There are birdies in the apple tree

October 24, 2012

‘There are birdies in the apple tree and something peeping out. But where is Kipper’s teddy bear? That’s what this book’s about.’

The greatest gift I think we’ve given to No 1 Son is his love of books, and reading. We started reading to him from about three months old, Three Men and a Baby style (‘it’s not what I’m reading, it’s the tone of my voice’) before progressing to picture books, bath books, and so on. He learned to read himself when he was about three (we used to encourage him to read the names of cars as we walked along the street), and has been a voracious reader ever since. Watching him devour books and discover classics and new favourites, immersing himself in legends and extraordinary tales from Greek myths to Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings has been an absolute joy.

One of his absolute favourite first storybooks was Where oh Where is Kipper’s Bear? by the fabulous Mick Inkpen. I think we must have read that book every night before bedtime for the best part of a year. Consequently one of his best-loved soft toys when he was little was a dog he called Kipper – although it wasn’t an official Kipper, it did look similar.

 

This photo was taken on the day of his first ever haircut. Despite taking him to a hairdressers with goldfish swimming in the mirrors and lots of treats, he cried from start to finish. Afterwards, we took him to a nearby café, where as you can see he was placated with a croissant – and of course a cuddle from his beloved Kipper.

*This post is my entry for The Gallery – the theme this week is ‘books’.

 

 

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  • Emily October 24, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    My daughter loves this book, it’s now falling apart!

  • Mrs Worthington October 24, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    I LOVE Kipper! We had one somewhere.

  • becca (playdohandpoo) October 24, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    we have just got in to the Kipper books – they are so sweet. b X

  • Sinead Safford October 24, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Ahhh the Kipper Books are so adorable! I need to get some for my little ones, I have been reading to both of mine since they were only a few months old and they both love reading! : ) x

  • Kelly Wiffin October 24, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    What a lovely post! I need to invest in some Kipper books I think!

  • Emma October 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Aww what a lovely post, My daughter used to read milk cartons, cereal boxes anything that was around lol.. All helped. xx

  • Herding Cats October 24, 2012 at 11:23 am

    Lovely post. Kipper books are the best!

  • Nikki Thomas October 24, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Oh that is so lovely!

  • Lesley Beeton October 24, 2012 at 10:56 am

    So great re-living favourite books, my best was to say ‘read it again’ when we got to the end x.

  • notmyyearoff October 24, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I’ve never read that book but I’m about to order it from Amazon, I think Z would love it, thank you 🙂

  • theminimesandme October 24, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Kipper books are lovely and that’s such a sweet toy x

  • Helen Spencer (SaveEveryStep) October 24, 2012 at 9:48 am

    My kids never loved Kipper enough for my liking! I could have read him all day long!!!

  • Emma October 24, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Lovely post. We loved Kippers Bear as well in our house. I had forgotten about that book until you reminded me! 🙂

  • Trish October 24, 2012 at 7:35 am

    Wonderful memories of Kipper. And what a sweet photo. Makes me quite nostalgic for the days when our boys were little.

  • Shell Louise October 24, 2012 at 7:33 am

    I used to read to Aiden from when he was a few months old as well and I absolutely loved our early morning snuggles, reading a book to him before we got up for the day 🙂

  • Sarah October 24, 2012 at 7:11 am

    What a lovely post! I love those old picture books we used to know off by heart.