I've been trying to get some more reading time in with Lydia during the day lately. I don't tend to find the time at the beginning or end of the day, but when the kids are at school she gets me to herself, so I try and read to her for ten minutes or so before her daytime sleeps. I've really enjoyed returning to some old favourites that I remember Jacob enjoying 9 years ago as well as discovering some new ones as well. I've realised that quite a few of the ones I read to her are by Mem Fox. I think these ones work so well for babies because you can almost chant them. That's my theory anyway! Here are our favourites:
“It’s time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,
Darkness is falling all over the house.
It’s time for bed, little goose, little goose,
The stars are out and on the loose . . .”
Darkness is falling all over the house.
It’s time for bed, little goose, little goose,
The stars are out and on the loose . . .”
This one was one I read to Jacob over and over again, so much so that I've had to buy a new copy because the old one fell apart and I think I pretty much have it committed to memory. I love the rhythm and careful choice of words and I love that when I read it now those words remind me of a time when I was reading to my first baby - doesn't seem that long ago and now he's reading ... (sigh).
I think I first discovered this one (along with everyone else in the country) when Rebecca was born. It's quirky, lovely to read aloud (again the rhythm works so well!) and I enjoy the illustrations!
Ten little fingers and ten little toes
This one is the newest Mem Fox book I've discovered (it was published in the few years between my third and fourth babies) and I love reading it to Lydia. Again, the rhythm of the words makes it pleasant to read and I love the way it talks about the preciousness of babies throughout the world in all their different contexts, while acknowledging that the most precious baby to a mother is always her own baby - and I love the chance to give her three kisses on her nose at the end each time!
I do like many of her other books as well, but these are the ones that Lydia seems to like the most at the moment. We also like some others by authors which I'll share soon!
6 comments:
We love Where Is the Green Sheep here. At two and a half, and after many readings, Rosie can recite all the sheep names now. And I don't mind reading that one over and over again either. I love the page with all the different sheep on it towards the end of the book, we both like naming all the different sheep (the cup of tea sheep, the flying sheep etc etc).
I also have Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes but we didn't read that quite as much. But thanks, you've reminded me to pull it out and read it to Rowan!
Our 16mo son really loves books about babies. Ten little fingers was the first book he ever sat still for. And now he always chooses books in the library about babies. It's so fascinating...
I love Mem Fox. Time for bed is o so very soothing!
thanks for the recommendations. I love ten little fingers and ten little toes! Will be sure to check the others out.
Love, love, love all three of those! I once heard that Mem Fox spends a year on each of her books, re-working the words until they are exactly right. I think it shows, too.
We have and love all of these three as well. My all time favourite book to read to our toddler is "Mr Brown can moo can you" by Dr Seuss. They rhythm and rhyme is pure genius - the words are almost like music.
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