Something Else, by Kathryn Cave

Synopsis: This is a simple story about a creature called Something Else who is excluded from his neighbour's activities because he behaves and looks different. But then when an even stranger creature tries to make friends with Something Else, he doesn't want to know, until he sees himself in the mirror.

Activity: Imagine a new friend is joining your class next week. This new friend is different from you (eg. a boy from South Africa). What are 2 things you could say to your new friend, and 2 actions you can take to befriend him?

Zoo, by Anthony Browne

Synopsis: The young narrator paints an amusingly bleak picture of the day's incidents: Dad blames him when he and his brother fight during the slow, traffic-clogged trip to the zoo; Dad and Mum insist on viewing the boring animals first; and it seems that lunch time will never arrive. Worse yet, through it all, their buffoonish father embarrasses them with his relentless antics and jokes. But a lunch of burgers, fries, beans and ice cream--and a stop at the gift shop--save the day. Browne's effectively stark, magnificently realistic illustrations of the zoo animals offer a distinct contrast to his clever renditions of the supposedly human visitors to the zoo, many of whom bear an uncanny resemblance to the creatures in the cages. Younger readers may not appreciate Browne's cunning comment on human nature, or the engaging irony of Mum's closing comment: "I don't think the zoo really is for animals . . . I think it's for people." All ages.

Activity: Imagine that you are one of the animals in the zoo. Draw and describe your dream.

When Turtle Grew Feathers (A Tale from the Choctaw Nation), by Tim Tingle

Synopsis: Variations of the race between the tortoise and the hare crop up regularly, but this version, retold as a trickster tale, stands out for its humor and expressive illustrations. Here, the rabbit only thinks he raced a turtle. In fact, it was a flying turkey wearing Turtle's shell.

Activity: Summarize the story from Turtle's point of view, using 6 sentences.

Piggybook, by Anthony Browne

Synopsis: In this moralistic fable, the overworked and under-appreciated Mrs. Piggott leaves her swinish husband and two sons to fend for themselves, and they literally turn into pigs. There are exceedingly clever illustrations: even before the porcine evolution of the males, there are hints of piggery everywhere in the father's lapel carnation, the boys' upturned noses, a piggy bank, a light switch. After the transformation, pigs turn up everywhere, including on the wallpaper (which was formerly a rose design). Browne also uses a sly before-and-after technique in his portrayal of Mrs. Piggott, who starts out as a drab, shadowy figure, face averted, while the males are brightly drawn in full light and full-face. After the victory for women's rights, however, Mrs. P. is drawn in an equal style.

Activity (8 years old): Imagine that you are one of the two Piggott boys. Write a letter persuading your mother to come home.

Activity (7 years old): Draw a picture of your mother or father doing some activity in the house. Write a sentence to describe this picture.

The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy, by Yangsook Choi

Synopsis: "A long time ago in Korea, there was not enough light. It was before the sun and the moon had been created." So begins one of the most treasured folktales of Korea. Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood, this ancient tale reveals how a hungry tiger tries to trick a young boy and girl into thinking that he is their mother. But their sharp wits and a measure of good luck are enough to save the children and reunite them with their mother, high above in the sky. Together, they bring the first rays of sunlight and moonlight to the world below.

Activity: Which character do you like the best, and why? Draw and write about your choice.

Gorilla, by Anthony Browne

Synopsis: The classic story of a lonely girl, a friendly gorilla and their amazing night out by a Hans Christian Andersen Award-winner.

The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights, by Farah Bagharib-Kaltz

Synopsis: Being afraid of heights isn’t such a big deal – unless you’re a bird! Meet Eddie. A mynah who lives behind an abandoned old house with Matt the rat, his only friend. When one day Matt is captured, how can Eddie stop his world from crashing down?

Activity: Think about something you used to be scared of (eg. cockroaches) and how you overcame that fear. Write a story about that. Eg. 'The Boy Who Was Afraid of Cockroaches'. (Ensure understanding of past tense)

The Naughtiest Ever Fairy, by Nick Ward

Synopsis: "Crash, bang, clump!" went the giant, as he danced. The naughtiest ever fairy has had enough of the noisy giant. Perhaps one of her naughtiest spells could solve the problem? But the naughty plan has one "giant" flaw!

Activity (for 8 years old): Pick out new words to teach the kids. Play the 'Slap the Board' game to test their memory and understanding of the new words.

Activity (for 7 years old): Pick your favourite character and explain why. Write a few sentences to explain your choice.

Ratatouille (Little Golden Book), by RH Disney

Chocolatina, by Erik Kraft

Synopsis: "You are what you eat," Mrs. Ferdman reminds her students during every health class. But all Tina likes to eat is chocolate. One day she wishes Mrs. Ferdman's favorite saying were true, and the very next morning she wakes up as a girl made of chocolate!

Activity: Divide the group into two teams - the 'healthy food' team and the 'unhealthy food' team. Ensure the kids understand what both terms mean. Each team should brainstorm and come up with a list of the relevant food items. Re-group and go through both lists. After this, the kids can pick ONE healthy food item and ONE unhealthy food item and combine them to create a new dish (eg. chocolate-covered vegetables). They can be given plasticine to create a model of this new dish.

The Monster Who Did My Math, by Danny Schnitzlein

Synopsis: A math-phobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy's problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy's math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply.

Activity: Write a letter to this boy to persuade him to complete his work on his own.

Terrific, by Jon Agee

Synopsis: Eugene Mudge lives in Dismal, ND, and has a little problem with negativity. When he wins a free trip to Bermuda, his response is "Terrific, I'll probably get a really nasty sunburn." Nothing seems to go right for him and no matter how horrible the experience – a wrecked cruise ship, a deserted island, a talking parrot, and almost dying of thirst – his response is always a snide "Terrific." Eugene's a grumpy old man, but sometimes, grumpy old men can surprise you. Sometimes, they even surprise themselves.

Activity: Each group received random items (eg. notebook, T-shirt etc) and had to pick 5 items to help them escape from Eugene's desert island. (The kids had to explain their choices)

What Does My Teddy Bear Do All Night? by Bruno Hachler

Synopsis: In this sequel to What Does My Teddy Bear Do All Day?, a young girl plays with her bear when she should be in bed. Together they read books, build with blocks, go to the potty, and jump on the bed. When she finally goes to sleep, the youngster imagines that her bear plays in the tub and keeps the scary shadows away. In the morning, teddy finally falls asleep after his busy night.

Activity: Write a story of what my soft toy of choice does all day when I am in school.

Farmer Duck, by Martin Waddell

Synopsis: A poor duck is overworked by a lazy farmer until the duck's farm friends mete out their own brand of barnyard justice.

Activity: Read this in small groups and either summarize the story (writing in full), or write an alternative version of this situation.

The Very Lazy Ladybird, by Isobel Finn

Synopsis: The very lazy ladybird likes to sleep all day and all night. And because she sleeps all day and all night, she doesn't know how to fly. One day, she decides she wants to sleep somewhere else, so hops onto a kangaroo, but that's too bouncy, the tiger is too noisy, but the elephant's trunk is great.

Mouse, Mole and the Falling Star, by A. H Benjamin

Synopsis: Mouse and Mole "trusted each other completely, even with their deepest secrets." But when they spot a falling star, each is determined to find it and wish on it, and the friendship quickly disintegrates into a tango of mistrust.

Activity: Identify new words from the book. Play 'hangman' to teach and test these new words (instead of hangman, you can use a falling star).

Too Many Frogs, by Sandy Asher

Synopsis: Rabbit has a well-scripted, predictable life until Froggie knocks on his door one night. His guest loves to listen to this big blue rabbit with oversized ears read a story and likes it even more when he has prepared himself a snack or gotten cozy–night after night. Polite Rabbit refrains from refusing entry until Froggie shows up with his entire family. As he settles himself down to read alone, however, he realizes that he misses Froggie and invites the whole crew in.

Activity: Pick kids to be the main characters/ narrators. The group can then act it out.

The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister

Synopsis: A cautionary tale about selfishness and vanity.

Activity: In groups, on mahjong paper, the kids drew their own sea creatures with speech bubbles.

Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon, by Oliver Corwin

Synopsis: When Hare teases Tortoise for being a slowpoke, Tortoise challenges him to a race. Sound familiar? But this is a race to the moon and Hare takes off in "an aerodynamic hyperspaceship of the latest design" while Tortoise builds his own patchwork conveyance. As in the classic fable, Hare makes several stops along the way while Tortoise, in his plodding fashion, touches down on the moon just seconds before his pal. Then, "being best friends," they enjoy some super moon-jumping together.

Activity: The kids made their own rockets with scrap materials. Those who finished early wrote some sentences about their rocket.

Joseph and the Little Overcoat, by Simms Tabeck

Synopsis: When Joseph's favorite overcoat gets old and worn, he makes a jacket out of it. When the jacket is more patches than jacket, Joseph turns it into a vest. When the vest's number is up, Joseph makes a scarf. This thrifty industry continues until there's nothing left of the original garment. But clever Joseph manages to make something out of nothing!