Daddy or Books?

Both!! What better way to celebrate the father and child relationship than to snuggle up at bedtime and share a story together? 

There is a lot of (excellent) campaigning at the moment surrounding the need to promote reading for pleasure within educational settings, but given the right attitude at home kids can become bookaholics(?!) before they even reach school age. The books I read as a child mean so much to me even now. When I read them, I am transported back to my childhood. I can hear my parents voices saying the words, smell my mum's perfume and see my dad pulling 

silly faces as he transformed from Jolly Postman to grizzly bear.

Bedtime is storytime. It's having the undivided attention of the significant adult in your life. It's cuddling up and feeling warm and safe. It's jumping on the bed and disappearing into an imaginary world. It's seeing new places and making new friends.

With this in mind, I've put together some suggestions for books to share this Father's Day (and beyond!) 

Me and My Dad

by Alison Ritchie & Alison Edgson

ISBN: 978 1 84506 464 8

Little Tiger Press

Little Bear and his dad do wonderful things - exploring high in the mountains, swimming in the rain and telling stories as the stars come out. And best of all, they do everything together!

A perennial favourite, this is a great book for Father's Day, but can (and should!) of course be shared all year round. Alison Edgson's bears are so splendidly furry you would be forgiven for attempting to reach out and stroke them. This is a warm and funny celebration of the special bond between father and child.

I Love You as Big as the World

by David Van Buren & Tim Warnes

ISBN: 978 1 84506 648 2

Little Tiger Press

The tender illustrations by much-loved artist Tim Warnes celebrate the wonderful relationship between two bears who love each other very much! 

This perfect bedtime read is like a great big hug which will wrap itself around the reader and send them off to sleep with a smile on their face.

The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom

by Steve Smallman & Nick Schon

ISBN: 978 1 84506 459 4

Little Tiger Press

When a mischievous monkey discovers a paintbox he has a brilliant idea, but things don't go quite as Monkey has planned . . . 

For unadulterated hilarity, you can't beat this book. Dad's are generally best at silliness and they will undoubtedly relish reading aloud this rhyming, playful jungle romp!

The Lamb Who Came for Dinner

by Steve Smallman & Joelle Dreidemy

ISBN: 978 1 84506 518 8

Little Tiger Press

When a hungry old wolf gets an unexpected visit from a little lamb, he starts planning a delicious lamb hotpot. But the lamb wants to be friends and she gives Wolf a great big cuddle. Wolf's never been hugged by his supper before and it's enough to make him lose his appetite . . . Or is it?

This book is just adorable, and warm, and lovely, and wonderful! It just makes me 'awww' whenever I think about it. Meatloaf's legendary rendition on CITVs Bookaboo has forever set the bar for reading this book aloud, but every child will be delighted to hear their own daddy as the grumpy old wolf and the sweet little lamb!