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Children's books

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Original poster

Buying a book for a Christening gift - which one(s)?

30 replies

Hulababy · 06/05/2008 21:56

We are going to a Christening on Sunday and need to get a gift. I want to avoid the duplicate silver stuff - think DD had about 5 different money boxes, lol! I thought a small selection of books might be nice.

The baby is about 6 months old I think. Siblings are much much older so no problems re duplicates from there I wouldn't have thought.

Looking to spend around £20 I would think.

Which books would you recommend?

OP posts:
cc21 · 06/05/2008 21:59

I always buy books - always tends to have an Usbourne 'That not my ....' type one (touchy feely ones).

DD got a beautiful illustrated nursery rhyme book - she loves it one of her faves.

FairyMum · 06/05/2008 22:01

The Velveteen Rabbit?

RosaLuxembourg · 06/05/2008 22:03

If you think they wouldn't already have them I would do the Ahlberg classics - Peepo, Baby's Catalogue, Each Peach Pear Plum.
Or some Shirley Hughes Alfie books. Alfie's Alphabet is available as a board book and is a great introduction.
Every child should have The Tiger who came to tea even if s/he isn't quite ready for it yet.
Hug by Jez Alborough is lovely and wouldn't have been around when the older children were babies. He also has another one called Yes.
I would steer clear of big hardback compilations (for some reason people tend to give those for christenings and go for board books or small format that can be enjoyed straight away.

2point4kids · 06/05/2008 22:03

I went to a christening recently and bought the little girl (also 6 months) the entire box set of Winnie the Pooh books for just under £20 from the book people
Beatrix Potter box set is also a good gift

jingleyjen · 06/05/2008 22:05

we were bought a beautiful copy of wind in the willows gorgeous illustrations.
read it to DS1 whilst he was tiny and now he is older we are reading it for the 4th time.

snice · 06/05/2008 22:06

When DD was born I was sent Each Peach Pear Plum and Owl Babies by a distant relative -it was lovely.

Original poster
Hulababy · 06/05/2008 22:13

Rosa - I know what you mean about the big compilation books. Theya re just so impractical to actually sit down with and read.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Kicking myself really as I have just got rid of lots of DD's old books, with things like The Gruffalo, Tiiger who came to tea, etc. And a lot of the books were in perfect condition as DD is really careful with her books. I could have put all those together as a gift from DD, and then just added to it!

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 06/05/2008 22:24

But Hula, were you not keeping them all to read to your grandchildren?

lucymack · 07/05/2008 08:03

What about the very latest Julia Donaldson one - Tiddler. It is only in hardback so makes a lovely gift. My boys love it.

TeeBee · 07/05/2008 13:56

About about a children's bible as its a Christening?

Tommy · 07/05/2008 13:58

DS3 got a lovely copy of the Just So stories for his christening - to keep for later.

If you don't want a particularly religious theme (if you do, just go to a Christian bookshop and they'll be loads) something classic that they can have later is nice.

Original poster
Hulababy · 07/05/2008 20:02

Rosa - no, I tend to pass on rather than keep. So I sell, recycle or pass to friends/family.

OP posts:
RosaLuxembourg · 07/05/2008 22:23

I am a book hoarder, Hula. I am going to be one of those little old ladies who becomes gradually barricaded into her home by tottering piles of crumbling paperbacks. Eventually I will be killed in a literary landslide - but it will take my family weeks to find me because they will keep stopping to read interesting books they find as they dig their way down.

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:30

I used to be but not know. That is what living in a one floor apartment with on storage does for you. Desite moving to a bigger house I am so used to passing things on once finished with I can't get out of the habit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:31

Want to avoid a bible. think that would be more appropriate coming from a godparents or the parents themslves, and something that is likely to be duplicated if I bought it.

Like the idea of more classic type books either for now or later on.

OP posts:
katz · 08/05/2008 21:33

hula - not usre if anyone has suggested but Marks and Spencers have some really lovely books, had a nice childrens prayer book, story of Noahs Ark ect.

katz · 08/05/2008 21:38

this one is lovely poems and prayers

Flibbertyjibbet · 08/05/2008 21:39

I bought a book of childrens bible stories for a christening gift recently.
Amazon have one with illustrations by Mick Inkpen.
But you havent'really got time to get on Amazon... try W H Smith I'm sure they will have one.

(BTW I bought it because the parents told mil that they were expecting lots of clothes, toys and money for the child who was being christened. I thought sod that, if you're being christened you get a bloody religious present from me, not toys and clothes!)

katz · 08/05/2008 21:39

this one to whole world plus cd

katz · 08/05/2008 21:41

since they're 3 for 2 nice bible stories

Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:46

Not sure how religious the couple are actually - must ask DH.

Christening is on Sunday. Going shopping to Meadowhall on Saturday (also need outfits for me and DD for this and a couple of weddings).

Thanks Katz - will look there too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hulababy · 08/05/2008 21:47

Right - apparantly mum is religious and is a church goer, but dad isn't. So I guess I could do either.

OP posts:
Smithagain · 08/05/2008 22:17

This one: www.eden.co.uk/shop/stories_jesus_told_103182.html

It's illustrated by Nick Butterworth (Percy the Park Keeper) and Mick Inkpen (Kipper).

The pictures are fabulous, the stories are Bible stories but told with loads of child-appeal and humour. It's a nice compromise between religious book and children's story book.

Have been reading it to my 5yo for about 3 years now and we both still love it!

Smithagain · 08/05/2008 22:17

Doh! Must learn to do links.

It's Stories Jesus Told, by the authors listed in my previous post.

Flibbertyjibbet · 08/05/2008 22:25

Thats the book I got Smithagain.

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