog and Toad because they contain truths that are recognised by children and adults. For example in one of the stories in the series George pretends to like pea soup because it would be hard to tell Martha. His deceit is discovered ( Martha sees George pour the soup in his shoe!). Martha points out that true friends tell the truth.
A lovely read aloud and also a good reader for an older learner because it is not “babyish”.

There are 8 books in the series. They were made into a TV series

Here is the link for the books at the NZ National Library

Here is the link for the book at the Auckland Libraries ( they currently hold only one title, last year all the stories were reprinted in one book and I have made a request for its purchase – Later – which they bought !

Linked here )

Click on the image to buy the complete collection from Fishpond.

You can also see a limited preview at Google Books including the pea soup story

Maurice Sendak in the forward writes “The picture book is a peculiar art form that thrives on genius, intuition, daring and a meticulous attention to its history and its various, complex components. The picture book is a picture puzzle, badly misunderstood by critics and condescended to by far too many as merely a trifle for “the kiddies.” Children are routinely patronized and thus so are we who spend our creative lives entertaining them and nourishing their spirit”

As a mother of children who has been reading aloud picture books for over 12 years, I could not agree more.

Never Take a Shark to the Dentist By Judi Barrett

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:18:30 +0000

Judi has a delightful sense of humour that appeals to adults and children. This means I am happy to read her books aloud many, many times. We have enjoyed this book by Judi Barrett as well as Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Animals Should Definitely Not Act Like People and I’m too small, you’re too big

Here is the link for the book at the NZ National Library

Here is the link for the books at the Auckland Libraries

Click on the image to buy it from the Book Depository

Here is the link for the books at the NZ National Library

Here is the link for the books at the Auckland Libraries

Click on the image to buy it from Fishpond

Since I wrote this review, a movie adapted from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs has been released. We haven’t seen it yet. Hopefully it will spark a greater interest in Judi Barrett’s picture books.

Giant Jam Sandwich, The story and pictures by John Vernon Lord with verses by Janet Burroway.

admin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:54:39 +0000

The Giant Jam Sandwich is also available as a board book.
This is one of our all time favourite books and so it my first post:-)

The verse is delightful, the illustrations a sweet treat. The Giant Jam Sandwich is a great read for parents and children and that is why is works so well. I enjoy reading it aloud. Read Alouds should be enjoyable for parents and children, especially if it is book that is going to read aloud again and again. I have not tired of this book yet and I’m reading it to my eighth child.

Can you spot the 3 villagers in the pictures pursuing the wasps with nets through the book?

Interesting Vocabulary

Pate: The human head, especially the top of the head

Some Useful Links:

Here is the link for the book at the NZ National Library

Here is the link for the books at the Auckland Libraries catalogue

Click on the image to buy it from Fishpond.

You can get a great preview at Google Books