As I sit here writing this blog post now St Albans is bathed in sunlight and there is a very, very light sprinkling of overnight snow on the ground. More snow is forecast for later on today, but as a northerner I’m not totally convinced that this isn’t just the media getting their knickers in a twist about something and actually it’s the kind of weather that all Southerners go to pot about, but Northerners just put on their big coat and get on as usual.
The one thing that people do seem to be worried about (or looking forward to, depending on whether you’re a child or an adult) is the prospect of world book day being cancelled if schools declare a snow day. Across the county parents have been fretting about costumes, and kids have been getting excited about extra activities that are being laid on. At the moment I’m sat here in the smug position of having sorted my kids’ costumes out about a month ago, so I’m more worried about them both being disappointed if school is cancelled tomorrow.
Whatever your opinions on children dressing up at school, I have to celebrate World Book Day and what it does for children and literacy. There was a lovely article the other day in which Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, urged parents to read to their children. Just five minutes a day can help build a love of reading and books that will never leave a child. It’s also as if books have had a bit of a revival recently, despite the increase in adults chasing to read things electronically, rather than in paper form. Authors like Jacquelin Wilson and Tom Gates have huge followings, and David Walliams has done a huge amount by raising the profile of books with his wonderful children’s stories. Years ago I would never have imagined him as someone to go into schools and inspire your people, but that’s exactly what he does now. To some adults his books may be a bit marmite, but I know that Little Miss C absolutely loves them and I think now has every title he has ever written in her collection.
A love of books doesn’t just stop with the books themselves though. Children now love activities centred around the characters that they have come to love in books and I see loads of craft activities online as well that are book centric. One such product are the range of David Walliams jigsaw puzzles from Paul Lamond. Little Miss C was sent The Boy in The Dress puzzle to review and she jumped with joy when I pulled it out of the packaging.
This puzzle contains 250 pieces and features a range of Quentin Blake’s colour illustrations from the book, along with some quotes from it. Also in the Paul Lamond series are Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy puzzles, all with 250 pieces and with a recommended age range of 7+ years. All would be definite hits with any David Williams fan.
All the edge pieces of the puzzle have an orange edge making it somewhat easier to sort them all out at the start and it makes putting the edge of the puzzle together so much easier. It also helps that all the puzzle pieces are roughly rectangular and in a regular portrait orientation as it reduced the number of possible piece orientations by half.
The puzzle itself is a tad tricky in places due to all the whitespace on it, but the text helps you make a start on the centre portion by tackling those bits first and then it’s easier to fill in the rest.
With the snow now starting to fall outside I’m beginning to think that this might be the way that the kids end up celebrating World Book Day this year.
All the Paul Lamond David Williams Jigsaw Puzzles can be bought online here.
Win a copy of The Boy In The Dress Jigsaw Puzzle from Paul Lamond Games
Want to be in with a chance of winning a The Boy In The Dress jigsaw puzzle? All you need to do is lave a comment below telling me who is your favourite character in one of David Walliams’ books. Then just fill in the Rafflecopter widget below and cross your fingers. As simple as that. For full T&Cs see Rafflecopter. Good luck.
Disclaimer: We were sent The Boy In The Dress jigsaw puzzle for the purposes of this review. All opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links.
Raj !
Gangsta granny
Gangsta granny
Sam
Gangsta granny – I aspire to be her!
raj!
Granny from “Gangsta Granny” – so funny & unique!
Dennis from The Boy in the Dress
Gangsta granny
gangsta granny
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta Granny
Grandson loves the Bad Dad characters
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta Granny 🙂
Gangsta granny
raj
Trish the Troll in The worlds worst children
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta granny
Gangsta Granny
Raj, we love the moment we spot Raj!
Gangsta Granny!
Has to be Gangsta Granny she’s funny
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta Granny
It’s got to be Gangsta Granny.
Gangsta granny
I like Gangsta Granny best
Gangsta granny
Gangsta granny
Gangsta Granny
definitely gangsta granny, david walliams books are excellent
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta granny
Gangsta granny
GANGSTA GRANNY!
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta Granny
Gangsta Granny is wonderful!
Mr Stink 🙂
Gangsta Granny!
burt the burger van man from rat burger, so funny
Gangsta granny
Gangsta granny. Tho grandpa would be a close second
Armitage the rat from rat burger
love Mr Stink, so funny!
Gangsta Granny
gangsta granny
Mr Stink
For my nephew he likes gangsta granny
Gangsta Granny is our favourite David Walliams character
Demon Dentist
It’s got be Gangsta Granny. My son loves this book. We love David Walliams’ books, they are fab
Gangsta granny – love her!
Gangsta Granny
Mr Stink
i love gangsta granny
Gangsta Granny
Bad dad!
Gangsta Granny