Clancy the Courageous Cow

author: Lachie Hume

Great for: 3 years and up

Time it takes to read: approx 10 minutes

Favourite line: "Several retired cows trained Clancy and taught him their favourite holds and manoeuvres."

Story line: "Being different to other Galloways was not easy for Clancy. He was treated differently, too, by them. They could not imagine what it would be like to be different either. But by being different, Clancy was able to grow into a very powerful contender for a competition with the Herefords, a competition the Galloways before had never been able to win."

We say: A story using children's language always goes down well. Clancy is a real hero and this book gives the message that it's okay to be different, in a fun and clever way.

Oscar's Half Birthday

author: Bob Graham

Great for: 2 years and up

Time it takes to read: approx 10 minutes

Favourite line: "Oscar frowns up against the light - six different expressions on his face in the time it takes a leaf to fall."

Story line: "The day Oscar turns six months old, Mum, Dad and Millie decide to celebrate. They take coat-hanger fairy wings, three tuna sandwiches and a chocolate cake with half a candle, and set off across the city for a picnic in this warm, gentle story of a family celebration on an urban, autumn day."

We say: A beautiful story about a 'real' family. Oscar's family life in an apartment block and need to walk past factories and under train bridges to get to their park, but it makes Oscar's half birthday celebration even more fun as most children can relate to some form of city life.