March 23, 2015

THE TIME IT TOOK TOM :: how long does it take to paint a room?

March 23, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

Age guide: 2 to 8 years ish
This is a simple story about different points of view, forgiveness, mistakes, work and overcoming. Also, it’s funny!

Tom is a little fellow who finds some red paint – then, in the space of just three hours, paints his entire living room red. Including the TV and the cat! He’s quite pleased with the result.

Mum is not, but after a few wild exclamations she gets it together and they undertake a complete revamp of the living room – and finally everyone is happy with the result. Years pass, then one day Tom finds the blue paint.

March 18, 2015

PRINCESS BEATRICE AND THE ROTTEN ROBBER :: a little kid doing what has to be done

March 18, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

Age guide: baby to 8 year old
Princess Beatrice understands her privileges – she’s the daughter of a King and Queen who love their daughter and give her free range of all the castle jewels – and there are many!

But one day, when a rotten robber charges into the castle and spots Beatrice decked out from head to foot in extravagant jewels, it all goes wrong. Being an opportunist, the robber grabs Beatrice and steals the jewels, Princess and all.

However, Beatrice has her head screwed on right and resourcefully tricks the robber into tying himself up in the jewels and Beatrice is free. She loads the robber up on his own horse and hauls him home to her now distraught parents.

March 11, 2015

The Museum: a fun and physical look at art through the eyes of a young girl

March 11, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

ages 4 to grownup.
I’m not a really big fan of telling children how they should react to art, but I am a big fan of reminding adults that when children do react to art – or anything for that matter – it’s very often physical. The Museum is a fun book written as a poem that follows a young girl through an art museum (think MoMA). She’s an exuberant child who lets her body show what she is feeling.

March 09, 2015

decision making, one pea at a time

March 09, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

When my children were little, we did Joy School and No Peas For Nellie was recommended by them. I think it was for the joy of decision making. But in the end I think we’ve liked this book for so long because it’s funny.

ages 0 to about 4 years

February 20, 2015

Baa Baa Smart Sheep: a hilarious look at a certain bodily function!

February 20, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

ages 4 years to grownup
This hilarious book comes from a husband and wife team from New Zealand and in NZ they know a thing or two about sheep. The cover has a warning label ‘Contains Mischief’. It sure does! Books about poo are a mainstay of children’s stories—with good reason.

February 11, 2015

Blossom Possum: the sky is falling down under - iconically Australian

February 11, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

Blossum Possum is the first alarmist to believe the sky is falling and she decides to tell the Prime Minister. There's danger and suspense along the way but each character oozes personality and attitude.
ages baby to 8 years

February 06, 2015

DREADFUL DAVID :: just how much dreadfulness does it take to wipe the smile off Granny's face?

February 06, 2015/ Kim Fulcher

Age guide: 4 to 8
I bought a copy of this for my family and one for my nephew David – who was not at all dreadful, making it an especially funny book for our family.

Dreadful David is one busy little kid – he wreaks havoc at Granny’s house. She is stalwart in the face of all the trouble but slowly her smile begins to fade. The last straw comes when David hoses Granny – he’s already hosed the letter box, the kitten and more.

Granny, being of the old school variety, changes David, smacks his bottom and puts him to bed. David yells for a while but finally goes to sleep and Granny comes in and kissed him on the cheek.

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