Two of my favourite topics in one title! At the moment, we find Jessicat eats more and with less fuss if we recite nursery rhymes when feeding her, or read books together when she feeds herself with finger food. We have a huge pile of books threatening to topple over on our table, and a few collections of nursery rhymes as well. Regular reads at mealtimes for us include:
Kingfisher Collection of Nursery Rhymes - selected by Sally Emerson. A lovely anthology with many rhymes that can be sung. Jessicat's current favourite is "Hot Cross Buns".
Happy Dog, Sad Dog - Sam Lloyd. This book was given to us as part of Jess's first gift from Bookstart. She has loved it since she was a tiny baby, and I don't think I will ever be able to look at this book without being reminded of her babyhood. She also really enjoys the other Sam Lloyd title we managed to pick up cheaply in a second hand shop, Whose Tail?
I Kissed the Baby - Mary Murpy. Still makes Jess laugh out loud when I get to the page where I have to kiss her!
How Do You Feel? Mandy Stanley. Companion volume to the much enjoyed What Do You Say?
The Owl and The Pussycat - Edward Lear, with illustrations by Deborah Jones. Well, surely it's never to early to introduce this poem, though some very unworthy and immature part of me cringes inside when saying "what a lovely pussy you are". Ho hum.
Jess continues to be a TV addict, much to my embarrassment when I talk to other mums who eschew TV completely (what is their secret for getting things done?) Her programme of the moment is Something Special, involving Mr Tumble and lots of signing. I don't suppose I set the example I should, as when Jessicat is in bed, I love nothing more than sitting down with my port and lemon in front of So You Think You Can Dance or Relocation, Relocation. Her other much loved activity this week has been using the walker to go for a stroll up and down the drive and even up the road.
Saturday 26 January 2008
Friday 18 January 2008
Rainy January days
Elmer's Colours and Elmer's Weather - David Mckee. 2 more from the series that Jessicat enjoys. I just can't get over how camp the lion and the polar bear are in these books!
Bear's Busy Family - Stella Blackstone. The only one left in this brilliant series that we haven't yet read. These books are like catnip for babies. The illustrations are clear, bright and detailed, and accompanied by a short rhyme. Jess loves to pore over the books and point to all the objects she recognizes.
Otherwise, life goes on as usual. Jessicat and Dave are still enjoying their Wednesdays together, and are attending Starjumpers (gymnastics for babies). We are still sneaking cow's milk into her cup of formula milk with the intention of disposing of the formula all together over the next few weeks. Jess was 14 months on the Wednesday just gone. Still no sign of walking, though she is getting more confident using the walker to get around. I'm hoping when she finally does take off, she will be much less frustrated and clingy, as there have been some moments recently when I've been hanging in there until her bedtime!
Bear's Busy Family - Stella Blackstone. The only one left in this brilliant series that we haven't yet read. These books are like catnip for babies. The illustrations are clear, bright and detailed, and accompanied by a short rhyme. Jess loves to pore over the books and point to all the objects she recognizes.
Otherwise, life goes on as usual. Jessicat and Dave are still enjoying their Wednesdays together, and are attending Starjumpers (gymnastics for babies). We are still sneaking cow's milk into her cup of formula milk with the intention of disposing of the formula all together over the next few weeks. Jess was 14 months on the Wednesday just gone. Still no sign of walking, though she is getting more confident using the walker to get around. I'm hoping when she finally does take off, she will be much less frustrated and clingy, as there have been some moments recently when I've been hanging in there until her bedtime!
Sunday 13 January 2008
Lots of books for Jess to choose from this week...
...including some new ones from Lara Jones.
Davy Dinosaur: Favourties and Davy Dinosaur: Counting are 2 beautifully produced books with textures from the author of the much loved Poppy Cat books. Jessicat loves feeling the different textures, especially the sticky footprints. If I have one minor criticism, it is that there is very limited text, and now that Jess is gaining in understanding and comprehension of words, I think she is very for a (very basic) narrative.
Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell. Another old favourite re-visited as we found a pristine copy in the library with all the flaps intact.
Peepo - Janet Ahlberg. Deservedly a classic of baby's literature. Jess and I first shared this book when she was only a few months old, and I would read it to her whilst bottle or breast feeding. Then, she went through a stage in which the rhymes and the illustrations were just too subtle and detailed for her taste. But over the last few days, she has started to show an interest in this book again, and that gives me a chance to wallow in the nostalgic pictures and rhymes. A real treat.
All About Me: A Baby's Guide to Babies - David Salariya. Lots of photos of babies and a repetitive narrative. Good for encouraging discussion and recognition of body parts and basic actions.
See the Rabbit - Janet Ahlberg. Again, lovely pictures and Jess enjoys pointing to objects that she recognizes.
Noisy Poems - ed by Jill Bennett. Another old favourite. Anyone who thinks that poetry isn't for babies should try this book.
Getting my latest copy of Books For Keeps this week prompted me to check out Micheal Rosen's website:
http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/. I'm really excited to hear that there's going to be an exhibition about the history of children's poetry at the British Library, and really hope this tours, as my chances of getting to see it in London with Jessicat in tow are pretty minimal.
Davy Dinosaur: Favourties and Davy Dinosaur: Counting are 2 beautifully produced books with textures from the author of the much loved Poppy Cat books. Jessicat loves feeling the different textures, especially the sticky footprints. If I have one minor criticism, it is that there is very limited text, and now that Jess is gaining in understanding and comprehension of words, I think she is very for a (very basic) narrative.
Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell. Another old favourite re-visited as we found a pristine copy in the library with all the flaps intact.
Peepo - Janet Ahlberg. Deservedly a classic of baby's literature. Jess and I first shared this book when she was only a few months old, and I would read it to her whilst bottle or breast feeding. Then, she went through a stage in which the rhymes and the illustrations were just too subtle and detailed for her taste. But over the last few days, she has started to show an interest in this book again, and that gives me a chance to wallow in the nostalgic pictures and rhymes. A real treat.
All About Me: A Baby's Guide to Babies - David Salariya. Lots of photos of babies and a repetitive narrative. Good for encouraging discussion and recognition of body parts and basic actions.
See the Rabbit - Janet Ahlberg. Again, lovely pictures and Jess enjoys pointing to objects that she recognizes.
Noisy Poems - ed by Jill Bennett. Another old favourite. Anyone who thinks that poetry isn't for babies should try this book.
Getting my latest copy of Books For Keeps this week prompted me to check out Micheal Rosen's website:
http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/. I'm really excited to hear that there's going to be an exhibition about the history of children's poetry at the British Library, and really hope this tours, as my chances of getting to see it in London with Jessicat in tow are pretty minimal.
Friday 4 January 2008
Happy New Year!
Jessicat is back into books with a vengeance at the moment. She must know that 2008 has been designated the National Year of Reading! Her favourite way of reading at the moment is to select a book, bring it to me to read to her, allow me to get through a few pages whilst she excitedly points to objects she recognizes, before rolling off me to select another one. Although it means our reading is done piecemeal, I can't help but get carried along by her enthusiasm, and am proud of her growing understanding and ability to point to objects on request.
Some of her favourite books from our current selection are:
One Little Farm - Dubravka Kolanovic. Lovely warm pictures; a basic counting book, but one that Jess really enjoys, so no doubt we will make our way through the whole series.
Lulu's Busy Day - Caroline Uff. Jessicat and I have read this book before. Lulu is a long established favourite now.
Ten in the Bed - Penny Dale (in board book format). We already own the paperback version, but that is not really able to withstand Jess's loving ministrations yet, so a board version is a great idea. Jessicat is amused by the noise the animals make as they fall on the floor. The drawings in this version are not quite as nice as in the paperback, so we will keep our book to look at when Jess is a bit older.
Who's Hiding at Home? - Julie Fletcher. A good find. Really sturdy flaps for Jess to manipulate; whoever produced this understands what toddlers can do to books!
Hoping for a more healthy year in 2008. Looking forward to Jess being able to walk and talk, and hoping for more sleep! As for the New Year Honours, really pleased to see Jacqueline Wilson and Eric Hill honoured.
Some of her favourite books from our current selection are:
One Little Farm - Dubravka Kolanovic. Lovely warm pictures; a basic counting book, but one that Jess really enjoys, so no doubt we will make our way through the whole series.
Lulu's Busy Day - Caroline Uff. Jessicat and I have read this book before. Lulu is a long established favourite now.
Ten in the Bed - Penny Dale (in board book format). We already own the paperback version, but that is not really able to withstand Jess's loving ministrations yet, so a board version is a great idea. Jessicat is amused by the noise the animals make as they fall on the floor. The drawings in this version are not quite as nice as in the paperback, so we will keep our book to look at when Jess is a bit older.
Who's Hiding at Home? - Julie Fletcher. A good find. Really sturdy flaps for Jess to manipulate; whoever produced this understands what toddlers can do to books!
Hoping for a more healthy year in 2008. Looking forward to Jess being able to walk and talk, and hoping for more sleep! As for the New Year Honours, really pleased to see Jacqueline Wilson and Eric Hill honoured.
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