We have begun the new year continuing to read christmas stories. Freya’s firm favourites include two Shirley Hughes stories, Alfie’s Christmas (our review) & Angel Mae. Like Alfie’s Christmas Angel Mae is filled with the familiar, the added bonus is singing along to Away in a Manager.

Another favourite is the Fairy Tale Hairdresser & Father Christmas by Abie Longstaff & Lauren Beard.

We discovered these books having won a copy of Fairy Tale Hairdresser & Snow White from the publisher. I had been wary about this series owing to all the pink & glitter, but reading this blog post over on Playing By The Book – Do you avoid “Pink” books? – made me keen to try them and they have proved to be a big hit.

I found the books fun to read & liked spotting restyled fairy tale characters in the pictures. I was particularly impressed to see a sari wearing indian fairy in the story with Sleeping Beauty (yes we are steadily collecting the whole series)

As with the other books Kittie the true heroine of the stories displays her kindness, bravery and intelligence in coming to the rescue when the Snow Queen steals the christmas presents. With Father Christmas, elves, reindeers & even Jack Frost there are plenty of familiar festive characters to add sparkle & christmas magic.

Whenever I read this story Freya is keen to join in and insists we take turns reading each double spread. Previously she has read short stories such as Pip and Posy out loud, using the pictures to tell me whats happening. With this story she is memorising the text & keen to get it all right.

– Freya telling part of the story.

We were recently sent a fun new book to review, Dear Zoo Spin and Say.

Dear Zoo has been staple reading in our house. Our copy is a supersize edition which adds an extra element of fun to this perfect lift the flap book.

In Dear Zoo Spin and Say the fun element are two spinners which can be used to help teach simple concepts, first words, numbers, different types of animals etc. “The sturdy pages are packed with everyone’s favourite animal friends from DEAR ZOO, as well as new wild animals and pets, and there’s a different question on every spread. How many? Who’s that animal? What colour? Simply spin the wheel, point and say!”

Freya was very keen on spinning the wheels, perhaps a little too enthusiastically at times, and she particularly enjoyed spotting the animals. Her vocabulary is growing daily and is always keen to spot things she recognises, spinning the wheel provided a fun alternative to the more traditional spotting books.

It was a fun book to share with Freya especially listening to her discover & sound out new words as well as her growing confidence in repeating her numbers.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I was not asked to write this post, nor was I given any money for doing so, and the review represents my own honest opinion.

Tonight’s bedtimes stories included

Little Mouse by Alison Murray A beautifully illustrated book with ‘little mouse’ keen to show just how unlike a mouse she is. Animal impressions are Freya’s speciality making this a perfect book for her to join in. An engaging and sweet read.

The Bear with Sticky Paws by Clara Vulliamy
A feisty Pearl meets her match when visited by a bear, ‘a small white tufty one’ bringing chaos & mess. A fun read with lots of opportunity for Freya to practice her favourite word ‘no’, ending with hugs & kisses. The best kind of bedtime story.