The Funniest Book in the Whole World

I love these expressions that are creeping in to our lives now school has begun. I never quite know how much little a knows what they mean.

So, apparently, John Burningham's THE SHOPPING BASKET is the funniest book in the whole world.

We did chortle a little. But we didn't laugh our heads off. It's great for quirky, gawky illustration, lots of animals and good lists of fruit for counting. We were late for bedtime tonight though, so no time for counting here. Poor old Steven had to be in quite a rush to run all those errands for his mum ...

Mainly because I did want to have time to read MADELINE.

Away for a grown-ups only break in Norfolk for the weekend, I was delighted to see Madeline nestled into a beautiful window display in the bookshop in Burnham Market to take home (middle class? moi?). I don't know why it feels like a perfect read for the time of year, especially this year when snow has fallen so early. There's nothing Christmassy about the tale, and yet it feels so wintry and festive. Perfect for tucking up warm and dreaming of Paris.

Although little a is now worried about her appendix. Let's hope that laughter is the best therapy ...