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.

June reading

Goodnight moon Brown, Margaret Wise
Hardback
Spot's baby sister Hill, Eric
Toddlerobics Newcome, Zita
Fizz the fire engine! Wojtowycz, David
Works 7: Classic poems Moses, Brian
Little red hen: a touch and feel book Randall, Ronne
My blanket is blue: sleeptime, dreamtime Offen, Hilda
Bedtime! Swain, Gwenyth
Chimp and Zee Anholt, Catherine
Goodnight me, goodnight you Mitton, Tony
Duck is dirty Kitamura, Satoshi
Go picnic Dewan, Ted
Doing the washing Garland, Sarah
Hello, little bird Horacek, Petr
My beak, your beak Walsh, Melanie
Five noisy ducks Claire, Page
Maisy's nature trail Cousins, Lucy
Picture this..... Jay, Alison
Come and play Mr.Croc Lodge, Jo
Monkey and me Gravett, Emily


This is the current books that Jessicat and I have out from the library and have been sharing together. Jess currently has a fascination for books about vehicles (to think I thought that having a daughter meant I would escape all the crappy Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise!) and books that depict everyday domestic activies.

The best of times, the worst of times...

Some good days and some bad days. Jessicat's sleep has been a bit disturbed of late by diarrhoea and rampant teething (looks like a molar is trying to push through), so Dave and I have been feeling tired. But her receptivity to songs and books continues to be a joy. She is beginning to imitate the actions to certain songs (Twinkle, Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, Wind the Bobbin Up etc) and can manage a few basic gestures. Also, I have noticed that if we see a picture in a book of, say, a pair of specs, or a necklace, or an ear, she will turn round and point to my glasses, necklace or ear. All signs that her comprehension continues to develop fast.

A visit to the Central Library on Saturday (whilst Dave was busy re-painting our kitchen) yielded the following:

I Hear - Helen Oxenbury. Great book for prompting a bit of conversation.

ABC - Sarah Phillips. Jessicat loves to feel the different textures in this book, and is particularly fascinated by the pluckable strings on the violin.

One Little Home - Dubravka Kolanovic. Great pictures in this book, with lots of little details to discuss. I also like the fact the the pictures are not too cluttered, so Jess can immediately see and understand what I am referring to.

Find the Teddy - Claudia Zeff. And she can, I am so proud!