Image from funwithspot.com
Growing up in the 1980’s, I was a HUGE fan of the Spot ‘lift the flap’ books and watching the animated version on TV.
Written by Eric Hill over 35 years ago, Spot has become a firm family favourite all over the world. The books have been published in over 50 languages and are now also available in sign language and Braille editions.
His toddler-like behaviour, getting up to mischief and exploring the world around him resonated with children and parents alike, making him the superstar pup he is today.
I vividly remember sitting with my Nan at her house and her reading the book, “Where’s Spot?” to me as I sipped a cup of warm Ribena and chomped on a packet of Quavers (we only ever got a treat like Quaver’s at my Nan’s house…). In fact, when I think of Spot, more often than not, I think of my Mum and my Nan. Precious memories.
The novelty of having a flap to lift on a page, to encourage you to investigate and find out what was hiding behind it, was always so much fun. I was a very careful child and I always ensured I was gentle with my books. I liked things ‘just so’ and that’s something that hasn’t really changed. My youngest cousin however, well, she was a bit different. When she came along, I can recall one of the flaps getting ripped out of the book and having to be stuck back in with sticky tape. I was very upset, she thought it was funny. I still love her though and I suppose I will let her off now after over 20 years… 😉
Teaching children how to handle books is a very important life skill in my opinion. To be careful with the pages, to treat the book gently, to learn the fine motor skills required to turn the delicate pages over without tearing them. A life the flap book is another, fun way of teaching the children how to do this.
When I was offered an opportunity to review a re-release of a Spot ‘lift the flap book’, I jumped at the chance.
We don’t actually have any Spot books (all my childhood ones are lost somewhere in the abyss of my parents loft) so I took this as a wonderful opportunity to pass my childhood love of these books on to my youngest boy, Ben. He’s 2.5 and the perfect age to enjoy a Spot story.
The book we were sent was, Spot goes on Holiday. Again, this is a book I remember well from my childhood and it’s delivery was timely as were were due to go off to Wales on a Camping holiday that same week. Perfect! It would help explain to Ben what we were going to do and what he might see on our trip to the Welsh seaside.
Every night that week, me and Ben sat down together at bedtime and read the book. He loved it as much as I recall loving it.
We also ended up taking the book with us camping as a bedtime read because he loved it so much and he even recognised some of the pictures in the book from our own days out.
He turned the pages carefully, he was excited to see what was hiding under the flaps on each page and was actively seeking out the part on the page where the flap might be after just a couple of pages. He was repeating the names of things back to me as I said them and he also began pointing at Spot and saying his name on each page when he found him. It was just adorable.
The story lines are simple, the characters are lovable, the illustrations are really colourful and child-friendly and there is a kindness about the books that I can’t quite explain but I know is there. Like seeing a friendly face, someone familiar, someone you know.
The book simply tells the story of Spot being told he is going to the beach for the day by his Mum and Dad. It shows them getting ready for their day out and it also shows what adventures Spot has at the beach. Ben thought it was really funny when Spot took the wrong persons towel near the end, this part has him giggling his head off most nights at the moment, accompanied by some mummy sound effects of a disgruntled hippo of course 😉
I cannot recommend the Spot books enough if you have a little one. I would hazard a guess and say any child up to the age of 5 or so would love these books, and then, even once they are 6 or so and reading for themselves, I am sure they will still enjoy it to a certain extent. My middle one did, because the books are fairly simple language with bold print, he was more than capable of reading it to his little brother by himself. He then prompted his little brother to lift the flaps, to seek out the characters in the pages and loved sharing the story with him and was really proud of himself afterwards for being able to do that on his own.
Image from funwithspot.com
Spot has had a bit of a rejuvenation online too and now has his own website!
We didn’t have that in the 1980’s! 😉
You can find the link to the new website here.
Once on there, you are able to download and print off some Spot colouring sheets, play a dressing up Spot game and find out more about the world’s most lovable puppy! My middle one loved playing the online game and we took some of the colouring sheets away camping with us.
If you are local to Cheltenham, UK, there is a Spot event being held at the Cheltenham festival in October 2016. Details can be found here.
*Competition time*
If you would like to get your hands on your own Spot ‘Lift the Flap’ book, just enter my competition!
All you need to do is enter this Rafflecopter!
Competition closes Friday 19th August.
Winner will be announced on Saturday 20th August on my Facebook page so do swing by to check out if it was you who won!
I will then be in contact to organise sending the prize to you.
Spot says good luck! Woof!
Image from funwithspot.com
Do follow me over on Facebook to see if you’ve won!
Spot has his own website? How times have changed! My little grandson would love this book. That’s a lovely review, and it brings back memories of my own children reading the Spot books.
#spot
GeorgieMoon recently posted…“Cee’s Which Way Challenge” Aug 10
I’m so glad spot is still around! I used to have lots of his books when I was little so I hope my niece likes him too. 🙂 #spot
I remember these books from when i was younger. Glad to see spot is still going #spot
Ah spot, an old favourite! We love spot in our house. X
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Style Challenge with George at Asda…#Mini Me!
I love spot, so glad to see they still do ‘lift the flap’ books too #spot
Love reading the spot books to my son and now read them to my grandkids #spot
Ah, I love that Spot has lasted and lasted. Thanks for entering Tracy!xx
The oldies are always the best aren’t they Katrina?! Thanks so much for entering! Good luck!xx
I do too Laura. I had no idea he can’t be referred to as a dog anymore though! A puppy, yes, a dog, no. Had to keep stopping myself from typing it! xx
Ah, glad you have fond memories of old Spot too Hayley. Good luck with the competition! Gem.x
Oh how sweet – I hope she likes him too, I’m sure she will! It’s hard not to. Thanks for entering and good luck Isabel!x
Ah, thanks for entering Georgie. And thanks for the kind words as always. Gem.xx
Spot is still a favourite in our bedtime routine. Well, maybe he not my son’s favourite, but I still like him. #spot
I used to read spot to my children – now I would like to introduce my niece to #spot
We love #spot
Thanks for entering Jo! Good luck!x
Thanks for entering Beky! Good luck to you!x
Thanks for entering Diego! Good luck! (I love spot more than the kids too )
loved these books as a kid i’m sure my little one would also 🙂 #spot
Ah, I’m sure your little one would ☺️ Thanks for entering and good luck Jemma!x
I remember this when my sister was a baby. Don’t think my daughter even read 1 of these books would love to win #Spot
Ah. He’s been around a while has old spot hasn’t he! Thanks so much for entering Keri, good luck!!
My son is 9 now and used to love these books, he even had a Spot DVD which my daughter now watches. I would love to win for my daughter 🙂
Ah! I love that Carly. The very best of luck to you! Thanks for entering.x
I’d love this for my niece, my daughter loved the spot books when she was younger 🙂 #Spot
#SPOT – an old favourite of mine – I would love my boys to enjoy spot too
Ah, thanks so much for entering Sarah! Good luck!x
☺️ thanks for entering Esme!! Good luck.xx
I’d love to read this with my son #spot
Fingers crossed for you Amy! Good luck.xx
I would love to win this for my niece. I used to love Spot when I was a child xxx #spot
Thanks so much for entering Laura!!!
Good luck.xx
Would love this for my daughter #spot
All the very best of luck Rebecca!!x
Lovely prize, thank you #spot
I would love this for my son, he loves #spot
Aw, my daughter loves #Spot.
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) recently posted…True Crime
Thanks for entering Karen! Good luck!x
Oh bless him ☺️ All the very best of luck to you Jayne!x
My children will love these new books. We’ve a couple of the old ones about #Spot
My grandsons love spot the dog #spot
I adore Spot. I have lots of child hood memories including him! Would love to win. #spot
Helen Dickinson recently posted…MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FREE GIFT BARGAINS AUGUST 2016
Love Spot, would make a fab birthday present for my friends daughter #spot
This would be perfect for my daughter’s birthday #Spot
Oh spot certainly brings back memories #Spot
This book would be perfect for my new grandson due in January you’re never too young to enjoy books #Spot
I remember watching spot would love to win #spot
fab my son is a huge fan of #Spot
I remember ready spot when I was younger, just know my boys will love him, must find some of my books! #spot
He is an icon and a legend. Long live #Spot
Oh, how we do love #spot
Love that dog #Spot
I used to read these 🙂 reminds me of such happy times #spot
#spot is the best!!!
my daughter would truly love this she loves flap books and is one next month so trying to find her some gifts #spot
My youngest would love this! #spot
oh my gosh I remember reading these books when I was a kid, now I’m about to have one of my own!! would love to be able to win this and relive that nostalgia with my son! #spot
Oh bless you Heather! How sweet!
Thanks for entering and the very best of luck to you!
Gem.x
Good luck Meena!x
Lift the flap books are the best! Good luck Holly and thanks for entering.x
i used to read these ooks to my now teenager this would be lovely to read to her youngest brother & sister who are 5 & 8 months
Yes he is! Good luck Deborah!x
Me too… 🙂 Good luck Natalie!x
I do too. Good luck Louise!x
Good luck Robyn! Thanks for entering!x
I couldn’t agree more David! Thanks for entering!
Me too Clare! They are hiding in my parents loft, must dig them out! Good luck!x
grandson loves spot #spot
This would be perfect for my son #spot