Little Humpty

by Margaret Wild, Ann James (Illustrator)

Big Humpty and Little Humpty are a mother and baby camel who live in the desert. They play games together, and Big Humpty tells Little Humpty stories about the big, wide world. Then the day comes when Big Humpty realizes it's time Little Humpty had some friends of his own to play with, so they set off together to the Great Waterhole. Along the way, Little Humpty tries to guess what they will find there.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are relatively few camels with starring places in kiddie lit, so it was nice to meet this camel family and their sandy home in this gentle story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun animal adventure!

[Mely · Rating 4 out of 5]

makes a great read aloud for an older toddler.

[Jennifer B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story and beautiful illustrations.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you get your little one to predict the ending in this story by an Australian author that is set in Africa? Not quite worth buying or ILL, but if your library has it I do def. rec.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well illustrated, sweet story.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter wanted a book about camels, so I borrowed both this and Camel by Meish Goldish from the public library. This book has an irritating font that is really only an eighth of a step above Comic Sans, and the story is a little thin, but I liked the pictures, and there weren't many camel-themed books, so I went with this one. It reminds me a little bit of Jim Arnosky's simple nature stories (Little Lions, Come Out, Muskrats, etc.), but just not quite as strongly put together.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book captures the desert and its animals perfectly by its Australian team of writer and illustrate. Big Humpty and Little Humpty live in the desert and are happy, but Little Humpty wishes there were more animals to play with him. One day, Big Humpty surprises him with a trip to the Great Waterhole. It is a long voyage and along the way, she regales him with images of who they might meet there to keep him going. They imagine crocodiles, elephants, and more. When they arrive at the Waterhole they find something wonderful. A sweet relationship between mother and son captured with color and beauty against the backdrop of a swirling desert.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose this is a lovely story about finding friends...

But I think that it is more about Big Humpty leading poor Little Humpty down the garden path. 'Sure, at the end of this painfully long trip we'll see cool hippos, elephants and crocodiles that I've told you so much about all your life.' and what happens when you arrive - just boring camels!

[Tammy]

Little Humpty hears about their desert world from his mama, Big Humpty, as they travel alone through the desert. Then Big Humpty decides to take Little Humpty on a trek to the Great Waterhole, where he hopes to meet some new friends. warm, fuzzy illustrations make the camels seem sweet and gentle

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Humpty loves to play. One day, his mom decides to take him to the waterhole. What will he find there?
Cute camel story about a humpty who just wants to play. You have to say Little Humpty and Big Humpty too many times, but otherwise it's fine.

First or kindergarten.

[Christine Levinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun interactive book where the children can guess which animal is going to come next based on the descriptions given by Little Humpty's mother. Kids will have fun with this one!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired illustrations and a lovely book to read to pre-schoolers.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet picture book about animals to read to ages 18 mos. to 3 years.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a mother who decides it is time for her "son" to find more friends and the long journey they take.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book about growing up and finding friends. Children will recognize themselves in this animal book and at the same time learn about animals of the big deserts.

[Abby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, cute, cute great starting school book