This is a swag of lovely titles for little people just in time for Easter gifts. When my girls were little – and then with my grandies – their Easter gift was always heavier on the book gifts than the chocolate. (Of course a little bit of chocolate is always necessary at any age!). So if you are of a similar bent these might suit your purpose from tiny ones to slightly bigger ones – enjoy!

First up from the Baby Animal Tales series:

Walker Books Australia

March 2020

Goodnight Little Duckling

ISBN: 9781916180543
Imprint: Magic Cat Publishing
Distributor: Walker Australia-HEDS
Australian RRP: $18.99
New Zealand RRP: $22.99

Goodnight Little Bunny

ISBN: 9781916180505
Imprint: Magic Cat Publishing
Distributor: Walker Australia-HEDS
Australian RRP: $18.99
New Zealand RRP: $22.99

These are such sweet and simple books perfect for some soothing reading sessions with little people. The illustrations are digitally manipulated combining photographic images of each little animal with glorious watercolour-like enhancements. The overall effect of this simply shouts sunny days and happiness.

Little Duckling ignores his mother’s instruction not to leave the nest while she goes off to find him a juicy worm and inevitably gets into a little pickle when his solo adventure on the water leads him to following first a darting dragonfly and then a friendly frog. Naturally this leads him well away from the nest and he gets a little anxious. Fortunately, he discovers he has paddled around in a complete circle and when he hears some quiet ‘peep peep’ sounds he realises his brothers and sisters have hatched and he is home safely

Little Bunny is very wary of leaving the safety of the burrow but her good friend Mouse is excellent at teaching important safety skills like using her twitchy whiskers and velvety ears and most of all her strong back legs. All of these come in very handy when she accidentally runs into a fox and despite her fright is able not only to escape but also to warn her bunny family in the burrow.

These are just truly delightful and would make a beautiful gift for any little reader from around toddler up to Prep age.

I’m Ready series – Jedda Robard

Penguin Random House Australia

March 2020

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $1299

I’ve shared some from this series before so many of you will already know how adorable these are for little kiddos around 2- 4 years old. Each title deals with those significant events in childhood featuring Australian animal families in a sturdy board book format.

I’m Ready for the New Baby

ISBN: 9781760891626

Quite possibly the most significant life event for a little person – especially if they are the first-born little Wombat is excited about the forth-coming arrival of a new brother. Mother and Father Wombat are very on top of involving the little one in all the preparations including helping to decorate the nursery, handing over her old cot (because she’s way too big for it now!) and choosing a gift (and one for herself as well). All of this ensures a happy and calm time for everyone and the joy in welcoming new little baby brother wombat is evident.

I’m Ready for Easter

ISBN: 9781760891596

There is great excitement all round as little Platypus and his friends prepare for an Easter celebration. All the familiar rituals are here for the little readers to recognise – bakers with their hot cross buns, colourful treats appearing in the shops, making Easter hats for the parade, as well as making a basket to hold treats and of course the fun of an Easter Egg hunt and special lunch with family and friends. Given our current circumstances and most if not all little ones missing out on all this shared fun, this would be a fabulous read to share and perhaps plan ahead for the next Easter

Peter Rabbit 2 tie-ins

Penguin Random House

February 2020

Peter Rabbit Movie 2 Novelisation – Beatrix Potter

ISBN: 9780241415290

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $12.99

The first Peter Rabbit was a runaway (hop away?) success and the sequel released this month has been hotly anticipated. Sadly children will not get to see it just yet with all the cinemas closed but the next best thing would surely be sharing the new adventures by reading the book. Then they will even more hyped up for when they eventually get to see the movie!

Based on the Beatrix Potter’s original stories of Peter but with a modern twist to contemporise for new audiences, these new adventures will be just as popular in this sequel.

Peter Rabbit 2: Bunny Trouble

ISBN: 9780241410875

Imprint: Puffin

$9.99

And not to be forgotten the emergent readers have this very cute easy reader to add to their reading repertoire. Peter’s new adventure in the big city is illustrated with photographic stills from the movie making a great connection between film and text. Level 2 in Penguin Young Readers for ‘progressing readers’ this one would be perfect for little ones from around Prep- Year 2 as the tackle more complex sentences, simple dialogue with picture and context clues.

Also look out for the Peter Rabbit Quiz Book, Peter Rabbit Sticker Activity book and the Peter Rabbit Colouring Sticker Activity book.

This Easter is not the one that any of us expected. The Kid and I were meant to be going on our first joint overseas adventure for a week in Phuket but instead we are going to be grateful to be safe at home and enjoy some sunshine, gardening, walking and reading. I hope all my readers will also be feeling as blessed in their homes and don’t forget to add a bit of chocolate to your reading!