Favourite Books – March

Last week I updated my Amazon wish list with (almost) all the books I would love W and R to have on their bookshelf. My wish list ‘snowballed’ into £449 worth (!), covering until they are about 8 years old, and I had so much fun. I loved rediscovering books I’d forgotten about, looking at beautiful illustrations and discovering new ones. Whenever I remember a book from my childhood I quickly write it down so I don’t forget it.

I’m (mostly) a very rational person and my imagination is close to non existent. I read to Winston a lot with the hope that the books will stimulate his imagination, so hopefully, my lack of, isn’t as obvious. It does worry me at times. I’m good reading books about facts and how things work, but not great at ones that are crazy or mad and don’t make sense. I know ridiculous books are just what children need and love, so I try and go with it. Don’t ever ask me to make up a story – it would be awful.

I find that the best place to buy second hand books is from Baby and Tot sales. In my experience they are far superior to car boot sales and charity shops, not only is the condition far better but the selection is brilliant.

I do wonder why Winston, like most children I suspect, likes a certain book one day and then isn’t bothered about it the next. Then he’ll choose one that he hasn’t read for ages and fall in love with it all over again. What connects them to it at that particular time? I’d love to know.

I asked Winston to bring me his favourite books and here is what he brought me:

I managed to show Winston the collage above and he said over and over: “Mummy, that is all my favourite books!”

Dinosaur Zoom – It’s Winston’s third birthday in a couple of weeks which I’m sure is why he likes this one at the moment. It’s about all the dinosaurs getting ready for the littlest dinosaurs birthday. They arrive on trucks, motorbikes, tractors and everything in between.

Each Peach Pear Plum – One of my younger sister absolutely loved this as a child and Winston really loves it too. It’s a classic and the illustration is beautiful. He loves pointing all the different people out.

Where The Wild Things Are – My brother and I loved this as kids, so I knew I wanted my children to know about it. We’re surprised he likes this as he gets scared really easily. He hasn’t managed to watch Frozen yet because he gets too scared! That snow monster is really scary apparently.

See Inside Trains – I love all the Usborne ‘See Inside’ series. There is so much to see and learn.

Mister Magnolia – About Mister Magnolia who has only one boot and has parakeet that peck holes in his suit. He likes this one because it is totally mad and has lots of ‘funny words’ in it. Quentin Blake’s illustration is so nostalgic.

Otto – Otto is a ‘book bear’ that comes alive but one day he is left behind. He goes on an adventure, is sad lonely and lost then manages to find a new home at the library.

Snow Bear – Snow Bear leaves his mother to go and explore, he gets lots and a friend helps him find his mother again.

The Big Red Bus – All out a red bus that gets stuck causing a huge traffic jam, but in the end a roller and a tipper truck come to the rescue.

Stick Man – Stick Man goes on a jog but ends up getting picked up and used for so many different purposes. He misses his family and longs to be home. Fortunately Father Christmas is there to help him.

After writing this list I have noticed a few themes – going on an adventure and then returning home where there is safety and love…and vehicles, which is no surprise.

Since making my mammoth wish list on Amazon I have gone back and made a few purchases that were too good to resist:

MAPS by Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski  – Ever since I spotted MAPS in a gift shop about 6 months ago I can’t stop thinking about it. The illustration is beautiful, the detail is amazing and it’s presented in such an engaging way. This is more for me than Winston at the moment, but we’re going to China in a couple of months so I want to start showing him a few things.

Animalium by Jenny Broom & Katie Scott – I spotted this in a gift shop too and I just loved it.

The Odd One Out by Britta Teckentrup – This is a new discovery but I’m a sucker for gorgeous illustration and I know he’s going to love spotting all the odd ones out.

What books are you children loving at the moment? and what are their reasons for liking certain ones?

E xx