read-aloud bedtime stories
Inspired by the Mumsnet bloghop on the best books to read loud, I’ve being mulling over what makes a book a joy – rather than a chore – to read over and over and over again.
(and why do children want the same stories SO MANY TIMES – any thoughts??)
Because it really can be the best bit of the day, when we snuggle up with our little lovelies and share a pile of books, knowing that they are getting the two things they need most – our undivided attention, and the chance to spend some time in the rich world of their imagination before they drift off to sleep (hopefully).
But how much better if they’re a delight to read! Rather than those books you pick up with a heavy heart (or surreptitiously push under the bed with your shoe…). It’s a matter of taste, like anything else: I’ve never cared much for too much schmaltz, personally.
For the little tots I’ve picked out Posy by Linda Newbery and Catherine Rayner, because it has the delicious, sort-of-rhyming words you can really tuck into with gusto. I included it in my Fabulous Five choices for Library Mice.
For older readers, it’s doesn’t get much better that the Eddie Dickens stories by Philip Ardagh. This kind of wildly clever and funny writing is in a class of it’s own; my only gripe was that I could read them faster than he could possibly write them.
Think of reading aloud as a performance, a mini piece of theatre: go BIG on the funny voices, the expression, the laughs, pointing out the details… you won’t get rave reviews, shouts of ‘bravo!’ and a round of applause – but you’ll deserve them…
Such a great illustration. A fab books too. My son (9) has really enjoyed Grubtown Tales, I must get him into Eddie Dickens!
Thank you so much for saying so… I enjoyed drawing her slightly defiant challenge: you WILL read me ALL of these! They have nothing to do except wait to be entertained, but we have all those chores looming: what a dilemma!
I don’t know Grubtown Tales – is it more recent? – but will track them down. Hugely recommend Eddie Dickens – 9 is the PERFECT age.
Hello Clara!
Love your blog. The colours are simply beautiful.
I think that children feel a sense of security when they hear their favourite stories read over and over again. There are so many children’s books that I have loved reading to my son when he was small.All of the Charlie and Lola books, everything by Dr. Seuss (they made me laugh and I just loved putting on my ‘reading voice’ for those), I also loved reading Roald Dahl’s The Twits.
Hello Sandra, lovely to hear from you again! And thank you for your kind words.
Yes, it must be the reassuring sense that all is right with the world when they hear the same story over and over. I was thinking (though I suppose it’s not the same really) how teenagers can listen to the same song a thousand times in a day – then it just seems to change when we ‘grow up’… all very mysterious!
I love your choices, and so glad you have a ‘reading voice’. Some people can’t bring themselves to read with gusto; they find it embarrassing, maybe?
Please tell your mother that my youngest has wanted ‘Alfie Gets in First’ at least twice every night for the past week or so!
Thank you so much – I WILL.
It’s a true classic – and a brilliantly designed book, too, with the whole outside and inside thing going on. Part of her genius is to make a huge thrilling drama out of the small, real things in life – not so jolly easy!
Clara, what a beautiful illustration! I love the little girl – but I am also amazed at how you painted the books themselves! Absolutely gorgeous!
I used to love reading ‘Hairy MacClary from Donaldson’s Dairy’ by Lynley Dodd – the rhymes and the names of all the animals are so funny! It’s a shame that prospective writers are constantly told to avoid rhyme. I must look up ‘Posy’, which I’ve never read. Thanks for the recommendation!
Reading out loud doesn’t end – I recently read out loud a story about a certain hungry little bear called Muffin, to a 55, 15, 13, & two 12 year olds…all who enjoyed it VERY much!
Anne, thank you so much for your kind words about the picture!
I agree about reading aloud a good rhyming text – it’s such fun, and an excellent way into enjoying the delicious sounds of words. And don’t you find they seem to just read themselves, when the reader is tired and not giving an especially sparkling performance??
I’m so happy to hear that your folks enjoyed Muffin. Never too old; at least I hope so because I secretly rather prefer books meant for children..!
I read Michael Morpurgo’s “I Believe in Unicorns” ( the short story version from “Singing for Mrs Pettigrew” rather than the picture book version) to my reading group and one mum, who had stayed, commented how lovely it was to be read to. One is never too old!
Yes Grubtown Tales is more recent than Eddie Dickens. It is very funny!
I WISH I’d been there to hear you, too!
I love to be read to – audio books are wonderful, but it’s not quite the same as a personal performance just for you. My Mum used to read Dickens (Charles, rather than Eddie!!) to us three when we were practically grown-up, and I read War and Peace to mine: a memorable and fantastic shared experience.
There are two bears that are requested over and over and over again by my youngest at the moment. One has sticky paws, and the other is very yummy. I think you might have heard of them 😉
Thank-you for writing books that are not a chore to read again and again! I also adore the illustration on this post, it’s gorgeous!
What a wonderfully kind and encouraging thing to say – thank you SO MUCH! It’s so nice to think of the books being enjoyed (and not in the ‘sigh, oh no not again!’ category!!).
I had fun drawing this little girl: I don’t think whoever is putting her to bed will be getting away any time soon…