As the end of 2019 is fast approaching, I thought I’d write a list of my top ten books of this year. If you like the sound of any of them, you’ve still time to pop down to your local bookshop before Christmas. The following books are not in any particular order of preference, they […]
You know when you read something and your breath catches because of the depth and breadth of the truth it speaks to you? The following words, written by Courtney E. Martin and illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton rendered such a response in me. If you have ever felt the call to creative work, in whatever form, […]
My mother recently celebrated her 75th Birthday and, as one of the gifts I gave her, I decided to write a poem for her. The theme of this year’s National Poetry Day was TRUTH, so I used that single word as a starting point for what became my poem that I read to her at […]
I am nocturnally challenged. Many years ago, upon sharing this information with someone I met, he looked me in the eye and said ‘Get your beloved to read to you.’ I wasn’t sure what my beloved would think of that, but I asked him, and he did. He read Mark Twain to me in the […]
Please click here to read an article I have written about National Poetry Day, celebrated this year (2019) on 3rd October. This year’s theme is TRUTH. So, why not join in and #tellyourtruth
‘I can promise reading will change your life for the better,’ writes beloved children’s and YA author Judy Blume. ‘You’ll be smarter, savvier, you’ll have a way to connect with people of all ages, and you’ll never be bored. What could be better?’ Just as Judy Blume passionately expounds, all of us know the benefits […]
They stand lined in precise rows on your windowsill, a riot of colour and patterned paper: cranes and standing fans, boats and masu boxes. Your fingers work deftly as you fold the origami squares, your brow furrowing in concentration in the same way as when you were a toddler, trying to decide what to eat […]
Click here to read an article I have written about fun ways to keep literacy alive for your children over the long summer break.
A Thousand Word Photos is an organisation that matches photographers and writers, asking the writer to create a short story of 1000 words from the image. The stories are then read out loud by actors through the charity Interact to patients from all across London hospitals recovering from strokes. I was delighted to take part […]
Click here to read an article I have written about Free Writing Friday. This is a fantastic initiative spearheaded by children’s author Cressida Cowell (of How to train your Dragon fame & The Wizards of Once) to give back creative freedom on the page to our children.