Much as I try to avoid stereotypical ‘boy’ books, my sister, Clare, convinced me that the Child’s Play edition of Down by the Station (Classic Books With Holes) was worth a second glance as we perused the shelves of Borders one day.

I’m glad she did, as it is a favourite of Rowan’s and introduced me to a great series of books based on rhymes and songs.

We’ve since seen lots of the others in the series through our weekly classes with our fantastic music teacher, Rebecca. Rebecca always incorporates a rhyming or sung story into her classes, as well as giving the children some quiet time when they can read board books on their own.

We have since bought Over in the Meadow and Down in the Jungle, and there are lots more titles in this ‘Books with Holes’ series. There’s lots for Rowan to look at and grow with. At the moment he still loves sticking his fingers through the increasing number of holes in the pages, and there are sound effects and attractive colourful pages to keep him entertained. I have my eye on There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly and The Farmer in the Dell next…