Our Little Book Nook

We love books in this house and have been reading out loud to our munchkins since day dot.
Books have become a very important and treasured part of our daily routines,pleasure and play.

We have books in most rooms in our house including bookcases in both munchkins bedrooms, so it was only natural that I looked in amazement at the beautiful spaces when I stumbled across the blog my little bookcase ideas and be filled with inspiration for our house.

I saw the opportunity to nurture our love of books and create our own special space to read, imagine, play, laugh, cry, relax, learn, listen and retreat into a world of books taking us on journeys of the book kind.

You can go anywhere you want with a book and some imagination and I wanted a space where we could capture this on the cheap.

Two weeks later I have started on our space and it's very much loved already, I tried to work with places and things we already had and let the creative juices flow :)

This is what I have come up with so far....

This is a corner of our lounge room (only carpeted room of our house), to the right of this space is a large L shaped lounge and to the left is our foyer.

The book shelf has always been here but the floor space has mostly been used for a space to store or sit toys. It didn't occur to me to take a before shot :( sorry.

Here is how we changed and added to the space:

• rearranged mummy and daddy's book so the bottom shelf was cleared for a selection of the munchkins books.
• Cleared the floor space and moved a large bean bag from another area of the lounge room for a comfy reading seat.
• Reused a woven basket to hold our library books, keeping the separate from the others and forward facing. These books get changed ever 2 weeks after our most beloved trip to the library.
• The munchkins helped me select 2 book buddies (Lou Lou the golly wog and Henry the Teddy bear) to sit on a basket along with 2 small baby blankets that are no longer in use now that our munchkins are a tad older. I assume the book buddies with change every now and again so we can read to new toys and share our book space with them.
• A homemade Dr Seuss cushion was placed in the space for comfort and another way to make the space as book territory, also adding colour and character. More cushions will come in time, I'm thinking some big floor cushions of some kind.
• A little peoples plastic playhouse has been stored beside the bookcase for an opportunity to incorporate our little people toys into our stories and to play out books (the little people are stored in a nearby toy box)
• 9 old mix matched photo frames have been saved from the world of dust and cupboards and been revamped with paint we already had. The munchkins helped select images from a few of their favorite books to place on the wall. A trip to Office works and $8.40 later we had some beautiful colour photocopies ready to frame and hang (using picture hooks we had).

So far this is the extent of the transformation but there will be more...I just don't know what yet but will update you at a later date.
An idea's are very much welcome but in the meantime we are loving our new space and I think our book time has improved and extended, less TV being watched (yay) and more imagination and dramatic play on a daily basis :D

Do you have a book space in your house?

Selected images for the wall:

Puff the Magic Dragon, The cat in the Hat, Koala Lou,

Ten Little fingers and Ten Little Toes,

Hairy Maclary and Zachery Quack,

Anamalia, Green eggs and ham,

Each Peach Pear Plum and Blinky Bill.

Miss Thalia enjoying the new space :)

A little book about red, itchy, dry, sore skin....Eczema explained for little readers..YAY!

 On a recent visit to the op shop, I took a peek at the children's books as I often do to see if there was anything worth while.

I was very surprised when I noticed this small book with Eczema in the title!!!

After getting over the shock of finding this type of book in a op shop of all places, plus reading the price at 50 cents, I had a quick flick and claimed it :)

It's not very often you see educational books for children on subjects such as Eczema!!!

 At flipping over the book to the back cover I was happy to see that this book was one of a series published about different medical conditions, educating children about health, illness and the role of the Doctor.

The book are written by a Melbourne Doctor, many of his patients were children at the time the books were published.
He has three children of his own and felt the need to educate children about their health and how to keep safe and happy.
The Doctor Toby books aim to make a visit to the Doctor less worrying for the child.

I am very thankful that this little book made it's way to our local op shop, I'm hoping the previous owners used it and had success with it helping their child/ren with the hard times of eczema.

The book deals with all the emotions, embarrassment, social awkwardness and pain that comes with eczema from a child's point of view. More importantly it gives reassurance, positive thoughts, hope, confidence and power to the affected child through the story that unfolds.

The book follows the journey of a young girl (Kim) who didn't want to attend swimming lessons and wear bathers because she was embarrassed about her skin.
Kim's Mum explains that she had had eczema when she was a baby and it might be a good time to go back and see the Doctor about what they could do to help her skin.
After a visit to the Doctor, queries about foods that might affect Kim's skin, ointments, bath oil, creams and a few weeks Kim's skin improves.
By the end of school term Kim is beginning to swim very well and is confident about who she is.

I like the fact that the book mentions that "lots of people have eczema" (making the child feel not so isolated and alone), "Eczema is not something that a doctor can just fix up right away" (not giving false hope) and that the book ends with "her skin looks very clear now. Just occasionally she uses some milder ointment if her eczema gets a little itchy again" (leaving the child knowing that Eczema doesn't have a quick fix but can be managed and make for a much happier life).

I'm hoping that my Munchkins like this book as much as me and find hope in it's pages.

I'll leave you with some of the illustrations from the book...

 

 

 

If anyone has any good children's books about Eczema please share the details :)

Little man's Camping queries

 On a recent visit to one of our local second hand shops something caught my attention while I purused the children's books.

I often scan the shelf/table to see if there are any good old favorites or interesting reads for our little family.

On this particular day it was this book:
Just me and my Dad. by Mercer Mayer

At a glance and quick leaf of the pages it looked liked the perfect purchase-  a book centered around bonding time with Dad and a good introduction to camping, seeing as we are making our first family camping adventure with some   

friends next month.

Yes you read correctly, we are embarking on a tent sleeping, food prep lacking a real kitchen for a whole weekend with 2  food sensitive/allergic toddlers, only 1 of those who will be sleeping in the walls of a port-a-cot!

I'm actually not that scared though....I think?

When I get the food plan sorted I'll start relaxing I guess, as I am still getting used to the new recipes that are coming with the elimination diet.

Back to the book - I've added pic's of some of the pages so you can see the beautiful illustrations too

 Well it wasn't long before Declan and I had a read, in the comfort of the lounge all snuggled up ...Mummy started to read.

Declan was eager to hear about more about this camping thing that I had tried to explain to him at an earlier date and he wanted in on it.
So on we read both wanting to know what was coming next (Mummy hadn't read it before buying as it was only 50 cents!!!!! BARGIN).

All the usual camping activities unfolded on the pages-
picking the camping site, 'attempting' to pitch the tent, lighting the campfire, riding in a canoe, fishing for dinner, catching the prized fish, wildlife stealing the dinner and scrambled eggs................................EGGS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Declan did a double take at the page, then looked at me with a very puzzled look.

"Mummy, not eggs....they make me sick!!!"

Mummy now realizing that Declan had put 2 and 4 together and got 10...getting very muddled and thinking that Camping means you eat eggs for dinner, obviously not a good reason for him to come camping!!

Mummy soon reassured him that even though in the book they had eggs for dinner, it didn't mean when we went camping we would have eggs. In fact we would be having much more tasty foods :)

Big sighs came from Declan and a resounding "Thanks Mummy!" *cuddles*

Declan still asks for the "camping book" to be read and he enjoys it even more, now understanding that he can eat "safe food" when we go camping.

He also reminds Mummy about his food requirements when we leaf over to the "egg page" :P

It's nice to see him becoming more aware of his allergies, even when someone hasn't pointed it out to him first.

In the last month or so he is also becoming more aware and talking about his besties (best friends) food intolerance's.

Most mornings at breakfast he will loudly proclaim that "Declan and For-Lia (Thalia) eat cows milk"

to which Mummy silently thinks 'Thank goodness for that!!'

Then Declan is quick to add that "Mummy, Austin doesn't have cow's milk he has special milk, cow's milk makes Austin sick!!"

I'm so glad Declan has a special friend that he can relate to on an allergy level, although the boys allergies are different, they have been around each other from birth and each understand that they are both special in their own little way :)

Yay for Declan becoming more aware of situations around food, as well as becoming more aware about "safe food" for friends!!!

Lets not forget a little Yay for second hand books.

Quick tips: (from Robin Stewart's 'Chemical free home' book)

• to disinfect a germy second hand book just pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds with a glass of water
• If books get wet place them in the freezer until the water crystallises and can be easily brushed off pages.
• If books have a musty smell: place bicarb soda in a fine sieve, then dust the bicarb soda lightly between the pages. Leave for a few days, then blow away bicarb soda and the musty smell!!
• If your book has mildew: Sprinkle with cornflour or bicarb soda and leave for a few days. brush clean.

allergy education wish list

I firmly believe that when it comes to allergies and/or intolerance's that knowledge is the key.
Education regarding allergies = Awareness and Knowledge
and Awareness and Knowledge = Power
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I have said in previous posts that I endeavour to bring up my children in such a way that they have confidence, pride, knowledge and awareness about who they are and that they are special despite the fact that they have a food allergy or in Thalia's case food intolerance's.
I want my children to know that they can still have fun and be proud of who they are despite the differences they might have when compared to their peers.
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I am constantly trying to find situations, opportunities and words to show/explain/teach them all these things and so far *touch wood* it seems to be working.
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The other day I received the star allergy alerts e newsletter (via e-mail) which has some very interesting fact and information along with some new products on their site.
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here is an interesting yet sad part of the newsletter:

Food Allergies and Bullying.

As if our precious allergy kids don't have enough to worry about... A new report has found that about 35% of children over the age of 5 with food allergies have been the target of bullying, teasing or harassment because of their allergies. Most reported the issues related to their having to carry medication, being set apart at mealtimes and getting special treatment.

Almost half of those children reported that the food they were allergic to had been waved in their face! This disturbing new trend is causing emotional issues in allergy kids including depression and embarrassment. We need to encourage our kids to report incidents immediately and addressed by the schools.

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Just another reason to educate children with allergies as well as their friends, family, schools, church etc.

If you are interested in receiving your own newsletter from star allergy alerts simply go to http://www.starallergyalerts.com/

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Another thing that got my attention was a line of new educational books for children with allergy's aimed at the 3-6 yr olds. Defiantly one for my wish list!!!!

take a look.

Fantastic NEW Freddy the Mouse Books!!

This gorgeous range of educational books aimed at 3 to 6 year olds, feature gentle informative stories about friends with severe food allergies and anaphylaxis.

The stories are told in a clear and relevant way, using characters that children cannot help but fall in love with! They offer an invaluable introduction to food allergies, and provide useful framework to support discussion between adult and child.

Priced at $22.95 each or the Set of 3 books for $54.95! (SAVE $13.90!)

Freddy meets Ginger - The fox who was allergic to eggs

Freddy meets Ginger, a fox who is severely allergic to eggs. As Freddy and Ginger have some autumn fun, Ginger eats some egg by mistake and soon becomes unwell. Join Freddy and his friends as they learn what to do when confronted with a severe egg allergy.

Freddy and Isobel are off to the beach. As they play with an exciting new friend, Isobel has some milk by mistake and becomes ill. Join Freddy and his new exciting friend as they learn how to help Isobel deal with a severe milk allergy.

Product details

Freddy meets Nutmeg- The squirrel allergic to nuts

Freddy meets Nutmeg in the garden, a young squirrel who is severely allergic to nuts. As Nutmeg is meeting friends in the garden, she eats some nuts by mistake and becomes sick. Join Freddy and Nutmeg as they learn how to deal with a severe nut allergy.

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Another book that wasn't in the newsletter but is definitely a must on my wanted books list is The BugaBees friends with food allergies:

   

Written by Amy Recob, BugaBees characters are based on the eight foods that account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions:peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, soy, eggs and wheat. "The BugaBees -Friends with Food Allergies" brings fresh optimism and fun to children dealing with the everyday challenges of managing a food allergy. Additional activities and talking points in the back of the book inspire further learning and teaching opportunities for young children and their caregivers.
*Price includes extra $5 P&H charge.

 Price: $ 24.95 AU + postage and handling

Freddy meets Isobel - The mouse who was allergic to milk

so there you go, thought I'd share my finds

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Here's to allergy awareness and knowledge, educating my munchkins to live a life with allergies and do it well!