Ned

The Joy of Reading Aloud

7 July 2011 by Lou · 1 Comment

Although not the best photo’s, I just had to capture this moment. When Ned saw that his little sister was on my bed he made a dash for his bookshelf to choose some stories to read to her. He realised that he had a captive audience in Tess but boy did she love it.

Around the same time I took these photo’s I had also read an incredible article on The Guardian website by Sarah Franklin about reading aloud to her blind grandfather. The article is emotional and really made me think again about the joy that reading aloud can bring to both children and adults. Often reading aloud to children can become just part of a routine, just a way to get them to bed at night. But when you are really in the moment there is nothing nicer than sharing a story with the ones you love and that was what Ned was doing when he went to find some of his favourite books to read to his new little sister.

It was delightful to see Tess at just three months watching her brother adoringly as just listening to his voice reading the Max and Ruby story was bliss to her. I was so proud to hear him reading to her as his dad or I would, using tone and expression, playing up the entertaining storyline. He has found the joy in reading aloud and also appreciates that listening to a story read aloud is enjoyable and comforting.

There are two amazing books written about reading aloud – Reading Magic by Mem Fox and The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. Both these books are excellent resources for encouraging children to read themselves as well as how to get the most joy out of reading aloud to them.

On reading to adults, there is a gorgeous collection that was released last year called A Little, Aloud, compiled by Angela Macmillan. The book has a blog here , it truly is very special.

Filed Under: Age 0+, Ned

Happy Birthday Alfie

4 July 2011 by Lou · 2 Comments

Did you know that Alfie, that endearing little character created by Shirley Hughes in the 80′s, turns 30 this year?

I adore Alfie, actually all of Shirley Hughes’ work really. Dogger, which I have written about before on the blog, is one of those books that I can remember vividly from my childhood.

I was thrilled a year or so ago when I picked up a copy of The Alfie Treasury in an op shop in amazing condition for a couple of dollars. Ned has treasured it.

The reason that Alfie is endearing is because he is so like every pre school child. Children can relate to him as his stories are normal everyday occurrences in their lives. He gets new shoes, gets locked in the house, he gets babysat, goes to a birthday party and plays with his little sister, Annie Rose.

Shirley’s illustrations are comforting and homely. Her detail is delightful, there is always so much going on in each picture that you can pour over for hours and still see something new.

Each story has connections from another story. For example when Alfie is being babysat by Mrs MacNally’s Maureen his new yellow boots from the previous story Alfie’s Feet are sitting in the hall next to the stroller.

Our favourite Alfie story has to be Alfie Gets In First. Alfie and mum and Annie Rose are coming home from the shops. Annie Rose is tired, mum is flustered and Alfie runs through the front door banging it behind him leaving mum and Annie Rose on the front steps.

Alfie can’t reach the handle to open the door and soon the whole neighborhood is involved in trying the get the door open.

I love this story because I know how mum feels and how easily this could happen to us and Ned loves it for the same reason. He totally relates to Alfie’s predicament and we often talk about what it would be like if it did happen to us.

Last month children’s book museum, The Illustration Cupboard in London, had an exhibition to celebrate 30 years of Alfie.

Watch this clip of Shirley Hughes explaining some of the illustrations displayed in the exhibition – one of which is one of the illustrations from Alfie Get’s In First.

Happy birthday Alfie! We love you.

If you’d like some more Alfie then pop over to the website that publisher Random House UK have set up for the 30th anniversary. The website has some great colour and activity printables that are perfect for the school holidays.

Filed Under: Age 2+, Authors, Classics, Illustrators, Ned, Picture books

Happy Easter

20 April 2011 by Lou · 3 Comments

Katie and I would like to wish you all a very happy and safe Easter and ANZAC day.

We apologise for that our blog posts have been a little quiet over the last couple of weeks but we promise we will be back bigger than ever after the Easter break. There are exciting things going on in We Heart Books land, including some new projects and for me a new addition to the family – little Tess pictured here with her, very excited, big brother Ned….

Our boutique little book store is still going strong and you can have a look at the gorgeous stock here or why not follow us on Facebook, where we share some cool links to other blogs and also have some special offers for the We Heart Books store.

Filed Under: Ned, We Heart Books Store

Getting Comfortable…

7 February 2011 by Lou · Leave a Comment

We will find anywhere to get comfortable and have a read in this house. This photo is Ned sitting in his new car seat, in the middle of the lounge room, reading!

He is always trying to find new little spaces to curl up with his books. Do your little ones do this too?

Filed Under: Ned, Picture books

Storytime

8 December 2010 by Lou · 3 Comments

Please excuse my dodgy phone camera work here….Since attending childcare this year Ned loves holding his own story times in his ‘book corner’. Today he pulled up his little cane chair and began reading Baby Boomsticks to an audience of a ‘Wonky Donkey’, two matchbox cars and a plastic toy from the bath all lined up on the suitcase at his feet.

I couldn’t help but giggle, I love his play acting and I love that he thinks he should share his love of books with his toys – even if they are a rather mottley bunch.

Filed Under: Ned

A Golden Age

The Joy of Reading Aloud

Happy Birthday Alfie

Happy Easter

Getting Comfortable…

Storytime

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