I was excited to have been asked to review a new children’s book offered by Head Over Heels Gymnastics. They are a company that specialise in instructional gymnastic books, as well as DVD’s and apps, all suited for children and parents who may want to support their children in learning gymnastics. Now, they have released a storybook all about two children who join a gymnastics class, but feel daunted by the prospect of starting something new and making new friends.
Bendy Wendy and Jumping Jack join a new gymnastics class
I knew that this would be perfect for my daughter W as, not only is she an excitable 3 year old that loves to read, but she loves to perform, dance and move! She loves to put on a show so I had no doubt she would love to read this book with me.
The book is based around two characters called Bendy Wendy and Jumping Jack who are nervous and apprehensive to attend and take part in a gymnastics class – a daunting new experience for them. After making new friends and watching the fun activities, the two children are pleasantly surprised and find out it is not as daunting as they first expected. By the end of the book, Bendy Wendy and Jumping Jack have made lots of new friends and are joining in with learning new skills.
The book really focuses and highlights the emotions that are felt by the two children, especially around the fear of starting something new and how that may feel for a child. This is a great way of allowing a child who is reading this book to understand that it is ok to not only feel that emotion, but to not feel alone if they have ever felt this way before. It is also a great way of encouraging children to try something new, something adventurous or something that they may be scared off (within reason!)
Bedtime stories reading ‘Bendy Wendy and Jumping Jack join Gymnastics’
Lots of giggles reading this fantastic book
This book also shows diversity in that the characters are all different, whether it be gender, disability or race. It allows children reading the book to become aware of diversity from a young age and gives them the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about different cultures, races, genders and disability.
My 3 year old daughter W really loves this book and the first time we read it, she was acting out the move and positions that are shown in the book and showed confidence and excitement around trying something new at home. I certainly think that this book also allows children to have their mind opened up to gymnastics if that haven’t considered it before – W surely wants to try it out and is already booked onto a local gymnastics and dance class for a trial!
Interested? Check out the Head over Heels website here.
Thank you Head over Heels for letting W add this book to her collection – she is thoroughly enjoying it and practicing her new gym skills!
Fancy another book review?
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
These sound fab. Poppy has just turned 2 and quite the little mover and so we’re looking to get her into dancing and some sort of toddler gymnatics soon!
Ah it’s great to get them involved in learning new skills isn’t it!
We have this book too, it’s fantastic isn’t it? X
Ah fab!
This sounds amazing – I bet my daughter would love it! and I like that it shows diversity, it’s so important!
So important for children to learn from such a young age!
Oh this looks lovely. Zach used to go to gymnastics but when he started school and therefore had to change class, it completely threw his confidence up in the air and he suddenly hated it. It made me so sad because he was so ruddy good at it!
Ah thats a shame. Some children just get used to the same setting don’t they!
Sounds like a really great read. I love the pics of the two of you reading together.
Ah thank you – i love a snuggle and a read!
Sounds like a great book! Such cute photos of you two reading together xx
Sounds fab, my daughter is three too and I definitely think she’d enjoy this #bigpinklink
Ah I bet she would!
Ahh what a lovely book! I think my youngest three would love this! #bigpinklink
This sounds like a great book for children, and it’s great that it encourages them to exercise too! Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x