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? 

Dogger

Dogger by Shirley Hughes

'Dogger' is one of my sister Melissa's favourite stories. It's what I'd describe as an oldie but a goodie! 

Dogger is the favourite soft toy of a little boy called Dave. His sister Bella sleeps with a bed full of soft toys all in a row, but Dogger is the only one for Dave. One day Dave notices that Dogger has disappeared and he can't find him anywhere. Mum, Dad and Bella look everywhere but unfortunately Dogger was not to be found and Dave went to bed feeling sad. 

The next day at the school fair Dave has a wander round the stalls and realises that his beloved soft toy has somehow ended up on a toy stall! Bella comes to the rescue in the way only a nice big sister could! 

Dogger is such a lovely story as it really captures that special bond between a young child and their favourite soft toy. Nothing can replace it. Many of us hold onto them even into adulthood! ;) 

There is a great video on YouTube of Shirley Hughes herself reading the story aloud. Well worth a watch :) 

The Tiger Skin Rug

The Tiger Skin Rug by Gerald Rose is a really cute story. It has a few moments in it which will have children (and adults!) in fits of giggles!

 It is a story about a thin old tiger who is tired of his life in the jungle and thinks living in the royal palace sounds like a much better option. So one day when one of the servants is out cleaning all the rugs he removes the 'tiger skin' rug and puts himself in its place! He therefore manages to get himself into the palace and enjoys a life of sitting around all day surrounded by royalty and helping himself to royal dinner left overs! 

However his new found status becomes questionable as the servant begins to notice that the 'rug' is getting heavier. He becomes worried about how to keep his new life of luxury but proves himself to be a handy tiger rug to have around. After saving the royal family from a band of intruders (who get stuck in the window during their escape!) he takes his rightful place as the family pet! All his dreams come true! 

This is a really lovely story, get ready for lots of giggles! 

The Listening Walk

The Listening Walk - by Paul Showers

I came by 'The Listening Walk' by Paul Showers a bit of a strange way. I was reading 'Romancing the Ordinary' by Sarah Ban Breathnach, and she talked about a wonderful children's book that helped her to understand the world again after a serious head injury. This is it. 

It's a story about a little girl who goes for a walk with her dad and her dog 'Major'. However this walk is not just any old walk, it's a 'listening walk'. During this walk the little girl opens her ears to all the sounds going on around her. She hears everything from the sound of her little dogs nails on the pavement to the bees buzzing in the flowers. The way the sounds are broken down and represented is so perfect that as you say them out loud you will be thinking 'that's exactly the sound that makes!'  

This book is the perfect starting point for a listening walk of your own. It encourages children to become quiet and aware so that they can tune into the environment around them. It encourages concentration, thought and appreciation. What did you hear on your 'listening walk?'.  

The Wild Woods

I have to confess that this book has been one of my absolute favourites for many years. I came across it while working in a nursery and the impression has never faded. 

The Wild Woods by Simon James is a beautiful story. It tells the tale of a little girl called Jess who goes for a day out with her grandad. They head for the woods where Jess finds a squirrel. As any child would, Jess takes a liking to the squirrel and decides it would make a good pet. All manner of mischief then unfolds as Jess tries to make this happen! 

What makes this book really memorable is the way the illustrations manage to convey two things- the glorious wild woods and the special relationship between Jess and her Grandad. He chases along after her, indulging her every whim, even when the consequences are soggy socks! However, Jess learns from her grandad that the squirrel was not meant to be her pet. He belongs in the woods. 

This is a story that will make you want to head for the woods and start an adventure! And what could be better than that? 

Trust me, this book will be treasured for years to come. 

Shh! We have a plan

Sh We have a plan - by Chris Haughton 

I came across this book while browsing in a bookshop after work this week. I can't believe I didn't know it already, it's sooooo good! I think there were a few strange looks when I was giggling to myself while flipping through the pages! 

This is a story about four friends who 'have a plan' to catch a bird in the forest. However the littlest one doesn't seem to understand 'the plan,' or has a plan of his own! 

This book is a great read for young children who are developing language skills. The simple narrative and repetition make it perfect for budding storytellers. I defy any child not to join in with 'shh! We have a plan!' 

The illustrations are simple and stylised and yet the expressions on their faces will not get past you! 

I think this is going to be one of my new favourites! Shh, we have a plan! 

Let me know if you love this book too :)

The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water

The Crocodile who didn't Like Water by Gemma Merino is a great little story and has been recommended for review by my favourite six year old, Poppy. It tells the story of a little crocodile who just doesn't feel like he fits in. His brothers and sisters love to swim and play in the pool but he does not. He tries his best to join in but it doesn't work and he always goes away feeling sad. But then we find out that there is a very good reason that he doesn't like what other crocodiles like, a very good reason indeed! 

This story shows that it's ok to feel different sometimes and that we all have our strengths. Children adore the illustrations of all the little crocodiles and there are multiple opportunities to include early counting skills while reading this story. 

A true favourite with the children, be prepared to read it many, many times! 

Marcello the Mouse and the Masked Ball

What better way to kick off my story book blog than by reviewing one of my all time favourites?! 'Marcello the Mouse and the Masked Ball' by Julie Monks is an absolute story time treat. It tells the tale of a little mouse who lives in Venice who takes his chances and makes his way to the 'pussycat ball.' He disguises himself with a Venetian mask and has the time of his life until......his mask falls off! But the cats will surprise you! This book has beautiful illustrations which create a gorgeously rich backdrop to the lovely story. The details draw the children in and I have yet to read it to a group of children who do not notice the 'princess mouse' hiding away on the last page.

Julie Monks, will there be a 'princess mouse' sequel?

The children I used to read this story with loved to watch video clips of singing gondoliers afterwards.

I had originally made a finger puppet to go with this lovely story but left it with the children at nursery. So here is my latest version, complete with Venetian mask and gondola. He is free to the first person to message me!

I'm sure you will love this story too, let me know what you think.

Louise x