Week 6: A Bear Called Paddington

This week's book:
A Bear Called Paddington
By Michael Bond

We finished Paddington (the original one, not some picture book from Kohls) with our big kindergartner the other night. The hubs and I had been reading it to him a chapter off and on again for what seemed like months. He always said that he would want to read something else but when Hubby would start to read, little man would perk up and listen.

A few months ago at kindergarten round up, one, if not all of the teachers said there would be no homework for the new kindergarten students. All they really wanted the parents to do is read to your kids twenty minutes a day. I mean yes, encourage the kids to work on writing and math and social skills and such, but reading was key. I heard all of these parents in the bleachers where all us new school aged parents were nervous, sitting, just gasping and saying "twenty minutes a night? How are we going to fit that much time of reading EVERY DAY?" I was shocked at their response. I love to read to my babies; it's actually my favorite part of being a parent. I mean it's a way that you can have your too-old-to-snuggle little ones want to cuddle up and listen to a story. I will gladly read Dragons Love Tacos five times in a row if it means both of my kids are listening and not trying to kill themselves or each other.

I also love that it sets a good example for the kids loving to read. Almost every night, if you were to sneak into our little guy's room he is reading a book, and if he's already asleep he's surround by books in bed with him. Our two year old princess loves to "read" her books too. She already has favorite books and if you ask her to get out a certain book she has no problem going over to get said book.

But back to Paddington, I have always loved him. When I was little my parents got me a Paddington music box and piggy bank when they went to London. I'm remembering it being because my dad had a research trip for one of his books or something, but don't quote me. I have loved that marmalade loveing bear ever since. I can honestly say I still liked the book twenty some years later. I think it's adorable and watching your little one listen to a story while holding the stuffed animal from the book (yes i am a sucker for the stuffed animal book tie in, thank you Kohls very much) makes it that much more cute. I would recommend to read to your little ones or to go back to your childhood. And don't worry the book isn't anywhere as dark as the movie version with Nicole Kidmen, no taxidermy at all. Have a great week!