Angela McAllister’s Top Ten Favourite Children’s Books

Angela McAllister is the author of A Year Full of Stories and the recently published A World Full of Stories. Two wonderful books which my girls are really enjoying at the moment. Angela’s ability in collecting such wonderfully rich stories and comprising them into these two beautifully illustrated books is a gift and I’m so happy she agreed to share her top ten children’s books with us. You’ll agree it’s a fabulous list and I’m rather inspired to look up a few from her list for my girls. Enjoy and thank you Angela!

1. Next Stop Grand Central by Maira Kalman  – This book is a masterpiece. On my first trip to New York I had to get an extra suitcase to carry all the books I bought and this one is my favourite. It tells of the extraordinary variety of people who work in Grand Central Station and the life that goes on there from dawn to dusk; the maintenance, the services, the restaurants, the greetings and partings, the hints of exotic destinations, all of life is here, full of colour and quirkiness. Even minor characters are so fascinating that you want to follow them out of the book into whatever life they came from. Maira Kalman’s vivacity is expressed not only in her compelling illustrations but also in the way she paints pictures with words. It’s a great book to inspire young writers.

2. Over and Under by Kate Messner –  Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. In contrast to the more zany books on this list, here is something as gentle and full of wonder as snow itself. A girl and her father ski through the snowy woods, while we are simultaneously shown the secret world under the snow where the smallest forest animals stay safe and warm. This is a wonderful example of the exciting growth of non-fiction picture books and has become an instant favourite. I particularly like the pages at the end with extra information, further reading and links.

3. A Near Thing For Captain Najork by Russell Hoban – Illustrated by Quentin Blake. This sequel to the equally wonderful How Tom Beat Captain Najork And His Hired Sportsmen is a riot of a story about a boy who invents anti-sticky while fooling around with his chemistry set. When he uses this amazing new technology to create a mechanical jam-powered frog, his adversary, Captain Najork, pursues him in a five-man undulating snake, to settle an old score. The climax is an arm-wrestling match between two of the most extraordinary female characters in children’s literature. I love this for its exuberant nonsense. It’s the perfect pairing of two masterful picture book creators.

4. The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate by Margaret Mahy – Illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain – I can’t possibly have a top ten without pirates in it, or either of these brilliant Margarets! An ‘ordinary little man’ who works in a drab office is persuaded by his mother, an old retired pirate, to take her to visit the sea. In a liberating journey of discovery, the man comes to understand his true nature and becomes a pirate himself. This is the book to read if you ever need reminding how good it is to be alive, but beware, you may feel an irresistible urge to go the sea afterwards.

5. The Green Ship by Quentin Blake – This is a magical book that tells the story of a summer holiday in which two children, staying with their aunt, discover a topiary ship in the neighbour’s garden. A beautiful relationship grows between the old neighbour, her gardener and the children. Together they make imaginary voyages around the world, cross the equator and brave a storm. Quentin Blake’s sketchy, atmospheric illustrations here have quite a different feel to those in the first book on this list. It’s a lovely evocation of how age and youth can make believe together. Perfect for anyone who would love to play in an old, overgrown garden.

6. The Two Admirals by David McKee – When a famous retired Admiral moves into a quiet village the locals are proud to have him there. They don’t complain about his powerful presence. They tolerate him boasting that he can do everything better than anyone else. However, when a second self-important admiral moves in and the two start to compete with each other in absurd ways, life becomes intolerable for the villagers. If only all larger than life, boastful characters could be dealt with by offering a prize to the one who could keep the peace longest! David McKee also gave us the wonderful Mr Ben and King Rollo books along with many others. Most of all, I love the tremendous wit and warmth with which he observes people. Pure joy!

7. The Witch’s Children by Ursula Jones – Illustrated by Russell Ayto. How I wish I’d written this book! It’s a fairy tale fizzing with energy and invention. I love the great design and characterisation in the illustrations and there is so much content that you find something new with each reading. The story is packed with drama – it’s almost like watching a play.

8. In The Attic by Hiawyn Oram – Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura. Another fabulous exploration of the imagination, showing how creative the state of boredom can be. With so much constant stimulation around children now it’s more important than ever to allow the quiet time needed to develop imagination. It takes tremendous skill to write such a spare, evocative text as this and Satoshi is a genius with astonishing poetic energy and inventiveness in all his work.

9. Time To Get Out Of The Bath, Shirley by John Burningham – This is a great example of how a picture book can offer a distinct visual narrative alongside the text. While Mum busies about in the bathroom, the reader shares Shirley’s imaginary adventure as she shrinks to be very small and rides her toy duck away through the waste pipe, to a land of witches, knights and an eccentric royal joust. At once familiar and strange, there’s plenty of delicious detail to discover and lots to discuss when sharing this. The world of fantasy plumbing on the endpapers inspired hours of inventive drawing in our house.

10. Bijan and Manije by Ali Seidabadi – Illustrated by Marjan Vafaian. This ancient Persian story, rewritten by Nicolette Jones is one of several books from Tiny Owl who are bringing wonderful Iranian writers and artists to our bookshelves. When I went to the Sharjah Book Fair in the UAE last year I was particularly moved by some of the illustration from Iran and this rich, colourful book is a great example of the exciting work from that region. Folk tales and legends have universal appeal and never age. How wonderful that we can tell our children a story that began in the 10th century!

Vanessa x

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When teenagers challenge — a tip for how to respond

I have a dear friend who is a mentor and life coach in all senses of the word, offering advice to everyone at all stages of life — from how to develop healthy sleep habits with your baby to dealing with the death of a loved one.  She’s also a mother of four, including two teenage children, so she’s been a perfect sounding board for me as we navigate our way into the first stages of teenage-hood with our eldest. (Free friend counselling! Lucky me!)

The other day I was chatting with her and had mentioned that Easton (aged 12 and a half) has been starting to challenge me and assert his opinion in social situations. For example, I will be talking with a friend, telling a story (unaware that he is even nearby) and he will interject and correct me. It can be about something so little, like the colour of the sky or the size of the waves, but he feels this need to assert himself and correct me, as if to say ‘hey, I’m becoming an adult, and my opinion matters here’, but without the social awareness to know that it’s inconsiderate to interject in that moment.  My friend told me this is SO NORMAL. She also told me she had already observed this happening with him (which obviously made me feel better to know that I wasn’t just making it up), and she offered advice for how to deal with this when it happens.

Instead of correcting him back or challenging him, which only adds fuel to the fire, I should just simply say something like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting that we saw it differently’ and allow him to feel valued in his opinion without encouraging him to continue correcting me. She mentioned that in these pre-teen and early teenage years, children will often throw out a hook and wait for their parents to bite. When their parents bite, they start to reel in and the rage/aggression/anger/rebellion kicks in and escalates. If we as parents can recognise that our children are throwing out hooks and how to avoid biting, we will be able to navigate this phase much more easily. Isn’t that a good tip?

I’ve spent the past couple weeks noticing the ‘hooks’ he’s casting out, trying my hardest not to bite, and I must say that it has lead to more patience on my part and fewer arguments in general. It also always helps to remind myself that his behaviour is totally normal. I think the more we see the things our children do as normal parts of their development (in all stages, not just teenage-hood), the easier it is to react, respond and eventually overcome. As our children grow older, we have a tendency as parents to expect them to become more mature, and as a result, we have less patience for their behaviour, but really the teenage phase requires more patience and understanding than ever before.

Do you have a pre-teen or teenager and have you noticed similar challenging? I’d be curious to hear how you’re navigating this phase and any tips you might have.

Courtney x

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The best re-usable shopping bag, by Flip & Tumble

A few years ago (was it 5, already??), Courtney and I met up in NY with the lovely Annie from Brimful. She brought us a few of the cutest, most thoughtful gifts. One of those gifts was a re-usable Flip & Tumble bag, which she told me was simply the best re-usable shopping bag ever. I still carry that same bag with me all the time. It is indeed so good!

The great thing about the Flip & Tumble bags is that they don’t need to be meticulously folded back in a little pouch, but they can simply be stuffed it in a tiny stretchy pouch which then easily fits in a handbag or purse. The bags are super strong and lightweight (and look cool), they even have an anti-slip shoulder pad. And they are really generously sized. I can always fit in more than I think!

Fact is that plastic bags take 500 to 1000 years to decompose in landfill sites. Carrying a re-usable shopping bag with you at all times saves our environment so much! I really love these Flip & Tumble bags — we all keep one in our bag now. (They also make fun little presents, as Annie already knew 5 years ago!)

xxx Esther

PS I love our ShopUp totes too — they’re the best!

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Weekend Getaway: family-friendly Malta

Lisa Frendo lives in Malta with her husband and two daughters, Maia (4 years old) and Izzy (1 year old). With a previous career in marketing she has always had a passion for creativity, and when she became a mother, she was driven to start up something of her own. What started off with a search for unique and great quality gifts for her firstborn, turned into an amazing venture. She started Three little pigs in 2014 to offer a place for people to find beautifully crafted, innovative toys and games.  She wanted to go back to basics and inspire children (and parents) to enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood by allowing them to be drawn into the magic of their world. Such a lovely story! 

Here is Lisa’s guide to a kid-friendly Malta:

What it lacks in size Malta surely makes up for in its unique beauty with a perfect mix of culture and diversity.  Before getting started on local discoveries a car rental would be recommended, and once you get past the shock of the loco driving, exploring the islands by car would be the most rewarding.

The most charming time to visit Malta would be Autumn, October and November, when the flood of tourists has cleared the scene and the air has cooled down to a comfortable 24°, making local adventures ineffable.

STAY:

• Originally a seafront townhouse, Hotel Juliani, a family run boutique hotel set in the very popular town of St Julian’s, offers a truly relaxed environment where city meets seaside. They really do commit themselves to offering a personalised service… and the roof top is just a stunning spot!
• Another love of ours is the very charming La Falconeria situated in the heart of the glorious capital Valletta. Beautifully designed staying true to the Maltese character, La Falconeria is a gem. The staff are wonderfully accommodating and with the additional option of delicious in house dining (L’Artiglio being absolutely delicious) makes it all the more convenient for families to have a great meal without needing to venture very far.
• For families who prefer the self-catering option, then a stay at Essentially Rentals would be a definite. We love their quirky design and they are a great concept for families who prefer the comfort of a fully equipped apartment with the relief of a delicate stay.

EAT:

• Always at the top of our list is Zen Japanese Restaurant. It has the best sushi on the island (the seared scallops with lime are to die for) and also has a fun teppanyaki bar – might not be the best place for children but stunning for an adult night out!
• Some great fish restaurants are Scoglitti which is easily accessible with the Ferry Boat from the Sliema Ferries to Valletta – always a fun trip for the kids. Tartarun and Terrone, both in Marsaxlokk, are also great options.
• Others like Wigi’s Kitchen and Cuccagna are some of our other favourites which offer comfort food classics and seasonal specials for everyone to enjoy.

SHOP:

• If you are after something local to take back home then a visit to Stephanie Borg’s studio is a must. A vibrant range of mugs, espresso cups, prints, placemats and coasters, all inspired by Malta’s local scene are just absolutely gorgeous.
• Republic Street and Merchant Street, Valletta would be your mainstream shopping areas and also a great start to getting your bearings around this unique city.
• Then there is the Birgu Flea Market which is held on a Sunday morning, and is a unique opportunity to mingle with the locals and spot a great vintage bargain or two!

DO: You have your typical theme parks, but it’s visits to some of the most unique places which make Malta so special.

• Lose yourself wandering the narrow streets and alleys of Mdina and discover an absolutely stunning city. You can also hop-onto a sightseeing train tour around Rabat which provides running commentary on the sights and is great fun for children.
• If your kids are a little older, there are some great family walks and trails in the countryside, away from the resorts and urban areas of central Malta. Areas such as Mellieha, GhajnTuffieha, Dingli, GharLapsi, Fawwara and Wardija offer stunning views and are great walks for the family to enjoy. The north walks allow for a quick pit stop to the beach– always a bonus! – or even a sunset horse ride alongthe coast.
• A historical day out with visits to St Agatha’s Crypt & Catacombs and St Paul’s Catacombs, Hagar Qim and GharDalam are great educational visits.
• Go underwater! For children 8 years + Malta Blue Dive School offer a diving course in their onsite pool and children enjoy as they learn the basics of scuba diving techniques whilst having fun playing underwater games, including even a treasure hunt.

We hope you will enjoy our little island as much as we do!!

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The second trimester of your pregnancy | what essentials do you need?

The second trimester is when your body really starts to grow and you will feel your baby kick for the first time. You will radiate that amazing pregnancy glow. But you might also feel more tired and less energised than normal — much energy is now going to the growth and development of your baby! (I think I went to bed at the same time as my kids every night!)

I shared my top ten first trimester essentials a few months ago, and additionally, here is my list for the second trimester.

10 essentials you need in the second trimester

1. Good basics: Now is the time to invest in comfortable maternity basics. Summer pregnancies are perhaps a bit easier — it’s all about staying cool! But in wintertime, I’m a big fan of layering. Good basics are a real must! I love the Storq maternity leggings and tank. The quality is amazing, they’re nice and thick and keep their colour even after tons of washes. I also love the Boob basics. This merino wool bra and singlet are warm and wonderful, and I also love this long sleeved t-shirt. (Will come in handy while breastfeeding too!) Nice maternity tights are great as they stretch over the belly and don’t have a seam in the middle. And Isabella Oliver has a great turtleneck that I like. Once your under layers are set, the only thing you need to do is find a cute dress or tunic, or a fun oversized jumper, and you’re covered! (BTW, I’ve got some great quality basics that were passed down from friends. The good thing about nice, timeless maternity basics is that they have such a long lifespan!)
2. Belly oil: To help with that tight, stretchy feeling on your belly, and to soothe the itching. My absolute favourite oil is from Eve & Rose, it is lovely and dry and has an amazing, gentle scent (and no nasties!). Bérengère, the proprietor, just had a little baby boy and is currently on maternity leave. If you can wait, her shop opens again mid February. Otherwise, I also like the Weleda massage oil, it’s a bit thicker.
3. Maternity clothing: I love nice maternity pieces that go beyond pregnancy. The fashion of Hatch is one of my favourites — I also wear it when I’m not pregnant! Also, this Caftan dress by Storq is super flattering, and so clever — it comes with a belt but can also be worn without, and opens far enough to allow for breastfeeding. (Loved seeing these photos of Courtney again, wearing it when pregnant with Wilkie last year!)
4. Yoga. Nadia was my yoga instructor back in the days when I lived in London (I followed her classes when I was pregnant with Sara 12 years ago!). Her pregnancy yoga DVD offers short, 20-minute classes, which are great. (BTW, These leopard yoga leggings are super great and so cool looking!)
5. Safe (natural) medication and remedies:. If you’re suffering from heartburn, I find that hot tea with lemon, ginger and honey can bring relief. For a stuffy nose, you can get saline nasal spray or mist. For bad headaches, it’s best to use paracetamol / acetaminophen (I did have a strong headache a few times).
6. A warm, comfy cardigan: Again, great for layering, or simply to relax with and cocoon in. I wear mine all the time!
7. Snacks: I love citrus fruit these days. Perhaps that’s my pregnancy craving this time? Plus, these totally raw chocolates by Ridiculously Good are totally addictive and easy to keep in your purse, in case of a sudden, unexpected chocolate craving :). Crackers with cheese are good to have around too. And nuts! (Last night, I needed crackers with cheese at midnight. Crazy.)
8. A maternity swimsuit: Swimming is a great workout when you’re pregnant. I makes you feel light and floaty : ). This Boob swimsuit is super flattering, stretches allllll the way, and can be used after pregnancy as well, as it covers the unflattering bits nicely and allows for discreet breastfeeding.
9. Comfy slippers: I love boiled wool ones like Gieswein, Gerups or Kitzbühel. And comfy shoes (clogs!) and cosy socks, too!
10. Night / nursing / lounge dress: I’m loving this pretty shaped lounge dress from Francis & Henri. It is made of such a beautifully soft jersey fabric — so comfortable and lovely to wear! It has a deep V-neck which looks flattering and also magically stretches, allowing for easy breastfeeding too.

xxx Esther

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The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill

Frederick John Horniman was a Victorian tea trader and philanthropist who passionately traveled and collected cultural and natural objects and artefacts from all over the world. Originally he started to exhibit his extensive collection of curiosities in his family residence on London Road. However when the collection started to take over the entire house, Mr. Horniman commissioned the construction of a museum building in Forest Hill (near Dulwich). The building was designed by the architect Charles Harrison Townsend in a beautiful arts and crafts style, and the Horniman Museum opened to the public in 1901, as a ‘free gift to the people’.

The Horniman Museum is a fabulous place to spend time. It is extremely family friendly, and has so much to do and discover. The beautifully landscaped gardens house different animals and a butterfly garden to scroll through and discover. Plus, offer a fantastic view over the city of London!

Then there’s the historic Natural History Gallery with its beautiful, originally antique displays showcasing all sorts of taxidermy and skeletons. Very intriguing! The musical gallery houses an extensive collection of musical instruments (over 1300 of them!). Plus, there’s an aquarium with all sorts of aquatic life to study and discover.

Most of the Horniman Museum is free for everyone, however for the the butterfly gardens and aquarium you need to buy tickets. There are also additional expositions and events — just check the calendar on the website! Best is to head over to the information desk as soon as you come in, to see what’s going on that day. (Please note that it also is recommended to pre-book the butterfly garden on the website if you’re interested in going.)

We visited the museum around Halloween, and it was so festive! There were fun Halloween crafts to do, a halloween arts and crafts market in the gorgeous greenhouse… And all sorts of other Halloween events. And the weekly farmers’ market in the garden was set up as on every Saturday.

This museum is definitely worth a visit, even if it means taking a day trip out of the centre of the city!

xxx Esther

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The Great Race, Written and Illustrated by Christopher Corr

We’ll soon be celebrating Chinese New Year (next month!) and this animated book, The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Christopher Corr is the traditional tale of how every animal has earned its place in the Chinese zodiac by taking part in the Great Race. Florence was captivated from the first page of this book with the bright detailed illustrations. She spent so long examining each page! The story with its twists and turns played out carefully enlisting each animal and how they either worked sneakily or brilliantly as a team in their bid to gain success. The story ends explaning just why the cat and the rat’s relationship has changed to this very day.

With the noted themes of friendship and sharing running throughout the story, this is a great read-aloud story, one for all ages. It’s visually fun and Corr’s use of colour really inspires.

Christopher Corr is a well established illustrator having travelled extensively always carrying a sketchbook with him. His travels of China and his visit to the British Museum researching Chinese painting and ceramics are so evident within his work in this book. Helena has been so amazed by this book she wants to take a visit next time we’re in London to see the Chinese work Corr has so many times observed.

This is an ideal story to celebrate Chinese New Year and brings so much more thought and creativeness with it. You can purchase it directly from the publisher, Frances Lincoln here, and they ship throughout Europe, US and Canada.

Vanessa x

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A ‘first period’ box, to prepare for the first menstruation

Slowly but steadily I’m getting the news of Sara’s friends getting their first period. Between the age of 11 and 13 it will most likely take place. (Of course some girls are younger, and some are older.) Sara is not there yet, but it might not be that long now!

Do you remember getting your first period? For me, it wasn’t a big event — my mum just smiled and handed me a sanitary pad, and that was it. A little later, a friend showed me how to use tampons and I’ve never looked back!

I want Sara to be more prepared for when it happens, so I thought it would be cute to get her a box of ‘period necessities’. I also included a few other treats to make it all fun. Getting your period is not a big deal, but at the same time it totally is! It’s a step in the transition from girl to woman, it’s a big change, and on the other hand, it’s something so incredibly normal to all women. It should be totally discussable, acceptable and even celebrated!

Here’s what I put in the box:

• a range of organic tampons and sanitary pads in different absorbencies (from MyFreda and Yoni)
• lavender bags for a relaxing bath
• lavender essential oil to use in a diffuser in her room (also relaxing, and calming)
• a cute box of herbal tea with honey straws
• a bar of her favourite chocolate : )
• a little ’emergency’ pouch for in her school backpack, with a few tampons, pads and some sanitary wipes. I also included a few painkillers, in case she suddenly gets cramps.

When I gave her the box, she was so excited! She immediately put the emergency pouch in her backpack and told me she already had been worrying about what would happen if her period would start at school. It was a good opportunity to explain a thing or two about pads and tampons, how to use them and what to do if you leak, etc. (She had been talking with her friends about this too, who already are having their periods.) It was also a good time again to explain more in depth about the uterus and the monthly cycle, about cramps and tender breasts and hormones and mood swings. Thankfully Sara is very comfortable with her body and she knows that she can always come to me with questions.

It’s a safe feeling for her (and me!) to know that we are now prepared for her first period, and that there are a few treats waiting for when it happens : ).

xxx Esther

PS If you’re curious about the box — this is just a box I found in our trash and decorated myself with an illustration I found in (last year’s?) Flow for paperlovers…

PPS Some sweet gifts for a girl who just had her first period. These would be cute to include too!

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The ACE hotel London — fun, cool and family-friendly

The ACE hotel London is conveniently located in Shoreditch, one of London’s hippest and most creative urban neighbourhoods, with all sorts of trendy galleries, restaurants and shops right on your doorstep. (Check out our guide for Shoreditch here!) The ACE hotel itself reflects the creativity of its surrounding area. The lounge is always filled with hipsters, working on their fancy laptops and drinking their fancy coffee or smoothie from the ACE café. It’s all just very, very cool.

We’ve now stayed in the ACE hotel London twice, with all four of our kids. It’s been a huge success both times. You might not immediately think that such a hipster hotel is a very family friendly environment… But it totally is!

We love the ‘Super de luxe double double room’. We’ve requested the specific one with a daybed in front of the window. The ACE staff is always easy and eager to accommodate: they will just make the daybed into two extra beds, so we can share this room the six of us. Which by itself, the kids LOVE! Then, there’s a table, a luxurious bathroom with bath, and, perhaps the funnest part of this room, a cool turntable with a collection of vintage vinyl!!

Downstairs, the restaurant is conveniently opened all day and has a yummy menu including some good choices for children. They provide cute colouring books and masks and the atmosphere is easy and laid back.

The ACE hotel London really is an experience by itself, but also a great base to explore London. There’s public transport (busses and overground train) in close proximity. If you would like to leave this fun neighbourhood at all, that is!

xxx Esther

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Merci Maman — prettiest hand engraved, personalised necklaces

I don’t tend to wear a lot of jewellery, I actually don’t even have pierced ears! Every piece of jewellery I do own has some sentimental value. A little trinket bought on a holiday, or a present for a special occasion. Possibly not worth much, but very valuable to me nonetheless.

For our 10 year anniversary Esther, Courtney and I received a gift from the lovely brand Merci Maman. They are so special! A necklace with a little plaque that has 3 little xxx engraved on it, representing the 3 of us and the letter X in roman script. Super cute, right? And it is something we will always treasure, as it is a great memento of the adventure we embarked on together, ten years ago.

Merci Maman was founded 10 years ago (just like Babyccino!) by Beatrice, a French mom living in London. She started out engraving at her kitchen table, but now leads a team of 30. I love this story and the spirit behind it. Each plaque is unique, and has been hand-engraved with a personal message. Traditionally children in France received a gold plaque for their birthday or baptism, with the specific date engraved on it. I love this modern interpretation of this tradition.

Emilie x

PS Many Thanks to Little Kin Photography for taking the lovely photos at our anniversary party last December!

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Walnut Shell Animals, such a sweet craft to do with the kids!

My daughter is going to Steiner (Waldorf) School and every year in November there is Martinsmarkt, which is a special 2-day event with different kinds of activities held in almost all the classrooms. And all families participate. Last year we had to either buy or create little treasures for the Fishing Game. They had to be small enough to fit into tiny sacks that were then caught with “fishing rods”.

So this is how I came up with this idea of making different cute animals from all the walnut shells laying around our house and they turned out much better than I first feared! These are also, just like all my crafts, very easy to make too, they do take a tiny bit more drying time though.

So, what you need is:
– Halved walnut shells
– Paint
– Sealer
– Paintbrushes

First I paint all the shells white, so the final colors are more intense. You can do this once or twice. Do wait until the first color is dry before applying the second layer.

After the white paint dries to the touch (it takes about half an hour or not even that much) I paint them with their primary colors (ladybugs – red, hedgehogs – brown, bees – yellow etc.). I do this two times and wait in-between until they are dry again. Now, with three or even four layers of color it’s better to wait a couple of hours for them to dry completely. Ok, one hour if you’re impatient like I am.

And finally, the real fun begins! Drawing their faces, noses, eyes, stripes, dots, tails… Again, after drawing the face wait for them to dry and then go to eyes and everything else.
Now let them rest over the night and then use a sealer if you wish (spray is the best, because some paint tend to smudge when applying the sealer with a brush; please trust my word, I have learned the hard way!). I used a sealer on the ladybug and the bee, not on the hedgehog – you can see the difference. Also, the sealer makes them much more resilient to the kids’ play; it makes them live longer.

Aren’t they super cute? They are played with in our house all the time. I’m even thinking about making them into brooches, has anyone any idea how could I do that? I thought about maybe filling them with paper clay and then knead the pin into it or glue on, but I’m worried clay might fall out… Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Polona xx

PS Painting rocks!

***

You can follow Polona on Instagram or visit her online boutique Baby Jungle shop!

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The Secret Society of Letter Writers, by Master Boddington

The Secret Society of Letter Writers (S.S.L.W.)… If something sparks the imagination of a ten-year-old, it is Secrets and Societies! A while ago, I brought home a little card from the ShopUp in New York, inviting the reader (in this case Pim) to join the S.S.L.W. The Secret Society of Letter Writers strives ‘to honour and protect the hand-written letter’. The aim is to entice members (children) to re-discover the hand-written note, doing so by sending out regular post with ‘important news, secret messages, letter writing projects, pen pals and the club’s annual Who’s Who’. So fun!

Pim sent the application card back, and it wasn’t long before the first mail for him started to arrive from New York. A cool membership card with a pledge to honour the hand-written letter (to be signed), a form for a pen pal search… Plus a card enticing him to start writing his own notes or letters (with bullet points to cross off for each handwritten card).

After a few days a personal, handwritten note arrived from the S.S.L.W., and now Pim was intrigued. That afternoon, he wrote two notes to his two best friends. And after a few days, he got his first reply! It is so cool to get old-fashioned, handwritten mail! He has now sat down to write a letter to his grandfather, who I know will take the effort to write a proper letter back. It is so cute to see him discover how fun it is to have a written conversation. The anticipation of waiting for an answer to come… The excitement of finding a letter that has arrived just for you!

The S.S.L.W. can be joined for free here. Such a great initiative! And don’t forget to check out Mr. Boddingtons amazing stationary line. I’m a big fan!

xxx Esther

PS I love these beautiful custom return address stamps.

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Deliciously Ella — plant-based food in delis across London

There are now three Deliciously Ella delis across London, all serving delicious and wholesome, plant-based food and drinks.  We visited the Weighhouse Street Deli, which is located on a quiet corner just off busy Oxford Street, and it was the perfect spot to grab a healthy meal away from the crowds whilst in central London.

There’s much to be said about the bright and cheerful space and pretty decor, but it is truly the food that is most remarkable.  Made from entirely plant-based foods, the menu is vast, offering everything from cold-pressed juices and turmeric lattes (made with coconut milk, of course), to Thai curries and five-bean chillis served with rustic cornbread drizzled in garlic cashew cream. And don’t even get us started about the desserts! We tried a selection of different meals and loved them all. (You can view their menu online, which is a good idea so you avoid standing at the deli counter for ages trying to choose from all the good options, like we may have done!)

The delis are open 7 days a week — the perfect place to grab a quick and healthy breakfast, lunch or afternoon snack. And while you’re there, you can pick up a copy of Ella’s wonderful cookbooks, which come recommended by us as well.

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My New Years Resolutions 2018

I actually had completely forgotten to make New Years resolutions until I read Esther’s post earlier this week! It inspired me, so I decided to write down my very own resolutions and share them with you.

I am totally aware that some of these ideas will fall by the wayside (see above photo where I had resolved to becoming a skater, which was not that successful), but as a friend of mine always says: “start as you mean to go on!”. So I want to start the year at least with all my good intentions — and then see how I go. So here is my list in no particular order…

Run:

One of my main resolution is to be able to run 10K by this summer. I think it is a realistic goal, but I am not at all a sporty person, so I need to force myself into my running shoes. I am an enthusiastic shopper of shoes and the relevant accessories, but the actual action has up to now not been my thing. But I really want to give it a go this year!

Adventures:

I want to get out of the house more and have adventures. Between moving flats and life and everything, we have stopped vagabonding around as much as we used to. And we miss it. I don’t mean only big adventures (though we are going to head off to South Africa in February, which I am beyond excited about). Little trips, to catch up with friends and family. We have the wonderful chance to live in Europe and be able to jump on a train and, in a couple of hours, we can be in a totally different country. It is so easy to procrastinate, but getting out and about is one of the things that makes us happier then anything.

Mindfulness:

I have had a bit of a hard 2017 and have lost a few people very close to me. I want to stop rushing all the time and start living in the moment and appreciating what I have. We are a a really lucky family and I know that I often forget that.

Recycling:

A hard thing to do in a city like Paris. I read that France is one of the worst countries in Europe when it comes to recycling. How terrible is that?! I am going to do my hardest and possibly get a little worry for my balcony – I will report back on that!

Friendships:

My friends are scattered across the world and it is so easy to lose contact, and yet one of the big advantages of social media is that it is so easy to stay in touch. I recently received a couple of old photos from a good night at college from a friend I have not spoken to in a year. There was not even a message, but it was so sweet that she had come across the photos and thought of me! So I want to remember to send a quick message to someone when I think of them. Not a long email, but a quick message.

Emilie

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Baby Loves Science — little books about big ideas!

A few months ago I received a sweet email from a woman named Sarah asking if she could send us a few copies of her mother’s board books for babies. We happily accepted her kind offer and a week later we received the Baby Loves Science series of books written by Sarah’s mum, Ruth Spiro. Immediately we understood why Sarah was so keen to share her mother’s books with us — they are brilliant!

The series of science books for babies includes topics like Quantum Physics , Thermodynamics , and Aerospace Engineering — complex topics delivered in a sweet and simple way with appealing illustrations and age-appropriate language. The books feature different baby faces, which of course appeal to babies, along with simple explanations.  Wilkie loves looking at the books and our bigger kids love reading them to him. They’ve also learned a few things themselves!

The books are available from Amazon (UK and US) and from Booktopia in Australia. Also discover our other favourite books for babies and toddlers.

Courtney x

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