Hello - Dad here...

Valerie and Jessica are out at the moment so I thought I would take a rare opportunity to add something to the blog. Much of my time these days seems to be taken up with reading, making up stories or being 'the second best dancer in the world' (Jessica is the best!) so not much time to get on line. Note to self - must buy a laptop.
Jessica's enjoyment of books and stories is undiminshed. She gobbles them up like an 'incredible book-eating' girl. As Val has already mentioned she has moved on to wanting Mummy and Daddy to make up stories with various toys. She even makes a decent effort at inventing some herself when prompted. Her stories usually involve a car, or some such like, going to the local supermarket and observations made on the way (bridges, car parks,animals etc). In addition she includes her typically British fascination of the weather conditions! It's a lovely phase.
I am particularly enjoying the following books with Jessica at present:
'Again' by Ian Whybrow and Sebastien Braun. Lovely rhymes and pictures. It's lovely to see a male character reading to his cub and friends. The authors understand the magic of books.
'Wriggle and Roar' by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt. Jessica has lots of fun joining in with some of the poems and listening to others.
We also enjoy anything by Lynley Dodd. I love the character of Scarface Claw.

I thoroughly endorse the views of Val over the Michael Rosen programme. Why show it at 10.30pm on BBC4? If it had been about cooking/diet it would have been on a mainstream channel at 8pm. It was good to see Caitlin Moran make a similar point, albeit briefly, in The Times yesterday. The other point I would like to make about this topic is that cookery programmes are generally based on adding to consumers fear that they need to eat healthily or their (and their children's) arteries will clog and they will die. It's a horrible, draconian way of trying to get a message over. There's none of that with books - it's more of a try it and, after a while, I can almost guarantee you will like it! It won't hurt you particularly if you don't read but there is so much to be gained if you do. The only fear is in the content of certain books!

Talking of fear, I recently read 'Duma Key' by Stephen King. That is an excellent, page turning and often creepy story. I am enjoying Stephen King novels again after quite a few years off them. He is a master story teller and actually a very good writer as well as being hugely popular.
My next book is 'Only Forward' by Michael Marshall Smith - suggested by a friend. Looking forward to reading something by an author previously unknown to me. I'll let you know how it goes! As part of this exchange of authors I have got my friend into Neil Gaiman who, I believe, is one of the finest imaginative authors around. He is thoroughly enjoying 'Neverwhere' at present which is a fantastic fantasy based in and under London. Those who enjoyed the way Phillip Pulman creates a world that is alien yet familiar would love it.

Lastly, I can't believe my daughter is already 27 months old. Time is flying and I intend to savour every moment I can so I'd better be off. Games to play, books to read!

Bank Holiday respite

Dave has kindly taken Jessicat to Keynsham park, so I have an hour to myself with which to catch up with paperwork and update the blog. As Jess woke us at 3am last night (bad dream? too hot?), I am not feeling too sparky today, but I did want to update the blog to list the title of some of the books we are currently enjoying.

Ouch! I need a plaster! - Nick Sharratt. Jessicat enjoys the rollicking rhythm and likes to point to the appropriate part of the body that is injured as we turn the pages.

What's in the parcel Postman Pat? -Author not identified. Since I learnt that the National Literacy Trust use Postman Pat in some of their teaching/materials, I'm a lot keener. And reading the books and watching the TV programmes with Jessicat, I can see that they do spark off a lot of discussion about everyday objects and routines.

Is It Bedtime Wibbly Pig? - Mick Inkpen.

Lulu Loves the Library - Anna McQuinn. Sweet little story about a young girl's enjoyment of a trip to the library and the cafe with her mummy; just the right amount of detail for Jess to savour at the moment.

Say Hello to the Snowy Animals - Ian Whybrow. Jess enjoys this book, but not as much as the Wobble Bear series.

Elephant and the Bad Baby - Elfrida Vipont. A longer story than Jessicat is used to, but it seems to hold her concentration (whilst she is eating anyway). And given that we are at the stage of saying "what's the magic word?", it seems strangely apt.

Polly's Puffin - Sarah Garland. At first glance, her pictures can seem a bit wishy-washy and too vague to appeal to a toddler. But they are great; Jess loves to identify the detail and there is something very human in the way Sarah Garland depicts exasperated, tired parents and excited children. Always reminds me of the last picture of The Baby's Catalogue by the Ahlbergs.

Emergency Vehicles - Felicity Brooks. A winning combination of flaps to lift and detailed pictures of ambulances etc.

Harry Goes to Bed - Lydia Monks.

Tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary! We are hoping to fit in a meal at Cafe Rouge and a trip to the cinema. I can't wait!