Whiffy Wilson (The Wolf Who Wouldn't Wash) - Review

Eeeeuuw! What a stink!

Title: Whiffy Wilson (the wolf who wouldn't wash)
Author: Caryl Hart
Illustrator: Leonie Lord
First Published: Orchard Books 2011
This Edition: Orchard Books 2012
Found: Borrowed from library

What's it all about?


"There was a wolf called Wilson

Who never brushed his hair

He never washed his paws or face

Or changed his underwear."

Basically, this little wolf refuses to take care of his personal hygiene, so he is pretty gross! His mother tells him that he has to take a bath if he is to play outside but Wilson decides to run away.
A little girl named Dotty discovers him in her shed whilst she is looking for her toys, and decides to teach Wilson about personal hygiene and the difference between bad dirt and good dirt...

Review
A fantastic way to tackle the hygiene issue with young children. The verses are very funny and make the story flow easily.

I very much liked the fact that this book wasn't all about keeping clean, that it also touched on how getting messy in play is okay too; so long as the dirt is washed off after!

I was trying to find a way to explain the look of the pictures, and feel that cartoon, simple and "a chunky-pencil-coloured-in" appearance is as close as I can get!
Very child-friendly, bright, engaging and very much suited to the humour of the book.

The characters are lovely. Dotty giving advice is funny; as she drags him  off to sort him out and Wilson has some habits that will make you (and yougsters) think (and probably say out loud!) eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeuuw!

I was very impressed with how the story covered the issue but in a simple and easy to understand way.
I have been trying to tackle some questions about germs from OJ. Whiffy Wilson explains it brilliantly! (Thank goodness!)

I would definitely recommend this book to other parents and those who are in child care settings who need to cover a "taking care of me" topic.

OJ
We have been talking about germs and why it is important to wash our hands/keep clean etc but also why it is okay to get messy.

OJ could talk to me about this whilst we were reading.

He enjoyed this book, especially if mummy exaggerated the voice of Dotty!

Book worm rating:

 out of 5! 

What the Ladybird Heard: Review

shhhhhh...
What did the ladybird hear?!

Title: What the Ladybird Heard

Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Lydia Monks

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Year: First published 2009/ This edition 2010

Found: Borrowed from library

What's It All About?!
The farm is a very noisy place, each animal has their own sound but the ladybird says nothing at all. One night, the ladybird hears something. Something very important indeed. She overhears two robbers plotting to steal the farmers prize cow and it's down to ladybird to whisper a plan into each animal's ear...

Review:
I don't know how this has happened, but this is the first time that I have read this story. Even as a nursery nurse, and with a copy probably within reach, I haven't picked it up! But I would definitely recommend this to fellow parents/child care professionals. Reading it to OJ was a pleasure.

This is a delightfully funny story; told through rhyme that we have come to expect and love of Julia Donaldson (Gruffalo, Gruffalo's child, Monkey Puzzle, etc).

The illustrations are bold and colourful and we enjoyed finding the glittery ladybird on each page. OJ especially liked the texture.
The rhyme and pictures really assisted in helping to maintain OJ's attention; and there was plenty for us to look at and discuss.

I thought it was clever how the story was put together and how the robbers (Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len) were tricked by the animals and how the would-be thieves ended up in the pond... and police car!

I really like how the story shows that being quiet and listening is as important as being loud and heard.

OJ:

Loved joining in with all the animal noises and especially liked the appearance of the police car... "NEENAH-NEENAAAAAAH!"

Book worm rating:

out of 5! (It's a winner!)