Can you please sit down, boy?

Sense any frustration from the title? Yup, that's my exact feeling when reading to my son when he was younger... the reason y I am writing this is because I have heard some mummies telling me and asking me -
"Why won't my boy sit down, so I can read to him"
"I have just read two pages, and he's off running around the room... How am I to read anything to him?"
"I have just read two pages, and he'll snatch the book from me, and start turning the pages on his own... The story has never gone further than the 2nd page."

Sounds familiar to anyone? well, if doesn't sound familiar to any of you, it sure does sound very very familiar to me.

My first-born is a girl, and was a pretty low-maintenance kinda gal... It was easy to just get her to sit down and listen to me read to her for a period of time. So when I had my boy, I thought hey, why not just apply the same technique with him. Boy, was I wrong!

My son is a typically active boy... Well, which boy is not, right? Being a new mummy then, and juggling with some hectic workload, it was not easy for me to adjust to raising 2 kids... This weakness of mine at that point, I believe was at the detriment of my boy, as I could not expose him to the same personal time and activities that I had exposed my girl during the 1st 3 years of her life (before my boy popped out).

I tried reading to him as I did for my daughter, but I had wrongly assumed that my boy would be like my gal... That he would sit down quitely and diligently, and read with me, or do his activities etc... Fortunately, for both kids, I did not experience the terrible two syndrome.  It would however be difficult for me to sit him down and read with me... The frustration level increased at every reading. Being very perceptive creatures, reading would also become a frustrating activity for him too... (similar to breast feeding, whatever emotion that a nursing mom is feeling at that point of time, would somehow rub off on the child).  Every time I read a story to him, he would start moving around the room after the 2nd page; He would say "I don't want to read"; He would say "Reading is so boring"; etc etc... He was 2 then.

I was at my wits end... How come? How come? How come? Then, I came to the conclusion that I was making reading a chore for him... I was thinking too much into how to prepare him to read, that the magic of reading was lost (I still am thinking a lot now...) .  So I decided to just CHILL!!! Have fun....

So these were the subtle things that i did -

• I continued reading to him even if he moves around the room. Just make sure that he is within earshot
•  fully believe that he is actively listening. 
•  Be dramatic
•  read with a clear strong voice
• ask him questions about the pictures, story
• Be consisten in your story time... I.e. if you have decided to read every night to them, do so. They would appreciate the structure 
• Get him to choose his own books
• Where possible to come up with pre and post reading activities
• Be a role model I.e. show that you are a reader too, and that you enjoy reading

And the drastic moves I made -

• Renovated my house and created and entire library for the kids and parents
• Reduced my working hours and suffered a pay cut.

And of course, never ever lose hope in your child.  No 2 children are alike, so don't even attempt to compare.  

At 4, my sweet lil boy has shown great improvements He enjoys reading together now (reading on his own is still work-in-progress). He can sit for longer periods now. He asks questions about the story and understands what the story is about. If we do not read for the night, he will remind me that we have yet to read one. 

I would attribute this change also to the fact that he is bigger now, and perhaps to my little attempts at change.  Now my wish and prayer is for him to be able to read on his own.  I have to still constantly remind myself though that a child will read once he is ready.  Meanwhile, just continue reading to him, and have fun reading!!!

Mr McGee and the Big Bag of Bread by Pamela Allen

"DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS"
"DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS""DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS"

That's what the sign says... But Mr McGee has a big bag of bread. He can't let that go to waste now can he? Read the book and find out whether he does...

I was 1st introduced to Pamela Allen's Mr McGee from a read-aloud episode on Tv (Mr McGee and the Blackberry Jam) and found the character so hilariously interesting... So during our next library visit, I scouted for more of  Pamela Allen and was not disappointed with the literary treasure that I found in her books. You can liken Mr McGee to our dear old Mr Bean. The mess that he gets himself into during his day-to-day living will amuse not only your kids but the reading parent.  The words are simple and few and suitable for children as young as 2.  Early readers would also enjoy it...

So DO READ THE BOOK!

4 stars.

Two Little Monkeys by Mem Fox

 

It's all about the "ee"!

 

Trust Mem Fox to kEEp a book simple yet full of learning possibilities. ChEEky and ChEE nEEds to be careful.. Hurry up a TrEE ChEEky and ChEE!

 

A book suitable for early readers, it introduces the reader to 'ee' group family. Cos of the exciting flow of events in the story, the child will not realise that in reading the book, they are indirectly learning various words with the word "ee" in them.

 

Love it!

 

These words are going up my learning wall :o)

Mem Fox and Reading Aloud

Mem Fox is another author that I can always depend on for a good read for my kids.  I was introduced to her when I was working towards my Trinity Guildhall Cert in speech & drama; and I was researching on the benefits of reading aloud for my oral presentation portion of the test.

Just a little intro abt her... She is a very strong advocate of reading aloud to children... And how by doing so you would enhance your child's reading skills (Check out her website - http://www.memfox.net/welcome.html).  I agree totally with her and that is y I place great importance on reading to my kids almost every night if possible.  To share what reading aloud is all about... Well, let's just leave it to the experts, won't we - http://www.memfox.net/reading-magic-and-do-it-like-this

 

My daughter started reading before she was 3, without me putting in much effort other than to read to her since she was a baby.  My now 2 year old daughter, is also showing signs of reading.  My 4 year old son who will b going on 5 next year, on the other hand, have not... So that explains, my great anxiety... Nevertheless being a mum means never ever giving up on your child... I have come up with different methods to teach him to read, but it was getting tough cos he finds these methods tiresome and boring... Then, I realised my mistake... Due to my hectic workload in my old job and the fact that I had no helper then, I had neglected reading aloud to him frequently when he was much younger, as how I did for my 1st one...

 

And so, I revived my daily read aloud sessions this year...In the end I realised it always came down to reading aloud.  An activity which he has grown fond of as the years pass...So I persisted in reading aloud. Being an active boy, at times it may b difficult to get him to sit quietly and listen to the story. But I truly believe that despite him displaying such kinaesthetic ability while I read, he does actively listen, and he has shown that he does.   

 

Celebrate little victories, I say.  And I say, how my lil boy has shown great improvement these past few months - his reading ability, attention span, as well as his ability to comprehend a story have all shown significant improvements.  With help from Allah, Alhamdulillah! Insya-Allah, God Willing, and I'm confident of it, my dear sweet boy will surprise me like how he surprises me many times with his many talents.  Meanwhile, to quote a wise lady.. "Your child is like an orchid... Be careful how you handle them.  Touch them wrongly and u may risk damaging your orchid."

Planting a rainbow by Louis Ehlert

Call me shallow, superficial or whatever other adjective that can be used to describe someone who judges a book by its cover... Well, one of the main reasons why I picked this book out from the library bookshelf was because of the colourful colours and pictures on the front of the book.  The title was also very appealing..

 Just look at the pictures! You can't fault me right... It's beautiful :-)

For this instance, my initial judgement did not fail me. It is a wonderfully crafted book which introduces a child to the different colours of the rainbow through the various types of flowers and plants that will be planted - "Every year Mom and I plant a rainbow"...

The book is more suited for 1-2 year olds as the words are big and few, the colours are attractive, and the book is sturdy enough to withstand a small kids excited hands when turning the pages. My 4-year old loved the factual part of the book though.. The one that introduces children to the names of the different types of flowers for the respective colours of the rainbow.  I had with all "good" intentions (for myself only though, cos I wanted to sleep early) wanted to just speed through the names of he flowers and hopefully skip some of them cos I thought that kids would not be interested in these details.  Now, which kid would want to learn about the names of the different flowers, right... right? Wrong!!! Time and again my son has proved me wrong and reminded me never to underestimates what a kid perceives as important and pays attention to. You'd be surprised!

So... tomorrow, hopefully we'll be planting our own rainbow, using coloured paper (for the petals), ice cream stick (for the stem) and an empty shoebox (as our pot)...

Hope to buy some seeds and soil also so the kids can get their lil hands dirty, and get them to draw their own plant poster with labels.  Did this before for the 7year old when she was smaller, now to repeat that science lesson for the 4 and 2 year old.

I think we shall go to the botanical gardens one these days... Perhaps go on a plant exploration :o)

It's fun being a mum!

Back from the hiatus

Hi... I'm back from my hiatus...Actually, we've finished our last trove of library books, so I kinda ran out of books to write about.   We did read 3 other books by Lynley Dodd and Mo Willems but I thought it best not to review them lest i bore myself repeating fantastic reviews of 2 of my family's favourite authors.  Instead I will just list the stories that we read, for record sake -

1. I am going! By Mo Willems
2. Are you ready to play outside by Mo Willemstad
3. Hairy maclary's caterwaul caper by Lynley Dodd

But I do have this to say about Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie series... It is an amazing series which I personally find so useful in teaching reading cos 

1. It's fun to read
2. Words are simple and repetive
3. Pictures are expressive

Now that we've got reinforcements from the library after our escapade there this morning ( we were actually there at 10.55 waiting for the door to open...) there'll be more books to read, to review, to share and more authors to discover...  So let the exploration and fun begin!

Pssst..... I have so many pssts tonight... Cos i have so many plans for next few books to write about. So do bear with this easily excited soul.

(I) Sneak peek into the new books we got today -

• Mr McGee and the big bag of bread by Pamela Allen (love this author)
• Hodge the hedgehog by Amy Sparkes
• Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

(II) Searching for this great book on children's poetry : The Puffin book of modern Cjildren's verse..poetry for children is another blog on its own.

(III) Reviews on books for young Muslim readers

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

 

Those who have never heard of this storybook, HURRY... go to your nearest library or bookshop to look for it NOW!!!

It is an amazing book which I will grant 5 stars from the very start.  That shows how much I ADORE this book!

I was first introduced to the story by my Angklung Instructor (Thank you Ms F!). I was in Sec 2 I think... The Angklung Orchestra played the accompanying music as someone narrated the story, and another acted as the boy. It was a magical moment, that still remains in my mind till now, and one that I wish I could repeat with the current Angklung Orchestra that I started in my school. 

It tells of a story of a little boy and a tree and how their relationship changes as the boy goes through the different phases of his life.  His feelings and actions towards the tree changes as he grows, but the tree's love for him is unconditional and remains unwavering over time, just like a parent's love for his child.

I read this book when my little girl turned 2... And it has been a tradition in my family so far to read this book when my kids turn 2... Some may find the story a tad too long for a 2 year old... but yet again I believe that it all depends of the reader... If you read it with passion and emotion, your child will stay with you throughout the story... And of course, ensure that there are no other distractions around the room, and that the child is well fed, has had enough sleep and not in a cranky mood... Your environment and the condition of your child matters a lot if you want an enjoyable reading experience with your lil ones ;o)

I am writing this review in advance before the actual reading tonight cos I am so excited about the reading... Usually when I read this book with kids we will end up dramatising them, or sometimes they will just be sitting on my lap and listening quietly... Tonight I think I will try something different... Here are the list of activities that I hope I can implement -

Post-reading activities

1. All 3 make tree cutouts with apples on them...

2. For the 7 year old -
Creative Writing and Moral Education, Literary Appreciation :
(i) For her to interpret the story... Who does the tree remind you of, who does the boy remind you of? Would you act the same way as the boy? If not, how would you act differently?
(i) To indicate 3 people who have been giving to me
(ii) How I can be more giving
(iii) Write a short story piecing the above 2 points together
(iv) Her tree cut-out will be pasted at the front of her book

3. For the 4 year old -
High frequency words :
To write down high frequency words on the tree

4. For the 2 year old -
Concept of Sizes :
Different shape sizes

5.  I may continue with another story if I have time on the lifecycle of a tree (That book will be posted as another book review ;o))

All about Butterflies

Usually our activities would b inspired by the stories that we read... But 2 nights ago it was the reverse

Somehow, my son discovered 2 sleeping bags in our wardrobe... No prizes for those who can guess what they turned the bags to.... Yup, they decided to turn into caterpillars and butterflies...

I seized this opportunity to revisit the above books which my aunt had generously given to me.

As I read, starting from butterfly eggs, my children (yes including the 7 year old who loves drama... Hmmm wonder where she gets that from ;-p) crouched low and small, pretending to be the butterfly eggs. They 'forcefully' hatched out of the eggs (note the inverted commas, cos I don't think caterpillars hatch out forcefully...) peeping their heads out of the sleeping bags, emerging now as a young caterpillar...

I continued onto the 2nd book... With their heads peeping out of the bags, my kids started crawling around the room in the bags and 'eating' everything in their way.. In their quest to grow big, big, big...(at this time my 2 year old was so super excited)... Then they started molting, and replaced their sleeping bags with blankets... Every time they molted they would exchange blankets... Finally having grown  big enough, my BIG caterpillars crawled back into their bags and wrapped themselves into a cocoon onto to emerge soon enough as a butterfly, with blanket wrapped shoulders as their wings...

All the while I was reading the words on the book...At the end of the drama, we read the book again, so as to introduce the lil ones to the words...

It is not an overly exciting story book on its own... Ur kid will either hate or love it... The photos however, were beautiful.

3.5 starts for this simple non-fiction books which introduces kids to the life cycle of a butterfly...

Stellaluna by jannel cannon

Hands up to those who have either watched the cartoon, listened/watched the interactive version of the story or read the story book???  Yes, that is how hot this story is.

We were 1st introduced to the story not through the book, but through an interactive cd where a narrator would read the story with the characters seemingly coming alive on the computer screen.  So when my mother (who used to work in the library and was tasked to dispose some old books for pulping) brought this book home, I was simply thrilled.

Then, me and my daughter were so drawn by the way the narrator told the story in the cd, that every time we read the story we would read it the same way as the narrator. It tells about a young bat, Stellaluna, who got lost and ended up being raised by a mother bird together with her 3 nestlings. Stellaluna grew up like a bird, until 1 eventful day she rediscovered her bat instincts, and things start to change.

It's a classic story about how we are all different but the same as well....I didn't know y I chose this book 2 nights ago...but I hv a feeling it was subconsciously influenced by the saga that happened on cyberspace last Monday (if u guys can remember).  

"How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" mused Flitter? "And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?" wondered Pip.  "I think this is quite a mystery," Flap chirped."I agree," said Stellaluna. "But we're friends. And that's a fact."  How true...

At the end of story thee is a section detailing more about bat facts... Great book...

For this story which teaches values of tolerance, acceptance and differences I give it 4.5 stars! 

Book reviews by a 7-year old

My 7 year-old is a voracious reader... Her book sources come from the library, from the bookshop  (cos our family's favourite "stakeout" in any mall is a bookshop)and now her newly discovered 2nd hand bookshop... She will save her daily pocket money to buy her next book though we try to encourage her to just borrow her books from the library (so that we can save some $$$)

Who r we to blame though other than ourselves as children observe, listen, and copy... both me and significant other simply love buying books...Holding a new book in your hands, flipping throug its crisp pages and smelling the fresh smell of paper as you turn the pages is just an experience that I feel only book lovers can understand.  2nd hand books themselves have their own special place in our hearts. The thought that someone has read the book, probably loved it and benefitted from it and now passing it to its next better reader to enjoy, instead of letting it collect dust at the back of his bookshelf and remain unread by any others, a forgotten story, is exciting on its own (it also helps that 2nd hand books are cheaper)...Ok, I think a disclaimer is due here. The above are just my own romantic thoughts of owning a book and none of my hubby's ;-)

Now back to my 7-year old... As I was saying she is a voracious reader. With the many books that are out in the market nowadays, my husband and I are very particular about the types of books that she reads to ensure that the stories hold values that are not contrary to our beliefs and principles, the language used is appropriate and that it is of some literary value. Before she borrows or buys a book, we will make it a point to just flip throught the pages, read the synopsis, and hopefully read some of the chapters (though that is very rarely done). So what better way to know what my daughter is reading than to get her to do her own book review, right? Other than getting a peek into her fantasy reading world, i hope this will start her on a new hobby of writing, so that writing would become a natural to her instead of a daunting task when her composition assignments start knocking on her academic door.

Some pointers I gave to her to start writing her review are as follows -

1. State the title of book and the author
2. When, where, who, why and how she got her the book (more to get her to appreciate that her books are a luxury that some kids in a less developed country do not get to appreciate be they books she gets from people, or from the library, or even from her own pockets)
3. A brief of the story without revealing the entire story. To pick out one or 2 parts which she found more interesting in the story
4. Why she likes the book, and her feelings before and after her reading
5. Her rating

My other objective of getting her to review her book is to get her to consciously read the story for understanding and appreciation... Cos reading words is easy; understanding, comprehending and appreciating it is another... 

So here's her blog http://kiittyreadsabook.blogspot.sg/

Pssst... I have copied her maiden review which I have previously posted in my blog into hers

Pssst... As you can see her blog is also under my profile ;-) hehehehe... For better control ;-) you can tell that I am a very careful mummy... Hahahahahaha!

Thea Stilton and the Ice Treasure Scholastic (as reviewed by a 7-year old)

My mother bought the book for me.

Well, let's just say it was about  some people (but they are mice) in   Antarctica who were selling water called "Icewater" from melting the icebergs in Antartica. So... in their city it's illegal to do it because the polar creatures need the icebergs to live. The Thea sisters came when the green mice called them, telling them this bad incident had happened there. They wanted the Thea sisters to help them stop the mice from melting the ice bergs.

I love the book , I am looking forward to having all the series because it's  very exciting.

I give this book 5 stars!


(A review by a 7-year old)

In a Minute by Virginia Miller

Also an old book in our library... Bought at one of the expo sales.. My then 2 year-old enjoyed it... And so does my current 2 year-old.

I think this story would resonate very strongly with any parent.. Batholomew wants to play with his daddy... But daddy is oh so busy... Busy busy busy... (sounds familiar)... So he waited, and he waited, and he waited..

When daddy's done with his work, and it's time for play, guess what Bartholomew wants to play?

Simple, innocent yet so touching.

4 stars for being a well-loved book, that teaches me that all that a child needs is you...

The Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

I first chanced on this book at the library 4 years ago when my daughter was 3... Somehow, I love such illustrations where the characters look real and not overly abstract that one is unable to tell a lion from a caterpillar... Why? I guess cos I want my kids to know that a lion looks like so (i.e. like a lion, with its majestic mane, and its heavy body) and not like a caterpillar...

Initially I was concerned that my girl would not be able to sit through the entire story, which is relatively long for a 3 year old... But she did and she loved it.

So I tried it again on my son when he turned 3 and the story did not fail to appeal...

Yesterday we read the book again to my then 3 year olds who are now 7 and 4, and the story still retained its magic.  We thoroughly enjoyed the active voice which was used in the story.  Reading the story was like reading a play, the main characters being the narrator, Mr McBee and Miss Merriweather, and of course the Lion.  It allowed drama mama me to use different intonations, voices, emotions in the reading so as to make it more appealing to my lil ones.  However,  as the story is quite long, I had to skip some sentences so as to retain their attention for their entire story.  

From the story, kids would be able to learn values like the need to follow rules and to adapt and change where necessary, keeping promises and of course appropriate behaviour while at the library. So, this story of a lion who padded into a library and became the library's best friend deserves 4.5 stars!

What about my 2 year old you ask... Well she said, "I want to see.. I want to see" in the midst of playing with her Elmo ;-)

Pssst... This book became a permanent addition in my library when I realised that loaning it is just not enough for my kiddos and hopefully my grandkiddos...

Pssst... (again) Do you know that there is an actual library which has the same statue of the lion in the book... We found out about it yesterday... And now the kids wanna go over there to see whether there is indeed a lion in it... Make a guess where the library is ;-)

Pigs make me Sneeze by Mo Willems

AAAAAAACHOOO!!!

Gerald....Aaaaachoo! Sniff... sniff... sneezes each time he comes close to Piggie... So maybe he has an allergy to Piggies!!! Oh no :o( Wouldn't that spell the END OF THE WORLD for Gerald, since Piggie is his bestest of best friends?

As usual, Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie series is so dramatic and a joy to read with kids of all ages and for hubbies too :o)

I think it's decided... The entire Elephant and Piggie series will one day make its way into my library...

Hairy Maclary, Shoo! By Lynley Dodd

I'm sure many mummies have been in my position before...

Here u r trying to settle ur child down for bed with a book in your hands.. But oh... He's just ever so active... So very much interested still in his new toy soldiers, that a book becomes so very booooring... But u just try...  So u make yourself comfy on the bed and say "Come Ubayd... shall we see what Hairy Maclary is up to today?" The obvious answer would be... "No!"

But you just try... U start... "Hairy Maclary was having some fun, messing about with his friends in the sun. Frisky and skittish, they romped and they ran, when.... "

When I started the story, my 4 year old was still busy with his toys on the floor, while I was on the bed with my 2year old on my lap (also busy doing her own things)... But by the time I came to "When..." my boy came up to me and asked, "let me see, let me see!"

So u have been listening all along haven't u my dear boy... U were actively listening... Caught you!

He continued listening and looking at the book with me for a while, but then went back to his toys... when the story came to the part which required him to guess what would happen next... He said "Let me see! Let me see!"

This continued 2 more times... So as u can obviously see, this book was a hit with my actively listening active 4 year old... I also loved the fact that Lynley Dodd does not shy from using bombastic vocabulary in a children's book.Something which I value as it helps to enrich a child's vocabulary. There r repetitive phrases which also help my kid to practise his reading. 

As for my 2 year old, she asked me to read again ;-) And the 4 year-old returned to his soldiers...

4 stars!

Hippo has a Hat by Julia Donaldson

Last night was all about the 2 year-old... I read Hippo has a Hat for the princess... The story is suitable even for 1 year old, I find, as the sentences are very simple and short. The illustrations as you can see from the picture below uses bold and attractive colours that appeal to the young ones...

It is interesting in a way that it helps to teach the lil ones the different types of clothes and accessories that one may wear... As the sentences are short, it leaves me, the reader less room to be dramatic... How then can a drama mama make it more appealing for a 2 year old when there's no drama?! Well, just get her to describe the pictures... To put herself into the story or into the position of the animal and make her own choice of the type of shirt that she would want to wear for instance.  There are comical parts to the book, of course, where the duck wore the polo-T wrongly... So I tried to be a bit animated here - "Oh no!! What happened to duck? Did he wear the T-shirt correctly? Where do you think his head should be?"

I would give this book a 3 star for now, as I saw that my gal wasn't particularly attracted to it... But mebe that was because she was also distracted by her older siblings who were of course bored by the simplicity of the story.

I will try this book again with her.. Cos I realised her reaction to a similar book - "Toddle Waddle" by Julia Donaldson - was initially also lukewarm... But when I repeated it, she loved it... And is now a fan of the book.. Meaning I think I gotta buy that book and make it a permanent addition in my library.

 

Post-Reading Activities

 

Here are some post-reading activities which I managed to find on-line :

http://www.gruffalo.com/upload/Hippo_has_a_hat.pdf

 

 

Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel

We read "Owl at Home" by Arnold Lobel yesterday night. The book had 5 stories altogether. I was supposed to read only one story and leave the other 4 for the next 4 nights... But ended up reading 4 out of 5 of the stories cos the kids (the 7 and 4 year old) loved it so much, that 1 thing led to another. 

I guess it didnt help that I was such a drama mama, and got them to actually act out some of the scenes together. Hey!! I thought this was supposed to be a bedtime story... How do you expect the kids to sleep when you get them to do speech and drama before bedtime?!!!  Well, that's just us... that's our bedtime routine :o)

Like all Arnold Lobel's characters, Owl is an innocent character, who is Oh soooo cute. For example how he gets scared of the two bumps under his blanket (which are actually his feet); and how frustrated he gets wondering why he cannot be upstairs and downstairs at the same time...

The words are simple, but more suitable for kids who have grasped reading already.  Love the pictures too, cos the drawings of the characters are not "distorted" i.e. the owl looks like an owl and not like an absract alien..

Will introduce you to another Arnold Lobel book next which my kids adore - Frog and Toad. It's another worn book bought when my 7 year old was 3 in KL.  Some pages are torn, so I think it's time for me to get a replacement ;o)

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

My kids and I are big fans of Julia Donaldson... And our love affair with her started with this book which I bought when my 1st born was 2 years old i.e. 5 years ago...  The book is very worn now cos it is a frequent bedtime story

 

 

The book may be a bit too long for a 2 year old, but just right I find for a 3 year old... But I guess it all depends on the reader... My then 2 year old loved it... Gonna try it on my current 2 year old soon...

 

The kids loved the part where the tiny snail was able to help out the enormous whale... I suppose they managed to relate to the possibility that "Hey... I am small too... But just like the snail, maybe I can make a big difference too..."

 

The partnership with Axel Scheffler makes the story all the more magical... The colours and attention to detail given by Axel Scheffler brings out the story so well.

 

A book which I will always treasure and plan to pass down to my grandkids.

 

4.5 stars!!!!

 

Some post-story activity...

 

Helps that there is a play coming up. I was more excited when I saw it, then my kids ;o)