If I told you I’d just listened to an album with moments that reminded me of Barry Manilow’s ‘easy listening’ genius, songs that were Chris Isaak at his crooning best and sounds that were pure Harry Connick Jr pop swing you couldn’t be blamed for thinking ‘What a mess!’ You might also think it a … [Read more.]
Here’s a book for the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers out there who might like to harness their inner ‘geek’ and explore some top geeky projects with the kids in their lives.
If there is one sure fire way to engage toddlers with a book, it is to choose a story that rhymes. Add some farm animals up to mischief and you have a charming book that is likely to turn story-time into sing-along time.
My parents read lots of books to my brother and me when we were little. I had many ‘favourites’ but my brother particularly liked one book, The Giant Jam Sandwich, above all others and I can still remember hearing it countless times. It’s a classic that I think no bookshelf should be without but I’ve … [Read more.]
Wolves, tigers, crocodiles – the deep, dark wood has it all. This ‘scary’ book might not be the best bedtime story choice… Or maybe it is in fact the perfect choice. Does your preschooler dare to venture into the Dark Night?
There is a special shelf at our local library devoted to books about particular or difficult topics for children – death, illness, adoption, new siblings and so forth. In many instances, it is easier for parents to begin talking to their children about sensitive issues with a story book in hand. Two Birthday Cakes deals … [Read more.]
More and more of us are only too aware of the amount of chemicals that surround our children. Whether it’s BPA in plastic, or toxins in toys, we can but breathe a sigh of relief when something like this arrives on our shores.
For the most part, my kids are fairly indifferent to the various things I review for Babyology – fair enough as well, whether a pram folds with a flick of the wrist or a designer revolutionises the highchair is not particularly relevant to six and seven-year-olds. However, when a new Moshi Moshi Kawaii book landed … [Read more.]
I love playing with my iPhone, I turn on my computer first thing every day to check my email and Twitter is my ‘social networking’ weakness but none of these compare with a good book. As the large stacks by my bed testify, you can’t beat books when it comes to entertainment. Monkey is reading … [Read more.]
One of the unexpected and extremely lovely benefits of my older sons learning to read is that they often read stories to the younger children. Like any narrator, a child will put their own mark on a story – whether it be creating voices for characters, emphasising a favourite part of the story or noticing … [Read more.]
I love this picture - for me it shows just pure enjoyment. Taken at Sydney Opera House’s ever impressive Babies Proms programme, tickets are now available for the August show.
If I ask my boys to tell me a story, it usually involves a nail-biting finish to a football grand final (the winning goal kicked by the story teller of course). My daughter is all about a ballerina fairy princess, cleverly combining all her interests into one marvellous character. Whilst I love hearing football and … [Read more.]