Overview and Outcomes:

This ten-session Story Sapling begins with the discovery of clues that a celebration has taken place. Children investigate the clues, leading to discussion of celebrations they have attended and what they enjoy doing at them. They share the story, So Much before going on to use thought-tapping to infer a characters’ feelings and recording them in thought bubbles. Continuing to read the text, children join in with repeated refrains and anticipate events. They write messages, sort phrases into feelings zones and then retell the story. Children will then go on to discuss themselves as a baby and who takes care of them. The Story Sapling culminates with a class celebration for which children make party food.

Synopsis of Text:

Everybody wants to squeeze the baby, everybody wants to kiss the baby, everybody loves the baby ... so much! As each member of the family arrives at the gathering, the baby is given lots more attention – and then the party can begin! A tender and humorous look at modern family life.

Text Rationale:

When this book was first published in 1994, it won the Smarties Book Prize; the Kurt Maschler Award and the WHSmith and She Magazine Award. The book was voted one of the 100 best children’s books by Time Out in 2016. The book also represents authentically the language and cadence of an Afro-Caribbean family. Trish Cooke is a multi-talented writer whose work crosses many disciplines including radio, television and theatre.

Links and Themes:
Parties, celebrations, new babies, representation, diversity, family

Date written: March 2026