Trish Cooke, Helen Oxenbury (illus) Walker Books Age 3-5
This delightful picture book captures the warmth of family life and a significant family event in a young child’s life. There’s a birthday party and lots of excitement but also lots of waiting for the big event to happen. This highly patterned story features some authentic Caribbean language patterns, adding variety, interest and extra enjoyment.
Share the story
Talk about the cover Talk about the front cover together. What do children notice?
Read aloud Reading the story expressively will help convey the different moods: the excitement of a guest arriving and the waiting in between.
Join in
As you read and reread the book, encourage children to join in where they can. Perhaps they can begin by chiming in with, “Ding dong!”. By rereading the book together, children will become more familiar with the story and join in with more of the reading.
Retell the story Using the pictures, encourage children to retell the story in their own words. Start them off by telling the story yourself, using the pictures on the first few pages.
Talk about the story There’s a lot to talk about in both the story and illustrations. You can talk together about your own family celebrations.
Things to make and do
Make a birthday card
Make a birthday card for a family member, friend or toy by folding a sheet of paper or card in two, decorating the front, and writing a greeting inside.
Make a birthday party invitation Make an invitation for a real or pretend birthday party with the family, friends or toys, giving information about time and place, with pictures.
Draw a portrait
Draw a portrait or picture of a family member from real life, a photo or memory.
Children could draw a collection and make a little folded paper book.
Have a birthday tea party
Have a pretend birthday tea party with favourite toys as guests.
Learn a bedtime rhyme
You can learn a bedtime rhyme together, using a favourite book of rhymes or see here.
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With lovemybooks you will find out about wonderful books to read with your child. You will find many creative activities based on each book to make reading even more enjoyable and interactive.
Trish Cooke, Helen Oxenbury (illus)
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