Read stories to your children this Christmas

Reading to my sons has been one of the biggest joys of being a mum. Whether it was watching them fall asleep as I read The Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss or listening to their questions about the stories it's always been the best part of my day. As they got older their interest in hearing me read to them has almost disappeared, BP (now 12 years old) never wants me to read to him, and LP (7 years old) enjoys reading by himself but will, occasionally, want me to read to him.


  • There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.

Walt Disney





While BP isn't keen on reading LP loves to read and I encourage his reading whenever I can. He has read a wide range of books and continues to search for new books and stories to enjoy as he grows up. He's just started on the Beast Quest series of books and he's already on the final book in series 1. LP's solo reading does him good, it inspires him, it teaches him new words, and it stops him from being bored.


  • You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book!

Dr. Seuss





Christmas is a brilliant time to read to your children, it gives you a chance to sit with them quietly and enjoy a story together. A soft, expressive voice is essential, and of course you need the right story.





The Night Before Christmas


I was asked recently to review the ebook The Night Before Christmas. This is a story I have never read but always heard snippets of in TV shows like Friends (when Phoebe claims she wrote it). I always wanted to read the book to find out what the rest of the story is like. So when I was asked to review the ebook I was a little excited. Not only would it be a good read for LP but I would enjoy it too.


  • It was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring,
  • not even a … BEAR ?
  • Clement Clarke Moore's much loved poem is brought beautifully to life in this gorgeous picture book with a twist- as Santa visits a family of bears on Christmas Eve.



I read the poem to LP on an iPad and while I read the words LP looked at the pictures. The pictures are bright and beautiful, more bright than I expected. From his cabin bed LP could see the pictures well and didn't need to strain to see them. 

The poem itself is wonderful and leaves you with a warm Christmassy feeling. I did have to explain to LP that St. Nick is another name for Santa as we've only ever called him Santa but apart from that LP enjoyed the story.

While I won't be letting LP read this ebook before bed I will be putting it onto his iPad for him to read whenever he likes. That's the beauty of a digital book, you can read it on any device.

The Night Before Christmas ebook is available on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and Kobo for £1.49, and on Barnes and Noble for $2.99.




Keep inspiring


Tonight pick up a book and read to your child, inspire them to go on adventures and enjoy the written word. The english language is a beautiful thing and each story uses it in different ways to portray their meaning. I will continue to try and read to LP and once he's decided he's too old for that I will encourage him to keep reading. 


  • A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.

C.S. Lewis


Will you read to your child tonight?