In this wordless picture book, a young boy builds a snowman on a snowy winter's day. At midnight, the snowman comes to life, and the boy and the snowman embark on a magical journey, playing with household items, riding a motorcycle, and flying over the South Downs. The story captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is recognized worldwide for its beautiful illustrations and timeless tale.
While not strictly a book, "Noggin the Nog" is a beloved stop-motion animation series created by Oliver Postgate. The show features the adventures of Noggin, a Viking king, and his loyal subjects. The series is known for its charming characters, whimsical humor, and simple yet engaging storylines. The show's enduring popularity speaks to its timeless appeal. It's a classic example of British children's animation.
In this delightful tale, a child writes to the zoo asking for a pet. The zoo responds by sending various animals, each hidden behind flaps in the form of crates and packing cases. However, each animal is returned for different reasons until the zoo finally sends a dog, which is kept because it is 'perfect'. The book is a fun introduction to animals and their characteristics, with interactive elements that make it engaging for young readers.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the UK Children's Laureate, is Today's first guest editor this Christmas.
His programme focuses on whether we should rethink our approach to reading - and make reading to young children a public health priority.
And he gets the chance to interview none other than Dolly Parton - about why she's turned to writing children's books.
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The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.