Blog
Celebrating inspiration, creativity and good books
Sea haiku madness at THE IRON AGE festival
On Saturday I set sail on the squally seas in a Cullercoats fishing boat. I sit in my warm study, contemplating the weather. Wind whips round the yard, rattling the chains of the hanging baskets. Rain lashes the window. This…
What it is by Linda Barry
I received a gift. A mysterious parcel in the post. I knew it was coming, but not what it was, nor when it would arrive. I waited by the letterbox like an eager terrier. I wanted to know what this…
Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” So begins Rebecca’s Tale, echoing Daphne du Maurier’s haunting romantic thriller Rebecca. Twenty years has passed since Rebecca de Winter drowned off the coast of Cornwall. Now a different dreamer is…
The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean by David Almond
Billy Dean is a boy, locked in a room for the first thirteen years of his life. He emerges into a broken and beautiful world. The butcher, Mr McCaufrey, shows him how to use a knife. Mrs Malone encourages him…
I want my hat back by Jon Klassen
My brother gave me this picture book. It is for readers aged 3+. That includes me. Hooray for the plus! I loved it. Smart dialogue. Deadpan pictures. Wicked humour. You have to be good to tell a story so simply.…