‘The Incredible Basket’ by Hong Shin Quek
A beautiful Chinese wedding basket is used in a myriad of ways. Xiaoming delivers a batch of ‘ang ku kueh’ with the basket, then fashions it into a prop for a lion dance. When the sun beats down on him, he repurposes the basket’s cover as a hat! At home in a second-floor shophouse, the basket is attached to a rope to pass a comic book and a bowl of noodles. Oh, how creative of Xiaoming!
‘The Proudest Blue’ by Ibtihaj Muhammad
With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It’s the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it’s her older sister Asiya’s first day of wearing a hijab – one made of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean and the sky, no line between them, saying hello with a loud wave. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.
This is an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond shared by siblings and of being proud of who you are, from Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
‘Facts vs Opinions vs Robots’ by Michael Rex
Do you know the difference between a fact and an opinion? It can be a hard thing to understand. Some things are facts – like the number of robots in this book. Other things are opinions – like which robot would make the best friend, or which robot dances best. And sometimes to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion, you need to wait to get more information – that’s because facts can be proven true or false, and opinions are things you feel and believe – but that you can’t prove.
Mike Rex introduces young readers to the very important distinction between facts and opinions, and he reminds us that it is nice to listen to one another’s opinions, and to stand up for the facts!
‘Hedge Hog!’ by Ashlyn Anstee
Hedgehog is hogging the hedge and won’t let the other animals live there – the problem is, winter is coming, and the animals need homes. The worms move in with the groundhogs. The possums share a burrow with the foxes. The birds and the squirrels stay in the oak tree together. The hedgehog lives in the hedge . . . all by himself. When other animals come looking for a place to stay, he’s NOT interested; it’s HIS hedge and everyone else can STAY OUT. He gets busy making signs, putting locks on his door and even building a fence. All he cares about is keeping the other animals out . . . but he’s making a huge mistake.
Will the other animals find a home in time? Will Hedgehog learn his lesson? Is this a terrific story? Read on to find out.
‘The T-Rex Who Lost His Specs’ by Jeanne Willis
Meet the accident-prone T-Rex. First he loses his glasses, then he has one disaster after another: he can’t tell his breakfast toast from a slipper, then he mistakes a prehistoric owl for his bath towel! A laugh-out-loud tale from legendary picture book duo Willis and Ross.
‘If You Come to Earth’ by Sophie Blackall
If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other.
This stunning book is inspired by the thousands of children Sophie Blackall has met during her travels around the world in support of UNICEF and Save the Children.
- An engaging storybook about a single curious and imaginative child
- Simultaneously funny and touching
- Carries a clear message about the need to care for the earth and each other
If you come to Earth, there are a few things you need to know . . .
We live in all kinds of places.
In all kinds of homes.
In all kinds of families.
Each of us is different. But all of us are amazing.
And, together, we share one beautiful planet.
This masterful and moving picture book is a visually comprehensive guide to the earth, imbued with warmth and humour.