Bed Time Books

(Goblin is 23 months)

Goblin has recently started to really enjoy a book at bedtime. We started reading him 'Winnie the Pooh' when he was younger and just enjoyed being with us and hearing our voices, but now he prefers illustrated books. He loves pointing and naming stuff in the pictures as we read. So the more interesting the pictures the better. I had planned to do a post on Goblin's favourite bed time books but got distracted. Reading Mummy and More reminded me. So here is a list of Goblins top 7 bed time reads:

Penguin by Polly Dunbar

This is the book Goblin asks for the most. Its about a boy who gets a penguin as a present but gets frustrated because it can't talk. The pictures are nice and simple, and now Goblin can say "penguin". 

Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers

This is another book about a boy and a penguin. This time the penguin wants to fly. There is a little bit more story to this book and its another frequently asked for by Goblin. 

The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh and Judi Abbot

You can see a theme here can't you - there is a penguin in every picture in this book. (We didn't buy them on purpose but Goblin seems to be attracted to the penguin books). The Biggest Kiss is a rhyme about kisses. Its very sweet and gives good opportunities to be tactile with your toddler (not that you need a book for that).

Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen

This is a lovely book about a good little wolf who meets a big bad wolf and is tempted to turn to the dark side. This is my favourite of Goblin's bed time books. Goblin likes saying "wolf". Lovely simple illustrations.

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

As you probably know Eric Carle is the author of the Hungry Caterpillar. The Hungry Caterpillar has many dimensions to it educationally, it teaches days of the week, counting, names of foods and the metamorphosis of a butterfly. Mister Seahorse is not quite there. It teaches the names of different fish and how they lay their eggs. And it has lovely illustrations including transparent pages hiding fish. But it really lacks a plot. That sounds daft in a kids book but it makes it a bit grating to read as an adult. And for the age it's aimed at the educational benefit of teaching different fish names is limited in my opinion. But Goblin still likes it. 

Biscuit Bear by Mini Grey

This is a really unusual book with an interesting lay out. The plot about a biscuit bear and the fate of biscuits is amusingly dark and will keep you entertained as a parent while you read to your child. Lots for your toddler to look out for in the pictures, and never fear it does have a happy ending - well for biscuit bear at least! (We've never used the CD). 

Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort

The illustrations are the best part of this book - really bright and cheerful. The story is a rhyme about how Aliens steal pants from humans. My problem is the rhymes are really unpolished which makes it hard to read out loud with a rhythm. Goblin doesn't seem to notice though. 

You may have spotted that The Gruffalo is not on the list. We do have a copy but it isn't one of Goblin's favourites. Its much longer than the books I have just mentioned, and its quite repetitive. For a repetitive book the pictures just aren't interesting enough, there isn't much in each picture other than the animal who is talking to the mouse. So Goblin gets bored. He does however like the flap books that are done by the same authors Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Fox's socks is a particular favourite, and has lots to look out for in the pictures. But we tend to keep the interactive flap books as day time books. Maybe I'll do a post on them too.