It’s shaping up to be another wet and grey Christmas here in Raincity, and I for one couldn’t be happier – I do not like snow, and more specifically I do not like how the entire city loses its mind and grinds to a halt at the first sign of snow. I might live in Canada, but we’re a very special part of Canada over here on the southwest coast!
Anyway, on to the books!
Oh how I love this book! I lent my copy to a mother after sharing it at a program, and when she didn’t come back to the next few sessions I started to panic that I would never see my beloved board book again. But joy of joys, we have been reunited, and it feels so goo! This books is just absolutely perfect for babytime – the text is super simple, very repetitive and wonderfully rhythmic, making it a delightful chant that’s easy for caregivers to join in on. It even ends with a mirror, so you can point out all the facial features mentioned in the book. Alas, I fear this book is out of print, my apologies if you can’t find a copy, but if you happen to stumble across one, don’t delay and snap it right up.
So there’s going to be a bit of a babytime theme this week, as I’ve been sorting through my storytime shelf recently and have rediscovered some old favourites. This is a charming little lift the flap book where the flaps are actually made of felt, which adds a nice textural element to the reading experience. The text is super simple – each spread asks “where is the ________?”, then the child lifts the felt flap to reveal the creature. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Can you tell I’m a big fan of lift-the-flap books? This book is a great example of how caregivers can adapt stories when reading with their little ones. I love the illustrations in this book, and the overall concept – children have to guess what animal is hiding behind the flap based on their tail. I’m just not a huge fan of the text – it’s a bit wordy for my programs, and doesn’t have a consistent format. So, I just ignore the text in the book, and make up my own, which is exactly what I encourage caregivers to do, especially when reading with a baby. Guess what – babies can’t read, so they won’t know that you’re skipping words! This is particularly helpful if you speak another language at home but don’t have easy access to many children’s books in that language – just make up your own text based on the illustrations and share them in your own language! Books are living things and are meant to be used and interpreted and adapted to meet users’ needs.
And that’s all for this week, have a fantastic week, friends, and see you next time!
I’d take rain over snow any day! We had an inch or so of snow a few weeks ago, but now whenever it’s been raining the temperatures have been warmer. Hoping it stays that way. I haven’t read a lift-the-flap book in a while, but these sound cute.
Books for babies – what fun titles! My niece is expecting a child in May and I will keep your blog post handy.
These all are cute books for the little ones, Jane. I think I’ll pass them on to some friends with babies! Thanks!
I think I read Where’s the Owl to my daughter! The cover looks very familiar and I remember felt flaps. So cool.
My grandbabies are huge fans of lift the flap books too! I’m sorry that the only book in our library system is Do You See My Tail? I’m looking forward to sharing it with my little ones!
Is This My Nose is going to be perfect for my younger son. The cover looks exactly like the books he enjoys! Thanks for sharing, and happy holidays!
Oh no! I’m just the opposite on Christmas weather — I LOVE the snow. But I grew up in Texas where we never had a white Christmas. If it ever snowed, it was gone within 24 hours. Our snowmen were made up more of mud and leaves (that’s how little white stuff we got during a “big” snow) LOL! And I completely understand on the making-up-words bit. It’s frustrating when toddler books are too wordy, so I’m glad to make then up when I need to.
Have a wonderful reading week, Jane!