Can we read it?- YES we can! (Bob The Builder Pocket Library)

Member Name: QueenElf

Product:	Bob The Builder Pocket Library
Date:	25/04/08 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Small enough to take on trips

Disadvantages: none.

It was my grandson's birthday on the 17th April and so I travelled up to London to celebrate his third birthday. In today's society families have to separate and go where the work takes them, so I only get to visit Jack about four times a year. We do talk on the phone, which is very special since he's so young. But Jack is a clever boy and his parents encourage him to recognise people, places and other things, so he does know me as his "nanny". He does have another "nanny", my son-in-law's mother. I'm not sure how we both became Jack's nanny, instead of Nan, Gran etc. I suspect that Gran or Grannie sounds very old-fashioned.
I'd already spent Christmas with my family and one thing that struck me was the way that Jack appreciated his pocket books.
These are board books that are normally in a collection of about six books per pack. I've seen Jack's collection and generally they are pretty much the same size. This is 9.6 cm x 9.4cm x 5cm. At Christmas we all went to a child's service and Jack had a collection of six children's carols. He was too young to fully appreciate the service, but he loved his Christmas Carol books. So before his birthday I asked what other books he didn't have in this range.

I had already bought him several Bob the Builder toys. It's one area where my daughter allows me to choose what I think he will like. He has other loves so I get to choose something that I know he will connect with his Nanny. I had already bought him some friction toys, but I wanted to find some pocket books that he could carry with him wherever he went. Jack loves his books and the pockets ones are ideal for car journeys. I get to sit in the back seat with him on car trips and we usually end up reading his latest books.
So I looked around and found a Bob the Builder pocket library on Amazon for just £3.99. But would it be the right thing for him and how could I choose the right one when there are so many of the toys? I took a chance and hoped that along with the other toys and books, that this one would be just right for Jack. I'd already bought a new friction toy and some sticker books, so would Jack still love his pocket books?

I needn't have worried. The biggest problem was getting him to unwrap his presents.
"You do it please nanny/mummy/daddy." Eventually we did manage to get him to open some of his presents and as soon as the first flap was open, he said, "it's Bob."
Since he had already had some pocket books, he knew what to expect, but I was utterly charmed by the way he slipped each individual book out of it's protective packaging.
Solemnly he told me what each vehicle was called. (note to other grandmothers, it's wise to watch a few programmes before giving the gift). I'm not sure whether there are any choices as to the vehicles, I am guessing that the publishers, Egmont Books Ltd, just choose the children's' favourites.
So I'm sitting on the floor amidst loads of wrapping paper while Jack passes each individual book to me to read. I have to do the voices as well, since Jack can do this himself. I'd be a very disappointing nanny if I couldn't do "voices". Each book is about one vehicle and every one has a distinctive character. They also have verses that explain who and what they do, so it's wise to know about these in advance. Each book has eight pages and colourful pictures along with the rhymes.
The set I bought for Jack contained stories about the following characters:-
Muck (the digger and shifter of dirt), Scoop, (who is similar to Muck), Roley (who flattens road surfaces), Benny (who lifts things) , Scrambler who races around with Bob the Builder and finally Lofty, the crane who is very timid and is scared of heights.
The rhymes for each character are simple and easy for a child to remember. It also introduces them to verses and poetry, leading into songs as well.
This is an important part of a child's development and I feel a great sense of satisfaction when Jack picks out a book and asks me to read it to him. Since I love poetry I manage to convey that sense of rhythm to him and it wasn't long before he was following my words.

Both Grandparents and parents are unsure where Jack has inherited his tidy streak from, but it's a part of him that defies any family trait. He hasn't been taught to put his toys away, he's still too young, but he does love to line up not just his toys, but also his books.
Just before bedtime on his birthday we were worried about getting him to bed, it had been a busy day after all.
So I was surprised when he started trying to fit his board books back into the container, getting a bit bothered when the names wouldn't line up in a row. That was it...the only real tantrum he had all day. The books casing is quite sturdy, but it is quite hard to fit the six books back into. Jack wouldn't rest until he had managed it perfectly. (It took him about fifteen minutes the first time.)

For such a small amount of money it's going to give him endless amounts of pleasure and because it's something he knows well, he will soon pick up the words and the rhymes. He has a Thomas set as well, and several other popular TV character books, but I suspect that Muck and friends will be played with for a long time yet.
These are ideal for little fingers, teaching dexterity, word association and patterns of recognition. They are also easy to wipe clean from sticky fingers and light enough to carry with you on car journeys or on long walks.
Highly recommended by me and also Jack, the connoisseur of books in general and Bob in particular.
There's just one problem. What can I get him for next Christmas? At this rate he'll be reading to me.

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Summary: A nice neat colllection of Bob's vehicles.