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.
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Jessicat's second Christmas
Well, it has all passed us by in a fog of exhaustion, to be honest. Jessicat has got ANOTHER cold, so has been sleeping badly. Dot and Brian are staying with us, and have kindly taken her out for a walk to give Dave and me a bit of a break to recuperate.
On the plus side, Jess has got lots of lovely new books as presents! I don't have all the titles to hand to record them, so will save that for another post. Just wanted to do a quick update for Jessicat to look back on. More soon....
On the plus side, Jess has got lots of lovely new books as presents! I don't have all the titles to hand to record them, so will save that for another post. Just wanted to do a quick update for Jessicat to look back on. More soon....
Friday, 14 December 2007
More signs of toddlerdom...
Jessicat is increasingly asserting her will and preferences and she does not do it quietly. She will be 13 months old this weekend, and toddlerdom is coming upon us quickly.
As I've written before, sharing books is both a joy and a challenge now. A joy because Jessicat seems to understand so much and be able to point to and identify so many objects correctly; a challenge because her concentration span is more limited now she is mobile and there are so many attractions to entice her to explore. One ruse we've employed to get her to sit still for brief periods recently is to ask her to "read" to one of her little plastic figures from In the Night Garden; I wonder if other people think I've gone mad if they hear me say "show Iggle-Piggle the pictures Jess"!
Some of our books of the moment are:
There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch - Clare Beaton (we've read this one before, and both of us enjoy the rhyme).
Spot Loves His Dad - Eric Hill. Nice to see a book featuring a dad spending time with his kids. Jessicat loves to study the pictures and point to objects for me to name.
Elmer's Friends - David McKee. Featurning the most camp polar bear and lion you will ever see in a book, ever. But Jess loves grabbing the book off me when we get to the page with the kangaroo on it, to make it bounce.
My Shimmery Glimmery Christmas Book - Selina Yoon.
Dave and I are really busy now getting ready for Christmas. Dot and Brian are coming down next weekend, and we have a lot of shopping to do first. We have got our 2 Christmas trees up in the front room, and Jess loves it when we put the lights on. This feels like our first Christmas in a lot of ways - last year's was a colicky blur - so we have some extra celebrating to do!
As I've written before, sharing books is both a joy and a challenge now. A joy because Jessicat seems to understand so much and be able to point to and identify so many objects correctly; a challenge because her concentration span is more limited now she is mobile and there are so many attractions to entice her to explore. One ruse we've employed to get her to sit still for brief periods recently is to ask her to "read" to one of her little plastic figures from In the Night Garden; I wonder if other people think I've gone mad if they hear me say "show Iggle-Piggle the pictures Jess"!
Some of our books of the moment are:
There's a Cow in the Cabbage Patch - Clare Beaton (we've read this one before, and both of us enjoy the rhyme).
Spot Loves His Dad - Eric Hill. Nice to see a book featuring a dad spending time with his kids. Jessicat loves to study the pictures and point to objects for me to name.
Elmer's Friends - David McKee. Featurning the most camp polar bear and lion you will ever see in a book, ever. But Jess loves grabbing the book off me when we get to the page with the kangaroo on it, to make it bounce.
My Shimmery Glimmery Christmas Book - Selina Yoon.
Dave and I are really busy now getting ready for Christmas. Dot and Brian are coming down next weekend, and we have a lot of shopping to do first. We have got our 2 Christmas trees up in the front room, and Jess loves it when we put the lights on. This feels like our first Christmas in a lot of ways - last year's was a colicky blur - so we have some extra celebrating to do!
Friday, 7 December 2007
Christmas books
Well, we are in December now, and Jessicat is excited by Christmas trees, Christmas lights and the decorations that are hanging up in the supermarket. So, there is a bit of a festive theme with our reading as well at the moment:
Dear Santa - Rod Campbell. Oh yes, a much loved book already.
Father Christmas - Fiona Watt. Big, bright book with cluttered pictures of Santa and his elves doing their business on Christmas eve. Now she is familiar with it, Jess loves it, and we pore over this book together to pick out the details and objects she recognizes.
Poppy Cat's Christmas - Lara Jones. Another big book, this time with pop-ups, so I do have to keep it out of Jessicat's reach, which is a shame, as she loves it. One of the best in the Poppy Cat series.
Some time ago, I also bought Jess a book entitled Christmas Baby by Fiona Watt, and I am looking forward to sharing it with her. We are planning to put our tree and decorations up tomorrow, though not sure how we will be able to Jess-proof them.
As always, lots of tiny developments in Jessicat all the time. She is now cruising round the furniture much more confidently, and has even tried to stand unaided, but is some way off doing this yet, I think. When we are feeding her, she is keener than ever to grab the spoon from us, and try to manipulate herself, though in reality, she would starve if left to her own devices. Yesterday, she signed for "more" when I asked her if she wanted me to continue reading to her, and she seems to be attempting to say "yes" and "there", although not clear.
Dear Santa - Rod Campbell. Oh yes, a much loved book already.
Father Christmas - Fiona Watt. Big, bright book with cluttered pictures of Santa and his elves doing their business on Christmas eve. Now she is familiar with it, Jess loves it, and we pore over this book together to pick out the details and objects she recognizes.
Poppy Cat's Christmas - Lara Jones. Another big book, this time with pop-ups, so I do have to keep it out of Jessicat's reach, which is a shame, as she loves it. One of the best in the Poppy Cat series.
Some time ago, I also bought Jess a book entitled Christmas Baby by Fiona Watt, and I am looking forward to sharing it with her. We are planning to put our tree and decorations up tomorrow, though not sure how we will be able to Jess-proof them.
As always, lots of tiny developments in Jessicat all the time. She is now cruising round the furniture much more confidently, and has even tried to stand unaided, but is some way off doing this yet, I think. When we are feeding her, she is keener than ever to grab the spoon from us, and try to manipulate herself, though in reality, she would starve if left to her own devices. Yesterday, she signed for "more" when I asked her if she wanted me to continue reading to her, and she seems to be attempting to say "yes" and "there", although not clear.
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