The Bedtime Band

Author: Michelle Worthington

Illustrator: Sandra Temple

Publication Details: 2011, Wombat Books, Capalaba

ISBN: 9781921633577 (hbk.)

The Bedtime Band could stop anyone from being able to go to sleep. The possums on the roof are drumming and the emus are humming. Many familiar Australian animals, both nocturnal and diurnal, are part of the band and a few are playing recognisable instruments.

The large print and illustrations will aid early readers to read the text for themselves. Teachers could also use this book for a simple interactive book presentation for the whole class.

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 3 to 5 years

Source: Wombat Books

Ruffy and me

Author: David Trumbull

Illustrator: Adam Carruthers

Publication Details: 2012, Omnibus Books, Parkside

ISBN: 9781862918757 (hbk.)

A boy imagines visiting several different countries with this toy dog Ruffy. In each country they see many famous sites and animals. The readers need to find three animals in the picture that is mentioned in the story, for example 3 pandas in China.

The story is told in an excited but unhurried pace so the readers can find and name all the landmarks, plants or animals for each country that the boy and Ruffy visit. The illustrations add to the storyline, "We flew to China.." the pictures show that this by  flying on a dragon not on plane. Readers will need to reread this story several times.

Genre: Picture Book, Rhyming Stories

Age: 3 to 5 years

Links:

Scholastic Teacher Notes

Source: Borders

Lily and the fairy house

Author: Jane Tanner

Illustrator: Jane Tanner

Publication Details: 2012, Viking, Camberwell

ISBN: 9780670075102 (hbk.)

Lily is a gentle and helpful little girl who believes in fairies. She knows where to find them and how to attract them. Will Lily get to meet and play with the fairies in her garden?

This engrossing and magical story is enhanced by the detailed illustrations that show a breeding pair of Superb Fairy Wrens that will also feature in the story. 

Genre: Picture Book, Fantasy

Age: 4 and 5 year olds, 5 to 8 years.

Links:

Behind the scenes with the author

Source: Puffin Books

A bear and a tree

Author: Stephen Michael King

Illustrator: Stephen Michael King

Publication Details: 2012, Viking, Camberwell

ISBN: 9780670075829 (hbk.)

On the first day of winter Bear finds Ren crying under her Favourite tree which is now leafless. Bear comforts Ren by spending the day with him. Ren's inquisitive mind leads them to making ornaments with icicles and  dancing in the snow.

This is a gentle magical story about friendship, empathy and fun. The illustrations show many small pictures showing the Bear and Ren's busy activity and other times it uses full pages of colour that makes the readers stop and reflect on feelings and events.

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 5 years + 

Source: Penguin Books Australia

There was an old lady who swallowed a thong

Author: P Crumble

Illustrator: Louis Shea

Publication Details: 2012 Scholastic Australia, Gosford

ISBN: 9781742831633 (pbk.)

This is a humorous Aussie version of the familiar rhyme 'There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.' This old lady not only swallows a thong but a prawn, a seagull and many other sea creatures, "That's gotta be wrong!" The storyline is fast paced yet time is required to explore the action paced and detailed in the illustrations.

Genre: Rhyming Stories, Picture Book

Age: 3 to 5 years

Source: QBD