Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

"Gorilla lets out his friends, he sneak to zookeepers bed, animals say goodnight, he have to go back home"

Another favourite! A mischievous Gorilla takes zookeepers keys and sneakily lets out all his friends for a nighttime adventure. This picture book is great for the children to practise their own story-telling, and is easily set up with toy animals for a longer game (though you might need to buy an aardvark!).

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us! Remember to use your funny names, please!

Alfie Gets in First by Shirley Hughes

"We don't close the door, do we?"

Alfie shuts the door with his Mummy and little sister Annie Rose still outside. Too upset and too little to open the door, Alfie's friends from his street come to help. The children enjoy the problem solving aspect to this story (how will Mummy get in? how can Alfie open the door if he can't reach?) and discuss what they would do in the same situation.

Children at Irene and Anna's house: Don't open the door yourself unless a grown-up you know gives you permission! Would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us! Remember not to use your real name, but your funny name instead!

Guest Post!: Billy's Bucket by Kes Gray and Garry Parsons

"Billy's Bucket is my favourite book at Irene's Library because there are interesting buckets in the bucket shop.

5 stars!"

Our guest post today today was written and labelled by one of the brilliant children at Irene's house.

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us! Remember to use your funny name, not your real one!

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

"The mouse is scared of the gruffalo, but the other animals are scared of the mouse, so the gruffalo is scared of the mouse... is that right?"

A bit too complicated for younger children, this book and its lovely rhyming is still enjoyable. Despite needing more of an explanation (and a bit of acting out), the children love the story and independently make poisonous warts for the ends of their own noses.

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us! Remember to use your funny names instead of your real ones!

The Snail and The Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

"A whale and a snail"

One of our all-time favourites, this story about a restless snail and the whale who takes him on a big adventure has given us lots of ideas for play at Irene and Anna's house. Snail trails, rescues and a bit of explanation make this suitable for children 2 years old and upwards.

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us!

Really Really by Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt

"It's about a girl called Daisy and she has a babysitter round. She fibs then says 'really really'"

Probably better for slightly older children, needs a bit of explaining and demonstrating little lies with crossed fingers, but that's always fun for the over-3s!

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us!

When Willy Went to the Wedding by Judith Kerr

"A Dad and a Mum getting married in their wedding. Willy accidentally brought his pets"

Willy finds a friend in his new brother-in-law Bruce when his Great Aunt gets a bit annoyed at his animals. Younger children like to see the animals making a mess, and the older children like talking about Willy getting into trouble and how he could avoid it/make it worse!

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us!

Beware of The Frog by William Bee

"Mrs Collywobbles had a big frog and a sneak thief, he just came and GOBBLE! He's awfully smelly! But, oh dear, a frog doesn't look very pleased about that!"

One of my favourites, this book about a protective guard frog is a bit too scary for younger children, but the older ones (from around 2 and a half) find it VERY funny (and still a little bit scary!).

Children at Irene and Anna's house: would you like to borrow this book? Leave a comment for us!

First Post

This is the first post in Irene's Library, and it's a test one at that.