Secondhand Board Book Bargain Book Box SP2260

This extensive collection of twenty-seven books combines beloved traditional fairy tales with celebrated Australian picture books. The set features a large selection of Usborne Picture Books, which provide accessible retellings of classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Black Beauty for younger readers. Complementing these are titles from renowned Australian authors such as Jackie French, Bob Graham, and Pamela Allen, offering a mix of humor, local wildlife, and gentle family stories. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Noah's Ark (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by John Joven This retelling of the classic biblical story is designed for young readers, featuring vibrant illustrations and simple text. It follows Noah as he builds a massive ark to save his family and two of every animal from a great flood. The narrative focuses on the gathering of the animals and the hope represented by the rainbow at the end of the storm.

2. Little Red Riding Hood (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Mike Gordon A young girl journeys through the woods to visit her grandmother but encounters a cunning wolf along the way. This edition softens some of the scarier elements of the original tale while maintaining the core lesson about talking to strangers. The illustrations provide a friendly visual style to accompany the suspense of the wolf’s deception.

3. Cinderella (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Lorena Alvarez The timeless story of a mistreated stepdaughter who dreams of attending the royal ball is brought to life in this colorful volume. With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella is transformed for one magical night, leaving behind a glass slipper. The book emphasizes themes of kindness and the eventual triumph of good over cruelty.

4. The Gingerbread Man (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Elena Temporin In this fast-paced chase story, a cookie comes to life and runs away from the little old woman and man who baked him. He taunts various animals and people he passes, boasting that no one can catch him. The tale ends with the clever fox who outwits the biscuit, providing a classic lesson in the dangers of arrogance.

5. The Wind in the Willows (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Mauro Evangelista This adaptation introduces children to the riverside adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the eccentric Mr. Toad. It condenses Kenneth Grahame’s original text to focus on the key escapades, including Toad’s obsession with motorcars. The story highlights the enduring nature of friendship and the beauty of the English countryside.

6. The Enormous Turnip (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Georgien Overwater A farmer grows a turnip so large that he cannot pull it out of the ground by himself, requiring the help of his entire family and farm animals. This cumulative tale uses repetition and humor to show the importance of teamwork and cooperation. The illustrations capture the increasing chaos as more characters join the tug-of-war.

7. The Reluctant Dragon (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Fred Blunt Based on the story by Kenneth Grahame, this book tells of a dragon who prefers poetry and tea to fighting and breathing fire. When St. George arrives to slay the beast, the two must work together with a young boy to stage a fake battle. It is a charming subversion of traditional knight-and-dragon tropes.

8. Old MacDonald had a Farm (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Ben Mantle This book expands on the famous nursery rhyme, taking readers on a tour of Old MacDonald’s noisy farm. Each page introduces a new animal and its corresponding sound, encouraging interactive reading and singing. The bright, cheerful artwork adds narrative details to the simple lyrics, making it engaging for toddlers.

9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by John Joven The classic fairy tale of a princess who flees her jealous stepmother and finds refuge in a cottage with seven dwarfs. It covers the key plot points, including the poisoned apple and the prince’s rescue, in language suitable for developing readers. The story explores themes of vanity, envy, and the protective nature of friendship.

10. Pink! by Margaret Wild & Judith Rossell Patrick is a flamingo who is distressed to discover that he is turning pink, fearing he will no longer fit in with his friends. He tries to hide his changing color, leading to a journey of self-acceptance and identity. The story uses the natural biology of flamingos as a metaphor for growing up and embracing one's true self.

11. Belinda by Pamela Allen Belinda the cow is distinctively particular and refuses to be milked by Old Tom, causing quite a dilemma on the farm. Old Tom’s wife must step in with a gentle touch and a different approach to solve the problem. Pamela Allen’s signature rhythmic text and expressive illustrations make this a humorous look at stubbornness and problem-solving.

12. Hello From Nowhere by Raewyn Caisley & Karen Blair Eve lives on a remote station in the Australian outback, a place that some might call the middle of nowhere. The story celebrates the unique lifestyle of rural Australia, from schooling on the air to the vast, starry skies. It challenges the idea that city life is the only way to be connected, finding magic in isolation.

13. Whose Animals? Australia This educational picture book introduces young readers to the unique wildlife found on the Australian continent. Through questions and visual clues, children are encouraged to guess the identity of various native animals before they are fully revealed. It serves as a simple, interactive guide to creatures like kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.

14. Where Is Galah? by Sally Morgan This bright and bold picture book follows a search for a missing galah through the Australian landscape. The text is simple and repetitive, designed to help early readers build confidence while exploring the environment. The artwork features vibrant colors and patterns, reflecting the author's Indigenous artistic style.

15. Baby Wombat's Week by Jackie French & Bruce Whatley Following the success of Diary of a Wombat, this sequel is told from the perspective of the baby wombat, Mothball’s offspring. The narrative details a week of sleeping, eating, and causing mischief for the human neighbors. It captures the adorable yet destructive nature of wombats with minimal text and expressive illustrations.

16. Jack and the Beanstalk (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Lorenzo Sabbatini Jack trades his family’s cow for magic beans, which grow into a giant stalk reaching up to a castle in the clouds. This retelling follows his adventures as he steals treasures from a giant and makes a narrow escape. The story remains a staple of children’s literature, teaching lessons about bravery and the consequences of theft.

17. The Magic Porridge Pot (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Mike and Carl Gordon A hungry girl is given a magic pot that cooks delicious porridge on command, but disaster strikes when her mother forgets the words to stop it. The town is soon flooded with porridge in a humorous and chaotic sequence of events. It is a lighthearted folktale about the importance of listening carefully to instructions.

18. The Owl and the Pussy-cat (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Valérie Ball Edward Lear’s famous nonsense poem is adapted here with whimsical illustrations that follow the two animals on their sea voyage. They sail away for a year and a day, eventually getting married with a ring from a pig's nose. The rhythmic verse and playful imagery make it a classic choice for reading aloud.

19. Anne of Green Gables (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Alan Marks This simplified version of L.M. Montgomery’s novel introduces the spirited red-headed orphan Anne Shirley to a younger audience. It covers her arrival at Prince Edward Island and her misadventures as she tries to win over the Cuthberts. The book captures the charm and imagination of the original character in a condensed format.

20. The Story of Black Beauty (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Alan Marks Anna Sewell’s classic horse story is retold here, following the life of Black Beauty from his carefree days as a colt to his hard labor as a cab horse. The narrative retains the first-person perspective of the horse, fostering empathy for animals. It touches on themes of kindness and the varied treatment animals receive from humans.

21. Alice in Wonderland (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Mauro Evangelista Alice falls down a rabbit hole into a nonsensical world filled with tea parties, a grinning cat, and a tyrannical Queen of Hearts. This adaptation streamlines Lewis Carroll’s complex narrative while keeping the most famous scenes and characters. It provides a surreal and colorful introduction to the fantasy classic.

22. The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse (Usborne Picture Books) illustrated by Jacqueline East Two mice cousins visit each other's homes, only to discover that they each prefer their own way of life. The story contrasts the dangers and luxuries of the city with the safety and simplicity of the countryside. It serves as a gentle fable about being content with what you have and where you belong.

23. The Tinder Box (Usborne Picture Books) A soldier acquires a magical tinderbox capable of summoning three powerful dogs with eyes as big as saucers. He uses the dogs to gain wealth and eventually win the hand of a princess, despite the king's objections. This Hans Christian Andersen tale blends adventure with magic, rewarding the soldier’s boldness.

24. When the Wind Changed by Ruth Park & Deborah Niland Josh has a bad habit of making terrible faces, despite his father’s warning that the wind might change and leave him stuck that way. When the wind finally does change, Josh faces a humorous crisis that he must navigate. This classic Australian story is remembered for its funny, grotesque illustrations of Josh’s expressions.

25. Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland When the whales in the ocean decide they have had enough of the pollution and noise, they walk out of the water and into the cities. They begin to live like humans, forcing society to adapt to their massive presence and rethink how they treat the planet. It is a humorous yet poignant environmental fable with a surreal twist.

26. Koala Ark by Stephen Michael King Set in the Australian bush, this story follows a koala and his friends as they face a bushfire and the subsequent regeneration of their home. It is a gentle and hopeful narrative about survival, caring for wildlife, and the resilience of nature. The illustrations are soft and atmospheric, suitable for discussing difficult topics with children.

27. Silver Buttons by Bob Graham At the exact moment a baby takes his first step, the book zooms out to show what is happening elsewhere in the house, the city, and the world. It captures a single second in time, celebrating the significance of small milestones amidst the vastness of life. The detailed illustrations encourage readers to look closely and find the connections between events.