Valentine’s Day is around the corner. I’m not here to encourage you to buy cards, flowers and chocolates, although I’m sure they’d be appreciated! Rather here’s a short post to recommend this book that we read last year and intend to do again on 14th February. Beautifully illustrated short picture book telling the life of Saint Valentine from the 3rd-century – the man behind our celebrations.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
There are obviously thousands of wonderful books out there for you to read to little ones of this age but if you wanted some inspiration to make a change from that one book your toddler always asks you to read to them, Continue reading
So many wonderful authors have written of this special time of year – some of the Nativity itself, others around the legend of Father Christmas and others are heartwarming fireside stories. Why not have browse and snuggle up with one of these books and read to the family during Advent?
Over Christmas we will be travelling to see family. For us this involves time in the car when we will listen to some audiobooks. If it’s the same for you, why not join us in listening to one of these Christmas themed stories?
Lists.
You may have worked out by now that I love lists, so here is another one for you:
Some stories that have stood the test of time and that have been enjoyed in this house.
I would recommend them for independent young readers somewhere in the 6-9 year old bracket. Obviously all children are unique so you’ll need to work out whether they are appropriate for your child – some might be for younger children, some might be for older.
Reading aloud is a large part of our day, so I thought I’d share a little of what that looks like for us.
This week, over supper, my eldest daughter was describing the building opposite our house. When it came to talking about the tiles on the roof, she called it the “toit” not roof. She surprised herself. The French word had come out first. Isn’t it wonderful when language becomes part of you?!
I love languages and have done since I was small. I am by no means bilingual (if only!) but I was exposed to lots of French and Russian as a child. This went on to influence my subject choices at both school and university and is where one of my passions still lies. To be able to visit another country and Continue reading
Audiobooks – don’t you love them?!
I remember listening to them as a teenager for what I thought was a quick way to read set literature texts. I have a clear image of travelling around Thailand and listening to Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov on a walkman – that was called revising! On reflection it was irresponsible and doing neither the country nor the novel justice.
I now love audiobooks for different reasons. Of course they are no substitute for actually all curling up on the sofa reading a story but I can only read so many stories to the children with my own voice, and so they are a wonderful way to supplement our daily read aloud times. Continue reading
CLASSICALLY CURIOUS 