Monday, 15 August 2016

Introducing my children to Spot! (+ giveaway)

One of the earliest memories I have is my dad reading me my Spot books at bedtime. They were my favourites and I asked for them every night.
Eric Hill created Spot way back in 1980 in a lift-the-flap book. His toddler-like behaviour introduces children to new experiences through friendship and play. The adorable little puppy has been loved internationally since and the books have been published in 50 languages including sign language and Braille and over 60 million books have been sold.

20+ years since reading the books myself, I was thrilled to receive a little Spot themed pack for the kids. We received a copy of Spot's Hide and Seek book, a DVD of Spot Goes to the Farm, a cute Spot hand puppet and tote bag.


The kids absolutely love reading so we had to give the book a go first. The book is called Hide and Seek and on every double page spread you are in a different setting such as the beach, farm or kitchen. To the right of the pages there is a list of things to find across those two pages with images of the items to help. C (almost 4 years of age) was better at this than E (who is almost 2). She tended to point at the helping images whereas C really tried to search. Some things he'd find right away and others he needed a bit of help with. It was a really fun activity to do with the kids and I loved combining fun with learning.


At the back of the book you are also given some bonus items to find. These were a little harder for C as he had to remember the image then flick back to the right page to search. He did quite well though! I was impressed. 


There is also a great new website Fun with Spot which we took a look at too. You can find out more about the books, Spot news and there are even some games to play and activity sheets to download. C had fun with the dress up game! There is a new app coming out on August 16th which I will be reviewing here on the blog so do keep an eye out for that.

I put the Spot Goes to the Farm DVD one early evening whilst we were waiting for Chris to get home from work. Both kids snuggled up in a blanket and couldn't wait to watch. 


The DVD contains 11 episodes:
  • Spot Goes to the Farm
  • Spot's Horse
  • Spot's Breakfast
  • Spot in the Woods
  • Spot Goes to the Circus
  • Spot's Umbrella
  • Spot Goes Splash!
  • Spot Stays Overnight
  • Spot Goes to the Fair
  • Spot Goes to the Park
  • Spot Help Grandma





C and E were totally engrossed in the DVD whilst it was playing. C kept telling me about different things that Spot was doing, the characters he was meeting and how he thought Spot felt. It was really nice to see that he was taking such an interest in it. I loved watching too. The animation just seems like pages of those original Spot books that I read years ago were coming to life. I think the kids really like Spot because he does things that they do and likes the things that they are interested in. After the first episode at the farm, I asked him where he thought Spot should go next and he replied, "the park" so he liked that there was actually an episode about the park. The episodes are quite short (the entire run time is 55 minutes) so every time an episode went over, E would point and shout, "oh no!" She didn't want it to be over!


I've also been offered a second copy of Spot Goes to the Farm to give away to one of my readers! All you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. 

 T&C's:
  • The giveaway will run from August 15th until August 28th
  • One winner will win one copy of Spot Goes to the Farm on DVD
  • The prize will be sent to the prize winner from the PR
  • Open to entrants aged 18+
  • UK and ROI residents only
  • No automated entries
  • One entry per person
  Good luck!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

(We received these items for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Free-to-enter UK competitions at Competition Database
SuperLucky Blog Giveaway Linky
59 comments on "Introducing my children to Spot! (+ giveaway)"
  1. anthony harrington15 August 2016 at 22:46

    I would love to introduce my little Grandson to Spot!

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  2. My daughter really likes Spot.

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  3. i was a big spot fan as a child :) this story would be great as hoping to stay on a farm on holiday next year x

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  4. Becky Yeomans16 August 2016 at 08:17

    I remember reading spot as a child, I remember it been read to us in school.

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  5. Jayne16 August 2016 at 08:32

    I used to love reading Spot the dog books when I was a child. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. x

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  6. Unknown16 August 2016 at 08:40

    I loved Spot as a child, watched it with my little brother as he grew up and now to watch the children enjoy it too is awesome. They already have a lot of the books

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  7. spot spot loveable spot,still sing it now

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  8. maci23416 August 2016 at 09:55

    the kids love spot

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  9. Trish16 August 2016 at 10:01

    I used to read Spot to my daughter and now Im reading to my Grandson!

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  10. Liam Bishop16 August 2016 at 10:54

    Spot is one of the only books I remember as a child (along with the Owl who was Afraid of the Dark) so I love reading it to my son now!

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  11. sallyc0616 August 2016 at 12:32

    Spot wasn't around when I was a child, but Bill and Ben was!

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  12. Isabel16 August 2016 at 14:22

    I read Spot books when I was a kid, and I'm so glad that the little chap is still around for my niece to enjoy now. :)

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  13. Unknown16 August 2016 at 15:05

    I remember watching spot

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  14. gemmahendry16 August 2016 at 18:01

    i loved the spot open the flap books as a child

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  15. Unknown16 August 2016 at 18:38

    i use to watch Spot when i was younger

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  16. Anonymous16 August 2016 at 19:40

    I worked in a children's Nursery years ago. We had story corner, the children loved Spot, as do I.

    Rachel Craig

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  17. I read Spot to my children and think my grandson would love this DVD

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  18. EJ Dunn16 August 2016 at 22:51

    I used to watch it a lot when I was a kid. I had a video and there were lions, tigers and bears hiding (or elephants - I can't fully remember!). EJ Dunn

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  19. Unknown17 August 2016 at 08:06

    Spot is a lovely little character. I can't believe he's been around so long now. x

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  20. Margaret17 August 2016 at 20:29

    Don't remember reading anything when I was young
    Love all these books

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  21. Anonymous18 August 2016 at 11:38

    I can just about remember Spot as a kid. I'd like to win for my niece.

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  22. Unknown18 August 2016 at 13:20

    I used to love Spot as a child! Brings back some lovely memories!

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  23. Lorraine18 August 2016 at 17:27

    my grandson daniel loves spot, i dont remember it as a child, but i do remember andy pandy and im sure spotty dog was in that programme

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  24. twinlay0619 August 2016 at 16:18

    I've never watched it but I'm sure it would keep the grandchildren quiet. My favourites are Tom and Jerry

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  25. Angie McDonald20 August 2016 at 00:43

    Spot was one of my favourites as a child!

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  26. Solange20 August 2016 at 05:18

    My daughter loves Spot.

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  27. Unknown20 August 2016 at 11:28

    I remember spot from childhood

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  28. Kim Styles20 August 2016 at 18:06

    I love Spot the dog ,I have grown up with Spot as have all my children!

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  29. Rebecca Mercer20 August 2016 at 21:33

    I used to love spot as a child id love to introduce it to my own children

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  30. I used to love Spot as a child and I am glad he is still going strong xxx

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  31. sarah knightley21 August 2016 at 21:56

    My little girl loves the books so dvd would be great to win

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  32. Anonymous22 August 2016 at 16:12

    I used to love the lift-the-flap spot book I had as a child! Glad it's still around! (@PeanutHog)

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  33. kasza23 August 2016 at 19:39

    Love Spot, my Grandchildren are reading the same books that my children had #happydays

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  34. WeeWillieWilkie23 August 2016 at 21:04

    We loved Spot growing up and had the video. I still remember the song. "Spot, Spot, Loveable Spot. He's soft and cuddly and he smiles a lot. If you ever have a pup that's good enough it's Spot, Spot, Spot!"

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  35. sallyc0624 August 2016 at 08:26

    Hi Rebecca, your children are cute!!! Fab prize!

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  36. Susie Wilkinson24 August 2016 at 19:58

    My step-granddaughter thinks Spot looks like my Beagle, Bruce, so whenever she sees it she just keeps shouting 'Brucie' at the TV!

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  37. I loved spot when I was little.

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  38. I though Spot was great when I was a child.

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  39. Rich Tyler26 August 2016 at 01:14

    I loved spot when i was a child, my little 1 does too :)

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  40. Allan Fullarton26 August 2016 at 11:18

    I remember watching spot

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  41. Kerry locke26 August 2016 at 17:30

    We love Spot ... the illustrations are fantastic!

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  42. AnnaH26 August 2016 at 19:48

    I love Spot. I always like the Christmas episode where he finds the lost reindeers!

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  43. LilysLittleLearners26 August 2016 at 21:51

    We Love Spot and I loved it as a child do. Would always take Spot books out at the library :) - Cassandra Mayers

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  44. Julie27 August 2016 at 00:21

    Spot brings back fond memories! Spot Spot lovable Spot :)

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  45. donna l jones27 August 2016 at 09:28

    lspot is one of there favourites

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  46. carol boffey27 August 2016 at 10:41

    I love spot

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  47. Kim Styles27 August 2016 at 19:53

    I grew up with spot and I loved the books I didn't have dvds then though!

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  48. Unknown27 August 2016 at 20:10

    My granddaughter enjoyed reading her book about Spot with me when we went on a day trip together yesterday.

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  49. my kids love spot, and i remember my cousin having spot books !

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  50. Ian Murray28 August 2016 at 09:29

    our first family dog was called spot. :)

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  51. Laura Findlay28 August 2016 at 10:51

    I used to watch Spot as a child and now my kids love watching it x

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  52. I loved Spot as a kid, the books were great too. My kids enjoy Spot also the flap books are a great activity :-) x

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  53. Caroline Buckley28 August 2016 at 13:16

    I loved Spot when I was younger. My son isn't too interested but hoping my daughter will be

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  54. Natalie Crossan28 August 2016 at 15:27

    My daughter loves spot xxx

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  55. Anonymous28 August 2016 at 16:15

    i remember spot when my children were small
    from samantha price

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  56. Anonymous28 August 2016 at 16:18

    Didn't get enough Spot the Dog when I was little!
    Victoria B - @ickle0ne

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  57. Karl Borowy28 August 2016 at 20:45

    LOVE SPOT THE DOG

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  58. Spot came out the year I was born so by the time I hit nursery school the spot books were all the rage :D

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