With summer right here right now (even if it may be chucking it down while you’re reading this), thought turn to being outdoors, barbecues and so on. Or maybe not. Sometimes, the dreams of easy get-togethers aren’t so easy – if you don’t think you’ll be invited in the first place. We’ve all had moments …
Continue reading “Friday phrase: and now we can go to your frankfurter parties”
I’ve written about folk tales before. Mostly in the ‘fill the gap between chapter books‘ kind of way. And that’s good. But with Junior Reader somewhat more of a seasoned traveller than before, and a bit more aware of different countries (thank you, Olympics and Commonwealth Games), folk tales from around the world now have …
Continue reading “Lit Kid: folk tales from around the world”
I have a little picture in my mind as I write. It’s evening, close to bedtime, and Junior Reader is out in the garden, attired in pyjamas and crocs. (It’s actually been warm. Lovely.) Dan continues to put the new picnic bench together, and in a little bit of role reversal, Junior Reader reads to …
Continue reading “Friday phrase: this will never come off I don’t think”
Junior Reader is starting to experiment more with lots of different types of writing. Whether it’s the bedroom door sign – ‘Keep out! – the written refusal to comply with a parental request, or a kingly proclamation (on a scroll), I enjoy seeing them coming. Variety is a good thing in children’s books, as elsewhere. …
The end of another week. We may be feeling great, or more than a little grizzly. We may even wonder if we’ve blown it  – and be looking for some reassurance. Enter Debi Gliori’s No Matter What. A wonderful story for helping us realise that we will be loved, no matter what we do, it’s …