Becky recently put some baby book reviews on Henry's blog, which I thought was a great idea so here goes with Leo's current favourites, in no particular order.
Touch and Feel Home (Dorling Kindersley) This was a Christmas present from Auntie Jenny and he's loved it ever since (when he was just under 6 months). There are lots of textures and actions ("tickle teddy's fluffy tummy" "lift the soft cotton curtain" and also loads of colourful everyday objects to describe and point at.
Time for Bed by Mem Fox This was the first book we started reading to Leo at bedtime, when I was visiting the UK with him aged 3-4 months and needed to persuade him it was night time! It's still a staple (I think Ben always ends on it - he does weekend storytime, I do weekdays). Lovely rhyming text and beautiful illustrations which are not too baby-simplistic so I hope he will still like them as he gets older.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Rhymes, slightly weird 50s illustrations, and best of all, kittens. Can't go wrong!
Baby Touch Rhyme Book (Ladybird) Nursery rhymes with lots of textures and cutaways for busy fingers! Leo's favourite page is 'Pussycat pussycat where have you been' where there is a huge furry orange cat - and this one doesn't run away from him!
Big Rex and Friends The rhymes are pretty tenuous but hey it's difficult to rhyme with plesiosaurus. Crinkly crackly pages, soft, cuddly and best of all, washable.
DVDs - he's seen a couple of Baby Einstein DVDs: Neighbourhood Animals and A Day on The Farm. I tend to put these on at that whingey time of the evening while he's sitting in his highchair and I'm getting his dinner. Both have footage of animals set to music, interspersed with puppet shows featuring fairly simple glove puppets and a bit of slapstick humour. Leo absolutely loves these puppets: he sits there and chortles with delight as his favourites appear, and laughs at the gags. They are really expensive though - I borrowed one from the library and would definitely do so again rather than buy them (although Leo was lucky enough to be bought A Day on The Farm by his generous Nana when she visited, lucky boy).
Toys - this morning have joined the local toy library, staffed by volunteers and open twice a week. For a measly $50 a year, Leo can have 2 toys at a time for up to a fortnight including ride-ons, activity tables,wendy houses and other huge things that would cost loads to buy; also more Duplo and sets of blocks than I've ever seen under one roof, not to mention fantastic musical instruments. We didn't get a good look round as I got there 5 minutes before closing time - so I just grabbed a Fisher Price activity table (similar to this one) and a good old-fashioned hammer and pegs (as he loves to bash things. I just hope he doesn't bash Bonzo or himself, as the hammer is quite hefty). There was so much stuff there though - can't wait to try it all out! I mean, can't wait for Leo to try it all out, of course...
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What a great post, thanks Em! That really sums up how fast he's growing up - I guess because of all the interactive aspects of toys and books described - and how soon we'll be seeing you all, yay! I did nearly cry when I read about the toy library; I have no idea whether they have these in Surrey of course, perhaps indeed they do, but at the moment of reading I was swept away by moving thoughts of Australian egalitarianism and poorer children having access to the big stuff! Sniff! lots of love from aunty Jennaaay xxx
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