When choosing books to use in the Foundation Stage, practitioners need to look for those that will engage children's emotions and stimulate their imaginations. Children also need to be able to 'see themselves' in the stories that are read with them. Young readers will engage with a story at a deeper level if they can see themselves and the issues that concern them reflected in the world of the story.
In addition, the best authors and illustrators for the Foundation Stage have a view of young children as readers who are actively engaged in the meaning-making process. The books that they write and illustrate leave space for children to think, and tantalise them with clever combinations of words and pictures. John Burningham's books easily fulfil all these criteria.
Rich illustrations
In many of his books the children are the stars, frequently outwitting the adults in the book. In stories such as Come Away From the Water, Shirley, Time to Get Out of the Bath, Shirley, The Magic Bed and Where's Julius?, he cleverly invites the reader into the landscape of a young child's imagination.
The rich illustrations help young readers to enter the imagined landscapes, enhancing the descriptions given in the written word. Indeed, in the two books that recount the adventures of Shirley, no mention is ever given in the printed text of what she is up to - the reader merely has the sound of her parent's admonishments to tell the other half of the story. This kind of technique stimulates young children's thinking and promotes questioning and discussion.
Familiar themes
Many of Burningham's books address issues that are close to all children's hearts. Avocado Baby deals with the worrying issue of bullying.
Reassuringly, the bullies of the piece are well and truly defeated, a comforting ending, tinged with a certain amount of humour.
The story of Aldo is that of a young child and her imaginary friend, something that many children in the Foundation Stage will have experienced.
It is also a story about loyalty, and about dealing with difficult aspects of everyday life. Through the illustrations and the text, Burningham manages to offer both solutions and reassurance to young readers, effectively giving them a context in which to discuss such issues and a space for their voices to be heard.
Perhaps most importantly, Burningham's books represent children as powerful, inventive people who use their imaginations to best effect, solving problems and creating a myriad of stories through creativity and playfulness. For that reason alone, his books deserve a prominent place in every Foundation Stage setting.
Activity ideas
Four of Burningham's books provided the inspiration for the activity spreads (see pages 8-15). They are:
The Magic Bed
Georgie's parents buy him a new bed, but it's not like other beds. Its previous owner said it was magic, and when Georgie hits upon the magic word, it whisks him away every night on a fantastic adventure. On his travels, he encounters gnomes and fairies, tigers and pirates, dolphins and witches. Then he and his family go on holiday, and on their return, they find Granny has bought Georgie a new bed and sent his magic one to the dump. Georgie rushes off in search of his old bed and another adventure.
* READER OFFER
We have ten copies of The Magic Bed by John Burningham (Red Fox, 5.99) to give away to Nursery World readers. Send your name and address on the back of a postcard or envelope, marked 'The Magic Bed', to the address on page 3. Winners will be the first ten names drawn on 12 October.
Time to Get Out of the Bath, Shirley
Shirley lies daydreaming in the bath oblivious to her mother's fussing and efforts to get her out of the bath.
On every left-hand page is a well-worn comment from mum, while on the right are scenes from the magical land that Shirley has entered.
'You haven't left the soap in the bath again, have you?' says mum. 'Have you been using this towel, Shirley, or was it your father?' But all is lost on Shirley who has disappeared down the plughole with her toy duck and entered a dream world to ride with knights on white chargers and joust with a king and queen.
* READER OFFER
We have ten copies of Time to Get Out of the Bath, Shirley by John Burningham (Red Fox, 5.99) to give away to Nursery World readers.
Send your name and address on the back of a postcard or envelope, marked 'Shirley', to the address on page 3. Winners will be the first ten names drawn on 12 October.
Oi! Get Off Our Train
A little boy sets off on a round-the-world night train to dreamland with only his toy dog for company. Soon all sorts of endangered animals are asking if they can jump up and join them on their journey. First on board is an elephant, followed by a seal, a crane, a tiger and a bear. Then it's time to head back as the boy has school the next day.
* READER OFFER
We have ten copies of Oi! Get Off Our Train by John Burningham (Red Fox, Pounds 5.99) to give away to Nursery World readers. Send your name and address on the back of a postcard or envelope, marked 'Oi! Get Off Our Train', to the address on page 3. Winners will be the first ten names drawn on 12 October.
Mr Gumpy's Outing
One day, Mr Gumpy decides to take a trip along the river in his boat, but as he heads up river the children, the rabbit, the cat, the pig and his other animal friends all ask to join him. Each is allowed on board provided they behave well, but soon the squabbling and flapping and bleating begin, the boat starts to rock and they all fall in the river. They then dry themselves in the sun and walk home to have tea.
* READER OFFER
We have ten copies of Mr Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham (Red Fox, Pounds 5.99) to give away to Nursery World readers. Send your name and address on the back of a postcard or envelope, marked 'Mr Gumpy's Outing', to the address on page 3. Winners will be the first ten names drawn on 12 October.
BIOGRAPHY
John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.
In 1959, he graduated from the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission.
He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East.
He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books. His first book Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) won the Kate Greenaway Medal as did Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).
His wife is the highly regarded artist Helen Oxenbury, who illustrated Michael Rosen's We're Going on Bear Hunt. They have three children.
