Picture books worth a look

There are books about happiness, fathers and observing the world for pre-schoolers, and climate calamity and appreciating nature for junior students.

Let's Go, Baby-O

There are books about happiness, fathers and observing the world for pre-schoolers, and climate calamity and appreciating nature for junior students.

THE HAPPY BOOK, BY MALACHY DOYLE AND CAROLINE UFF, BLOOMSBURY, RRP $15

This simple book puts a positive spin on life. "Squabble less. Share more!" It may not work in the midst of a tantrum, but in calmer moments it will turn grizzles into giggles and worries into wonder. It needs to be read aloud with theatrical flair. There's a subliminal message to parents, as well - take your children outside to enjoy nature.

Blanche Clark's verdict: go to a happy place


LET'S GO, BABY-O, BY JANET AND ANDREW MCLEAN, ALLEN & UNWIN, RRP $25

A boy and his older cousin playing action games, regularly stop to look out the window at grandparents, children and animals. Each viewing is a springboard to more bouncing, and whirling. This book engages and educates preschoolers on so many levels. The rhyming verbs that inspire movement, the encouragement to observe the world, and the reassurance of loved ones all add up to a great book.

Blanche Clark's verdict: cha-cha-cha

I LOVE MY DADDY, BY GILES ANDREA & EMMA DODD, ORCHARD BOOKS, RRP $25

Simple rhyming couplets set a gentle, sing-song pace for dads to read this picture book to two or three-year-olds. Flipping pancakes, playing horsies, air guitar, piggybacks, pushing swings, watching TV, cuddles and bedtime stories - all great reasons why the little ones love their dads. The illustrations are bright, clear and colourful. Yes, the release is perfect timing for a perfect present for a pre-schooler (with a bit of help from mum) to give dad for Father's Day. Funny that.

Richard Conrad's verdict: good clean fun

DADDIES ARE FOR WILD THINGS, BY CATRIONA HOY & MAL WEBSTER, LOTHIAN, RRP $17

What are daddies for? Doing the dishes, brushing hair and changing light bulbs? No way! How about pillow fights, playing chase, making messes and generally going a bit wild and crazy? That's more like it! Oops, just told almost the whole story. No matter. Dads will appreciate the sentiment and pre-schoolers will love daddy reading it to them again and again. The lively illustrations provide a few talking points for creative tangents and imaginative embellishments, too.

Richard Conrad's verdict: groovy


BARRY, BY COLIN THOMPSON, RANDOM HOUSE, RRP $24.95

Quirky and original, this story injects humour into the climate-change debate. An alien named Barry has been down the back of a sofa controlling the planet since 1952. Strange distortions in reality - Loch Ness Monster, Australia's Got Talent, the North Pole disappearing - occur as he contends with rodents, discarded items and an inquisitive baby. Fifty years later, he's found and taken apart. Expect the unexpected. Suitable for four to eight-year-olds.

Blanche Clark's verdict: Colin's got talent

FOR ALL CREATURES, BY GLENDA MILLARD & REBECCA COOL, WALKER BOOKS, RRP $29.95

Cool's striking imagery and Millard's expressive text combine to awaken the preschooler's imagination. Celebrating all creatures great and small, Millard's text almost reads like a secular prayer: "For chrysalis and camouflage. For unfurling, unfolding and unveiling, marvels and mysteries and for metamorphosis, we are thankful." Cool's use of oil pastels and fabric collage harken back to the hippie heyday of folk art. The book is a perfect fit for the Steiner classroom.

Blanche Clark's verdict: earthy