childrens – Mediocre Mum

Little Girl Who Lost her Name

I was really hoping to write this post last week, as it was National Book Day but time got away on me and we read the most delightful book, the Little Girl Who Lost her Name by David Cadji Newby.

It all starts with a little girl who wakes up in the morning to find that her name has gone AWOL and this is where the adventure begins. She goes on a mission to find the letters of her missing name, each letter has a fantastic character and illustration including a Miserable Mermaid and an Ant Eating Aardvark plus a few more.

I don’t want to spoil the ending for you, but my daughter worked out halfway through the book that it was in fact spelling her own name. The look of surprise and excited was brilliant.

The books were officially launched last week and can be personalised for Boys and Girls. I honestly think they would make a brilliant present (£16.99).

Disclosure: I received a copy for review purposes

Bud & Roo’s Spectacular Adventures – The Beach by Jessica Valentine

Fostering a love of reading

I do love a book that inspires a bit of Art. Bud & Roo’s Spectacular Adventure is about two doggies who dig up treasures and sniff their way to where it has come from. The Author, Jessica Valentine wanted to create a book that her 5 year old could read on her own from front to back and feel good about reading a whole book on her own and she’s done just that. Madame who is also 5 and has just started reading can read it from front to back and was also inspired to do this picture based on the Artwork. Isn’t it brilliant?

Kill me now!

Just the other night, I was having a right moan about how painfully dull, the reading scheme books are from school and quite a few parents came back in agreement. I particularly felt for those parents with several children and have been subjected to the same books year after year after year.

So, who’s up for the challenge?

This is not a reflection on our school, this tends to be across the board. I do appreciate they’re a necessary evil and her readings coming along nicely, but someone somewhere must be able to write a better scheme than what’s on offer. I wonder if Jessica’s up for the challenge?

Luckily, we have a huge collection of books at home to supplement what comes home and still manage to foster a love of reading. Again, I must emphasize, this is not a dig at our school.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Bud & Roo get up to next.

Do you have any other books that you’d recommend for this age group?

Disclosure: We received a copy of this book for review purposes.

Silly Slippeez Slippers

These slippers made us laugh a lot! As you can see, as you walk along the ears go up and down. The shocked expression on the Zebra’s face is hilarious. They also have Sharks, Dinosaurs and Kitties.

Unfortunately, the first pair that were sent to us stopped working after about 5 minutes, but we were sent a replacement pair tout de suite and haven’t had any problems.

I was really hoping to get a video of or 5 year old dancing in them but my docking station has decided to call it quits. So you’ll have to use your imagination. We were a bit dubious about her climbing the stairs in them, but they seem fine.

Disclosure: The Slippers were compliments of Find Me a Gift

How many birthday parties?

Now that Madame has started school, I’m finding that the number of Birthday invitations is rapidly increasing.

According to my calculations, with 60 children in Reception there is a likelihood that she could have a party a week to go to! That’s a lot of presents, cards and gift wrap.

Realistically, how many parties do your kids go to in a year?

I have to run out this morning and get a present for a 6 year old boy which I’ll find challenging. I’m okay with buying presents for girls the same age as Madame, but when it comes to boys I’m a bit clueless. I’m thinking of some kind of construction kit.

Luckily I have a selection of cards and wrapping paper at home courtesy of Orchard Cards, who also have loads of gorgeous Christmas Cards, wrapping paper and Late Advent Calendars. They have also kindly offered a £25 worth of Orchard Cards products to one of my lucky readers. Simply enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

(UK residents only) Full Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the form

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Top 5 Movies from a 5 Year Old

I had a bit of a chat with my daughter last night as I was curious what her favourite movies were. I was pleasantly surprised that many of her choices were the classics. I know some of them can be a bit dark and I’m still personally scarred from when Bambi’s mother was shot by the hunter but I’d much prefer her to watch the classics than a lot of the crap that is on offer at the moment.

So without further adieu in reverse order:

Number 5 – The BFG by Roald Dahl (1989)

“Whizz POP Whizz BANG!
Feel the bubbles go down!
Whizz BANG Whizz POP!
Bursting all around!”

A free BFG Activity pack to download

Number 4 – Bambi (1942)

Faster! Faster, Bambi! Don’t look back! Keep running! Keep running!
[Gunshot is heard, then silence] (Queue the tissues!)

Number 3 – Pinocchio (1940)

‘Mummy can you fast forward it to the part where Pinocchio comes alive as it’s my favourite bit?’

Number 2 – Snow White (1937)

Walt Disney’s first full length feature animation and still delivers!

Number 1 Cinderella (1950)

The prince and princess live happily ever after! Need I say more? Every little girls dream!

What is your favourite children’s movie of all time?

Disclaimer: Madame’s Cinderella outfit was courtesy of Jokers’ Masquerade, who stock a huge range of children’s fancy dress outfits, with Halloween around the corner you may want to check them out!