"So Today we're going to build a barn!"

It's not often a humble daddy blogger gets to utter those words but the superduper folk at Lion Hudson sent us one of their innovative 'build it' titles with a christmassy theme.

"Build your own Christmas Stable" combines the nativity story with a press-out-and-play barn.

The good thing is that no glue, scissors or fussy crafty bits are required (though sometimes that can feel a bit disappointing for children, who love any excuse to get covered in glue, paint and messy glitter).

As your child reads the story, you can start to build the stable piece by piece. Younger children might need an adult helper to extract the barn pieces but it's nice and chunky and durable, so anyone with sharp nails should manage quite nicely.










We've taken a look at several nativity scenes before (even some excellent Lego and Playmobil ones) and what we rather liked about this one was the fact that all the bits slot back neatly into the book once you've finished playing with them or once Christmas is over. Very good idea that!

The traditional story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, and finding shelter in a stable where Baby Jesus is born is quite magical for children even if (like us) they're not particularly religious. The story is dealt with quite sensitively and in a way that isn't overtly 'bible-ified'.

Charlotte particularly loved the animal characters, and of course the star to stick on the roof of the barn too.





The only real criticism we had was that sometimes the slots for each piece are a bit tight. I don't know if you can see it well enough in our photo of the completed stable but we had real problems fitting the roof on, and in the end we had to flip it and fit it with the straw facing inwards and the boards facing up! Not really too much of a problem as it still looked great, but it would've been quite difficult to get things to fit without perhaps enlarging the slots or risking damaging the pieces.

As you can see though, once it's all together it looks great and there's even a crib and baby jesus to use with the set.

Charlotte also discovered that it was the perfect size for her Playmobil figures and (rather irreverently) decided that her families of Playmobil folk would rather like to set up home in the stable (and a Playmobil baby would like Baby Jesus' crib more than he would! Eeeek!)


"Build your Own Stable" is nice and sturdy, with an attractively presented story, great illustrations and of course the thrill and challenge of putting together the puzzle-like pieces to build something 3-dimensional that can spur a child's imagination to tell the nativity story, and make up stories of their own.

Charlotte's best bit: Kidnapping the Stable and moving Playmobil families in!

Daddy's favourite bit: Aside from a few bits (like the roof) the stable slotted together beautifully and looks great when built.

(Kindly supplied for review by Lion Hudson Children's Books)

Michael Rosen is something of a legend in Children's books, so it's a bit odd to feel a bit 'meh' about his latest book. Don't get me wrong, it's got a smooth jazzy vibe running through it, with tons of energy and fun but it also felt a bit like watching an improv play. So what's going on at Harry's Cafe?

Harry is a big smiley bear, a soup-meister of some repute and his animal customers just can't wait to rush to his cafe to sample his delicious legendary soup.

Harry cooks up a batch and as usual he is heaped with praise. But one customer is not happy. "The soup is no good" says a rather disgruntled Matt the Cat.

What on earth could be wrong with the soup?

It's a higgledy piggledy story backed up by Richard Holland's brilliant cafe poster style artwork, and children will absolutely love joining in with the crazy song and the pace of the book. It left me feeling a bit like I'd heard a bum note in a Dizzy Gillespie number but Charlotte utterly loved Harry and his effervescent style.

Charlotte's best bit: Jo the Crow, she's not slow, she's on the go!

Daddy's favourite bit: Love Richard Holland's art style, faaaab cafe, man!

This morning, as the usual hustle and bustle of getting ready for school was well under way, The Strolling Mum was upstairs getting ready and I was busy in the kitchen packing lunches, tidying dishes away and generally trying to pack an hour's worth of activity into the 5 minutes we had left before the mad rush to school.

I was putting my lunch away in my bag when I could hear Charlotte talking in her room. No hang on a sec, not talking but reading - or rather sounding out and trying to read one of her books on her own, completely unprompted.

Regular readers of this blog will probably know what a big emo softie I am but as I stood there listening to her sounding out, putting into practice all the recent phonics, word exercises and things she'd been learning at her school (who have managed to do so much in the space of 6 weeks, hats off to them!) it was a beautiful moment and one I felt I'd love to halt time for a while for, just so I could stand there a little longer and enjoy that sound. One of the best sounds in the world.

Charlotte has been using the fantastic Oxford Reading Tree books from Oxford University Press at her school and they work beautifully, with great contributors such as Julia Donaldson and one of our recent fave author illustrators, Ross Collins as well as many many others.

The books work, and I'd also hope that we're helping too - we read to her every night (have done since she was a tiny tiny baby), you all already know how much she loves books and it was just such a beautiful moment to hear her doing that this morning, knowing that she SO wants to read and will even do it completely unprompted.

I'd put out a plea to all parents (particularly dads, because it seems dads are missing out on reading to their kids which to me just seems completely insane) to read to their kids, don't do it because you feel you have to - do it because you want to and because through your enthusiasm and encouragement as well as your school or library's excellent books, children will really reap the rewards and start to enjoy something that truly will have a massive impact on their lives in more ways than you can imagine.

Oh my, there are only 35 sleeps to go until Christmas and by now, your busy little bees (just like Charlotte) must be hopping from foot to foot with excitement.

A bit like the little fellow in this book, a cute and cuddly puppy who wants to know why his household has suddenly gone completely crazy! There's a tree in the lounge, stockings are hanging from the fireplace and everyone's rushing around in a mad dash with no time to play with busy little puppies. Fortunately, Puppy's friend - the very wise and very laconic cat is on hand to offer advice and tell Pup what's really going on.

In "Puppy's First Christmas" Steve Smallman tells a cuddly yuletide tale that warms the cockles just as nicely as a glass of mulled wine. Little pup is such an inquisitive and energetic chap that you can't help but catch his enthusiasm. Alison Edgson (who we're beginning to believe has 8 arms and holds a paintbrush in each one, she is SO busy!) paints such beautiful christmassy scenes too.

The book has lovely touchable panels that are as warm and fuzzy as the book itself, so younger children will love exploring each page and panel to see which bits are textured.

Charlotte's best bit: Cat and Puppy stealing christmas food! Naughty!

Daddy's favourite bit: Lovely fuzzy touchable panels, a perfect book for babies and toddlers as well as children Charlotte's age.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Little Tiger Press)

At ReadItDaddy we wanted to make sure we reviewed Debi Gliori's wonderful book, and steered away from producing a piece that just regurgitated the controversy surrounding it. You can read more on that on Debi's excellent blog.

This rather smashing pair of books, packed full of sticker fun and colouring pages have that magic effect on Charlotte of keeping her completely absorbed for hours on end. At the moment she's absolutely bonkers about anything to do with drawing, colouring and stickering so Jessica Secheret's books "Kokeshi Dolls" and "Dolls of the World" are excellent value.

Kokeshi Dolls

These collectable Japanese dolls come in all shapes and sizes, and this book celebrates the collectable phenomenon with brilliant colouring pages, letting your child's imagination and fashion design skills loose.

The stickers can be used in each scene to compliment the outfits and your child's colouring skills, and there are more than enough to use in their own drawings once they've finished with the book.






Dolls of the World

During the summer, we were driven practically out of our minds by "It's a Small World" at Disneyland Paris. Every time Charlotte heard that 'Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock' we had to go on the ride and sit through that earworm tune. In fact just typing about it, I can hear that happy little ditty.

"Dolls of the World" instantly reminded Charlotte of the "It's a Small World" ride and she loved all the various national costumes, and the scenes from countries around the world.

I've a small niggle about this book, just a minor one, the scenes and characters were often so big that it was rather difficult to find room for the stickers included with the book. Each set of stickers had a specific page they 'belonged' to, but Charlotte (being a little perfectionist) didn't want to stick the stickers over any other elements of the page. Just a small drawback but again the stickers can be used in children's own drawings so it's still a nice book.

A great duo of activity books that are excellent quality and educational too.

Charlotte's best bit: She really loved the Norwegian girl ("She is me!") and Mio, the pink Kokeshi Doll.

Daddy's favourite bit: The sheer silence accompanying Charlotte's complete and utter absorption in these two books, broken only by her asking questions about the various costumes and countries in the Dolls of the World book.

Charlotte gets busy colouring in costumes from Egypt.

(Books kindly supplied to us for review by Blue Apple Books / Mat Archer)

The march of the yule is upon us, and between the frenzy of trying to work out who we've still got to buy presents for, and getting well and truly bogged down with the search for sellotape that doesn't spot-weld itself to the reel every time we want to do some wrapping, we are - of course - thinking about books.

Last year, you may recall we did a wishlist piece called "All I want for Christmas is Books" where we had a look at ten christmassy (and not so christmassy) books we hoped Santa would slide into our stockings on Christmas Eve.

This year we're dividing up the list with 5 books each, and though we're not choosing christmassy books (they'll be covered in a separate post), here's our fingers-crossed wishlist.

So without further ado, let's take a look at that letter to Santa...

Charlotte's Christmas Book Wish List

1) "A Donkey Reads" by Muriel Mandell and Andre Letria

A funny, beautifully illustrated and fantastic tale of the world's most literate Donkey. Adapted from a traditional 13th Century Turkish Folk Tale, "A Donkey Reads" is quirkily brilliant and sure to appeal to children who like something just that little bit different.

"A Donkey Reads" is available from the fantastic folk at Letterbox Library.







2) This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers books are amongst Charlotte's favourites and this is definitely on her christmas wish list. The beautifully illustrated tale of a boy and his moose with the sort of landscapes you'd love to spend a crisp cold christmas morning exploring.

Masterfully told with humour that appeals to both children and adults, Jeffers is at the top of his game.

Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books




3) I Really Want to Eat a Child by Sylviane Donnio and Dorothee De Montfried

A rather naughty crocodile has just one wish. He wants to eat a child.  He's utterly fed up with the rubbish diet his parents have put him on (Bananas, bananas and more bananas) and craves just one thing. A nice fat juicy plump child to eat.

A hilarious story and Achilles' tantrums and sulks will be all too familiar to parents. Children just love the fact that he's a crocodile who makes no bones about what he wants to eat! Love it!

Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books

4) The Cloud by Hannah Cumming

Child's Play books have wowed us with their range of titles this year and Hannah Cumming's "The Cloud" is another book that is thought provoking, intelligent, beautifully illustrated and above all extremely important for the message it so expertly delivers.

Everyone has bad days but when one little girl finds the little dark cloud of gloom hovering over her head for the day, it takes some great friends and a liberal dose of imagination to put a smile on her face.

Great characterisations and beautifully illustrated, it's available from the Child's Play website. 


5) Stone Soup by Jess Stockham

Jess Stockham's version of the traditional folk tale "Stone Soup" is beautifully illustrated and entertaining. A mysterious traveller comes to town and seeks shelter and sustenance from the locals. They're initially suspicious, but soon are won over by his tale of Stone Soup, the most amazing and delicious soup you've ever tasted - and all you need to make it is a smooth stone!

Fabulously witty retelling and available once again from the lovely folk at Child's Play




Daddy's Christmas Book Wish List

1) The Django by Levi Pinfold

We fell completely in love with Levi Pinfold's illustrative style after reading "The Black Dog" but haven't quite managed to get hold of The Django yet - his previous book. A soulful and utterly beautifully illustrated book about a young boy who meets the mysterious and mischievous Django - an experience he's unlikely to forget in a hurry. With some great nods to marvellous music, and the sort of art style that you'd quite happily give your left earlobe to be able to emulate, it's an amazing book.

Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books


2) The Magical Life of Mr Renny by Leo Timmers

Leo Timmers is another children's book author / illustrator with such a bold and beautiful artistic style that we just can't help but love his books.

Mr Renny is a famous artist, but no one wants to buy his paintings. So one day when he meets a stranger that offers to make his dreams come true, Mr Renny jumps at the chance. But is the stranger all that he seems?

Super-tight artwork that almost leaps off the page.

Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books


3) The Rainbow Orchid - Complete Collection by Garen Ewing

Saturday matinee-style high adventure spliced with Tintin-esque visuals, what's not to love about Garen Ewing's "Rainbow Orchid" graphic novels. Blisteringly paced and fantastically illustrated, the complete collection rolls together previous story threads into one fantastic volume to be read again and again.

Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books





4) Aesop's Fables by Ayano Imai

We reviewed Ayano Imai's unique take on Puss in Boots (actually called Puss and Boots) this year, and this retelling of some of the classic Aesop's Fables is equally brilliant. The tales draw from the classic Aesop tales and though there are so many other collections available that draw on the same stories, these are utterly captivating.


Available from our independent local book shop, Mostly Books

Little Tiger Press kindly sent us a selection of their christmas books to take a look at, and without a doubt one of Charlotte's early firm favourites is this jolly sparkly little chap.

The Very Sparkly Snowman is a great book for toddlers who will love the way the story develops and the Snowman's tummy seems to magically "grow" with every turn of the page.

The story tells the tale of a little mouse named Milli who enlists the help of her friends to build a giant snowman after the first fall of snow. Milli starts off with a tiny snowball and soon it grows and grows until Milli and her friends can barely keep it under control. Will they finish their masterpiece or will it crumble and break (like our snowmen always seem to, bah!)

Though the book is probably more suited to children slightly younger than Charlotte, she still absolutely loves it - not just because the snowman's tummy is so much fun to prod and poke, but because Stephanie Stahl's text and Veronica Vasylenko's illustrations work so perfectly together to bring a hefty dose of sparkly christmas magic to your bedtime reading.

Charlotte's best bit: That squishy snowman tummy. "What's inside it, daddy?" she asked. "Snowburgers" I replied.

Daddy's favourite bit: I love how the holes that help reveal the snowman's tummy are cunningly worked into the illustrations each time. Nice work Veronica!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Little Tiger Press)

So many publishers, authors and illustrators often delve into the rich tapestry woven by classic fairy tales from the likes of The Brothers Grimm and others, for inspiration and perhaps a new spin on children's stories.

Child's Play's range of "Flip Up Fairy Tales" are a great example of how stories can be retold in innovative ways, and can also remove some of the more unsavoury elements without detriment to the original tale.

We took a look at four of the Flip Up Fairy Tales - with storytelling CDs included, to see how Child's Play's collection of fantastic authors and illustrators have built on the strengths of stories children probably already know and love.



First up, a fantastic version of "Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Alison Edgson (who must be one of the busiest illustrators in the business at the moment, I think I've lost count of the number of books that have passed through our hands with her name on them!)

Three goats start to run out of lush green grass to eat in their home field, so they look for pastures new. Unfortunately, between them and the sweetest grass on the hillside lies a bridge - and under that bridge lives a rather cruel, nasty and bullying troll...

You'll know the rest of the story like the back of your hand - at least you think you will, but Alison Edgson has rather neatly reworked the way the original story ends to provide a positive message, and a fantastic way to deal with bullies that (hopefully) children will understand and identify.

Next we looked at "The Gingerbread Man" - a rollicking version by Estelle Corke. This story is pretty much untouched and is easily one of Charlotte's favourite stories of all time. An old man and his wife bake a rather cheeky and mischievous Gingerbread Man for tea, but before they can tuck in, the gingerbread man runs off and is chased by the man, his wife, and just about everyone else in their locale. It takes a sneaky fox to teach the Gingerbread Man a (rather final) lesson, and I think secretly it's  great that the end is unchanged in this one as it's Charlotte's favourite bit! Eek!

(Having seen the way she deals with Pret's rather delicious gingerbread men, I can understand why).

We also took a look at the Flip Up Fairy Tale version of Cinderella. Again, largely untouched but with a rather more positive message throughout and a more satisfying end, Cinderella by Jess Stockham is beautifully illustrated and wonderfully told with the accompanying CD.

Last but by no means least we took a look at another of Charlotte's all time favourite fairy stories, The Enormous Turnip, retold by Cristiana Cerretti. An old man and his wife are master gardeners, their flowers, fruit and vegetables are the envy of their friends and neighbours. One year they grow a turnip that becomes so large that they can barely dig it out of the ground - so they round up their family and pets to help.

This book has some of the best (and most entertaining) flip up panels in it, as the couple lovingly sow their garden, then try with all their might to pull that lovely turnip out to eat for their tea. Again, a great and entertaining accompanying CD and a positive message threaded throughout the tale - but Charlotte was very sad to see that the dog, cat and mouse weren't included in the turnip feast at the end - OH NO! (Actually, have you ever tried to feed a dog, a cat or a mouse turnip? They're not massively keen!)

Child's Play's range also includes tales that your children may not be familiar with. We've previously reviewed their brilliant version of one of my favourite stories, "Stone Soup" and there are other world stories and folk tales like "Donkey Skin" and "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" to enjoy too.

The range is available in different formats (soft cover, hard back, or you can even just buy the story CDs to enjoy in the car or while out and about, collecting a few of the tales together on each). Check out the full range on the Child's Play website below

Child's Play Flip-up Fairy Tales

Charlotte's best bit: The cheeky Gingerbread Man getting his comeuppance.

Daddy's favourite bit: Great quality collection with superb storytelling on the CDs and the flip-up panels make them interesting even for younger children. Sensitive reworkings of some tales are also very nice to see too.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Child's Play International Ltd)