In which Jessicat has her portrait drawn...

We attendend a special storytime at the library this morning. It was led by local children's author/illustrator Thomas Docherty. We've read 3 of his books: "Little Boat", "To the Beach" and "The Big Scary Monster", all of which are suitable for 2 - 5 year olds. The books don't have a huge amount of text, but big pictures which draw children in. The stories are simple, but contain themes that really resonate wiht Jess: "Scary Monster" for example, is all about making friends and how to treat them. Tom was brilliant at entertaining a lively crowd of pre-schoolers, and managed to hold their attention pretty well for nearly an hour (no mean feat). He read his books aloud, but used pictures, interaction and some big monster hands to make it an interactive and involving experience for the kids. Nice bloke, and we will definitely look for more of his books. He finished off by doing individual drawings for all the children who wanted them, so Jessicat is now the proud owner of a drawing of her being chased by the eponymous scary monster.

Managed to get a lunch out in Sainsbury's cafe (oh the glamour of parenthood) with Zoe and her kids. All in all, a top day. Shame about Jess's cold and unending stream of snot. She's now in bed after her milk and medised chaser.

Jessicat can read to me!

Well, sort of! On our trips to Mr B's Emporium of Book Delights (wonderful bookshop in Bath - google it), she always requested that I read a book entitled "Good Egg" by Barney Saltzburg. It's a very simple book about an egg that does tricks before a chick hatches out on the final page. A simple concept, but Jess loved the interactive elements, as the book is constructed in such a way that you can move the egg around. There are few words in it, and the text consists mainly of the phrase "good egg". Anyway, Dave and I bought Jessicat her own copy for Christmas, and she quickly memorised the text and begged to read it to us! Even though, strictly speaking, this isn't proper reading, she felt so proud of herself, and all of us enjoyed this reversal in our normal roles.

Hello once more

It's been a good few months since I last blogged, as I was finding the pressures of work and parenthood left me with little time to keep the blog up to date. But I'm keen to start again, partly because I think I can make enough time to keep it going, but mostly because I'm loving the time that Jess and I spend together reading, and I want to keep a record of this for both our sakes. It's been a busy 6 months. Jessicat is now 3 and 3 months, and a strong willed and busy little girl.

Probably the biggest change in our lives recently has been Jess starting a pre-school, which happened last November. In spite of my anxieties about her separating from us, she has settled in well and appears to really enjoy her 3 mornings a week at The Village. It's a small, informally run group, and an ideal place for Jess to build up confidence and make some new friends (quite a challenge for my timid little girl). There is little by way of formal instruction (rightly so at this age IMO), but lots of painting, crafts and pretend play. Jessicat's best friend is her neighbour Rex, and her favourite activity so far is playing with the toy farm, and painting. She is beginning to recognize letters, and can probably sound out most letters, as well as becoming increasingly confident with counting objects up to 10 and recognizing most basic shapes.

We have a slightly longer bedtime routine now. Jessicat still goes to bed at about 7.40pm after a story and milk, but now she is the proud owner of her own bedside cabinet and lamp, she likes to spend a short period in bed reading her books "just like Mummy and Daddy". Our book at bedtime tonight is one from the Charlie and Lola series "Whoops! But it wasn't me". I'm sure I'm not alone in being slow to realise that Lauren Child hasn't written the whole series, but Jess still enjoys the collage pictures and Lola's misdemeanours. She watches the TV adaptation on CBeebies and recently, we enjoyed a family outing to Cardiff to see the fantastic Lauren Child exhibition at the National Museum of Wales. Couldn't recommend this exhibition highly enough: lots of interactive elements for toddlers to enjoy, whilst parents could look at the artwork and learn more about CHild's unique style.

The range of books for children of Jessica's age is splendid, and time and energy permitting, I'd like to note down her reading experiences in this blog over the coming weeks and months.

Goodbye

I will not be making any further entries to this blog for a while. Pressure of time is the main culprit. Thanks to those of you who added comments and followed Jessicat's reading adventures.....who knows, one day I may find the time and the inclination to begin again. Farewell.

Another good website...

...this time devoted the the idea of dads spending more time reading books to their children.

http://www.readingdads.co.uk/site/

Very easy to navigate site, and it seems apt to feature this on Father's Day today. Jessicat had scribbled on some cards for Dave, and he had chosen a Porcupine tree CD, so we were well prepared here. Unfortunately, Dave had to spend the morning on cleaning and other household chores whilst I took Jess to Sunday school, but his day improved after a meal and relaxing afternoon at my mum's house.

Reading for June 2009

"Once upon a time" - John Prater. Lovely book featuring lots of characters from nursery rhymes and fairy stories.

"Melrose and Croc" - Emma Chichester-Clark. Would be ideal to read this again in December, as it's set at Christmas time. Nice story about friendship and beautiful illustrations.

"Jungle Jive" - Tony Mitton. Great book, rollicking rhyme. Jessicat can knows some of it off by heart. We're familiar with some of Tony Mitton's poems from our anthologies of children's poetry, and this doesn't disappoint.

"Noah Built An Ark One Day" - Colin Hawkins. This book has flaps and strong rhymes. Jessicat is particulary fascinated by the final double page spread showing the inside of the ark, and likes to spend time studying this and speculating where she would sleep.

"Horatio's Bed" - Camilla Ashforth.

Some of our favourite hangouts of this summer so far have been:

Tiny Tearawayz soft play at Broadwalk Centre - great to meet up here with friends. This summer is the first time I see Jess going off to play independently, leaving me to chat and flick through magazines (surely one of the best ways of passing time?)

Starbucks - cookies, marshmallows, muffins, chocolate coins etc. Nuff said.

Borders Bookshop - air conditioned paradise. What genius thought to put a sofa in the children's play area next to the colouring in table and train set? Give that man a pay rise!

The parks of St Annes, Arnos Vale and Keynsham - generally only bearable in short doses or the company of friends.

Broadmead and Cabot Circus - ELC! McDonalds! Water fountains! Waterstones! Pubs! We loves it!!!

Bath - no trip to Bath is complete without at least one of the following: a sojourn in the egg cafe, browsing in Bath library, cookie hunting in Ben's, reading and dog stroking in Mr B's. After years of a deeply rooted aversion, I've finally grown to love Bath and what it has to offer.

Not a Thomas fan

I have just seen that Jessicat has opted for "Thomas and the Jet Engine" as one of her reads tonight. Ugh! Whilst I would never openly want to condemn any enjoyment of books she has, these aren't great for reading aloud. I think it is signicant that I can find no mention of the author's name on this book. The Thomas books do have merit when it comes to teaching colours and numbers, but the stories always seem to be so leaden and the characterisation so wooden that these are one of the few books that I don't enjoy sharing with Jess.

We also have a quick pictue book to read called "Zzzzzz - A book of sleep" by Il Sung Na, featuring pictures of lots of animals going to - you've guessed it! - sleep. I am really looking forward to introducing Jess to Dr Seuss and "The Cat in the Hat". I've never read it myself, so it will be new to both of us.

Bit disappointed to see only limited coverage of Anthony Browne's success in the papers. Maybe once he gets going properly in his new post, we will see some more media coverage. Anything that makes a change from MPs's expenses and Gordon Brown's woes would make a refreshing change.....