“Sometimes I Like to CURL Up in Ball” – #BlogchatterA2Z

Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball

When I laid my eyes on “Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball”, I could not resist myself buying it for Shaarav just for its evocative illustrations, heart-warming charm and visual appeal. This absolutely charming picture book narrates a sweet tale of a little wombat which spends his day gadding about with its animal friends only end up retiring to his most favourite of places to curl up in a ball. With its beautiful rhyme and tone the book invites multitude of interaction opportunities with the children and is sure to entrance and engage young readers and parents alike.

Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball

What’s the story?

“Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball” is a sweet and simple story about an adorable little wombat exploring its favourite things to do during the day. The story gives the semblance of a day’s events of the little wombat and how he ends it with the most favourite thing he loves to do and does best. He jumps, he screams, he races, makes funny faces and gets in a mess. He spends the entire day with his friends doing activities that make him happy and finally at the end of the day he retires to the most cozy of places to curl up in a ball and sleep.

What did we like about it?

“Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball” is a delightful book with an adorable charm and a perfect segue to lights out. It makes for a really good bedtime book for its amusing childlike wonder and I have been honouring Shaarav’s request for reading it to him at night time for several days in a row now. Shaarav immensely enjoys mimicking the antics of little wombat and he feels connected to the images and action-packed life of the little wombat because the story-line is very relatable to his everyday life. And also, because at the end of the day Shaarav needs his mother to sleep peacefully just like the little wombat which likes to curl up in a ball beside its mother.

The text is short, fun and easy to understand and cute illustrations spread which are beautifully across the pages bring the story and the little wombat to life. What we liked most is that the story-line is easy to listen to and understand, the rhythm is lilting and easy to repeat and the motions are simple and easy to follow and mimic. And because of the fun repetitive rhyme and lovable characters injected with motion and humour, “Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball” is definitely to stay on Shaarav’s list of favourite books for a long time.

Book Details

Written by: Vicki Churchill

Illustrated by: Charles Fuge

Published by: Sterling Children’s Books

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Book Type: Board book (Paperback and Hardcover also available)

Recommended Age: 0 to 5

Number of pages: 20

Ratings: 8/10

 

What’s there for the child to learn?

“Sometimes I like to Curl Up in a Ball” is a fairly good interactive book and talks about how the wombat does several things in his life not because they make sense but mostly because they are fun and they make it happy and gay. This sweet tale of wombat ignites an insight on the things we like and do because they make us happy and also make us who we are. It also inspires us to go through our day with zest.

As part of the bookish play we decided to have a storytelling session (read aloud) and do some book related activities. We used this book as an inspiration to talk about Shaarav’s likes, dislikes and preferences. We also explored and learned about the things he likes to do and what are the things that make him unique. We also had fun mimicking the endearing little wombat making funny faces, running very fast, sticking out our tongue, jumping up high and screaming as loud as we could.

“Sometimes I like to scream ever so loud”
“Sometimes I like to just walk round and round”
“Sometimes I like to poke out my tongue”
“Or make funny faces, now that can be fun”

Altogether, “Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball” is a buoyant and charming book and  a perfect addition to one’s bedtime collection. This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. Keep watching the space for our book recommendation for the alphabet D tomorrow and in case you missed our theme reveal for this year’s BlogchatterA2Z challenge you can check it out here. You could also check our book review with alphabet B from yesterday too for another great review and book related activities.

Love,

Mrs. Sunshine


If you liked our book review and book related activities and you wish to purchase this book, here’s our affiliate link to the book from Amazon. You could buy this book using our link at no additional cost to you, and at the same time add a small amount towards our efforts motivating us to bring more of such useful content and ideas. BUY IT HERE!!!

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“Room on the BROOM” – #BlogchatterA2Z

“Room on the Broom”

Whenever I’m looking to buy a new picture book for Shaarav, I most often than not find myself gravitating towards Julia Donaldson because I know for the fact that one can never go wrong with a book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The book “Room on the Broom” is yet another gem by Julia Donaldson with an utterly delightful rhyming story about a witch who has an eventful journey on her broomstick. It’s a masterpiece from both narrative and illustrative perspectives. The book captures the typical Julia Donaldson’s warm and fuzzy repetitive text and Axel Scheffler’s immensely appealing and utterly mesmerizing illustrations which has every bit of whimsy what the sweet little story demands. And for these reasons, admittedly, “Room on the Broom” has no doubt become one of Shaarav’s favourite books to which he likes to return to again and again.

Room on the Broom

What’s the story?

“Room on the Broom” is a spellbinding story about the windy adventure of a grotesque-looking but delightful and kind witch who was flying merrily on her broomstick with her cat. But along the way she meets with several misfortunes of losing her belongings due to the gusty wind. However, she gets back all her belongings with the help of various animals whom she meets in the process of finding her stuff. The good kind-hearted witch continues to befriend and give them room on her broom for exchange of her lost items until disaster strikes and the broomstick snaps into two mid-air due to overload. While the other passengers fall into the bog, the witch is encountered by a terrifying hungry red dragon who threatens to eat her for a snack. But, fortunately for the friendly good witch, her new friends come to her rescue and frighten away the dragon. Feeling happy and grateful she casts the spell “Iggety, Ziggety, Zaggety, Zoom” to make a “Truly Magnificent Broom” which has both style and comfort for all its riders.

What did we like about it?

You can never be disappointed with this legendary author-illustrator duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and I’m sure “Room and the Broom” too will definitely appeal to you and your child alike. This sweet little story of a kind and caring witch with repetitive elements, rhythmic and lyrical text and beautiful illustrations makes for an excellent read-aloud story. The book offers lovable characters and wonderful rhymes giving room for different expressions and voices making it a fun and enchanting read for children who will fall in love with the story almost instantly. The outstanding illustrations are also very appealing and eye catching. Altogether this a book perfectly fits for both oral and visual senses making it a fantastic and engaging read.

Shaarav loves its animated version that’s there on Amazon Prime Video. The video version of “Room on the Broom” is a real hit with Shaarav and he has likes to watch it over and over again. Though the story in the video is slightly different from the book version, it outshines the book a bit with its music and a higher sensory appeal.

Book Details

Written by: Julia Donaldson

Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler

Published by: Macmillan Children’s Books

Genre: Fiction Picture Book

Book Type: Board book (Paperback, Hardcover, Audio CD and Audiobook also available)

Recommended Age: 0 to 5

Number of pages: 24

Ratings: 10/10

What’s there for the child to learn?

Besides a sweetly lyrical story with addictively rollicking rhymes and outstanding illustrations, “Room on the Broom” also displays a great message about kindness and friendship. Shaarav learned the importance of friendship and also that if you show kindness to others you shall too receive it in return at some point. It also teaches the values of loyalty and sharing.

As part of the bookish play we decided to have a storytelling session (read aloud) and do some book related activities. For the activities we decided to make a wand and a broomstick. We made the wand by cutting stars out of a chart paper and sticking it on a stick whereas for making the broomstick we went to the garden to collect twigs and sticks.

Witch’s Wand
Witch’s Broomstick and Wand
Shaarav’s colouring sheet

Later we also did some spot the differences, join the dots, make a mask and colour the pictures too. I’m sharing some of the printable that we collected here while age appropriate other activities can also be downloaded from roomonthebroom.com and gruffalo.com.

How to make a wand
How to make a broomstick
Spot the difference
Cat mask
Dog mask
Colouring activity

Our amazing find was a video of “Room on the Broom” on YouTube which Shaarav found very interesting. Altogether we had a fun time together and Shaarav really had a blast acting out the witch posing to fly on the broomstick that we made and muttering spells on everyone at home with the wand that we prepared. This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. Keep watching the space for our book recommendation for the alphabet C tomorrow and in case you missed our theme reveal for this year’s BlogchatterA2Z challenge you can check it out here. You could also check our book review with alphabet A from yesterday too for another great review and book related activities.

Love,

Mrs. Sunshine


If you liked our book review and book related activities and you wish to purchase this book, here’s our affiliate link to the book from Amazon. You could buy this book using our link at no additional cost to you, and at the same time add a small amount towards our efforts motivating us to bring more of such useful content and ideas. BUY IT HERE!!!

BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2020 – Theme Reveal

“Bonding Over Books” is my theme for BlogchatterA2Z 2020

Hello Readers!

Do you remember the blogging madness in April last year? Yes, I’m talking about the month where I wrote 26 blog posts in 26 days. The same crazy BlogchatterA2Z Blogging Challenge is here with yet another season of its blogging madness.

BlogchatterA2Z Blogging Challenge

If you are still wondering what BlogchatterA2Z challenge is, let me tell you it is an exciting and thrilling, action-and-drama-packed, month-long blogging challenge where the participant needs to put up 26 posts with 26 alphabets in 26 days (Sundays being a holiday). The posts can be a part of a theme or individual posts depending on the participant’s choice.

So, with that being said I have chosen to stick to a theme for myself just like last year to give a feel, connect and solidarity to my posts, something that my readers can look forward to reading each day throughout the month. And now, it’s time for the Theme Reveal and I can already sense the adrenaline gushing in me, that’s the kind of excitement BlogchatterA2Z challenge entails and is raved about. Excited much?

Theme Reveal

As part of the BlogchatterA2Z challenge last year I rededicated my marriage by renewing our marriage vows by taking not 7, but 26 vows through alphabets A to Z with #MarriageRededicated.

This year we all know how we all doing our part to be safe, healthy, busy and sane during this period of the countrywide lock-down due to the pandemic spread of COVID-19. The most difficult part of this whole situation for me is to keep my 3-year-old engaged, entertained and at the same time aid in learning.  I have been planning and designing activities for my son to keep his screen time to minimum as much as possible. So, I decided to take this to my advantage integrating the activities I do with my son with a story telling session along with its review. Exciting, right?

With this season of #BlogchatterA2Z, I shall be sharing 26 book reviews from 26 alphabets spread across 26 posts with the theme Bonding Over Books”.

Why this theme?

As you all know after joining work, I had been feeling really guilty for not being able to make sufficient time for Shaarav. I have always been keen on raising a reader and to foster in him the love for books. And I have watched how reading transports him to fantastic places and introduces him to new ideas simultaneously expanding his vocabulary. But, somehow, as I got more busy juggling family and work, the books that we used to read and the stuff that we used to do every day had started to dwindle and was restricted just to Sundays. Fortunately, this unfortunate COVID-19 situation and the current lockdown has bestowed me with the privilege to make up for the lost time and bonding with my son.

Last year I celebrated my bond with Mr. Husband, this year I wish to celebrate my bond with Mr. Baby. So, with these 26 posts you can expect 26 book reviews with each alphabet and book related activities. I hope to make the best of this lock-down period and also that some of you could also borrow our ideas to keep your children engaged and entertained. Keep watching this space starting 1st of April’ 2020 as Shaarav and I strengthen our relationship and forge an everlasting bond by #BondingOverBooks.

Love,

Mrs. Sunshine

 

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