For Other Professionals
Featured books by
Sam McBratney
With a storyteller’s sensibility, Sam McBratney touches readers’ emotions deftly and deeply. Simply shared vignettes about family life and friendship, conflict and resolution highlight the pleasure in everyday activities and those who share them. Although some titles by Sam McBratney are out of print, you are likely to find them at your local library or bookstore.
The Nutbrown Hares — father and son — play outdoors on a crisp autumn day. While Big Nutbrown Hare rests, Little Nutbrown Hare finds a cardboard crate to become the Box Monster — starting a new game with his father. The fondness between this disarming duo becomes palpable in easy text and signature illustration.
This is a great bedtime story for reading with your children or, in my case, my grandchildren. This lovely book has become a reference point for expressing our love for one another. Sometimes, Alexis says "I love you all the way up to my toes." And, sometimes, Kasie says "I love you right up to the moon." And sometimes I say "I love you right up to the moon… and back."
Many things change with each season, Little Nutbrown Hare learns as he and Big Nutbrown Hare explore the outdoors. Tadpoles grow into frogs in the Spring, leaves change color in the Fall and more — but the affection between father and son is a constant. Simple language and soft illustrations once again present the enduring warmth of the Nutbrown Hares.
Little Roo is a very grumpy young kangaroo whose mother does everything in her power to change it. Try as she might, however, it takes an unexpected spill in the mud to break the hold of a bad day. Expressive illustrations add humor to this engaging tale.
The young narrator has a much-loved friend; but one day, he and his friend argue. Before the children reconcile, the boy describes the emotional process he goes through: wanting to hear and to say an apology, but who will be first? Brief, almost staccato text and delicately rendered illustrations capture the reconciliation process without assigning blame.
Even the best of friends can have a falling out; especially when one can't do everything well. Little Roo and his friends — with a bit of guidance from Roo's mother — learn something important about other's feelings, teasing, and each other's strengths. Full-color illustrations further enliven a recognizable situation and its child-like emotions.
A mother and father bear tell their three cubs that each is "my favorite." The discerning cubs, however, worry that all of them can't be the favorite — at least until mother and father identify how each of the siblings is indeed their favorite. Gentle illustrations and a reassuring text present a comfortable family with loving relations.
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