I love Dick King-Smith's work. There was a time when I read nothing except his books. I devoured story after story, the way children do when they get hooked on to an author. I remember just one book I didn't enjoy - Godhanger. But everything else? I loved. And that's why we're rereading The Hodgeheg, one of my favourites! It's a sweet story about one determined hedgehog who makes it his mission to find out how to cross a road safely. How do humans cross? Can't a hedgehog do the same? Here's what we'll do with this book at my book club. Slang The Hodgeheg begins with another hedgehog having 'copped it'. Later on, we have the phrase 'that's flat'.What do these phrases mean? The way in which words and phrases develop regional variations is fascinating. I remember reading the phrase 'I bet a monkey' while I was reading Georgette Heyer. I first … [Read more...]
The Sheep-Pig
A few months ago, one of my publishers, Mango Books, began a series of posts on social media about books authors read when they were young. The book I chose was The Sheep-Pig, a delightful chapter book by a favourite writer, Dick King-Smith.Dick King-Smith's stories are a treat. I loved The Sheep-Pig, the sequel Ace and so many more - Saddlebottom, A Mouse Called Wolf, The Hodgeheg ... Every time I went to the library, I would look out for his books, hoping to discover at least one more book I hadn't read.Why is this book part of my reading programme?Obviously, the first reason is that I love it. Here's what I said to Mango Books about it."The Sheep-Pig is a delightful story, and I'm so glad I read it as a child! The book left me with the feeling that anything is possible. More than that, I loved the idea that kindness and courtesy can help you achieve … [Read more...]
Online Reading Programme
I've been working with the British Library's reading challenge for a long time. I've worked with a range of themes - Circus Stars, Mythical Maze, Record Breakers, The Big Friendly Read, Animal Agents ... And I've enjoyed each one. I love the range of books the British Library has, and the reading challenge collection is always special. Being a British Council trainer was always a huge advantage during the reading challenge season because I got secret access to all these books that weren't yet available to regular library customers!However, as I associated with schools and children at the library, there were two questions that continually stood out to me:Don't we get to keep even one book? Why are there no Indian books?And these are questions I've been mulling over for a while, which leads me to announce this online reading programme.What will we do during the online … [Read more...]