Bedtime Stories

Bedtime reading can sometimes be yet another chore to attend to at the end of the day.  All depends on the book really.  We have an overflowing bookshelf.  Books were cheap in London.  Some of these books have been read and read and read.  To death.  In fact a couple of them I can hardly bare to look at.  Not because they are dreadful.  But because I have now been reading them for nearly 10 years.  The old favourites.  I can read them in my sleep, the pictures and words become like a psychedelic experience swirling around in my dreams.

One such book is YOU CHOOSE by Nick Sharratt and Pippa Goodhart .

For anyone who reads this blog and has been a visitor in my home at anytime, there is a good chance you have been introduced to this one, accosted by my children to read this book with them.  Again, again!  Full of colour and quirky drawings, it asks the reader to become involved by choosing their own adventure from a wonderful selection of scenarios.  An exciting book, great for encouraging a love of reading.  The first page asks: If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

It goes on to let you to choose your own character and friends, your home and outfits and jobs.

Every time the book is read you can choose a totally different life.

For my kids this book has never ever lost its appeal, even my 10 year old will still give this one a stab, and it's been hanging around for years.  But there are some days I just can't face reading this one now, the kids understand and graciously put it away.

Another favourite which appeals to my toilet humour is: The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was None of his Business, by Werner Holzwarth/Wolf Erlbruch.

Must be a German thing, as it's verging on rather un PC in our culture.  In fact I read that it was originally banned in the US when it was first published in 1964.  The little mole starts out perplexed and rather annoyed to find something has pooed on his head.

The rest of book follows his journey to discover who exactly has done this on his head.  He asked various other animals: Did you do this on my head?

Each animal then explains that it couldn't have been them, and then follows an explanation of how these animals poo.

Finally, with the help of some knowledgeable flies, he finds the culprit and executes his revenge.  See, it's totally un PC to condone the revenge, but it is brilliant and matter of fact (as only Germans can be) and appeals to the potty humour in us all, young and old.  It is also quite educational .  It was a primary school teacher who gave this book to our family.  I still find enjoyment in this story after all these years.

My most recent favourite is: Beware of the Frog by William Bee.

I discovered this book when I was in London last year in one of my all time favourite book shops, the Tate Modern bookshop.  A place to wile away an hour or two in absolute bliss.  I didn't really read the story when I bought it, I just really loved the retro style artwork.

It turned out to be such a cute story.  Little Mrs Collywobbles lives near a big dark scary forest and only has her trusty frog to protect from all the nasty creatures that emerge from forest to do her harm.  With funny catchy little verses and a surprising conclusion it has become a family favourite.

Lucien took it into school to read to his class and the book stayed for a term.  It was so popular with his class that they turned into a play that was performed in front of the school.

William Bee's website is lovely and I am pleased to find he was written a couple of other books I am now keen to track down, especially the one about the little boy who can only say 'Whatever'.  Reminds me of the story of Pierre by Maurice Sendak.  "Even when a hungry lion comes to pay a call, Pierre won't snap out of his ennui. Every child has one of these days sometimes."  Sometimes?  How about everyday in this house!

What are your family favourites?