Before self-help books, there are how to books. Perhaps they’re more prevalent for girls. In thinking of books I’ve read that have impacted me, or shaped the way I think, it includes books that are intended to help girls work out how to be…women? I should probably note here that I don’t have a sister. …
Continue reading “How to books for girls: French knots and societal expectations”
Had a ‘day off school’ day yesterday. Me too – strange sickness bug going about. Luckily we’re back to normal today. But it got me thinking about a craft book I had when I was little (and still have): the Stay in Bed Book. There were (are) two of these books: Stay in Bed and …
Continue reading “Stay in Bed Book: the special spell of illness activities”
When I was little, my parents joined a bookclub which specialised in doing lovely books for kids. Not just good reads, great pics – this was really special editions of classic books. It was a decision that still feels like a gift now – and I still have many of them. This is a point …
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Rather a while back, I lived in a town with hills. Doesn’t sound that exciting – lots of towns have hills. But this town was flat plain on one side, and suddenly: Hills. They dominated the town. And the imagination. I was able to sit on my bed, look out of the window, and see …
Continue reading “Ted Hughes, Alan Garner: the power of landscape”
No, it’s not a typo. Nor is it a Moleskine. My mother introduced me fairly early on to the four Molesworth books, brought together in this compendium. It was the easiest way to reference it here – and an early example of kill yourself laughing funny. Humour is obviously a personal business. So Molesworth may …
Continue reading “The Compleet Molesworth: books to laugh out loud to”