Bringing Books to Life

Library books come and go -- most are forgotten the moment they disappear into the book-drop, with a parting clunk. But every now and then, every one-in-twenty or so, a story becomes inscribed on the soul of our little reader. These are the books that get read three times in a row before bed, that are renewed and renewed and have a few fresh tear-stains on the cover when they are finally returned.

For these special books, I've been trying to find ways to make them more interactive, so that as well as reading and reading and reading them, we can have a go at re-enacting some of the fun.

So far, this has included sewing a little set of felt gingerbread, to accompany the favourite, Lucy Cousin's Maisy Makes Gingerbread. Tilly can roll out and serve up her Charley and Tallulah cookies whenever she fancies, even when baking a real batch might not be possible!

A little red hat, a simple cone of felt, goes along with Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back -- all of her animals have had a turn 'stealing' it, and I'm often forced to squeeze the much-too-small elastic strap under my chin to be the thief.

And this weekend, with the promise of a little autumn weather at last, I'm hoping that we'll have a go at bringing Mr. McGregor's garden to life, with a few packets of carrot and radish seeds!