Press Here
By Hervé Tullet Mandarin translated by Poplar
Brief introduction to the book: There isn’t a main character or storyline in this book. It’s an interactive book all about yellow, blue and red dots, big and small, many and few, in the light and in the dark. Pressing the dot will give you more dots. Shaking the book will mix up all the dots. Tilting the page to one side will get all dots slide down one side of the book. Pressing on the yellow dot again will turn the light off. Blowing on the dots can blow the darkness away. Clapping your hands once will get you bigger dots. Keep clapping your hand and you will see the dots keep increasing in size.
Reasons for recommendation: This book is a fun and interesting experience for younger children because it’s so interactive and will encourage their little fingers and hands to explore. It’s a relaxing and fun read. Each new page will grab the reader’s attention and keeps their brain actively thinking. The book never fails to generate lots of laughter from the children who read it, as they are excited to practice pressing, shaking and blowing, learning about colours, numbers, positions and sequences. With it’s fun presentation that seems like a little bit of magic, this book helps to develop children’s imagination as well as their physical skills. It’s a book that children will ask to be read over and over again.
The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business
By Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch
Brief introduction to the book: On a day when the little mole felt as bright as the sun, it happened: a pile of poo landed right on his head. To find out who was so mean to do this to him, the mole starts his investigation. He runs into many other animals who have already pooped to prove the pile on his head was not theirs. In the end, with the help of some flies, the mole identifies the culprit and gets his revenge. You just cannot help laughing at the humorous lines and the mole’s hilarious plan for revenge.
Brief introduction to the book: On a day when the little mole felt as bright as the sun, it happened: a pile of poo landed right on his head. To find out who was so mean to do this to him, the mole starts his investigation. He runs into many other animals who have already pooped to prove the pile on his head was not theirs. In the end, with the help of some flies, the mole identifies the culprit and gets his revenge. You just cannot help laughing at the humorous lines and the mole’s hilarious plan for revenge.
The Holes in Our Bodies
By Xu Mei'en, Illustrated by Li Hiba
Brief introduction to the book: The book starts with an imagination-provoking small black hole, which turns out to be a sewer hole and then finally reveals itself to be many smaller round holes on a shower head, introducing the idea that we have many holes in our bodies. It goes on to explain the functions of all these holes, helping to explain somewhat complex biological functions and knowledge using simple pictures, helping to satisfy the natural curiosity of inquisitive children.
Reasons for recommendation: Sometimes children like to put things up their noses or in their ears. Telling them it’s dangerous is not always enough to prevent them from doing it anyway. This book uses simple illustrations to help children understand how these holes in their body work. Knowing the function of each hole allows children to be more conscious of their own health and safety. Also, the description of the “baby hole” can help with the question that children ask a lot and parents sometimes struggle to answer. It also helps children learn that some special holes are not supposed to be seen by others.
Who Stole the Steam Buns?
By Jin Yishi, Illustrated by Hong Youli Mandarin translated by Poplar
Brief introduction to the book: This book tells a tale of a little girl named Niuniu who lives in a hutong and whose family finds that their steam buns mysteriously disappear. The mother thinks it’s Niuniu who stole these steam buns and blames her. Niuniu knows it’s not her and decides to discover the truth for herself. She finally captures the true thief - a poor homeless cat. In the end, Niuniu adopts the cat and takes care of it, making it a member of the family. In the book, the illustrator has left some clues that will lead the reader to the thief.
Reasons for recommendation: Consisting of many Chinese cultural elements, the book creates great opportunities for children to practice their mathematical skills while reading the tale. They are excited to count numbers and calculate how many steam buns were stolen. They observe the pictures carefully for clues, just like Sherlock Holmes, and will be surprised by the conclusion. They will resonate deeply with the kindness Niuniu shows by adopting the homeless cat. Kindness is also one of our Wellington values and something that we always aim to promote here at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai.
