Today Tile Triggered Content

Inspiring your child to try drawing can be done in so many ways, but one we don't often think about is through reading! These three sweet books about line and shape will inspire lots of imagination next time you draw together.  

You might let out a little sigh when the same book comes out again, and again, but hearing the same words being read helps your child learn as they can better understand word meanings and how to use them in context. It’s typical for children to enjoy books that have repetitive and familiar phrases as they are easier for them to remember, and it’s quite fun for them to chant along with you as you read! 

Why repetition in stories is good... 

Hair love by Matthew Cherry 

Looking at books can be a great way to chat about all the things families enjoy doing together, and about who is in your family. Here are some stories we love. 

One Family by George Shannon and Blanca Gomez 

We often make book recommendations that are related to your child's development, skills they're learning or times of year. If you don't want to be buying more books, we thought you'd find this useful: it's a list of how and where you might find them for FREE! 

Your local library – libraries are jam-packed full of wonderful books; you’ll probably end up leaving with way more than you planned. 

This sturdy book is a brilliant way to enjoy Axel Scheffler’s joyful illustrations in a whole new way, and mix up story time with a game that’s great for supporting your toddler’s visual development! 

Now that your toddler is more interested in noticing similarities, they will start to understand – and feel achievement in – matching things. In My First Search and Find: On The Farm by Axel Scheffler, they can turn the pages using the big tabs (making it easy to find the pictures they like most).  

Your toddler is becoming more able to control their fine motor movements, and is now linking their movements to the marks they make. They will still need some help to recall what they are drawing, so might enjoy watching you draw then copying you. These three sweet books about line and shape will inspire lots of imagination next time you draw together.  

I Am Yoga by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, is a sturdy board book which can withstand being read again and again while your family tries out the different poses on each page.  

This calming story talks you through the feelings the main character notices as they calm their body using several simple yoga poses. As well as inspiring your toddler to try yoga to stretch out in new ways, which is fantastic for their sense of balance and developing motor skills, the book links the poses to important feelings and attitudes. This will support your toddler to begin making positive connections with their body and embracing the amazing ways it will support them throughout their life.  

Mum and baby are at home, just looking out of the window. But before long there are lots of visitors!  

This is a lovely book that captures the joy of family visitors, including aunties, uncles, cousins and grandmas. Each family member arrives and greets baby with excitement. They also each have their own special way of saying hello, which you find out through the pictures and rhythmic text.  

This beautiful little book tells the story of what happens at night. It’s perfect for young children who love to lift flaps and learn more about the world around them. 

The book opens with a night-time image revealing windows into people's houses as they try to fall asleep, while the bakery next door has the lights on and is busily setting up so that it can bake a lot of fresh goods for the morning.