Up until very recently, I've always thought that buggy books were a bit gimmicky and that babies didn't really bother with them o...

Babies Don't Walk, They Ride!

Sunday, May 08, 2016 BookBairn 8 Comments

Up until very recently, I've always thought that buggy books were a bit gimmicky and that babies didn't really bother with them other than as a teether. This week, BookBairn has totally proved me wrong. Whilst she has always adored books, our buggy books were more an accessory than something fun to play with. Until now!

I attached a Peter Rabbit board book to her car seat and she surprised me one day by shouting "rabbit rabbit" from the back seat. Of course, I thought to myself, she couldn't possibly have seen a rabbit from the car but, when I glanced in my mirror, I realised that she had her wee nose inside a book!

Over the past few weeks, BookBairn has become rather fascinated by the pedestrian crossings (I'll admit I have been encouraging her here as I believe it's never to early to learn red means stop and green means safe to go!). Last year, one of the books that Scottish babies got free in their baby Bookbug bag (for more info click here) is called 'Out and About', and each page features things you might see out on a walk in the buggy, such as cars, vans, and the green man! She loves to turn to this page and say "beeb beeb beeb" just like the crossing does. She even spots the crossings when we are out and about now!

On Friday, the lady behind the counter in our pharmacy said "she looks like she's really reading that" and I exclaimed "she is" in response. BookBairn has mastered many animal words, particularly farm animals, which is why she loves "Baby Animals" by Rod Campbell. Packed full of all the animals that she knows best she loves flicking through the pages and saying their names.

I am converted! Buggy books are a great way to keep wee readers busy whilst out for a walk and also helping to expand vocabulary and strengthening prior learning. I couldn't help but notice that our local Waterstones has a wonderful section dedicated to buggy books and there are lots to choose from. Perhaps I should top up our collection!?

We recently borrowed a wonderful book from the library all about babies in buggies, back-packs and slings out for walks with family and friends called 'Babies Don't Walk, They Ride' by Kathy Henderson and Lauren Tobia. This book is beautifully illustrated with busy scenes of babies out for the day! The babies are not only in buggies, but also on tube trains, in trolleys , car seats and slings: such a superb reflection of all the different options for taking your babies for a walk. The illustrator has paid attention to so much detail: families of all different shapes, sizes, colours and ethnicities set in scenes of everyday life from the park to the supermarket. "Riding, gliding, sliding, strolling... Bumping, flying, cruising, rolling..." that's the reality for our babies. This is truly a joyful celebration of modern babyhood!

However your babies travel, we recommend trying out some buggy books! 

Happy reading whilst riding, gliding, sliding and strolling! 
Mummy and BookBairn xx



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8 comments:

  1. If you top up your collection you'll need to build an extension. I love taking BookBairn out in her buggy and hope to again soon.

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    1. She is looking forward to reading her buggy books to you tomorrow! xx

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  2. All the buggy books that I remember were one word to a page, it would be great if very simple stories could be made into buggy books. BookBairn definitely looks like she's fascinated with what she's reading :)

    #reazwithme

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    1. That would be great Catherine! On the flip side it means that BookBairn can 'read' all the words in her animal book already! But I would love for her to have proper full-length or even abridged versions of stories in the pram!

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  3. We had some buggy books but they just got chewed to pieces so I ended up just using cloth books in the buggy. Don't recall the boys ever voluntarily looking at them #readwithme

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    1. Weirdly, BookBairn has never taken to cloth books! I hear lots about chewing books but BookBairn isn't much of a chewer - unless you offer her something that is actually tasty! Hehe!

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  4. I used to love using buggy books, only problem was that we lost a couple as they cam unattached! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe

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    1. Yeah, we have a few broken tags that hold them on so I've been swapping them around. I suppose that is a hazard but still less likely to be lost than if she was holding the book unattached. Thanks for the link-up! xx

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