Big book day

Busy day but fitted in lots of books... Benji is now doing what he did as a 15 month old which is head for the books first when he is looking for something to do.

First thing this morning he brought me BANANA! to read. Then a couple of hours later we did a Spot trilogy: Spot Goes on Holiday, Spot's First Walk and Spot Stays Overnight. I love Spot Stays Overnight, especially "Time for bed boys!" and "Hi Mum what do you want?" which I always read in a really whiney voice - "Awwwww muuuuuuuuuuuum... ". Spot is getting a bit too young for Ben now but it gives him confidence because he can name everything on the page, like bike, bone, bee and so on.

This evening we went out and got home late so I suggested we go to bed without a book but that didn't go down too well. So we bundled into bed with: BANANA! (I reiterate, not bedtime reading), 2 of the Spots, My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes and lastly Grandpa and Thomas and the Green Umbrella. I read BANANA! quietly and got some lovely smiles at the end when the monkeys shared the banana. Then the Spots - Ben had no energy to lift what flaps remain. Next was My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes which is always a winner with clever repetitive rhymes and a tour through a variety of countries. Then Grandpa and Thomas and the Green Umbrella which should be in our Top 5.


I bought this book at the Hill of Content after spending a lovely weekend by the Great Ocean Road last December. I wanted to reinforce the whole beach experience for Benji with a book and this one was the only one about beaches there, and now I think even if I'd been presented with a huge range of kids' books I couldn't have picked a better one. It's got all your beach paraphernalia in it: spades, buckets, umbrellas, sand, sticks, suncream, swimming, bathers and lots of beach.

Benji loves his Grandpas so it's not surprising he loves this book where Grandpa and toddler Thomas go to the beach for a day out. The lunch scene is a particular favourite, although I haven't managed to convince Ben that Grandpa's thermos isn't an icypole. Admittedly I don't read the text to this book, I make up my own from the pictures which are beautiful: golden sand, clear water and when the weather turns, blustery grey winds and rain.

In the last 24 hours Beniji's counting has improved immensely so I will steer him towards a counting book tomorrow.


BANANA! is by Ed Vere
The Spots are by Eric Hill
My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes is by Eve Sutton and illustrated by Lynley Dodd
Grandpa and Thomas and the Green Umbrella is by Pamela Allen