There’s no denying it reading is an important skill. It helps with language development; social development – helping us to empathise with others/or learn to understand them better, gives us something to discuss with each other, put things into perspective, to look at things from a different angle; helps us to learn moral messages; gives us the ability to learn new things, provides information of what is happening in the World around us; helps us to remember (lists, important dates, appointments); help us find our way (directions); keep us thinking, and questioning (what may happen at the end of the story); gives us a way to relax and unwind from the daily worries and encourages lifelong learning too.
Sometimes I do find it hard to fit in all the reading with 3 primary school aged children. We make sure the youngest always has a bedtime story, the next one up reads to us at bedtime, and our 9 year old reads either to himself or whilst I’m washing up/ironing (we do sit down and listen too, but this is what we do when we are really busy) and the oldest we really struggle so he reads alone (he is 17 this year).
So anyway to encourage young readers I thought I would Giveaway this fantastic Hello Kitty and Friends – The Friendship Club donated by Harper Collins at BritmumsLive.
One of my favourite books growing up was most definitely Winnie-the-Pooh so I was delighted to hear that there was now a Winnie-the-Pooh “Classic Pooh” app of my favourite stories, which meant my youngest could enjoy the tales of Pooh Bear without me having to worry about him damaging such a treasured book. He loved the control of being able to decide which page he was on, swiping backwards and forwards, and I liked the fact that the story could be read to him (by Rufus Jones) – especially as he does like the same thing over and over and over again. Using the iPad is also good to help my son develop the muscles in his hand – at the moment there is concern that it is a bit floppy and he cannot hold things properly.
This app is free to download too! Further available is the extra ‘The World of Winnie-the-Pooh’ which offers essential background to the stories for £2.49.
The Write to Read app (£4.99 on iTunes) I originally thought would be just perfect for my 5 year old. Since being in his Reception year at school his love of reading has rocketed. He reads absolutely everything he can find. This app allows him to learn to write, and spell, the words as it sounds out what is typed. But what I really loved about it was the fact that you can create your own story using your own photos. This is particularly useful for my youngest son with special needs, as he is a visual learner, and this would be ideal to write tailor-made social stories for him, that make the most sense, as we can use photos from his environment. He is moving from pre-school to Reception this year so I am intending to use this app a lot to prepare him.
For my almost 10 year old, I feel that reading is one of the most important things he can do to prepare himself for his upcoming examinations – first his 11+ and then his SATs. So when he discovered that he would be allowed to use technology on a week night he was delighted to do some reading – you see my boys are only allowed on computers/tablets etc at weekends normally, unless they’ve done something amazing. So he’s happy to be able to borrow my iPad and I’m happy he’s reading. One of the eBooks appropriate for his age is Will Solvit – and my son is really enjoying it and actually ended up going to bed late! The series is about a 10 year old boy who is destined to be an adventurer. The first book sees him travelling back in time to when there were dinosaurs (always a hit in our house). There are jokes, facts, great illustrations and moral messages, including his friendship with Zoe. For those of you who prefer good old fashioned books then they are also available in paperback from Parragon books.
And my most favourite find of late is Sensory Dinosaurs by Jill Christmas (available from Speechmark Publishing at £32.99). Jill has extremely kindly let me share the information from this book so please do look out for future posts. This is a must have tool for any child who is struggling in school – with their condition is diagnosed or not; covering sensory issues, developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia/proprioception, Asperger’s syndrome, Self-esteem issues, joint hypermobility, Dyslexia, and balance difficulties. Each one has a story about a dinosaur, who starts off sad, it is explained why it is that they are sad (eg too much light and noise) and what happens to help them, and then you see them happy. The book is packed with tips on how to help, and dinosaurs to colour. The pages are easily photocopy-able in order that parents/carers and schools can share the information and be on the same page with helping the child with these conditions. This book is particularly useful for us, as it is known that children are more easy to access help/learn easier, if t is linked to something they are interested in – and dinosaurs are definitely a big hit here.
Disclosure: I received the Hello Kitty and Friends book, a Winnie-the-Pooh gift set; The Write to Read App; A Will Solve it Book; and the Sensory Dinosaurs book in order to review these products. All opinions are my own.
There’s some great advice in there, thanks. My daughter got the Will Solve it paperback and is devouring it-they’re good fun aren’t they. Just been checking out the Winnie the Pooh app too, looks lovely.
Prefer a paper book to looking at a screen. Spend all day at work looking at a screen xx
I prefer paper books – I like to turn the pages manually and love taking the kids to the library. I also love to read books to my children – allowing them to hold the book and turn the pages too.
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I love paper books- I love that my daughter can turn the pages and point at the pictures without pages turning and what not on a ereader. I think it is so important to not have everything technological as much as I love it, some things should be kept.
I prefer a paper book, love reading till I fall asleep and with a paper book I don’t have to worry that it might fall off the bed!
Paper book, purely for the feel of it
I love paper books as it was how I grew up reading although an e book is handy for on the go
i must say i like a paper book, the feel of the pages.
paper book it feels better and traditional 🙂 plus nothing beats the smell of a new book’s pages
I have subscribed by email 🙂
paper book-I just cant get used to reading on an ebook
I like both but I prefer electronic book purely for the fact I don’t have to carry bulky books around
Much Prefer the real thing paper books you don’t have problem of batteries that die 🙂
Prefer paper books, love the feel and smell of books. I can’t go near a book shop without popping in for a look & adore my local library:)
paper books, has I think its more intresting and with the eletonic ones you can get faults ect. so it has to be paper books xx
paper book as i like to have something in my hand, the writing on ebooks is all one continous page i don’t really liek that
Paper book as i don’t find its the same reading an electronic book as you can’t hold the paper book in your hands and with children i find they enjoy paper books more.
I prefer paper books, they seem more special and great to keep and share x
i dont mind, either works for me xx
Prefer paper cause I’m just an old fashion kinda gal!
I prefer paper – it doesn’t break if you drop it and the battery won’t die just when you get to the good bits!
prefer paper as take it anywhere without worry of loosing it as a kindle couls get lost or damaged
The write to read app sounds great for my 5 yr old as he has such an imagination and loves reading/writing. I will definitely be looking for that, thanks
i dont mind either, some i like to have and kepp, the e-books are good for ones you only want to read once
ive only ever read paper books
a paper book, I love to feel the pages in my hands
I love the way you write, what a great post. Sounds like you’ve all been busy beans! We enjoy paper books too but I really liked the Winnie-the-Pooh app 🙂
Paper books are lovely, but out of sheer practicalty I am a convert to e-books. I simply ran out of space for all my paper books, and I love the fact I can carry 400 books to work each day!
I do like paper books – they take up so much space though!
i like a paper book, the feel of the pages
paper book
i like the paper books for my kids so they can hold the book:)
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worst thing I can do to my son is not let him read to me at night! he is 6.5 and mad on beast quest… 9 yo just reads to herself mostly..
paper, cos we can sit down anytime to do together, dont have electronic facility
paper because my kids love taking their books everywhere with them
Paper books – I’m old fashioned and I love books for themselves as well as the story. Some books are works of art.
Paper books as easier for kids to hold and read whenever they like
Paper book because I like the smell of a new book and I like turning pages
Paper books because its great to turn pages!
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i prefer paper books …. children dont seem to show the same enthusiasm with electronic books as we did with paper books
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I prefer a proper book (paper book) … I wouldnt be able to really take an electronic book seriously,Also i like to feel a book and also the smell lol 🙂
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paper book to pass around the family
Paperbacks, can’t beat the smell!
I prefer paper books, they seem more personal than ebooks
I prefer paper books, my son seems to enjoy them more. I love reading him stories and don’t just limit it to bedtime either, they’re a good way to bond and for him to learn at the same time 🙂 x
paper books as i dont have an ereader lol. i have subscribed
paper books ! for sure ! ….. i read until i fall asleep so my bookends up on the floor where it falls ……
Definitely electronic. I got a tablet for Christmas and have probably read more in the last few months than in the last few years. It’s just so easy to carry around with you, and I can carry on reading in bed with the light out so I don’t disturb my wife.
I prefer electronic books, it saves a lot of paper therefore saves a lot of trees.
electronic as then they are always with me
prefer a paper book….because it is safer to jump in the bath with!!
I prefer electronic books, it saves a lot of paper therefore saves a lot of trees.
Paper, more real and creates more real memories x
I read using both but prefer paperbacks as i find it easier to read
It’s a paper book for me. I feel that my good books are each like a little possession.
Paper book, it’s real
A paper book because it doesn’t break down on you
Paper but I love electronic on holiday
I was always convinced I would only ever read real books, the feel of reading one and joy of having them on the shelves had me convinced then I was given a kindle and it is so good to have the world of literature at my finger tips anywhere in the world, so much easier, so I am torn.
Electronic as it means I can carry around a whole library so always a book to read
Paperbook, easier to pop in your handbag 🙂
I do use an electronic reader, but I definitely prefer a good old paper book!
Prefer paper books – A lot less expensive when you drop a paperback in the pool!
Paper is more tactile. And tastes better @garywasabi
good old fashioned paperbook
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I prefer the paper books as their is so much more enjoyment in actually turning the page, the smell of a book and just picking up your book and seeing how far your into it by how deep in your bookmark is.
electronic – so much lighter and more convienient!
A paper book. I love the smell of paper books which adds to the experience of reading. Also they never run out of battery!
I’m subscribed via email 🙂
I prefer paper books,as to me they are far more convienient,and I love looking at all my books on my bookshelves
I’ve subscribed to your blog via email 🙂
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Paper, because that is the way a book should be
Paper because I find them easier to read
paper books, much better and dont hurt my eyes as much
paper books. i like how they feel and they dont break down
i like both
Paperback everytime! Love to page turn properly!
Prefer paper books, to feel the pages and better for a child
I prefer paper books as you can flick back and forth a whole lot easier than e-books
I like electronic, only because the only chance I get to read is in bed and I find it so much easier 🙂
Paper, love holding real book in my hands and turning real pages. Oh, and I love to put pretty postcards to mark page I’m reading :}
I think they both have their advantages but I’d say a real book because there’s so much more choice and leaving a second-hand book costing 20p on a bus is rather different to leaving a £80 ereader
I prefer paper, but I do love my Kindle the books tend to be cheaper and you can get new ones instantly
Book, i love the feel and the smell. Also I will only buy the original covers not ‘movie covers’ and I love having all them in hardback. I don’t collect anything but books! I LOVE THEM!
For me it’s ebooks – just so much easier & great to have all your books at hand. I do miss the feel & smell of a book – it’s some what more of an accomplishment when you read a physical book.
For children I prefer physical picture books although they’re not the best at looking after them.
I subscribe already 🙂
i much prefer a proper book, because im not very good with technology, and i love to spend ages browsing in bookshops
I don’t actually have a Kindle or e-reader, I would love one for books that I’d probably only want to read once and then would clutter up the place but for my favourite books I think I prefer to have a physical copy as I like the feel & smell of the pages and to look at an actual cover! 🙂
I subscribed by e-mail.
i prefer paper books for fact and for childrens books, and my kindle books for adult fiction
i prefer paper books because you have then and you can see you have them
i subscribe to email
Paper because electrical things break very easy in my house
Paper – all adds to the authenticity and excitement of getting into a good book 🙂
Paper because I prefer the traditional way
I have subscribed
paper books for me as i dont have a kindle
I prefer paper! Love reading them to my little man before bed! x
Paper book I like to flick through the pages and sometimes cheat by reading the last pages before the ending.
I prefer paper, you cant beat reading a book the old fashioned way, but also love my Nook, i can take far more books away to read on holiday!!! 😉
paper back easy for on the go 🙂
Paper definitely….nothing like the feel of a book and being able to see how far through you are.
I’ve never tried anything but paper, so I prefer them!
I prefer paper books, i have a kindle but prefer the old fashioned way
Paper book nothing can beat the feeling of a new book and curling up with one