Reading with your child is such a special and important time, it is magical moments
spent sharing stories, learning about new things together and fostering their
imagination. Bedtime stories is a non-negotiable in our household, it is a precious
moment of the day that we will all spend together as a family (and ‘the gang’ aka all
his teddies!) and enjoy a story together.
We let my little boy choose the story now, which often results in reading the same
book multiple nights on the trot! But I try to rotate this bookshelf and add in new
books and fairytales for us to enjoy (although he knows when I have hidden a book
at the back of the shelf that I’m bored of because he always checks for it!).
Recently he has been enjoying a book that my Nanny bought me when I was very
young (she sadly died when I was 2 years old) it's a book I have always treasured; as
she wrote me a little note in the front cover. Now my son and I read her note to me
and then enjoy the book and I feel like she is sat there with us, part of a life she
never got to see.
I notice these stories we read together being acted out by my son during his imaginative play, he is practising and replaying the lessons and adventures from the pages in his real-life playtime. So, I thought it might be lovely to pair some of our Maileg characters with some beautiful books you might enjoy too.
Plus some great insight from an actual professional (!) the lovely Del from The Little
Reading Nest guests in this post:
Tips for Reading at Home from Del
“Reading doesn’t have to be a big production or follow a perfect routine,” says Del.
“Whether you’re cuddled up at bedtime, reading in the backseat on the school run, or
grabbing a five-minute story during a snack break, what matters is that moment of
connection between you. These everyday moments build early reading confidence in
a way that feels natural and pressure-free.”
Here are a few of my top tips for parents:
Let your child lead. If they want the same book five nights in a row, go with it.
Repetition helps build memory, language, and prediction skills.
Talk about the pictures. You don’t need to read every word. Discuss what the
characters are doing or how they’re feeling - this builds comprehension and
vocabulary.
Bring stories into play. Just like the Maileg pairings in this blog, using toys to act
out stories strengthens understanding and helps children retell events in order.
Pause and ask questions. Keep it light and natural: “What do you think will happen
next?” or “Why is she feeling sad?”
Trust the little moments. A five-minute story is enough. It doesn’t have to be
perfect, it just must be shared.
If you’re looking to support your child’s early reading and phonics at home in a
simple, structured way, my Phonics at Home Curriculum offers gentle, step-by-step
lessons you can follow together in just a few minutes a day.
Now obviously there are the obvious fairy tales that fit in with the Maileg; like Princess
and the Pea, Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears etc. But I want to share with
you some different stories that might become new favourites and pair beautifully with
some of the Maileg toys for great imaginative playtime.
The Grand Expedition - Emma Adbage - Hiker Mice / Happy Camper Tent
This grand camping adventure (to the garden!) which I think we can all relate to. This
story explores the everyday expeditions that make life grand, and I can certainly
remember packing my rucksack with all the supplies needed for a great adventure
when I was young!
The hiker mice and a few miniature camping supplies, pair beautifully with this story
of young adventurers and together makes for hours of playtime – no need to put up
the full-size tent in the garden when the mice have their miniature one already!
Early Literacy Development Tip from Del:
“This is a great story to link with real-world writing. Invite your child to draw their
own map or packing list for their adventure. It doesn’t need to be perfect!”
Charley Mouse Cleans House – Katerina Gorelik - Maid Mouse, Unicorns, Princess
Mice
This book is MAGICAL – Charley mouse goes off to clean the houses of the animals
in the wild wood and then the magical forest too. The Illustrations of different animal
houses in this book are adorable, and If you needed any inspiration for your
dollhouse, it is worth getting yourself a copy just for that!
There are mini activities in the story to find the animals lost egg cups and keys, and I
clearly remember drawing what I imagined a snail’s house to look like inside his shell
as a child – Katerina does a much better job than I ever did!
There are so many options to pair Maileg with this book, the Maid Mouse could be
Charley (or the hiker big sister mouse has the same kind of head scarf as Charley),
and she visits the Unicorns house, and dragon who has the princess and the pea,
and the most adorable gingerbread house you have ever seen!
If you are looking for a really special gift for a grandchild that might end up being
treasured like my Dragon Berry Bush book, then this could be it. This book with a
few Maileg miniatures or even a dollhouse or gingerbread house if you are going all
out would be a truly breathtaking present. Hours of quality time to be spent with this
story and a few miniature treasures.
Del says:
“Stories like this are a wonderful way to support early writing and drawing. After
reading, you might ask your child to draw their own magical room or create a
‘cleaning checklist’ for Charley. It blends storytelling with purposeful early literacy
skills.”
Pig Town Party – Lian Cho - The Piglets
Cutie gets invited to a big party in Pig town and everyone is very lovely about her
costume. This book is a wonderful adventure to pig town, I can imagine designing
your own pig party invitation with your child and getting the piglets dressed up ready.
Not to mention the cupcakes at Oink Bakery.
This book is full of joy and laughs, and pairs beautifully of course with the Maileg
Piglets and Pigs. I have made them a little Oink Bakery from their crates and
dressed them up ready for the party. Lian Cho is a firm favourite in our household
(we also love 100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli) and if anybody would like to
make me a bee costume for one of my piglets, I would be extremely grateful!
Del suggests:
“Use this story to spark playful mark-making. Can your child design a party invitation
or menu for the pigs? These little creative tasks are a gentle way to build early writing
confidence.”
If your child is just starting to form letters, my Sing to Write mini course uses original
science-backed letter formation songs that make the movements stick. It’s a playful,
effective way to help your child learn how to write each letter with confidence, without
using ‘school-like’ tracing activities.
Mouse By The Sea and Mouse’s Wood – Alice Melvin - Beach Mice
Mouse’s Wood is the book that initially gave me this idea for this blog post, I bought it
in a national trust gift shop (don’t they always have such lovely books?!) and as soon
as I opened the first page I feel in love with it, and Mouse By the Sea is just as
magical.
Another story book that serves as wonderful inspiration for your miniature dollhouses
and enters a magical wilderness wonderland where foxes live in shepherds huts with
wood burning stoves and the mice make jam with berries from badgers’ allotment.
The Maileg beach mice pair beautifully with Mouse By The Sea and this would be a
lovely book for holiday adventures to. Mouse’s wood takes you on a journey through
the seasons and is a lovely introduction to the transition of nature through the year.
Del notes:
“Books like this help build a sense of rhythm and narrative. Try asking your child to
retell Mouse’s journey in their own words or act it out with your Maileg mice - this
builds storytelling and sequencing skills in such a natural way.”
I hope this post has inspired some creative gifts or dollhouse projects?! The books are just as magical as the Maileg miniature characters and their little play houses!
Final Thought from Del:
“Reading with your child is one of the most powerful ways to support their early
language, reading, and writing development, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or
formal. Stories and play go hand in hand. Let them lead, keep it light, and trust that
little moments really do make a big difference.”
To learn more about Del and The Little Reading Nest, visit
www.thelittlereadingnest.co.uk
