DeeDee and DanDan cover
Recommended by parents

I do read books to her differently now so thank you.

It’s a great book and I really like that it made me think about how I was reading to her (so getting her involved in what she was seeing) as well as just reading to her.

Suzie, mother of Ivy

Recommended by nurseries

Children really enjoyed it. We did different pages every day. The vocabulary of children expanded. The book holds children’s attention because every spread is so different. We read it back to back 4 times already.
We recommend the book.

Great Child Nursery, Romford

Recommended by bloggers

We thoroughly recommend it for families with little ones aged 2+.

mrsshilts

Children will love this book with its simple sentences, familiar settings and colourful illustrations. DeeDee and DanDan’s Busy Day will show you an effective way to read with your child, and teach you how to make reading an interactive adventure.

Use the research-driven system developed by the authors and watch your child’s speech improve and their vocabulary grow, as together, you follow a day in the life of DeeDee and DanDan. 

The format follows normal child development: firstly, understanding simple words and recognising objects and activities; secondly, the ability to say simple words and answer simple questions; and thirdly, the ability to explain cause and effect.

How does it work?

breakfast

Read

Start with reading the text that describes what happens in the picture.

Breakfast time
Everyone is in the kitchen.
They are eating breakfast.
DoDo is drinking milk.
DeeDee is eating yoghurt with berries.

Where is it?

Ask your child where some of the objects are. Start with objects in the frame below the text.

Where is it

What is it?

Point to the object and ask: What is it? Give the child time to think and answer.

What is it

What are they doing?

Point to the activity and ask: What are they doing? Repeat or act out if necessary.

What Are They Doing

Ask questions

When your child is ready, start asking the questions at the bottom of the page.

What is Mum eating?
How many mugs are on the table?
What colour is milk?
Who has an empty cup?
Who is sitting next to Leo?

Discuss

Now for the most difficult part. Talk and ask your child about their everyday experiences.

What is your favourite breakfast?
Do you eat it with a spoon or a fork?
What is your mum’s favourite breakfast?
Is our table round or square?
When do we eat breakfast?

In the garden

Uh-oh, they talk about us!

Suzie, mother of Ivy

Ivy is enjoying your book. (…) and you’re right i do read books to her differently now so thank you.

It’s a great book and I really like that it made me think about how I was reading to her (so getting her involved in what she was seeing) as well as just reading to her.

Rebecca, mother of Madi, 18 months

At first I thought it might be a little advanced for her, but I found some time when she’d sit down and did some video of introducing her to the book (…) After that intro she’s really taken to it. She’s pulled it out several times to look over the pictures.

Emily and Indiana

Emily and Indiana
“the book doesn’t look and feel overly ‘educational’, but actually an inviting and colourful book with some lovely illustrations”
“I think it’s great that the sections of the book are so relatable”
“lovely illustrations on each page”
 
 

mrsshilts

mrs shilts book photo

“It’s a fantastic book with engaging, colourful illustrations”
“it’s been a real hit”
“we thoroughly recommend it for families with little ones aged 2+”

 

Read the full review on mrsshilts’ blog

Robin’s Nest Nursery, Haywards Heath

Very good with reading with one child. Some children were very interested. We used it with children struggling with speech to get them more involved.

We recommend the book.

Great Child Nursery, Romford

Great child nursery

Children really enjoyed it. We did different pages every day. The vocabulary of children expanded. The book holds children’s attention because every spread is so different. We read it back to back 4 times already.

We recommend the book.

Destiny Haven Nursery, London

Destiny Haven

Very helpful. Used with children with English as a second language and it really helped doing our job. Children enjoyed it and loved pictures.

We recommend the book.

Around the World Nursery, Edinburgh

Around the world nursery

Kids like the book. Children are making a progress when reading the book because of clear illustrations that make it easy to see objects. Same characters on most pages helps as well.

It’s so popular with children. It gets children to talk because of the familiar settings.

We recommend the book.

Dewdrops Nursery, London

Dewdrops Nursery

Illustrations are really good. They catch children attention. The book makes some rather quiet children talking. They will start talking about the book. They will communicate with adults about the story because the story is so familiar to them.

Questions on pages make comprehension easier, even though some are advanced. Some parents just read a book but questions really make a difference.

We recommend the book.

Meet the family

DeeDee princess

DeeDee

One of the adorable twins! She would like to be a princess when she grows up. DeeDee's favourite lunch is spaghetti with tomato sauce.

DanDan eating

DanDan

The other adorable twin! He loves playing with cars and trains. DanDan is also a passionate drummer. A big fan of bananas.

Leo taking photo

Leo

The older brother. Teenager. Leo enjoys riding on a bicycle and loves music. His favourite breakfast is beans on toast.

Do Do Smiled

DoDo

The expert in non-verbal communication. Probably too young for DeeDee and DanDan's Busy Day book.

Mum and Dad Together

Mum and Dad

Too tired to provide short description of themselves. They have four children and a dog.

Pom Pom Running

PomPom

Woof! Woof! Ruff! Ruff! Woof! Ruff!
Ruff! Woof! Woof! Ruff! Ruff! Woof! Woof!

Science behind the book

Leo studying

To help our bilingual children to develop speech we studied the scientific research of the effects that reading storybooks have on children’s vocabulary. DeeDee and DanDan’s Busy Day is based on our findings.

This article sums up the most important factors: “Three of the best ways to read books to kids, backed by science”

However, if you are geekier and you would like to know more details, we recommend studying “The Effects of Shared Storybook Reading on Word Learning: A Meta-Analysis” by Ms Zoe M. Flack, Prof. Andy P. Field & Dr Jessica S. Horst which can be found here. Not only it’s a great analysis of existing studies but it contains references to other related studies.

Who's done it?

Aneta Wojcik

Aneta Wojcik

(author)

I’m a wife, an ex-programmer turned project manager, an author of a children’s book and a mum to two little monsters. In between all of this, I try to get some sleep! I never enjoyed creative writing, but, DeeDee and DanDan’s Busy Day changed that. I created it to help other mothers. Especially if they’re worried or anxious about their own child’s speech development. The key is to be patient and nurturing. One day you won’t be able to keep them quiet! I promise!

Mariusz Wojcik

Mariusz Wojcik

(author)

I’m a husband, a programmer, an author of a children’s book, a huge fan of sausage rolls and a dad to two little monsters. I’ve always had a dream to write a children’s book. Although in the dream, the book was about fun and frogs, not an educational one! My strengths lie in spotting patterns, analysing situations, connecting dots and connecting people. I am fascinated by children’s development process. Watching this process first hand with my two children inspired me to write this book.

Daniel Wlodarski

Daniel Wlodarski

(illustrator)

Illustrating children’s books is what I enjoy doing the most, as well as seeing the reactions on children’s faces when they read books with my illustrations in. My own children are my biggest support and they are my inspiration when it comes to bringing my illustrations to life. They help me to create fantasy worlds, characters, and incredible situations. They help me through the tough days and creative blocks. They help me fill the pages with colours and discover new ways to tickle a child’s imagination.

You can find Daniel’s drawings here

danieliadrian

Daniel and Adrian

(testers)

We’re superstar kids with over six years of combined experience of stretching, playing with, fighting over and reading books. We are mum and dad’s principal testers for their book! We are also specialists in the testing of toys, new foods, different playgrounds and our parent’s patience! Daniel’s super-power is running as fast as the wind while Adrian’s is being able to concentrate on one thing for longer than an hour. DeeDee and DanDan’s Busy Day has our approval along with a glowing recommendation.

You cannot find out more about us.

Gale Winskill

Gale Winskill

(editor)

A trained editor and Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, I have over 25 years of experience across fiction, children’s fiction, non-fiction and other media. My path into editing stems from a lifelong love of reading, the fact that I will happily read anything, and an unconventional and indirect route into my chosen career – importing fruit, scuba diving, backpacking – yet always in the reassuring company of books.

You can find out more about Gale here

Claire Sipi

Claire Sipi

(editor)

I’m a writer, editor and proofreader, specialising in children’s books. I have worked in the children’s publishing industry for over 28 years, first as an editor and for the last 8 years as a writer. I’ve always had a passion for words and books and I am fascinated by how children are excited, inspired and engaged by books. I love coming up with ideas and creative plans. You can never underestimate the pleasure a book can bring or the power of words.

You can find out more about Claire here

Frequently Asked Question

Q: Can you show how to use the book?
A: Of course. Here is a series of videos that shows how to use the book at different stages of speech development.

Q: Any other tips?
A: Please see below the section with general advice on reading. Read all linked pages which contain plenty of tips how you help with speech development.

General advice on reading

Every child reads a book in their own way. Some like to race through the pages, others like to study the pictures in detail, and some just like to chew the pages before they are interested in the content! Watch your child’s behaviour and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Don’t force children to read books. You should still make time to sit with them and offer to read a book together. If they decide they have had enough after a couple of minutes, this is fine. Stop and try again another time. Or continue reading the book by yourself, to show your child that reading is an activity for grown-ups too. They might copy you to be like a grown-up themselves!

Don’t get frustrated or upset if your child doesn’t engage with a book straightaway. Reading isn’t a race. Work at your child’s pace, but if you have genuine concerns about their development then, it is best to talk to a health professional. Every activity in moderation is interesting. Reading must be an adventure and not a chore. Select a time in the day when your child is happy to sit with you, even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes. In the evening before bed is a good time, as long as your child and yourself are not too tired.

Make sure you read all the advice available on the following pages:

NHS Advice on how can you help with speech development

Speech and language development from birth to 12 months (Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children)

Speech and language development from 12 to 24 months (Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children)

Language development in children: 0-8 years from Australian parenting website

Help for detecting problems with speech development earlier

More tips on how to make reading interactive

Small talk project

Resources for parents of bilingual children

Contact us

It’s best to reach us using social media below.

Leo on bike says bye