The Gigantic Turnip

The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksei Tolstoy and Niamh Sharkey, Barefoot Books, Cambridge, MA, 1998

The Gigantic Turnip is a truly hilarious folk tale for children under five and beginner readers. It features simple vocabulary, repetition to aid in memorization, and plenty of counting practice for young readers.

In this traditional Russian tale, a farmer grows a turnip so big that it takes the combined efforts of him, his wife, six canaries, five geese, four hens, three cats, two pigs, one cow, and, finally, one mouse to pull it from the ground. This book displays how team work does work and has a happy ending where everyone enjoys a huge bowl of turnip stew.

Alices Adventures in Wonderland

Alices Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Sea Star Books, New York, 2002


Alice Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.  A girl by the name of Alice falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world (Wonderland) populated by peculiar and strange creatures.

Chapter 11 – Who Stole the Tarts. Alice attends a trial whereby the Knave of Hearts is accused of stealing the Queens tarts. This chapter incorporates a feature on food. It captures children’s imaginations and has been a favourite read for many generations.

Tiff and the Trout

Tiff and the Trout by David Metzenthen, Puffin Books, Camberwell, Victoria, 2004

This is an Australian novel where a young girl Tiff, lives in paradise (Tilgong) in the Snowy Mountains. She loves skiing and trout fishing and the company of Cass, her best friend. However, when her parents suddenly break up, the family is thrown into turmoil and paradise doesn't seem so appealing any more.

The story is very readable with action-packed chapters and the plot is credible, accurately reflecting the roller coaster of emotions that Tiff and her brother are experiencing. A very useful novel for motivating discussion about contentious family issues.

Don't Cook Cinderella

Don't Cook Cinderella by Francescs Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross, Orion Children Books, 2005

Miss Good Fairy is teaching Hansel and Gretal, Cinderella, Snow White and their classmates to read and write, while Miss Bad Fairy is urging her evil pupils to gobble them up.

The result? Chaos! Witty, fast-paced and anarchic, this is a complete story with ten short chapters ('C.A.T. Spells Dog', 'What Troll Learned', 'Snakes and Snails for Lunch') that take us through the school day.

Learn to read

Several books that are a good start when learning how to read.

Carls Cafe by Dianne Bates, Pearson Education, Australia, 2002

Blueberry Pancakes by Meg Caraher, Pearson Education, Australia, 2000

The Pie-eatting Contest byMick Gowar, Waymand, London, 2009

Goose Berry Pie by Andrew Woods, Cambridge, Melbourne, 2008

What a Mess Fang Fang by Sally Rippin, Scholastic, Sydney, 1998

No Dinner for Anansi by Trish Cooke and Emma Shaw Smith, Hopscotch Myths, Franklin Watts, Sydney, 2008

Cool as a Cucumber by Michael Morpurgo, Walker Books, London, 2005

Robin and the Butcher by Diamian Harvey and Martin Remphry, Franklin Watts, Sydney, 2009

Muffin Top

Muffin Top by Andrew Daddo

ABC Books, Sydney, 2001

Muffin Top is a funny novel for upper primary aged children about family togetherness, body image and self awareness. Whilst it’s mostly just good fun, it also has a healthy message about liking yourself as you are.

Granny Torrelli makes soup

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech
Bloomsbury publishing, London, 2003

Twelve-year-old Rosie and her best friend, Bailey, don't always get along. But Granny Torrelli seems to know just how to make things right again with her interesting stories and secret recipes that proves nothing can break a bond between two pals. Food is a great way for children to have fun and unite in a common bond.