Last weekend I met up with one of my pre- adoptive friends for a coffee, we were browsing shops and suddenly felt the urge to venture into the children's section of Waterstones, it was like swooshing down the rabbit hole and arriving in a magical surreal universe. One that has been alien to us and that we had been avoiding for so long. Something that seems such a simple thing was an incredibly magical moment for us both, we suddenly felt we belonged in this world and were overcome with excitement and joy. We walked around immersing ourselves in the colourful worlds of all the stories we hoped our future children will enjoy. We spent a long time in there, sat at the table pouring though our choices trying to decide which ones to buy (we felt 4 was the limit for now!) I think what made it so special is that we'd finally allowed ourselves to be fully fledged 'Mums to be' and enjoy the excitement of it for a moment without all the confusions and complications that can get in the way when on the adoption road.
There were old favourites that brought memories of my own childhood streaming back such as the illustrations of John Buringham and Shirley Hughes, and the classics that every child needs in their collection such as 'Where The Wild Things Are', 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea', etc. As well as more modern books that appeal to my creative side with their beautiful stylish illustrations and funny, meaningful stories. 'I Want My Hat Back' by John Klassen is fab and I couldn't resist the monosylabic bear who makes me chuckle. I also couldn't resist another book illustrated by Klassen called 'Extra Yarn', a story about a little girl who has a box of magic never ending yarn, she knits jumpers for everyone and everything - lots of yarn bombing! The illustrations are gorgeous again. I also chose 'Oh The Places You'll Go' by Dr Seuss, every child should have this book, the story and its many wise messages are a great philosophy for life. I remember reading this for the first time a while ago to some children I was looking after and tears rolling down my face as the 'waiting place' resonated with my own life, it was then I decided that any future children of mine would have this story as part of their learning.
There were old favourites that brought memories of my own childhood streaming back such as the illustrations of John Buringham and Shirley Hughes, and the classics that every child needs in their collection such as 'Where The Wild Things Are', 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea', etc. As well as more modern books that appeal to my creative side with their beautiful stylish illustrations and funny, meaningful stories. 'I Want My Hat Back' by John Klassen is fab and I couldn't resist the monosylabic bear who makes me chuckle. I also couldn't resist another book illustrated by Klassen called 'Extra Yarn', a story about a little girl who has a box of magic never ending yarn, she knits jumpers for everyone and everything - lots of yarn bombing! The illustrations are gorgeous again. I also chose 'Oh The Places You'll Go' by Dr Seuss, every child should have this book, the story and its many wise messages are a great philosophy for life. I remember reading this for the first time a while ago to some children I was looking after and tears rolling down my face as the 'waiting place' resonated with my own life, it was then I decided that any future children of mine would have this story as part of their learning.