Where were you when you read the book?
On his bed (he’d been bouncing around so I wanted to distract him!)
What did you / your child enjoy about the book?
Where to start?
Dylan loves the pictures. A great set of illustrations. There’s a wide variety of choices on each page and all the images can spark interesting conversations. What do you like? Daddy likes this. What do we think Mummy would like? Every day we’re now choosing a different person and approaching it from their aspect. What about Teddy? Granny?
He does tend to choose the same or similar options – he’s certainly got his preferred choices which tally with his most player with toys or other activities.
The book has become a firm favourite. In spite of my initial misgivings about it not being right for bedtime, he’s taken to choosing it pretty much every night. We’ve started making up stories and backgrounds to the characters and relating locations, clothes and food to memories and real events. This has sparked a new line of storytelling.
On some nights he grandly announces he’d choose EVERYTHING on the page. That’s when I know he’s very tired and just wants to go to sleep.
Any Surprises / Feedback?
I was hoping there might be a few more words. The promise of ‘you make a different story every time’ made me think it would be similar to the (older) ‘choose your own adventure’ books.
Instead, it has a ‘Where’s Wally’ vibe, which is great for a daytime session, but also lends itself to an evening experience.
The experience has definitely evolved over multiple readthroughs.
On a rating out of 5, how likely would you recommend it to other parents?
4. It’s an enjoyable way to spend time together but not a great ‘read’ - more of an activity book. Although it does provide great prompts if you're in a creative mood and want to build your own story.