Category: Books

Books · Poetry

Laughter and Literature in Children’s Fiction

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Set the scene, the Lady of Shalott floating gracefully down the river. All is calm.

Outside the isle a shallow boat 
Beneath a willow lay afloat, 
Below the carven stern she wrote, 

       The Lady of Shalott. 

 

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The Lady of Shalott features in Anne of Green Gables

Now imagine Anne Shirley in the place of the great lady, one minute drifting along, the next her boat has sunk and she is clinging to a post in the river!

It could only happen to Anne of Green Gables. Even though I read this as a child, the thought of Anne’s escapade and its dramatic conclusion still makes me laugh today.  This was my first introduction to The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and I have remembered it ever since.

Perhaps it is one of the greatest compliments a writer can pay to another, to acknowledge and include the other’s work in their own with the hope of introducing it to a whole new audience.

 

After all isn’t it natural to want to share fiction we love?

 

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Hellebores in the spring sunshine
Books · Inspiration · Trees

Naturally, Fiction.

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If I go for a walk I look at the trees. Each one is so individual it seems to almost have its own personality. thumb_IMG_8593_1024

Reflecting on this I wanted to consider the role trees play in fiction for children.

For me it all began with The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I thought of trees as magical, kind, fun – after all wasn’t there a huge slide!

When I looked up trees in fiction I came across this article which suggested a couple of books I did know and some  more to add to my reading list, always a good thing!

It made me think, what did trees mean to me as a child?

Well, they were for:

playing on rope swings,
climbing or should I say scrambling,
using sticks and leaves for games and potions,
collecting conkers to play conkers,
tree bark rubbings,
gathering acorns, using the cups for fairy cups and
hiding behind for hide and seek. 

I’m sure others have many more things they could add to this list!

With all this in mind I hope I can include trees in my own writing. Like everything there are always two sides to a story so it may be that some of the trees behave like the Ents while others are more like Whomping Willows!

Have you taken a moment to look at the trees around you? What’s your favourite tree in fiction?

 

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A Christmas card scene – in March!
Books

International Book Giving Day!

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I moved a bookshelf this week only to discover each shelf had two layers of books! Quite a lot of books really!

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So the bookcase is moved but what to do with all these books?

You see, what if it’s a rainy day, like today and I need a wee comfort Cup of Tea book to read in between my new books?

Well, I just happened to read on the blog Story Snug that February the 14th is the day to share the love of books, it is International Book Giving Day. How lovely! I think this is one of those ‘namedays’ I could really get behind!

Now, I’m guessing this will be a great excuse to shop for new books but I think it could also be a great day to drop off a pile at the charity shop too and share this love of books. So it’s time to go through the book mountain again, I am sure there’s more I could give away.

I just need one or two boxes….

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Books · Inspiration

Books, books everywhere

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A book upstairs, a book downstairs, one in the door of the car, if I don’t have a book near to hand then I’ll feel a bit lost to be honest.

Talking to others, I know I’m not the only one like this and I recently read the lovely Books in my Handbag Blog and felt I was totally at home.

On my own site I have the Cup of Tea booklist with the books people said they’d return to again and again. In the Books in my Handbag blog, Jessie Cahalin has a ‘Reader Recommends’ page where she has asked for the titles of books which have fed your reading addiction.

I sent my books in, of course I could not stick to one as I have so many favourites but The Chalet School and Anne of Green Gables certainly stand out in my memory. thumb_IMG_8314_1024

Perhaps it was the strong, independent characters or maybe it was because they were part of a series.

It could have been the beginning of learning to love the writing of a particular author and searching for the other books they have written.

Taking the time to think back to which books inspired me was so enjoyable I thought I’d like to pass it on.

 

Do you have any books you’d add to the Books in my Handbag Blog or My Cup of Tea booklist? I’d love to know. 

 

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Books · Flowers · Garden

The Hare and the Tortoise

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My favourite tale from our copy of Aesop’s Fables is The Hare and The Tortoise. 

I’ve always thought I identified with the tortoise, plodding along one step at a time.

So, this year I’ve decided to embrace the tortoise in me and hope to advance with new habits slowly.

Thinking about this I know not everything will be perfect.

I planted hyacinth bulbs back in September.thumb_IMG_7456_1024 to my delight they flowered, the single one producing the beautiful flower that I’m now using for my main photo.

 

The three in the pot were a bit leggy really but the scent was lovely. Definitely a win win!

 

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So  I’ll continue to plod on but I have realised recently that there is something of the hare in me – and no, it’s not the habit of having a nap! I can be speedy when needed, it’s just that I’ve learnt, like the tortoise, slow and steady helps me win my own race in my own way.

 

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Books · Friendship · Inspiration · Nature

Twittering on about Technology

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I found myself watching the last fifteen minutes of The Apprentice this week.

One of the finalists was accused of being too cautious when it came to her use of technology. Well now, I thought, that I can understand! In fact, I’m sure my family would consider there to be a real similarity between me and the contestant in this regard!

It has taken me years to begin writing a blog.  I only recently joined Twitter. I have been sporadic on Facebook and I opened a Pinterest account years ago and have only recently put anything on it! Oh well, c’est la vie!

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So on this cold morning as Jack Frost spreads his swirling spirals ever further, I began to think about it all and realised that technology has opened some interesting doors.

Through Facebook I’ve become a member of bookclubs and stayed in contact with my family and so many lovely people I’ve met on my travels.

It was on Twitter I heard about the centenary celebrations for Muriel Spark (of ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ fame) including the exhibition at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh which is on my ‘to do’ list.

 

I discovered Robert Macfarlane’s ‘word of the day’ on Twitter. Linked to nature they are very inspiring and I love the way he adds in so many languages.

The lovely Rae Cowie introduced me to Goodreads and I’ve been having fun writing book reviews (and finding more book recommendations!).

I’m so encouraged by this way to share my love of reading, writing, nature, gardening and so on, there’s only one thing.

Just don’t tell my family! (They’ll never believe it!)

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I couldn’t finish without saying a huge thank you to Small Beer Press for help with this website and to Shane Strachan and all at the Aberdeen Writers Room for their fantastic help and support!