The Dog on Stilts Review #DaddyReads

It's no secret that I read stories for my children every evening, even if it means halting meetings when I'm away from home to create stories about the train to London, weird people and even the gargantuan funny stairs taking me from the insanity of the train networks to the sanctity of the rainy day outside. It's probably one of the only things I do for my children that can influence their futures by feeding their imaginations, something all children need in my opinions.

We are very fortunate to be sent a beautifully crafted hardback of epic proportions to review by the lovelies at Superhairies last week, that beautiful hardback is Dog On Stilts. By children's bookwriting* duo James Thorp and Angus Mackinnon (Guys, could I get some of Earl Ketchup's toast please?)

But who is the Dog On Stilts? Meet Medium Dog is just an average, everyday dog - not particularly tall or spotty or interesting in any way. So he dreams up a way to become extraordinary, a dog to be noticed at last! An exquisitely illustrated story about friendship and the desire to be 'more',  from the creators of the Weasel Puffin Unicorn Baboon Pig Lobster Race book.

I'm far from a book reviewer so forgive me for my ham-fisted approach here but let's tell the truth parent to parent here.
There are books designed to be read to children while many are good it feels like there are many rehashes of classic tales and those books so quick they're already over the moment you grasp the imaginations. And then you get books that completely captivate the imagination of those reading, listening and admiring the illustrations, Dog On Stilts is a winner all round on this in our house.

From it's beautiful illustrations, it's sections in small chunks easy for a child and to one of the best surprised I've seen in a while (it's coming later) The SuperHairies have done a fabulous job here on this book to encourage young imaginations to grow and expand through written word.

I liked the book so much I bought the Daddy reads video series out of retirement.




Now if you've watched the video you may know about the surprise. Well, one of them anyway, but there is another and it's none other than Dog On Stilts, The Musical! A musical story treat your children will love,

While I can read like a loon the musicians have captured the story in a way I didn't think was possible, while it may not be to everyone's taste it should be a favourite with many.

I've gone to the trouble of embedding this for your aural pleasure



This book in my eyes is set to be a modern children's classic, a classic that would be at home on any book shelf and well loved through the generations, with the amount of love and attention given by the SuperHairies it's clear to me it's one of the children's books to buy.

Where can you buy the book? Well the hardback is available in stores now ready to take home with with an RRP of £10.99,with the Musical available freely on their soundcloud as embedded above.

For more information on the SuperHairies clicky here 

Thanks for reading
Paul

*Their own words, lifted from twitter.

Dear Zoo is 30! Happy Birthday

Me and Vee were invited to the 30th birthday celebrations for the book, Dear Zoo.

Dear Zoo is a book by Rod Campbell. I remember this book being read in lower school to us. It brings back very happy memories for me personally. A classic unchanged through time which will last long into the future for the next generations of children to love

We arrived in London to be welcomed by Event organizer Sally and Fleurble, the Zoo Keeper. Fleurble is a very special Zookeeper, she's discovered the secret switch to a child's imagination, sadly most grown up's lose this button as we grow up. (I thought I found it. But it was just my eye!)

Fleuble (image credit Vee) 

Once everyone arrived we moved downstairs to our little party zone, Fleurble Gathered the children on the floor to read the story, choosing some of children to be one of the pets from the zoo. Vee was lucky to be chosen and loved to be the lion. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWW!

Suddenly MEERKATS!

Here is a video of Fleurble earlier today!


The Zookeeper told the story in such a way that captivated the children's minds extremely well, even Vee who seems to grow bored easilly stayed sat throughout.

Rod arrived for Q&A session with questions from people on twitter and us there. I never knew he was a scientist and an artist before he wrote Dear Zoo. It turns out a friend suggested he made a children's book from seeing his artwork. 30 years down the road and we have a much loved around the world family book.
He also told us how flap books used to be a luxury and were locked away from children many years back and how he plans to go back to painting and
art soon as he's not in a while.

I also asked Rod privately what his thoughts of the eBook and educational apps avaliable were(at this point i did not know he had an app for Dear Zoo. He told me he felt apps become games to children, instead of an experience. And how he prefers books over apps.
Rod is true gentleman, very lovely person. He signed  our copy of Dear Zoo. I apologise for not thanking you for your time to talk with me. (vee was being a monster) I appriciate it none the less .


Sadly I had to rush off at 4pm to catch the last off peak train before 7pm. But it seems everyone had a fantastic day,  Huge thanks for the party celebrations. It was an amazing day.

If you love and remember Dear zoo as much as many of us do, visit the Dear Zoo pages on PanMacmillan's website for the chance to win an ipad3 with Dear Zoo app preloaded.

Also for more info on Dear Zoo or to buy a copy
Click here 

A few more photos from the day are on my MOLOME Stream


Many thanks to Rod Campbell, Sally from PanMacmillan, Fleur Alexander the storyteller, Vee for her photos (flickr link coming soon)

Also An apology. I called Rod Rob on some of my tweets today. Yes I'm an Muppet. But a truly sorry one at that.

Paul