Thursday, September 26, 2019
I have finally found them! The books I have been looking for for ages but I didn't know what they looked like or who wrote them or p...
I have finally found them! The books I have been looking for for ages but I didn't know what they looked like or who wrote them or published them or illustrated them - they existed only on my dream shelf. And after four years of searching I've found them!!
Sunday, October 15, 2017
There are some books that change your life. They touch you in a way that makes you see the world differently and leaves an impression that...
There are some books that change your life. They touch you in a way that makes you see the world differently and leaves an impression that will last a lifetime. The book for me that made this huge impact is celebrating it's 65th anniversary. That little spider who whispered "salutations" from the doorframe is 65 years old today.
I first read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White in my final year of primary school. We read it as a class study and I vividly remember being excited designing a pig pen for Wilbur, and making pom-pom spiders, and choosing a new stuffed toy pig and naming it Wilbur. But it was the little spider who reached out in friendship to help someone in need that left an impression on me. We all need a little kindness, and our actions, however small, can make a difference. I loved it.
I was later re-introduced to these beloved characters again when reading the story to one of my classes. And this time I got to see the magic unfolding for little ones. I got to watch them make the connections about love and kindness and friendship and enjoy all the little giggles afresh along the way. We made pom-pom spiders, threaded spider webs, designed pig pens and lots of other fun and I brought Wilbur along to class to be the mascot. Again I loved it.
Around the time I read it again with my class, I shared with them that I was expecting (not-yet-named) BookBairn. "If it's a girl, you should call her Charlotte!" one little girl suggested. And I thought, we should. So we did. My beautiful, clever and kind little girl is named after that beloved spider. I hope that she will be as kind and gentle and strong and mighty and friendly as Charlotte the spider.
Recently, we watched the film adaptation of 'Charlotte's Web' together. And BookBairn declared "the spider is called Charlotte like me!" I can't wait to read the book with her. To watch that magic unfold as she learns how someone small, someone who others often disregard, someone misunderstood can be the hero of the story. I hope she will be the hero of her own story.
And as I read it again today, I realise that E.B. White was also trying to show the power of words. In four individual words, Charlotte challenged the norm, she fought the system, she stood up for what she believed in. The world needs voices like that. We need more Charlottes.
"With the right words you can change the world." E.B. White, Charlotte's Web.
Thank you Charlotte for speaking up, for helping your friend and in doing so you changed my life too. Happy anniversary! 65 years young and still changing lives.
Is there a book that changed your life? That left a lasting impression?
Happy Reading,
Mummy
Thursday, March 02, 2017
I recently read an interesting, yet disheartening, article about group of US researchers whose investigations/experiments that indicated ...
I recently read an interesting, yet disheartening, article about group of US researchers whose investigations/experiments that indicated that "girls start to see themselves as innately less talented than boys do when they are only six years old." Doesn't that sound frightening?! It is suspected that exposure to media and influences of teachers, parents and other children are the cause of these little girls change in notion of themselves.
It is hugely disappointing to think that the effects of the cultural notion that genius is more likely a male than a female quality are emerging so early in the mindset of little girls. It made me question what we can do to change this perception. And for me the answer lies in sharing positive role models of intelligent, powerful, successful women to our little girls. Counteracting this out-dated 'notion' through their stories.
I intend to share more of these stories with BookBairn. Books with strong female characters, with realistic female characters, with girls who do, with 'mighty girls'. I will over the coming months and years show BookBairn that by being a girl she has the whole world at her feet (despite what some politicians want you to believe!). You will be able to find a selection of posts under the label 'mighty girls' on the blog (there's only two at the moment - but I'm working on it!).
She needs to know about Matilda and Hermione and Nancy Drew and Jo March and Elizabeth Bennett and Mary Lennox and Rosie Revere and Lyra Belacqua and Ada Twist and Madeline and Eloise and Pippi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables and Heidi and Scout Finch and Alice (of Wonderland) and all the others!
But she also needs books to show her that boy or girl you can be whatever you want to be. The world is at your feet whether they be clad in trainers, or wellies, or sparkly pink glittery shoes, or football boots. Oh the places you can go!
A 'Storybook Classic' that embraces this philosophy is 'Oh, The Places You'll Go!' by Dr Seuss. The rhyming tale tells the story of a child who steers through the mishaps and misadventures that life can lay down on the path to success, to happiness, to fulfillment. In typical Dr Seuss style, this story shares the craziest creatures and zaniest illustrations with his unique blend of rhyme and rhythm. It is the most delightful (yet tongue-twisting) story to read aloud. BookBairn positively bounces along with the beat!
But most important is the message in the first few lines:
"Congratulations!
Today is your day,
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."
(I wish it didn't say 'guy' in the final line - but I read it as 'one' to BookBairn - otherwise it just reinforces the male stereotype I'm fighting against. Even Dr Seuss can't be perfect I suppose.)
To BookBairn: we can't wait to see you soar! You can be anything you want to be: writer, scientist, mother, artist, poltician, architect, pilot, musician, linguist, Olympic contender, explorer, trapeze artist (if you literally want to soar!). Daddy and I will support you, love you and cherish your talents and your weaknesses. We will help you, guide you and let you go (though this will be hard). Yes, you are a girl, but you are not only a girl. You are a little timebomb of potential! Go on... explode!
Tick tick tick,
Love Mummy and BookBairn xx
 |
Just had to share this colourful Dr Seuss rainbow to celebrate
his birthday - 2nd March! |
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
She was so tiny when I took these photos! Time has flown by so fast! Time to share another Story Book Classic! The Hairy Maclary s...
She was so tiny when I took these photos! Time has flown by so fast!
Time to share another Story Book Classic!
The Hairy Maclary series by Lynley Dodd is a series of books that we have read, re-read and will read over and over again. If you haven't met Hairy Maclary and his friends yet you are truly missing out. Full of mischief and adorable characters these stories are wonderful for little readers.
All of the stories in the series are written in a wonderful rhyme which truly bounces along, like most of the characters in the book. Hairy Maclary is a wire-haired scrappy little chap who has a whole cast of doggy pals all of whom have the most wonderfully-imaginative names. Personally I love Schnitzel von Krumm with the very low tum, and Zackary Quack the duck.
In the original tale, Hairy Maclary and all his friends (and, yes, I can repeat the list off by heart and have been able to since BookBairn was just a bump!) walk along the street into town encountering one of the most villainous characters in children's literature: Scarface Claw the toughest tom cat in town. *Warning: we had to stop reading this book for a few months as BookBairn used to cry at the sight of Scarface Claw.* And then, understandably they all race home. This is a great story for little ones and will trip up a tired parent with the rhyming names if you try to race through the last pages of the story alongside the characters, making everyone giggle. I especially love Daddy Bookbairn's attempts to get around the list of names at full speed!
As brilliant as this book is, BookBairn generally chooses to read 'Hairy Maclary and Zackary Quack' more often (it is never far from her favourites shelf!). This is a delightful tale of hide-and-seek between Hairy Maclary and the cutest little duck! She loves to flip through and compare the first page with the last and pointing out the very small difference. I don't want to spoil the ending but it is very cute!
We also have two other versions of Hairy Maclary books that I would highly recommend for fans of this cheeky pooch! The Little Library box of Hairy Maclary books is one of BookBairn's favourite things to play with at the moment. She loves taking the books out of the box and putting them back in! But when she was younger, these books were just the right size for her little fingers to hold and play with. We also picked up a lift-the-flap 'Where's Hairy Maclary' book at the Edinburgh Book Festival last year (I think, actually it was G'ma BookBairn who bought it). This is a great book for any Hairy Maclary fans who want more of his stories!
There are many more Hairy Maclary (and friends) books available to and we often borrow these from the library as BookBairn is beginning to recognise the characters despite them being in different stories.
These stories are simply great fun and would make a great addition to any little bookbairn's collection!
Love Mummy and BookBairn xx
Monday, November 16, 2015
There are times when I have found myself reviewing books because we have recently bought them or been sent them or we are reading them a lot...
There are times when I have found myself reviewing books because we have recently bought them or been sent them or we are reading them a lot or they fit with a life event but sometimes there are those classic books which go, not forgotten, but under-appreciated for more shiny, sparkly, lift-the-flappy, or otherwise interactive books. I want every so often to put these children's classics back in the spotlight because, after all, they are the ones we read and enjoy over and over again, bedtime after bedtime, generation after generation!
One such classic that we read at least once a week is 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle. What makes this so perfect for us at bedtime is that it is short and sweet! The illustrations are bright and cheerful and I love the food pictures with caterpillar-nibbled holes in them. BookBairn's fingers are just the right size to wriggle into these cut-outs too! I have mentioned in blog posts before that sometimes illustrations can be over-complicated by fussy backgrounds and unnecessary details that make pages a visual overload for little readers. Set against a plain background it is clear what we are reading about and I'm sure that it will help BookBairn connect words and pictures more easily when she becomes able.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is also a popular book for use in nurseries and primary schools so you will, no doubt, come across it through your children's reading journeys. It is perfect to introduce the concept of metamorphosis as part of minibeasts projects alongside the use simple numbers, the days of the week and discussion of healthy and unhealthy food choices it is a smorgasbord of learning opportunities! There are so many crafts to try out too, a quick google search returns hundreds of brilliant activities to try at home too. This famous little caterpillar has grown arms and legs (as well as wings) and there is a fantastic variety of merchandise out there too: BookBairn loves the pram toy with a jingly bell inside but not such a fan of the puppet book - I always get his head stuck as we turn the pages. Best stick with the classic version we think!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a masterpiece of children's literature.
If you have any classic books that you love please feel free to comment below, we would love to know what you are reading too!
Love Mummy and BookBairn x
And no, the hat didn't last long!
I was later re-introduced to these beloved characters again when reading the story to one of my classes. And this time I got to see the magic unfolding for little ones. I got to watch them make the connections about love and kindness and friendship and enjoy all the little giggles afresh along the way. We made pom-pom spiders, threaded spider webs, designed pig pens and lots of other fun and I brought Wilbur along to class to be the mascot. Again I loved it.
And as I read it again today, I realise that E.B. White was also trying to show the power of words. In four individual words, Charlotte challenged the norm, she fought the system, she stood up for what she believed in. The world needs voices like that. We need more Charlottes.
She needs to know about Matilda and Hermione and Nancy Drew and Jo March and Elizabeth Bennett and Mary Lennox and Rosie Revere and Lyra Belacqua and Ada Twist and Madeline and Eloise and Pippi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables and Heidi and Scout Finch and Alice (of Wonderland) and all the others!
But most important is the message in the first few lines:
All of the stories in the series are written in a wonderful rhyme which truly bounces along, like most of the characters in the book. Hairy Maclary is a wire-haired scrappy little chap who has a whole cast of doggy pals all of whom have the most wonderfully-imaginative names. Personally I love Schnitzel von Krumm with the very low tum, and Zackary Quack the duck.
In the original tale, Hairy Maclary and all his friends (and, yes, I can repeat the list off by heart and have been able to since BookBairn was just a bump!) walk along the street into town encountering one of the most villainous characters in children's literature: Scarface Claw the toughest tom cat in town. *Warning: we had to stop reading this book for a few months as BookBairn used to cry at the sight of Scarface Claw.* And then, understandably they all race home. This is a great story for little ones and will trip up a tired parent with the rhyming names if you try to race through the last pages of the story alongside the characters, making everyone giggle. I especially love Daddy Bookbairn's attempts to get around the list of names at full speed!
There are times when I have found myself reviewing books because we have recently bought them or been sent them or we are reading them a lot or they fit with a life event but sometimes there are those classic books which go, not forgotten, but under-appreciated for more shiny, sparkly, lift-the-flappy, or otherwise interactive books. I want every so often to put these children's classics back in the spotlight because, after all, they are the ones we read and enjoy over and over again, bedtime after bedtime, generation after generation!
One such classic that we read at least once a week is 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle. What makes this so perfect for us at bedtime is that it is short and sweet! The illustrations are bright and cheerful and I love the food pictures with caterpillar-nibbled holes in them. BookBairn's fingers are just the right size to wriggle into these cut-outs too! I have mentioned in blog posts before that sometimes illustrations can be over-complicated by fussy backgrounds and unnecessary details that make pages a visual overload for little readers. Set against a plain background it is clear what we are reading about and I'm sure that it will help BookBairn connect words and pictures more easily when she becomes able.
