Thanks to Hannah at Midas PR who reached out to me to ask if six year old, Jake and I would like to review some of the shortlisted titles for the BookTrust Storytime Prize.
BookTrust are an incredible charity that I greatly support and admire, who are dedicated to getting children reading. Children who read and are read to, are happier, healthier, more creative and more empathetic. Much research has been done to show the power of reading and how it vastly improves their vocabulary and ability to do wel in school and later life.
BookTrust Storytime is a new library experience which is being piloted to support the most disadvantaged families and children to engage with their local libraries and develop ongoing reading habits. Again, this is something I support and admire. BookTrust Storytime activities will take place across libraries in the coming months.
As a part of this, we were sent FOUR fabulous titles, which we have read, re-read and enjoyed over the last few weeks. Here’s a brief rundown:
‘I Really, Really Need A Wee!’ By Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie from Little Tiger Press was by far our most favourite of the pick. Jake has asked Dad/ I to read this multiple times a week since we received it. He especially likes how we have transferred the need for a wee before leaving the hose to his own life! A great laugh, this one!
‘Octopus Shocktopus!’ By Peter Bently and Steven Lenton from Nosy Crow has been another well-loved book. I’m really not a fan of real octopus – I find them quite creepy! – but the illustrations in this one are charming and vivid, bringing the story alive. Jake enjoys talking about all the different Octopus friends at the end and choosing a new favourite each time.
‘No! Said Rabbit’ by Marjorie Henrichs from Scallywag press was a very relatable book, ha! A little rabbit that shouts ‘No!’ To everything his mummy asks him is something that all mums and dads can identify with. Jake enjoyed this, but preferred it when we read it with my two year old niece, Heidi. He enjoyed reading the words to her himself and mimicking my ‘reading with expression’ haha!
Finally, ‘The Whales on the Bus’ by Katrina Charman and Nick Sharratt from Bloomsbury Children’s has continued to be a huge success. Using the familiar and popular rhyme of ‘Wheels on the Bus’, Charman and Sharratt have created a new and very fun version to engage with and talk about. Great for younger children, especially. But Jake certainly likes joining in!
Thank you again to Midas PR and BookTrust for gifting us these in return for honest reviews and telling you more about BookTrust Storytime!
All of these titles are wonderful… but ‘I Really, Really Need A Wee’ is the winner in our house!
Mummy is Reading 