The Most Magnificent Thing

The Most Magnificent Thing -- by Ashley Spires

I had heard of this book long before I came across it in a very famous book shop in Portland while on holiday. It tells the story of a 'regular girl' and her dog or 'assistant'. She's on a mission to make the 'most magnificent thing!'  We're not sure what that actually is or how she will make it but that's the point. This book is an excellent narrative to introduce a 'growth mindset' or the idea of perseverance with children. Her magnificent thing does not come as expected. In fact, she is most displeased with her efforts and the fact that it's not turning out as planned (we've all been there, no?)  She's disappointed and cross. Only after a break with her assistant (dog!) does she take a step back and reassess. Then she tries again. She evaluates the successes and the bits that didn't work in her previous efforts. She tries again. And then she creates 'the most magnificent thing'. It's not perfect, but what is? It's an improvement and has brought to life her ideas. This story is a fantastic way to explore ideas, effort, failure, reassessment, perseverance and success. All the skills we need to achieve what we want, whatever that might be. What's your magnificent thing? L x

The Story Tree

The Story Tree - by Hugh Lupton and Sophie Fatus

The story tree comes from my Barefoot books obsession! It's a book with many stories in it so is suited to slightly older pre school children and above as the illustrations are not entirely matched to each page as in a straightforward picture book. It therefore requires a little more imagination. This book has many traditional stories in it, each told with a bit of a twist. The book tells you the country or culture of origin which can add to the discussion. There were many favourites from this book when I read it at nursery but the top three that come to mind are 'the magic porridge pot' (yes Poppy I'm thinking of you!), 'the Blue Coat' and 'Little Cock Feather Frock'. I hope I've got those right.  Today I'll talk about 'the magic porridge pot'. 

The magic porridge pot tells the tale of a little girl and her mother who are very very hungry. There is nothing to eat in the house so the little girl takes her basket and goes in search of something to eat. She finds a bush of tasty brambles and quickly fills her basket ready to take home and share with her mother. However on the way home she meets an old lady who asks if she might have some as she is awfully hungry herself. Being very kind, the little girl gives away her brambles to the old lady. In return she is given a clean porridge pot with instructions to make it work with the words 'boil pot, boil' as well as the words to stop. Well, this magic pot turns out the make porridge on demand! The tastiest, creamiest porridge you could ever imagine! Which is the most wonderful thing the pair could have dreamed of until the little girl's mother forgets the word for 'stop' and the porridge keeps on coming! And coming! And coming! What would you have your magic porridge pot make? 

That Pesky Rat

That Pesky Rat - by Lauren Child

You will love that pesky rat! He's really anything but pesky! This is the story of a little rat with a modest dream, to belong to somebody. He wants to be a pet. He dreams of what it would be like to live somewhere other than his dustbin and gazes up at all the cozy looking houses each night. However, making transition from pesky street rat to spoilt pet is not an easy one. That pesky rat decides to use his contacts at the local pet shop and market himself as the best kind of pet. He has important skills you know, cheese sniffing being one of them! 

As you can imagine that pesky rat is not the most popular choice of pets and he does not fly off the shelf. His next move will have you giggling though! ;)

You can swim Jim

You can swim Jim - by Kaye Umamski and Margaret Chamberlain

'You can swim Jim' is a fantastic light hearted read. It tells the story of Jim who has a fear of going swimming. His friends are all in having a good time but Jim just doesn't feel ready to join them. Everyone's got their arm bands and rubber rings on and is having a ball splashing around. Jim wants to get in but......something is stopping him. This story is all about having fun with your friends and overcoming the little fears that can get in your way.  It's beautifully written rhyme makes it fun to read aloud with children. 'Doreen' and 'chlorine' is a favourite of mine! 

This book is a great help to anyone with a nervous water baby. Jim eventually finds out just how fun the pool can be! You can swim Jim! Happy summer swimming! :) 

The Three Billy Goats Fluff

The Three Billy Goats Fluff - by Rachael Mortimer and Liz Pichon

Don't you just love when someone takes a well loved traditional take and puts a different spin on it? I do, and this one is great! Everyone knows the story of the three billy goats gruff who want to cross the bridge to the green green grass? The only problem of course being the mean troll who lives under the bridge and vows to eat each passing billy goat. 

This lovely story looks at things from the troll's point of view. All he wanted was a nice peaceful home and now has constant headaches and sleepless nights due to all that trip trapping!  Who wouldn't be a bit grumpy? 

Understandably the billy goats are a bit scared of the troll and his threats but mummy billy goat has an idea. She knits each billy goat a pair of fluffy booties to soften the trip trapping noise! But will it do the job and get them across the bridge without waking the troll?......

This story is a lovely example of looking at a story from another perspective and considering other points of view. Would you dare trip trap over the bridge....?

L x

Dogs don't do Ballet

Dogs Don't Do Ballet

By Anna Kemp and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie

'Dogs don't do ballet' is a gorgeous story and if you haven't come across it yet you're in for a treat! 

Have you ever wondered if your pet might be more than just.....your pet? But no one else can see it? Well this little girl's dog Biff is just that. He's not just any old pet dog, he thinks he's a ballerina! He dreams of his name in lights and practises walking on his tiptoes. 

The little girl can see his dream but the answer from adults is always the same - 'Dogs don't do ballet!'.  

But this little dog does not give up so easy! He secretly follows his owners (like a doggie super spy) to a Royal Ballet performance and takes his chance! And do you know what......'dogs do do ballet!'.  

Bravo Biff! 

What does your pet secretly want to be? 

My Granny Went to Market - A Round the world Counting Rhyme

'My Granny went to market - A round the world counting rhyme' by Stella Blackstone and Christpher Corr. 

I admit I have a bit of a thing for stories published by Barefoot Books. If you haven't come across them yet you are in for a real treat! Barefoot Books seem to have a way of finding beautiful stories, often traditional stories, and matching them up with incredible illustrators that bring them to life. 

My granny went to market is a counting rhyme.  It tells the story of a granny who buys a flying carpet and flies around the world collecting bits and bobs. In Australia she picks up boomerangs and in Thailand some cats, and so the list goes on.  As you can imagine by the end of the trip her flying carpet is quite laden down! 

This story has so many learning opportunities and children I have read it to loved it! There is a map at the back showing granny's journey around the world. This started all sorts of discussion about how long it would take to fly from one place to another and if a flying carpet would go as fast as a plane?! 

Where would you go on your flying carpet?