I find your explanation of your weening philosophy to be so helpful. I always wanted to breastfeed my future babies but didn't realize one of the aspects that gave me uneasiness was the feeling of giving my body to the will of my child, with little input from what I want. Viewing it as a way of setting boundaries is beneficial for both the parent and child. Thank you for sharing!
Such a surprise to see you mention Hairy Maclary, Jess! A staple of my New Zealand childhood. I had no idea the series was known outside of NZ. How lovely 💛
I never comment, very much a silent watcher but I just want to thank you for sharing your breastfeeding journey. I’m currently struggling with the decision of how to wean my 27 month old. Have nobody to talk to as nobody I know has breastfed. This is such a comfort, thank you 🫶🏼
Julia Donaldson has many amazing books. The Smartest Giant in Town and The Snail and the Whale are incredible. Also, I love the Hello, World collection by Jill McDonald. Her books are super informative and colorful, the child can enjoy it at a young age and also get more and more out of it as years go by.
Childrens books - take a look at Floris Books… Daniela Drescher, Gerda Muller, Sibylle von Olfers, Elsa Beskow etc. As soon as you get into the imaginative, magical stories you’ll be away🥰🙏🏼❤️
My eldest daughter (26 months) loves the Shirley Hughes books, and I love reading them to her (reminiscent of my 80s/90s childhood 😊). We're currently working through the autumn and first poetry ones. We also enjoy the quaintness of the Brambly Hedge stories (again, from my childhood). My daughter is particularly into autumn-themed books right now so 'Autumn Story' from the Brambly Hedge series and 'Little Goose's Autumn' are current favourites. Like Ines she also really enjoys reference books for learning about animals, objects, etc (right now she's into Australian animals!)
My favourite book as a kid in the nineties/early 2000s was prowlpuss. Beautiful illustrations and the rhyming story I think is really good. Also loved where the wild things are, the whisperer by nick butterworth
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a beautiful book that’s seasonal without being full christmas, it’s asked for almost every night for months and I never get tired of it either
The Zoom series by Tim Wynne-Jones! I was particularly obsessed with Zoom Away. They have such an adventurous and mysterious mood with amazingly lush illustrations.
I absolutely LOVE Phoebe Wahl books. There is one called Little Witch Hazel that is such a pleasure to read. Also Backyard Fairies and Sonja's Chickens by the same author. The illustrations are beautiful.
We love The Prince and The Porker, such a fun rhyme and silly story. Our son is obsessed with the food page and loves to point at each food item as we say it. Also the Shirley Hughes books are stunning. Such beautiful illustrations and sweet simple stories that . Still have the copies of The Alfie Treasury and Dogger from my own childhood. The Great Dog Bottom Swap by Peter Bentley has been a favourite from early days, again super silly with lovely rhyming. We also love audio books, there's loads of Disney stories on Spotify which are great for journeys or just as a background for play on rainy days. Recently got The Giraffe, The Pele and Me on audible and have listened to it nonstop since. Love these videos Jess and your approach to parenting 💛
Curious if you’d be up for sharing why you chose to breastfeed until 2 1/2 years. You’re so knowledgeable and thoughtful with your parenting choices and I’d love to hear about your reasoning!
I'd recommend the Jon Klassen hat books, my daughter really likes them and they're funny for the adult! Also Julia Donaldson books - we have The Gruffalo and Tabby McTat - and the weird Monster books by Daisy Hirst are fun.
Should feel so proud of yourself for BF for so long! I am at a year and don’t have plans to stop yet. Rates in the UK are so low - especially past 1year, so fan to see your journey ❤
You should try Shirley Hughes stories. The Alfie books are great and Doggee as well. The Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas books are funby with lots of busy illustrations by Korky Paul. The Charlie and Lola by Lauren Child books were a big hit with my daughter when she was about three and up. And the happy family books by Allen Alhberg and if Course Burgled Bill. My daughter loved narrative from about two. All these stories have full and fun narrative. Enjoy!
Love Hairy McClary. Highly recommend The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lloyd - great story and illustrations. All the Shirley Hughes Alfie Books, Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk, James and the Rain by Karla Kuskin beautifully illustrated by Reg Cartwright and a particular favourite for my kids if you want to go full morality with an edge is Struwwelpeter ("shock-headed Peter") by Hoffman (maybe in a few years?)
some books I read in childhood are as follows; the gruffalo the fire children by Eric Madden Elmer the patchwork elephant books barbar the elephant so much by Trish Cooke where the wild things are not now Bernard tiger came to tea
Could you please do some Christmas books recommendation for kids if you do that type of thing :) Maybe even a story on Instagram would be appreciated !
