You too are more or less forced to spend time at home, kindergartens and schools are closed and you and your children are almost going crazy? It's not that easy to juggle everything at the moment, especially in a confined space. It's good that children can be entertained relatively easily with the right stimuli. What could be better than a few adventurous, funny and educational stories from books that encourage and support children's imagination. Whether you read them together or on your own - the following book tips can help you get through the current time in an interesting way.
The classic – “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” (from about 3 years)
Source: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle” – Gerstenberg Verlag
Even small caterpillars can be very hungry. That's why the Hungry Caterpillar goes in search of something to eat - and finds it. From Monday to Sunday, it eats its way through a mountain of treats, page after page, until it is finally full. Now the time has come to build a cocoon, and after two weeks of waiting, a beautiful butterfly emerges from it. An ideal book by Eric Carle for discovering the days of the week, fruit, numbers and metamorphosis in nature.
NATURAL STORIES
“The Golden Sparkling Flower” (ages 3 and up)
Source: “The Golden Sparkling Flower by Benjamin Flouw” – Kleine Gestalten Verlag
Fox is an enthusiastic botanist who loves wild plants above all else. One evening he reads about a golden wonder flower in one of his big books. But a drawing is missing! Gripped by his curiosity, Fox sets off on a journey through forests, meadows and into the mountains to find this mysterious and rare plant. When he finally discovers the golden wonder flower, however, he is faced with a difficult decision... A beautiful picture book by Benjamin Flouw to set off on an expedition into the unknown wilderness and learn lots of interesting facts about trees and plants.
“Flora’s Studio” (ages 3 and up)
Source: “Flora’s Studio by Kristina Digman” – Bohem Verlag
What can be done with things from nature! Flora always finds small seeds, leaves, twigs from which she creates the most amazing works of art. Flora shows how to press plants and how to make a mobile from natural treasures. The creations are imaginative and yet easy to copy, and of course they can also be individually modified. An educational and creatively inspiring book by Kristina Digman.
EXCITING PICTURE BOOKS
“Faber’s Journey” (ages 2 and up)
Source: “Faber’s Journey by Cornelia Funke” Aladin Verlag
Faber's grandfather lives in America with his brother. Faber and Shaima visit him regularly on their magic carpet. One day, the grandfather disappears. As does the small drum, which is supposed to have magical powers. Faber suspects something bad. Can he bring his grandfather back? An imaginative and adventurous book by Cornelia Funke.
“Grumbuck” (ages 3 and up)
Source: “Grumbuck by Adam Stower” – Orell Füssli Verlag
A little boy who runs a café is unusual. A little boy who runs a café together with a blue troll and whose guests are only trolls is really extraordinary. One day, Oliver's little sister Molly disappears. He and his troll friend set out to find Molly. The adventure of Oliver and the trolls, told by Adam Stower, really has everything a good story needs: a likeable hero, a little scary factor and a funny happy ending.
“The Little Mouse and the Big Wall” (ages 4 and up)
Source: “The little mouse and the big wall by Britta Teckentrup” – Ars Edition Verlag
Why does something have to stay the same just because it has always been that way? Illustrator Britta Teckentrup touches on a number of philosophical questions and topics in her picture book about the little mouse - a book that can have an impact well into adulthood.
The little mouse is surprised by the wall that limits her and other animals' living space. She would love to know what is behind the wall. None of the animals can answer her question - until she bravely explores the other side on the back of a bird and discovers a colorful, exciting world. How wonderful it is to remain curious.
SPACE
“Visit from the planet Zabalulu” (ages 4 and up)
Source: “Visit from the Planet Zabalulu by Sean Taylor and Kate Hindley” – Gerstenberg Verlag
Zoro, Bastu and Schlopp come from the planet Zabalulu. With their well-equipped spaceship and lots of space cookies on board, they are on a great expedition. Their mission: to bring a giant thing from the planet Earth to Zabalulu. With their supersonic vacuum cleaner, that shouldn't be a problem. When the giant thing appears in front of them in the form of an elephant, their crazy adventure begins. Truly a story from another planet, told together by Sean Taylor and Kate Hindley.
“Painting in Space” (ages 6 and up)
Source: “Painting in Space by Harriet Russel” – Kunstmann Verlag
Hear the Big Bang, create the solar system in the shape of fruit, paint constellations by numbers and onion rings around Saturn: "Painting in Space" explains the sun, moon and the stars, the entire planetary system, UFOs and black holes, the Milky Way and comets, but also complex phenomena such as the expansion of the universe, orbital periods and the speed of light. Harriet Russell's book is a perfect boredom killer for a fascinating exploration of space that is fun for girls and boys.
BOOKS FOR CREATIVITY
“Frida Kahlo and her animals” (ages 4 and up)
Source: “Frida Kahlo and her animals by Monica Brown and John Parra” – NordSüd Verlag
This picture book by Monica Brown and John Parra shows the life of the great artist. One focus is on Frida's animals, which she later immortalized in many of her self-portraits. In a very sensitive way and with just a few sentences, it explains how the artist Frida Kahlo was able to find fulfillment and satisfaction in her creativity and her painting - and how much she accepted her beloved animals as her little family. A book that imparts knowledge about one of the greatest artists in history and gives courage to live out your own dreams.
“Mountains! The activity book for summit climbers” (ages 6 and up)
Source: “Mountains! The activity book for summit climbers by Piotr Karski” – Moritz Verlag
What doesn't come to mind when you think of mountains: skiing, marmots, tunnels, golden eagles, glaciers, maps, avalanches, signposts, zorbing, zither playing, Emmental cheese, language borders, watersheds, wool sweaters.
Piotr Karski has put all of these aspects into a stimulating and thick activity book for children. In it, he lets us build barometers, decipher contour lines, create tree records and stamp wolf tracks. He shows how river systems form in the mountains, explains the types of vegetation that vary depending on altitude, provides information about glaciers and erosion and introduces winter sports. We can even build a makeshift zither! But he also has to keep us in the dark about the Yeti.
A book that impresses with its immense diversity and that opens up the mountain world in a refreshing way to both flatland Tyroleans and mountain enthusiasts.
EXCITING STORY
“Goats bring luck” (ages 8 and up)
Source: “Goats bring luck by Anne Fleming” – Carlsen Verlag
When 11-year-old Kid comes to New York with her parents to look after a relative's dog, she notices something on the roof of the high-rise that looks like a small white cloud. Rumor has it that a mountain goat lives up there. But can that really be true? Together with Will, who is the same age, Kid sets out to find it and collects clues from the fascinating and quirky residents of the house - because whoever sees the goat will have seven years of happiness! A children's book by Anne Fleming that leaves plenty of room for emotions, for the bizarre, thoughtful and funny encounters.
All of these books are perfect boredom killers for young and old alike - so let yourself be fascinated together and enjoy the time you now have to spend with your loved ones. And to go with the books, our wonderful photo strips , which are also ideal as bookmarks, would be a nice little extra for bookworms at Easter.
