A couple of weeks ago, I got together with my Friday stitching friends. It is the first session for a while and I had no obvious, portable project to take along. So I grabbed my bag of felted jumpers and, after a hasty blog search, I found a rabbit template.
I decided to use a scrap of printed cotton for the tummy and inside the ears. I used Falkland Island wool aran to make the fluffy tail. I found sleepy eyes worked best for this rabbit.
Last night, I finished the rabbit, still unsure what to do with it. She’s cute and, believe me, the children have taken turns to drop heavy hints about who should receive it. Dearest husband suggested I fill it with beans and use it as a door stop. I woke up this morning, still unsure where she was going.
Now, roll back a few more weeks to a parent’s evening. I had a different weight on my mind. My pressing concern was a reluctant reader. She groaned every time I asked if she would like to read to me. A horrible 6 year old heart-breaking groan. Sometimes she plain refused to read. Other times, she would, but made it obvious that it was under duress.
She said that she would prefer to make up her own stories, rather than reading others. In my heart, I agreed and didn’t want to force her. I would happily give her time, but I knew she would hate being left behind by her friends.
I needed a plan. One that didn’t put us at odds. Her teacher made a suggestion, which was cute, but it wasn’t quite right. I knew she hated the books from school, so as part of my plan, I visited the bookshop. While browsing, I found a sweet book that was just her. It had nature and growing and family in it. I knew she would identify with it. It was round about her reading level.
Jody’s Beans. And she loved it. The story is about one of her favourite gardening projects. A runner bean house. This book has helped her to find her reading flow. Along with other projects, which I’ll include in another post.
Today, she read it to me again. No groaning. While she concentrated on the words, I admired the pictures. I love this style of drawing. So do-able, that it makes me think I could draw like this. (A girl can dream!) Then it hit me. My bunny was in the book. Look!
There she is. In almost every picture. Ok, the book bunny hasn’t got the floral fabric tummy, but the main colour is the same. And the ears are just as floppy. Clutched by the little girl, which almost looks like my little girl.
Even the Grandpa, who is the other main character in the book, has a kind of resemblance to one of her Grandpas. (Not saying which one…. I doubt either are reading!)
So there you are. Maybe subconsciously I was crafting with intent. Book + Bunny= happy child. What more can I ask!
This dreamy rabbit suits my loving daughter, who spends a lot of time in her own dream world. I think I know what to do with the rabbit.
I love your bunny, the colours and the floral tummy and ears. I’m so glad you have found a book/books your little girl is interested in reading. That’s the trick of course, as you know, to appeal to their interests.
Anne xx
Thanks Anne. I’m growing fond of the bunny myself. I think the school books she has, just don’t grab her. I’m more than happy to find alternative books, because I know my girl the best! Have a good weekend.
What a sweet post…darling book, darkling bunny!!! It is a delicate time the line between fluent reader and “reluctant to get going” reader… I have one of the latters… and he just just doesn’t want to take the time to get into it… he can read when he wants to and he can read all the facts he needs to (the original fact lover!!!) but just reading for pleasure… not so much. He has discovered Asterix this week and I caught him once or twice reading just for fun… I hold my breathe and drop a few more Asterix’s round the house!!! I know once he reaches “The Secret Seven” he will never look back!!! Best of luck as you wander the delicate path !!!
There is a fine line. I so want her to want to read and not feel forced. To find learning fun, not a task. I love Asterix. Great for any age group. A few years ago, I bought french versions of the books, to help my language skills. Great fun! Love the idea of you leaving a trail of Asterix books in your wake! 😀
That bunny looks lovely…you are very clever..I love it’s face 😀
The book looks a lovely one
and set me to thinking about what books my two enjoyed (just ignore these if they’re not welcome…I just couldn’t help myself )
Book ideas
Fat Puss by Harriet Castor
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Puss-Friends-Young-Puffin-Books/dp/0140316582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303008569&sr=1-1
Cyril’s Cat by Shoo Rayner
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyrils-Surprise-Ready-Steady-Read/dp/0140361421/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303008620&sr=1-1
Cyril’s Cat Charlie’s Night out & Cyril’s Cat & the Big Surprise is two stories in one book and good fun
Pat Hutchins has written some fun books like
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ten-Red-Apples-Pat-Hutchins/dp/0099413868/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1303008006&sr=1-2
The Golly Sisters books…
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Golly-Sisters-Go-West-Betsy/dp/006020883X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303007913&sr=1-2
The OxCart man
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ox-cart-Picture-Puffin-Donald-Hall/dp/0140504419/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303008172&sr=8-1
Jamberry Rolls along…
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jamberry-Bruce-Degen/dp/0694006513/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303008249&sr=1-2
Lynley Dodds HairyMaclary books also “My Cat likes to hide in Boxes”
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_pop_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=books-uk&field-author=Lynley%20Dodd
These are great too… The Mouse and Mole Stories by Dunbar & Mayhew
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Wish+Cat%2C+Ridiculous!%2C+Ouch!%2C+Meggie+Moon%2C+Hopping+Mad!%2C+The+Nutty+Nut+Chase&x=15&y=23#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mouse+and+mole&rh=n%3A266239%2Ck%3Amouse+and+mole
I better stop now… that buunies face is brilliant 😀
Truly appreciate your recommendations. I’ll have a look at each of them. We’ve got the sun at the moment, so I’m making the most of a team of young enthusiastic gardeners to dig the kitchen garden. Hope spring has reached you.
Good for you mama! What a beautiful union.
Blessings, Debbie
Thanks Debbie. I guess its no accident that publishers often couple a book and a soft toy together. My daughter is loving them both, so I really can’t ask for more.
Cheryl, I love that rabbit! My girls never read school books. In fact one primary teacher told me my eldest couldn’t read as she didn’t know those silly names they give the alphabet these days. Actually she was just far beyond what they were reading and bored silly.
Go with what suits you both, it’s so important to enjoy what you’re reading.
(mine liked Milly Molly Mandy stories and The Tiger Who Came to Tea… until they were really quite big!!)
I guess not all books suit everyone, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that not every book from school is going to interest her. I know what you mean about the names for the alphabet. A few of the letters, from the system they use at school, don’t seem to be the most obvious choices for the names and actions, but who am I to question!
MMM and “The Tiger who came to tea” are big, big favourites with our house too. Some books stand the test of time. These ones are part of our family vocab. 🙂
So much cuteness. The bunny you made is just precious, Cheryl. It’s wonderful to hear how in tune you are with your daughter and found just the right book to catch her interest in reading. Beautiful
She is certainly enjoying the book. We are planting the runner bean house this week, once I’ve cleared the weeds from the space.