Cruti can probably remember when we first put into action Arav’s bedtime routine. Its been well over a year, I know that much and its easily one of my most treasured times with my son.
We have a solid routine which has morphed over the last year or so, but the bulk of it has remained the same. And not to blow my own trumpet, but I reckon Arav loves it as much as I do!!
The point of this post was to log which books have been the favourites so far. Rather than go through the many, many books we’ve read, I thought I’d select the top four – a combination of which ones I think he’s enjoyed the most and why.
Keeping it to his favourite four books should be a real test to pick out the ones that are the real gems, even though I know its going to be difficult. So here goes:
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
This is probably my favourite of the lot and somewhat surprisingly. When I first picked it up, I wasn’t sure it was for a 2 year old (I think Arav was 2 when we started this), as it seemed to be a bit adulty with the pictures and tone.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Arav loves it. The drama within it, the repetitive theme throughout and the climax at the end. We often find him reading it to himself with all the actions I perform during his bedtime read.
The version we have is hard back and gives me plenty of opportunity to amplify the words in an exaggerated way. At the end of the book for example, there is a rush back home as a bear is discovered. I read this to Arav at a much faster pace, to demonstrate the “running away” part and he really enjoys it. The drama ends with the family ducking under their bed covers and huddling together for safety.
5 stars!
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
In many ways, Goodnight Moon is a complete contrast to We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. A much more mellow book. If it had a tune, it could be classed as a lullaby. Apparently it was first published in 1947 and is still excellent.
There is a good repetitive streak again, and a contrast of black and white pages, then colour, then black and white again. The focus is always on a room full of things which we’re saying goodnight to, so brilliant for bedtime. I read it quite softly with a little light humour on the “Goodnight Nobody” page, which I follow up with a puzzled look which Arav laughs at every time!
4.5 stars!
How Do You Feel? by Mandy Stanley
This was one of Arav’s early favourites. It has animals and their picture in the book is supposed to depict what they’re feeling at that moment, e.g. a Koala Bear falling asleep is feeling sleepy, a bear with tears rolling down cheek is feeling said or a crocodile with a big smile is feeling “snip-snap happy”!
Its a great early (1+) book, especially if you really vocalise the differences in the “feelings” shown by the animals within.
4 stars!
The Very Silly Sheep (Peek-a-boo Pop-ups) by Jack Tickle
A fantastic, large children’s pop-up book, but this helps massively with its instant appeal. Its a part of a larger series, and in all of them, the pop-ups on each page are very well done, almost making them come to life.
The author is Jack Tickle and as you’d expect, I use the reading of his name to give Arav a little tickle as we start the book before bedtime.
The pictures give a very playful and energetic feel, helping Arav to really get into it. The subtle ryhming in the words works well too, with a great calming finish as the farm grows dark and we both wish the animals goodnight.
4.5 stars!
There’s probably at least half a dozen or so other books that could have made this list but a line had to be drawn somewhere. The four gems above were based on how much my little boy enjoyed them and how many times he picked these very books for his bedtime read. They’re still going – I think we read “The Very Silly Sheep” just this weekend!
Leave a comment below to tell me which other books you think should have made the list, or which ones you recommend very highly for your 3-year old.
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