Guess How Much We Love Playing Outdoors

Haven’t we had a beautiful summer? 

Here at Walker, we have spent lots of time enjoying the sunshine. Now that it’s September the autumnal chill will soon be creeping in, but don’t despair – our favourite pair of nutbrown hares are here to keep the sunshine coming! Here I Am! is a beautiful new finger puppet book from Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, inspired by the well-loved classic Guess How Much I Love You.  

The book follows Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they play a game of hide-and-seek. Reading about the adorable duo playing through fields and in the ferns has made us all nostalgic about our favourite outdoor memories. Here’s a lovely selection from the team!

Nghiem Ta, Art Director

As a special treat, my brother and I would visit a nearby playground. I used to love the swings and the slide! My brother and I would take turns to sit on the swings and push each other. Near the park was a river, so after we played, we would go and feed the ducks. I think it’s wonderful that sometimes the best outdoors things are free!

Mara Alperin, Creative Commissioning Editor

I have always loved playing games outside. In the woods behind my house, there was an old pine tree, and from its branches hung a rope swing. My Dad used to push me in the swing so I could pretend that I was flying. “Don't forget your fairy dust,” he would say, and I would sprinkle the “dust” to enact the magic (sometimes I even wore fairy wings as well!). “I can fly, I can fly,” I would sing.

Ruby Constable, Assistant Editor

My parents often took my whole rabble of siblings on long country walks when I was little. Wherever we went, we’d soon find the tallest trees to climb and make up elaborate games to play, giggling and squabbling as we went. Looking back, we must have been a bit of a shock to the mild-mannered country ramblers and Sunday morning dog walkers. We never had to call “Here I Am!” because everyone knew we were there.

What do you love doing outside? Do you have a particular favourite place, an excellent hiding spot or a special memory you’d like to share? Let us know below! And don’t forget to go looking for Here I Am! (hopefully not hiding) in bookshops near you.

Happy Mother's Day!

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and time to celebrate brilliant mummies and mammies everywhere! Stuck for a last minute Mother's Day gift? Here are our top five picture book picks:

1. Mother's Day by Shirley Hughes

In this classic story Shirley Hughes, Katy and her little brother Olly tell us about their day with Mum. From the fun of waking Mum and Dad up in the morning, getting the bus into town with Mum or even stories all together at bedtime, this joyous tale gives readers a snapshot into a child's day and celebrates the special bond between a mother and child.

2. Five Minutes Peace by Jill Murphy

A family picture book favourite, this is the story of Mrs Large the elephant – who just needs five minutes of peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! It soon becomes clear that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill Murphy.

3. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

"I love you right up to the moon – and back." The story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares’ efforts to express their love for each other has become a bestselling classic, and is a firm favourite with children aged 0-5 years.

4. A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton

The heart-warming story of Little Owl who has fallen from his nest. Where is his mummy? With the earnest assistance of his new friend Squirrel, Little Owl sets off in search of her, and meets a sequence of other animals. Yet while one might have his mummy's big eyes, and another her pointy ears, they are simply not her. Chris Haughton's striking colour illustrations follow Little Owl on his quest. Which of his new friends will lead him back to his mummy?

5. My Mum is Fantastic by Nick Butterworth

The mum in this book is truly fantastic. She's a brilliant artist, she can balance on a tightrope, she can swim like a fish, do amazing stunts on a bike and she can even tame wild animals ... in fact, there's very little this astounding mum can't do. The book ends: "It's great to have a mum like mine. It's fantastic!" And no one can argue with that!

Find all of these book at your local bookshop.

WIN Guess How Much I Love You Baby Card Gift Set

A delightful book and baby card gift set from the award-winning creators of Guess How Much I Love You. This classic board book comes with 24 gorgeous cards for recording important milestones in your baby's life. Simply take a photo of your little one with the card for a beautiful way to capture and share memories. 

Highlighting the bond between parent and child this set is the perfect gift for baby showers, christenings and new or expecting parents. A new generation of little ones can now enjoy this cherished classic complete with milestone moments cards to capture each magical moment.

‘I love you right up to the moon – and back’

At Walker HQ we've been capturing some magical moments of our own

 

 

                                                          WIN!

We have three copies of the gift set and a Little Nutbrown Hare Ring Rattle from Rainbow Designs to give away! To enter, just email your name and address to competitions@walker.co.uk with ‘Guess How Much I Love You' in the subject line for your chance to win.

Competition closes on 5th March 2018. Terms and conditions apply.

WIN tickets to see Guess How Much I Love You Live on stage!

‘I love you right up to the moon – and back.’

Selladoor Family presents Guess How Much I Love You. Join Little and Big Nutbrown Hare, from the bestselling Guess How Much I Love You and Guess How Much I Love You All Year Round collection, as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this magical journey through the seasons.

Watch Little and Big Nutbrown Hare settle down after a bedtime story and re-awaken to discover the delights and colours of each season as they compete to measure their love for each other in this timeless loveable story, told on stage through puppets, live music and interactive play for children 3 years and up.

The show takes place at The Arts Theatre in London's West End. We have a complimentary family ticket for the Saturday 9th December 10am performance, with a pre-show ‘meet and greet’ with the hares and a copy of Guess How Much I Love You in the Winter to give away! Plus three runners-up will receive a copy of Guess How Much I Love You in the Winter. 

A family ticket consists of 4 tickets and any children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Travel is not included.

To enter, just email your name to competitions@walker.co.uk with ‘Guess How Much I Love You' in the subject line for your chance to win. 

Competition closes on 30th November 2017. Terms and conditions (see below).

To find out more and book tickets to the show visit The Arts Theatre website.

The Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport St, London WC2H 7JB
Show Duration: 50 minutes no interval
Age recommendation: Age 3 years and up

Terms and Conditions

Closing date: 23:59 30th November 2017. Competition open to residents of the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland only.

1. No purchase necessary. Proof of entering is not proof of receipt of entry.

2. If aged between 13 and 16 please get your parent’s or guardian’s consent before you enter the draw, if aged under 13 please ask your parent or guardian to enter on your behalf.
3. The Guess How Much I Love You prize draw is promoted by Walker Books Ltd. in England under registered number 1378601 (the “Promoter”) and is not open to employees of the Promoter or their families.
4. There will be one main prize winner and the winner will receive a copy of Guess How Much I Love You This Winter and one family ticket to the 10am show on Saturday 09 December not for resale. Tickets are non-refundable or transferrable and there is no cash alternative.
5. There will be three runner up winners. Runners-up will receive a copy of Guess How Much I Love You This Winter.
6. A family ticket consists of 4 tickets and any children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Travel is not included.
7. Only prize claims received on or before the Closing Date (as stated) will be honoured; the Promoter accepts no responsibility for claims received after the Closing Date.
8. The prize draw winner will be the first entry selected at random from all eligible entries received.

9. The promoter reserves the right to re-offer the prize to a runner up if the winner cannot be contacted within 5 days of the closing date. 

10 The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are late, lost, damaged, illegible or corrupted.
11. Any personal data obtained and/or gathered by the Promoter shall be used solely for the purposes of the prize draw and such personal details shall be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Email addresses will be destroyed once the prize has been allocated and distributed.
12. The Promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
13. Entries containing invalid email addresses will be automatically disqualified. Only one entry will be accepted per email address used.
14. The rules of this prize draw are governed by UK law and entry is conditional on acceptance of these terms and conditions which may be amended at any time by the Promoter.

Guess How Much I Love You™ © Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram 1994–2017. Licensed by Walker Books Ltd.