Kidlit round-up: Gruffalo skulls and classic kid's books

Mummies, daddies and the kids. It seems like everyone loves the excitement and fun of stories told for children and by them. This month, we’ve seen nostalgia for the past, the importance of encouraging children’s talents and posts about new stories.

There was a double whammy of book goodness as Loll Kirby of Story Seekers wrote a guest post at Read It, Daddy about classic children’s books she’s kept to share with her own children. I kept Chicken Licken to share with my children. Which book did you save?

We were introduced to Ladybird Tuesday at Being Mrs C. Remember those great Ladybird books from when we were little? They used to look so fantastic. It’s funny to look at them now. I’m sure my kids would chuck them on the floor in disgust. Still, we love a book challenge and this is a great one. During April, there have been posts about ‘We Like to Help‘ and ‘Indoor Gardening‘.

Bringing us back up to date and onto the small screen, Nell at The Pigeon Pair and Me posted ‘Breeding a generation of philosopher kings‘ which has to win my favourite post of the month award. It is the funniest, most gloriously written introduction to a CBeebies programme I’ve ever read. This post explains how children are natural philosophers by linking philosophy to kid’s every day behaviour in a funny and entertaining way…and that’s not easy. It’s also a post that screams: read me, read me, read me, so you should probably read it.

If we were in any doubt about encouraging our children’s story telling abilities, Alice from More Than Toast proved why we should as she pondered her first masterpiece (written at 6 years old) and asks for our advice on her next in How do you write a book about pregnancy and motherhood?

And, 11 year old Jake (with a little help) posted about his exciting expedition to find a Gruffalo skull. He also found a book contract for his absolutely outstanding bone collector blog, Jake’s Bones. His blog is an inspiration and his number one piece of advice? Never, ever boil your bones. I agree that boiling bones will never lead to happiness. It did make me wonder though…what would our blogs be like if we let our children take the lead sometimes?

Cerys at Rainy Day Mum shared an idea for encouraging early writing from her own childhood in ‘Creating a nature journal’. So simple yet so inspiring for parents and kids alike.

Rachel from The Tao of Poop shared a common rant on the jazzing up of nursery rhymes on CDs. I had this rant too when, after hours of searching, I found a small box of dusty CDs on the bottom shelf at the back of a well-known bookshop. I have no idea why they would mess with classics so hideously either, Rachel.

And, finally, if this has inspired you, or your kids, to blog about stories for children or stories by children, then don’t forget to check out our first (*bites nails*) competition:
What will children’s stories be like in 2100?

Lyn Newman is ancient. Occasionally parts of her fall off. Following community work, charity communications and campaigning, she went to help people tell their stories so that they could change their lives. She is still working out what she would like to be when she grows up but would like to walk through Europe and write children’s books. She is married to a man who makes up nonsense rhymes at breakfast time, has two children (Tigger, 19, and Frog, 1), one bun in the oven (Bee) and a grandbaby (Tiglet). Her family blog Curiosity Creates is about stories for children and you can find her on Twitter as @curious_lyn

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