You and Me, Little Bear, by Martin Waddell

This is a lovely book for parents and children alike as it explores the relationship between busy parent and child who wants attention - something we all have to balance. Big bear does the good parenting trick of letting little bear feel he is helping and contributing to all of the jobs and manages to get all of the work done and even fit in a little snooze. Then they make time for some really good playing together. I particularly liked this one as a single parent as it is just big bear and little bear and their day together rather than the usual mum, dad and 2.4 children family portrayal and it felt very reflective of mine and my sons relationship. It's a nice one!

I bought this at a library sale when my daughter was about 16 months and even from that age she loved this book. It's about a little bear who wants to play while the big bear has things to do. Little bear helps big bear to tidy up etc and then has to play on his own. He returns to find big bear asleep. They then play and return home together. Lovely story which is great for an adult to act out - not as dull as some of the repetitive stories children of this age seem to love. My dd is now 22 months and still loves the book and is now acting out what the little bear does - running around the room etc.