5 stories to read during the school holidays

GASTON
By Kelly Dipucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $28.89 from Times Bookstores)

Mrs Poodle's puppies are tiny and adorable - except for Gaston. They sip, not slobber - except for Gaston. They yip, not yap - except for, well, you know who. When Mrs Poodle meets Mrs Bulldog at the park, she realises that there's been a mix-up in the puppies. But does Gaston really belong with his bulldog brothers? A charming tale about accepting differences. Recommended for kids aged three to six.

WHO'S IN THE TREE THAT SHOULDN'T BE? - A LIFT THE FLAPS BOOK
By Craig Shuttlewood (Templar Publishing, $27.95 before GST from major bookstores)

What's an octopus doing in the grass? Why is the elephant hiding behind the cloud? Your young 'uns will have heaps of fun guessing who's behind the flaps in this colourful hardback, and you'll get a kick out of the funny quips by the creatures. We suggest using this book to start a project on animal habits, too. Recommended for kids aged two to five.

THE LION AND THE BIRD
By Marianne Dubuc (Enchanted Lion Books, $20.38 from www.bookdepository.com)

Lion finds an injured bird and nurses it back to health. Through the long winter, the pair become best friends, doing everything from ice fishing to reading together. Then spring arrives, and Lion knows it's time to bid farewell to his pal. "Sometimes, life is like that," says Lion in this beautifully illustrated story. But there's a surprise in store… Recommended for kids from age four.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS SO ONCE UPON A TIME
By Yixian Quek, illustrated by Grace Duan Ying (Marshall Cavendish Children, $12.50 before GST from major bookstores)

There's a time in kindergarten when some children lose their innocence. When they wish upon a star, it just blinks back. Magic? Oh, it's just a bag of tricks. The little girl in this quirky book starts off jaded like that, but then realises that you make your own destiny: "Happily ever after is all in the mind." A thoughtful read for the child who's still inside us. Recommended for kids from age five.

CAN I PLAY TOO?
By Mo Willems (Hyperion Books for Children, $11.59 from www.bookdepository.com)

Elephant Gerald and Piggie are going to play catch. Snake comes along and wants to play too, but he has no arms. How are they going to throw the ball to each other? Beyond the hilarious attempts at finding a solution, this book by the award-winning author and illustrator is a wonderful new classic about friendship. Recommended for kids aged two to five.

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