We love books at Sandytots. Whether we’re discovering a brand-new story, revisiting an old favourite or hearing the same book for what feels like the hundredth time, storytime is always a special part of our day.
So, you can imagine how excited we were to welcome local author and illustrator Catherine Owen to Sandytots for a very special reading of her own book, Shire and Mouse.
And what a treat it was!
Meeting the Author Behind Shire and Mouse
There’s something extra special about hearing a story read by the person who created it.
Catherine joined us to introduce the children to Shire and Mouse, a book she has both written and hand-illustrated. The children settled down to listen and were completely entranced as Catherine read the whole story.
Anyone who has ever tried to keep a room full of toddlers quiet for an entire book will know that’s no easy feat! The children were captivated from beginning to end.
Why We Love Storytime at Sandytots
Reading with young children is about so much more than learning the words on a page.
Sharing stories introduces children to new words and ideas, encourages their imagination and helps develop their listening and communication skills. Most importantly, we want books to be something the children associate with enjoyment, curiosity and spending time together.
Welcoming an author into Sandytots makes that experience even more exciting. The children get to see that behind every book is a real person with an idea, an imagination and a story they wanted to share.
We asked Catherine about her experience at Sandytots:
“I had a wonderful time reading and engaging with the children at Sandytots, we read the story, discussed the importance of finding the right friendships and to always be kind and we also talked a great length about animals and what animals we all had”.
A huge thank you to Catherine Owen for taking the time to visit Sandytots, share Shire and Mouse with us and teach the children all about shire horses.
We had such a lovely time, and judging by how quietly everyone listened, we think it’s safe to say Shire and Mouse was a hit!
If you’d like to support a local author and enjoy Shire & Mouse with your little one at home, you can purchase a copy here.
And, as always, keep an eye on our Reading Corner for more stories, activities and adventures from Sandytots. 📚🐴
