Parents' blog
What do Bookstart parents have to say? Find out more and add your comments.
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Family Fun Times with Bookstart
Posted Tuesday June 30th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
Summer is here, and it's getting really hot! And whether you're planning to take a holiday somewhere or are simply on the lookout for some easy ways to fill the time, Bookstart's family activities are just the ticket.
If you have a special event, like a children's birthday party coming up, why not invite your guests using our exclusive e-cards? There are three designs, all by children's illustrators, for you to choose from, so there's bound to be something that fits the bill. Gather round the screen with your little one and get choosing.
Or if you're feeling playful, try your hand at one of our games. There are colouring in and word-based games to carry on the children's book theme. They have been specially designed as an activity to share and are sure to get you talking.
Being a (not so) secretly competitive person, I'm quite partial to the racing game! Good thing Milo isn't old enough to try beating my high score...
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Why books are brilliant for your baby part 3
Posted Thursday June 25th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
Welcome to the final instalment of our little mini-series about books and their value to your baby.
So, in the past couple of weeks, we've talked about what kinds of books babies prefer, and how reading together makes a difference for your little one. Fine, you might say, I get the theory. But when we try reading together, my baby doesn't necessarily look like they are having a whale of a time. So how do I know whether he or she really enjoys reading as much as you say they do?
Well, although your baby will, given time and the right environment, eventually give you the signals to say they are having fun, it's true to say that this sense of pleasure isn't always on the surface.
But remember that coming together to share a book creates some invaluable time together. Not only will you snuggle together, you'll also be speaking out loud in a reassuring way, pointing out interesting images to him or to her. And for that reason, whether they are able to show it or not, a book can be a very nice thing indeed for your baby.
And as it becomes a regular part…
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More libraries discover Twitter
Posted Tuesday June 23rd 2009
by Natasha Worswick
It may be the website du jour for lots of newspapers, whether they love it or hate it. But there's no denying that more and more of us are discovering Twitter as a way of reaching out to people. Booktrust has been tweeting away for a while, but the Bookseller reported last week that more and more libraries are seeing the value of connecting to each other, and to readers, authors and publishers.
I think this is a great idea. As the article points out, libraries and individual librarians can now let lots of people know very quickly about the special events they are putting on, as well as promoting the many other services they provide.
Anything that helps to get more little ones, and their mums, dads and carers, into the library to enjoy a world of free books, has to be a very good thing.
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Recommended books for June
Posted Friday June 19th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
Our Booktrust Children's Books sister site has announced its recommended books for June, which include Smile and The Big Night Night Book, two books that be enjoyed by Bookstart children. Click here to read about all the recommended children's books for June and find something new to read tonight at bedtime!
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Why books are brilliant for your baby part 2
Posted Wednesday June 17th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
So if you didn’t get a chance to catch up with the blog last week, you may have missed the fact that I’ve started a mini-series of posts about why and how books are great for your baby. Take a look at the first one here- it’s all about the kinds of book that your little one will appreciate most.
Now I’m going to look at some of the benefits of books for your baby.
The biggest and most obvious benefit to reading together is that it teaches an infant all about language. Before they even ever start to babble, babies are learning about words – spoken and on the page – and it all helps to improve their ability to speak and understand the printed word. Scientists also say that it makes a difference to overall intelligence too, so reading can count for an awful lot.
But how can this be so? Well, think of your little one as a sponge. They are natural born learners and are constantly absorbing new information. When you read together, they are watching you turn a page. They are noticing you read the words from left to right. And the reinforcing of…
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Announcing the Children's Laureate 2009-2011, Anthony Browne
Posted Friday June 12th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
Anthony Browne, internationally acclaimed, award-winning author and illustrator was announced as the Children’s Laureate for 2009-11 at a ceremony at Centre Point, London, on 9 June.
Accepting his medal from Andrew Motion, chair of the selection panel, Anthony said:
'It's an honour to be the Children's Laureate for 2009-11. I'm well aware of the amazing things achieved by the five previous Laureates, and I'm in awe of their commitment and hard work.
'Picture books are special – they're not like anything else. Sometimes I hear parents encouraging their children to read what they call proper books (books without pictures), at an earlier and earlier age. This makes me sad, as picture books are perfect for sharing, and not just with the youngest children. As a father, I understand the importance of the bond that develops through reading picture books with your child.
'We have in Britain some of the best picture book makers in the world, and I want to see their books appreciated for what they are – works of art.'
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Why books are brilliant for your baby: part 1
Posted Wednesday June 10th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
This is the first in a series of posts for mums, dads and carers of very little ones. It’s for you if you’ve found your way here because your baby has received their Bookstart books, if you’re interested in giving your child the best reading start, if you’re not sure how or why a baby can benefit from books, or even if you’ve found some other route here.
Trust us, books are brilliant for babies. And I’ll explain more in the posts to come. But for now, why not try it for yourself? You’re sure to be able to find a book that’s perfect for your little one, no matter how old they are.
Very basic books with high-contrast pictures work best for new babies. There are lots out there on the market – Milo loved his First Cot Book (published by Ladybird), for example. When we held it about a foot away from him, he was fascinated by the bold patterns, shapes and black, white and yellow colour scheme. And he moved on to a book of black and white art as seen here.
If your little one is a touch older, why not try something that…
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Interview with Nihal Arthanayake
Posted Wednesday June 10th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
DJ, broadcaster and journalist Nihal Arthanayake is not only a master of all trades, presenting programmes on Channel 4 and BBC2, on the radio and deejaying all over the world from Australia to India to Kenya to every major festival going in the UK, he's also a Bookstart Dad. Not only all that (if that wasn't already enough) Nihal is a Bookstart Dad who recognises the importance of reading to your child. Having a young son, he ensures he spends time with him and reads to him as part of his development and to inspire a lifelong love of books. Here at Bookstart, we couldn't think of anyone in the public eye who embodies our core message as much as Nihal so contacted him for an interview, which he kindly granted us (no mean feat with the sheer amount of work he does).
>Do you read to your baby?
Yes. Because I want my son to love books and not see them as vehicles of rote learning but as sources of wonderment and joy. I want him to feel the physicality of holding a book, of turning it's pages and on each page seeing new images that fly out of…
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Interview with Leigh Hodgkinson
Posted Thursday June 4th 2009
by Nikesh Shukla
Many people who have seen Charlie and Lola on television will be surprised to learn that the images were drawn not by Lauren Child, the creator of the books, but by the series art director Leigh Hodgkinson, who talks to Madelyn Travis about her new picture book, Smile! over on the main Booktrust Children's Books site. Click here to read the interview
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What was your favourite children’s book?
Posted Thursday June 4th 2009
by Natasha Worswick
I was messing around online at the weekend, when an article about modern illustrators illustrating children’s classics caught my eye. And that got me thinking, what was your favourite children’s book when you were a child?
My favourite picture book was probably Flip Flop’s Secret by Molly Brett. I just loved the beautiful details in the illustrations, and the idea of animals driving cars would make me laugh every time. And, for pure fun and exciting escapism, a longer read would be any of the Secret Seven or Enchanted Wood books by Enid Blyton.
Not, perhaps, the most classic of choices, but the fact is, they were my favourites. Which is sort of the point, isn’t it? We’re all different, so naturally we’re drawn to different things – and we can all help others to discover our choices for themselves.
It reminds me of a recent event where former children’s laureates Jacqueline Wilson, Quentin Blake, Michael Morpurgo and Anne Fine joined current laureate, Michael Rosen, to name their favourite children’s books for a Waterstones promotion. There were some classics, but there were plenty of choices that reflected their more individual tastes too.
So what would you say… -
Maia's Bedtime Reading Pal
Posted Monday June 1st 2009
by Nikesh ShuklaOur first Bedtime Reading Week is becoming a huge success with events happening all around the county. Maia attended her local library for a very special Bookstart Rhymetime for Bedtime Reading Week. Every child who turned up in PJs won a Bookstart Bear!
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Enter our competition on Facebook and Twitter
Posted Monday June 1st 2009
by Natasha Worswick
Loads of us are using sites like Facebook and Twitter these days to keep in touch with friends, share our news and what we think about stuff that’s happening out there in the world.
And Booktrust is no exception. You can find us on FacebookTwitter talking about the work of all of our projects, including Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up, sharing our favourite reads, spreading the word about book news and letting you know about events and competitions.
In fact, we’ve launched our very first competition for Facebook and Twitter this very week. Just tweet or post on our Facebook wall or leave a comment on our blog with your last line to this book and you could win some books from the Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 longlist! So if you’re a parent or carer, why not friend/follow us today and enter? But be quick, because you’ve only got until 15 June 2009 to enter.
And whoever you are and whatever you do, if you’re interested in children and all things bookish, come and say hello! We’d love to know what you think about children’s books, Booktrust’s work, or anything else you’d care to…
