What Happened to You? Written by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George
James Catchpole has written this tremendous children’s book about a group of children who meet in the park. The main character, Joe, has one leg. He is busy being a pirate and trying to catch a shark when his play is interrupted by the question “What happened to you?”
This book puts you straight into Joe’s shoe. He was thoroughly enjoying his imaginary play, and he was having a great time. Joe is distracted by the child’s question, and her questions quickly draw the attention of other children. They all start to guess what happened to Joe’s other leg, but Joe would really rather his privacy was respected.
Storytelling – harness the joy now, it is great for your wellbeing
Whether you are the dedicated "bedtime reader" or your child comes home from nursery or someone else's house with a tale about what happened that day, stories are an intrinsic part of your life. They help us make sense of life and understand others.[1] We use stories (often unwittingly) to connect ourselves to others, share memories and build relationships.[2]
As an adult, talking about books you've read or conversations you've had can continue to boost your own language and understanding of certain topics and subjects – we never stop learning! You might not have time to start reading War and Peace, but embracing the everyday stories around you can do wonders for your wellbeing.
The art of storytelling and how it benefits your child
Stories can be fascinating, amusing, relatable, memorable and connected.[1] They are in our blood, and your child is growing in their ability to share and tell them. When we indulge in storytelling, we can be transported to a world that is a mix of fantasy and reality. Essentially, this is what storytelling is.
Every culture hears and tells stories, and there are many estimates of how long stories have been used to impart information and knowledge both orally and visually – many ancient cave paintings are believed to be telling stories.
Read together... The Gruffalo: A Push, Pull and Slide Book
This shortened version of the original book is great for engaging young readers. Follow the mouse on its stroll through the deep, dark wood and get drawn into the wonderful rhyming text. Encourage your toddler to spot and name some of the familiar characters, or the scary features of the Gruffalo. The inserts you’ll find inside really bring the story to life.
On every page, there is a push, pull or sliding insert that will get those little fingers into exploration mode. The interactive parts concealed in the pages are nice and sturdy, so less likely to rip when they're pulled.
A classic lift-the-flap book and a great conversation starter – Oh Dear! By Rod Campbell
This classic lift-the-flap book is just great for those who are starting out on their journey to becoming a talker. It is short but sweet, and perfect for their developing ability to follow a story as you read together.
The story is about a little boy, Buster, who goes to stay with his grandma on her farm. Grandma asks Buster to collect eggs for her, but he has no idea where to find them.
Usborne That’s Not My Teddy. Written by Fiona Watt
All the 'That’s Not My..'. books are fabulously fun for very young readers. They are brightly illustrated board books with lovely clear images on each page.
I Spy with my little eye… ideas for games to play when you are travelling
There are so many opportunities to develop the language which is at the root of early reading skills throughout the day.
Gen Alpha know: it's cool to be kind!
Every generation is born into a world with significant advances in technology, as well as changes in how they view the world, themselves and other people. The only generation that has never experienced a world without smartphones and social media is Generation Alpha, which encompasses people born between 2010 and 2025. They are thought to be much more aware, as they live in a globally connected world.[1]
One area that has undergone tremendous change through the generations is the discussion of feelings and emotions.
If You're Happy and You Know It Board book by Igloo Books
This is an adorable interactive storybook and a great introduction to action rhyme books. 'If You’re Happy and You Know It' is a popular action song that introduces the concept of expressing yourself in the best way you can.
The illustrations are warm and welcoming, with lovely animal characters singing together with you. As you read through the book, you and your toddler can join in with the actions and copy the movements.
