Book of play review

Child holding a yellow book, cover facing up

Recently I was sent a copy of Michael Rosen’s Book of play: Why play really matters, and 101 ways to get more of it in your life. You might know Michael Rosen best for the classic “We’re going on a bear hunt” or for his time as the children’s laureate. I certainly didn’t realise he wrote non-fiction before I received this book. Find all the best children’s books here.

Micheal Rosen's book of play open at a page with a map of uk

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The book of play starts by looking at the history of play and also why play is so important. You will no doubt have noticed from the blog, I’m a big advocate of play too especially outdoor play, creative play and play-based learning for young children. I’ve really enjoyed reading this book and trying out some of Michael’s ideas.

Michael points out that we don’t have enough play in our lives, instead of focusing too much on exams and screens. So in this book, he sets out to inspire you to fit in more play. There are lots of activities and prompts for creative indoor and outdoor play for all ages.

Child holding a book open

The idea of the book is to build a tool kit to help us engage in the world in a playful way and to develop mindsets that help us see the world in a different way. I love the idea that Michael puts forward, that play teaches flexibility to deal with change and that play is an important part of life and not just for children.

The book has playful ideas to inspire you scattered throughout the book as well as chapters devoted to different types of play like word play, toys and playful learning. Ideas include cutting out words from newspapers and magazines and using them to make a poem, doodle prompts (with space specifically left in the book to doodle) and lots of ideas for word games.

Book of play by Micheal Rosen is out now from Profile books and available to buy from Amazon (and other retailers).

Child holding Michael Rosens book of play

Michael Rosen’s Book of play giveaway

I have two copies of Book of play by Micheal Rosen to giveaway. To enter fill in the Gleam widget below. Competition closes 10th November 2019 at midnight.

Two winners will be drawn at random by Gleam after the end date. 

No cash alternative. 

The prize is one copy of Michael Rossen’s Book of play for 2 winners.

Open to UK residents over the age of 18 only


The Ladybirds’ Adventures will email the winners within 48 hours of the competition closing. The winner has 28 days to reply to the email. If no response is received within 28 days then another winner will be selected. 
Ends midnight 3rd November 2019.


By participating in the giveaway, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.


For full terms and conditions see the Gleam widget.

Michael Rosen’s Book of play giveaway

Disclosure – We were sent a copy of this book in exchange for this review (& 2 copies to giveaway). All thoughts, photos and opinions are my own.

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39 thoughts on “Book of play review

  1. Fiona jk42 says:

    My favourite depends on who I’m playing with. With my husband and children, my favourite is Balderdash. With my granddaughter, our current favourite is Snakes and Ladders.

  2. Kate Davies says:

    We love quiz games like trivial pursuit but if we’re out in the car we love word association games.

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