Seem to be uncovering a few of these recently. Just been reading "Willy Dreams" by Anthony Browne, a magical book of few words but absolutely amazing pictures full of clever references and visual nods to the worlds of film, surrealist paintings and the art world in general. These references are completely wasted on a toddler, but make sharing the book a joint treat. Jessicat just enjoys trying to spot the bananas that are cleverly incorporated into the most unlikely of objects.
We've picked up another book today that takes major works of art as it's starting point. It's called "I Spy Colours In Art" by Lucy Micklethwaite, and features reproductions of many different - some famous, some less well known - works of art, and asks the toddler to identify various features e.g two blue eyes. Great way of exposing Jessicat to visual art, as whenever we try to go to a gallery or museum to look at paintings, she's invariably too excitable and distracted to look at the art work. Luckily, it seems that Lucy Micklethwaite has produced a whole series in this vain, so I have the prospect of a real visual feast in store!
Our other book for tonight is "How do dinosaurs eat their food?" by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Jess, like so many toddlers, is going through a stage of being fascinated by dinosaurs, so it's always good to read something that ties in with her interests. Already, I am dreaming of weekend breaks in London where we take her to the Natural History museum to see the dinosaur skeletons (haven't been myself since I was 10). Is 3 the right age to begin taking city breaks???
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Monday 25 May 2009
Inspiring video footage from Bookstart
Found this on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIyMBIAwvDU
I only hope the link works, as I'm not the most technically adept. If not, go into youtube and put "Maia reading" into the subject bar, and you should be directed to the appropriate clip. It shows parents sharing books with their little girl from babyhood into her toddler years. It's lovely footage that manages to encapsulate some of the closeness, fun and sheer joy that sharing books with children can involve.
Just about to embark on my usual bedtime reading with Jessicat. Today, we've got "One Day with Mum" by Helen Oxenbury (short, straightforward little stories that reflect everyday events in the life of an ordinary toddler), and a poetry compilation called "Along the Line With Bernard Cribbins". This anthology is full of short poems for children. It's strong on rhyme and contains a pleasing mix of favourites that can be found in almost any anthology for children and some more uncommonly chosen poems.
Not surprisingly, Jess is exhausted tonight. We met our friends, Zoe and Ian and their kids, to go to the @Bristol science museum this morning, and then after lunch, John and Sarah had invited us over for a BBQ. Jessicat always loves playing with Sean's trains and cars, and today they had their bouncy castle up - another winner. I'm always keen to encourage her to get exercise, for health reasons, and also because I belive in a link between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Doesn't seem to encourage me to do much sport mind.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIyMBIAwvDU
I only hope the link works, as I'm not the most technically adept. If not, go into youtube and put "Maia reading" into the subject bar, and you should be directed to the appropriate clip. It shows parents sharing books with their little girl from babyhood into her toddler years. It's lovely footage that manages to encapsulate some of the closeness, fun and sheer joy that sharing books with children can involve.
Just about to embark on my usual bedtime reading with Jessicat. Today, we've got "One Day with Mum" by Helen Oxenbury (short, straightforward little stories that reflect everyday events in the life of an ordinary toddler), and a poetry compilation called "Along the Line With Bernard Cribbins". This anthology is full of short poems for children. It's strong on rhyme and contains a pleasing mix of favourites that can be found in almost any anthology for children and some more uncommonly chosen poems.
Not surprisingly, Jess is exhausted tonight. We met our friends, Zoe and Ian and their kids, to go to the @Bristol science museum this morning, and then after lunch, John and Sarah had invited us over for a BBQ. Jessicat always loves playing with Sean's trains and cars, and today they had their bouncy castle up - another winner. I'm always keen to encourage her to get exercise, for health reasons, and also because I belive in a link between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Doesn't seem to encourage me to do much sport mind.....
Sunday 24 May 2009
Well you asked me to post.
Dave here. Following Barbeque and copious amounts of white wine Val, Cherry, Alison and Jessica are just about to depart leaving me with a glass of white wine and a surfeit of solace...no James Bond comments please!
It's very pleasant to be sat here with clear bue skies knowing that later on I shall be retreating to my Joe Hill short story anthology '20th Century Ghosts'. For thise who are interested I would recommend Joe Hill. His novel 'Heart Shaped Box' while not treading new ground is well written and paced and the anthology I am currently reading explores greater depths. For those who may be interested he is the son of Stephen King but has a voice of his own. I for one think he may end up more down the Ray Bradbury/Neil Gaiman line than following the Father's furrow but that can't be a bad thing can it?
I understand that Joe Hill's next book is going to be a graphic novel. No bad thing. Greater distance from Dad and ploughing a rich genre. Talking of graphic novels,I have just read 'Watchmen' at the behest of my brother (who is now in his 6th decade) --- and I loved it! Big issues dealt with in knowing terms and full of intelligence. If only all novels I read had as much soul. I will certainly not dismiss graphic novels in future. They are not a sub-genre to novels! Might have to investigate some Neil Gaiman in the graphic field. He wrote one called 'Signal to Noise'. I wonder if there is any relation to the Peter Gabriel song of the same name?
Anyway, family are all well and great. We had a fantastic day with Jessica in Bristol centre yesterday where we mooched, had an ice cream (flake and sauce included) and took a ferry ride in the harbour. Jess loved it.
Jessica comes on in leaps and bounds. She is trying to assert her independance more and more but loves stories, cuddles and someone to play with as much as ever. She is a star with her own fully defined character and personality....even if she does mix up Ribena and ballerina!
On a more sober note, the MPs expenses row has cast a long shadow over the political life of this country recently. It is so frustrating to hear those who represent the people try and excuse their behaviour in terms which do not connect with the electorate. The political system is rotten to the core. Even if it isn't against the rules the level of claiming and the items claimed for are unjustifiable in moral terms...particularly by those who would advise the manner in which we should live our lives. Hypocrites.
It's difficult to think in those teerms when listening to a blackbird's song and children's laughter in the distance. I just hope that they can pull it together, live by conviction and sort out the difficulties that face us economically and possibly more importantly, environmentally in the forthcoming years.
Back to the wine. I have recently signed up to Twitter and will be testing the value of that forum over the forthcoming weeks. I like to keep in touch where I can. Reminiscence is great but does not solve problems and keep you up to date with reality. The sepia tinted world has left - taken by the Langoliers perhaps?
It's very pleasant to be sat here with clear bue skies knowing that later on I shall be retreating to my Joe Hill short story anthology '20th Century Ghosts'. For thise who are interested I would recommend Joe Hill. His novel 'Heart Shaped Box' while not treading new ground is well written and paced and the anthology I am currently reading explores greater depths. For those who may be interested he is the son of Stephen King but has a voice of his own. I for one think he may end up more down the Ray Bradbury/Neil Gaiman line than following the Father's furrow but that can't be a bad thing can it?
I understand that Joe Hill's next book is going to be a graphic novel. No bad thing. Greater distance from Dad and ploughing a rich genre. Talking of graphic novels,I have just read 'Watchmen' at the behest of my brother (who is now in his 6th decade) --- and I loved it! Big issues dealt with in knowing terms and full of intelligence. If only all novels I read had as much soul. I will certainly not dismiss graphic novels in future. They are not a sub-genre to novels! Might have to investigate some Neil Gaiman in the graphic field. He wrote one called 'Signal to Noise'. I wonder if there is any relation to the Peter Gabriel song of the same name?
Anyway, family are all well and great. We had a fantastic day with Jessica in Bristol centre yesterday where we mooched, had an ice cream (flake and sauce included) and took a ferry ride in the harbour. Jess loved it.
Jessica comes on in leaps and bounds. She is trying to assert her independance more and more but loves stories, cuddles and someone to play with as much as ever. She is a star with her own fully defined character and personality....even if she does mix up Ribena and ballerina!
On a more sober note, the MPs expenses row has cast a long shadow over the political life of this country recently. It is so frustrating to hear those who represent the people try and excuse their behaviour in terms which do not connect with the electorate. The political system is rotten to the core. Even if it isn't against the rules the level of claiming and the items claimed for are unjustifiable in moral terms...particularly by those who would advise the manner in which we should live our lives. Hypocrites.
It's difficult to think in those teerms when listening to a blackbird's song and children's laughter in the distance. I just hope that they can pull it together, live by conviction and sort out the difficulties that face us economically and possibly more importantly, environmentally in the forthcoming years.
Back to the wine. I have recently signed up to Twitter and will be testing the value of that forum over the forthcoming weeks. I like to keep in touch where I can. Reminiscence is great but does not solve problems and keep you up to date with reality. The sepia tinted world has left - taken by the Langoliers perhaps?
Summer reading and a BBQ
It doesn't get much more summery than this! I am sat out in our back garden, sipping from a glass of cool white wine, listening to my sister Alison reading a book to Jessicat (a Shirley Hughes, but I can't remember the exact title). Now, they are on to something by John Prater, with "Mister Magnolia" by Quentin Blake to follow. It's Sunday afternoon, the mood is mellow, there is a Bank Holiday tomorrow...great for us to be so relaxed.
Now we are the proud owners of a laptop, I'm hoping for more frequent updates, and to get Dave, Ali and others to comment or do guest posts.
Now we are the proud owners of a laptop, I'm hoping for more frequent updates, and to get Dave, Ali and others to comment or do guest posts.
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