A charming predictable book in which a young llama searches for its mother. In riddle format, each animal describes its mother so the llama can guess its identity. This is a humourous retelling of the cumulative folktale in which a farmer can no longer tolerate his noisy household, and seeks advice from a Wise Man. Following the Wise Man's instructions leads to so much added confusion that the farmer is content to return to the relative peacefulness of his former situation. Boisterous watercolour illustrations reflect the story's European origin.
Humourous verses describe the many problems and joys of childhood.
Written from a child's point of view, the poems discuss childhood topics such as birthday parties, vegetables, the bath, and bubblegum. Poems are rhymed and contain an exuberant, foot-tapping rhythm. Ivan is a Russian trickster and noodlehead, a magical youth who usually ends up the winner. This collection of 16 Ivan stories is accompanied by colour illustration that depicts both the poverty of Russian peasant life and the wealth of the aristocracy. A circular tale, this is a young girl's week by week account of the growth of an ivy plant outside her front fence.