Zanzibar by Catharina Valckx translated by Antony Shugaar

Zanzibar has has a happy life until now.  His special skill is making delicious mushroom omelettes but one day everything in his world is thrown into confusion when a reporter arrives looking for a story. I love the name of the reporter (he is a lizard) - Achille LeBlab. You might think about the Greek story of Achilles and the idea of vulnerability. There is also the fun LeBlab - perfect surname for a newspaper reporter.

"I'm writing a feature for my newspaper. I'm looking for exceptional characters. Do you do anything out of the ordinary?"

Zanzibar sings for the reporter but it just sounds like a crow going CAW CAW CAW which makes sense because Zanzibar is a crow.  The reporter does not think this singing is worthy of his report nor is he interested in omelettes. Zanzibar goes to bed that night feeling defeated but in the middle of the night inspiration strikes.

"I haven't done anything remarkable yet, but it's never too late! I'm going to lift a camel! That's it! I'll lift a camel in the air with just one wing."

Zanzibar was originally published in French with the title L'incroyable Zanzibar. I love the way Gecko press source and translate books like this so we can enjoy them here in Australia. Catharina Valckx has been nominated several times for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Award.

I recommend you add Zanzibar to your read aloud pile.  Here are some comments by the reviewer at Readings in Melbourne:

This quirky little gem of a book, with its delightful language, humour and simple childlike illustrations, is guaranteed to engage young readers. Accompanied by a wonderful cast of animal characters, Zanzibar discovers what it means to be extraordinary while learning to value the simple everyday things. At its core, this charming tale is also a celebration of the importance, support and encouragement of friends.

You can read more plot details in this Kirkus review.

Little Humpty by Margaret Wild illustrated by Ann James

In the hot, hot desert where the wind whirled and the sand swirled lived Big Humpty and Little Humpty.

Here is another title I have collected as a part of my focus on past CBCA winners and short listed titles. Little Humpty was awarded an Honour prize in 2004 and I have been reading it to Kindergarten groups every year since then.

Little Humpty stares straight at the reader from the front cover - he looks happy and ready for an adventure. On the first end paper we see him with his mother. Little Humpty is white - his hair/fur colour will change as he grows older just as human children's hair changes.

image source: https://umanitoba.ca/cm/vol11/no11/littlehumpty.html

Little Humpty is with his mum but it is easy to see that they are alone in the vast desert. Little Humpty needs someone to play with. His mum tries to keep him amused but Little Humpty has boundless energy. Big Humpty sees Little Humpty trying to play with rock, a scraggy bush and a small pebble. She knows it is time for the camels to trek to the big waterhole.

As they walk along Big Humpty keeps Little Humpty moving forward by playing a guessing game about the animals they will see at the big waterhole such as rolypoly hippos, tramping and trumpeting elephants and crocodiles going snip, snap, snippety snap.  The final end paper is an utterly joyous scene.

I adore the language used by Margaret Wild in this book. Each word is perfectly selected making this book a joy to read aloud and as I like to give each camel their own distinctive 'voice'. Turn the sound off on this video and just take a look at all the illustrations from this book.

"You know, Little Humpty, I love you best in all the world!' With a happy wriggle, Little Humpty said 'Tell me about the world, Big Humpty. Tell me!"

"Little Humpty played on his own for a while. He whooshed on his bottom down a billowy, pillowy dune."

"Big Humpty was awake until the stars went out."

Kindergarten children enjoy stories which employ a repeated refrain and this book abounds with them.  I would pair Little Humpty with Koala Lou by Mem Fox, Puffling by Margaret Wild and Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Little Humpty truly is a book to treasure and it should be found in every library and home book collection.