I’m sure I have mentioned here before how we love Something Special. I think it’s brilliant to have a show so readily available on TV where we can learn more signs, and that has exposed more people to using Makaton outside of the Special Needs community. I also think it’s very positive to normalise Special Needs on children’s TV. It’s good for Mr T to see children like himself on TV, and hopefully when he starts school and people see him sometimes communicating in sign they might remember a bit about what they have seen before rather than just thinking that it’s “weird.”
Mr T loves the character of Mr Tumble and finds him hilarious. The other boys like him too but he is Mr T’s favourite.
Recently we were sent Mr Tumble’s Big Book of Counting for review and naturally it was a big success with Mr T and all of the boys.
Mr Tumble’s Big Book of Counting deals with the numbers 1-5 in a fun and tactile way.
Every page introduces one number and has a rhyme. There are arrows to show the child how to trace the number, and Mr T was really interested in doing this.
Every page also has Justin in the corner showing the sign for each number, which I think is great! The number is also depicted in either spots or stars on each page so that the child can count them up and match it to the number
There is a large flap on each page, so after reading the start of the rhyme you open it and find more Tumble characters to finish off the rhyme
You can see the flap open above on the last page. All of them were sharing the book together! Mr Z loves numbers and he is always keen to teach Mr T his numbers, so this was a good one for them to work on together. Although Mr Z would be too old for the book himself, he likes it in the context of him getting to be the teacher.
It is very sweet to see him teaching Mr T and encouraging him!
The book would be ideal for children of about 1-3 years, and I think it may normally be too young for a child of 4 but as Mr T does have special needs it’s at the perfect level for him. He has only recently learned his numbers and now he can mostly recognise 1-5 so the book is ideal for him to reinforce that.
It is also great for Mr R who is 2 years old. He loves brightly coloured books. Sitting and looking through books is one of his favourite things to do, and he is always excited by seeing TV characters which he recognises, like Mr Tumble.
Mr Tumble’s Big Book of Counting is published by Egmont and can be purchased from Amazon or other good book stores.
Would we recommend it? It’s a yes from Mr T!
(He’s signing “Yes” – Hopefully if you watch Something Special you can recognise the sign! )
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
Mr Z teaching Mr T is so sweet mashaallah. Looks like a great book.
Looks like a really bright, colourful book. It would make an ideal present for a little one!
I think it is great that Mr Tumble introduces our children to be more open to children with special needs, great review looks like a lovely book.
We have just got this book and both my kids love it too!
You have no idea how much I NEED this book. Dexter is obsessed with Justin.
Love Mr Tumble such a versatile character .
That looks like a great book! I shall keep an eye out for it for Fyfa!
Oh Mr Tumble is always a big fave in our house – ever since my now 18 yr old was little – and great to combine him in such an educational but fun book!
I did not realise he had been around that long! wow
Lovely looking book! My youngest would love it 😀 x
My boys must be two of the only children in the UK who do not like Mr Tumble!
We are massive Mr Tumble fans in this house. This book looks like a fantastic introduction to numbers and having Mr Tumble involved would encourage some more reluctant learners to get involved.
What a bright, colourful book! Mr Tumble is a favourite with my children and this looks fantastic! 🙂
My 2 year old would love this. A great way to get little ones into recognising their numbers and I love how colourful it is too!
I have to admit Mr Tumble gives me shivers a little but my son does seem to like him! A great way to learn numbers though 🙂 x
I have to say Mr Tumble is annoying cheery, but kids love him!
I love this. I think it’s great tha tmore and more chataracters with disabilities are in children’s media (including books and TV shows). I loved learnign the finger spelling alphabet when I was in first grade.
My children adore Mr Tumble, looks like a great book.
I like bright colours in kids books too… they do help a lot
Anything with MR Tumble is a hit with my two…..this would be great for Eliza
the kids love this guy – he freaks me out!!
aww my daughter loves Mr Tumble – what a great book!
My two used to love Mr Tumble x
We love Mr Tumble loads in our house 🙂 And I think the book is fab.
This sounds great – will definitely look out for it for my son as he’s mad for Mr Tumble!
This looks like a really lovely book, we’re huge fans of Something Special.
Looks perfect for my youngest. I do think it helps when books like this contain a familiar character.
Looks like a lovely book!