I found this note yesterday: I have NO IDEA what any of it might mean! I’m wondering if it’s a series of set-ups for photographs, or a short story scene breakdown. It’s definitely my handwriting, but it means nothing to me now! The note must be several years old, I should think. Any creative suggestions? … More What does this mean?
This is a cute book. It feels great (this is why I can’t love the Kindle, despite its usefulness): the paper is thick and good quality, and it’s full colour throughout (which is why it’s £9.99 RRP). The author is 18-year-old Isobel Harrop, who loves drawing and making general observations on life. The blurb says: … More The Isobel Journal – review
Over the weekend, I went to Blenheim Palace with my family. We live fairly near it, and we didn’t actually go into the palace this time, just the grounds. But we walked down a track I’d never taken before, and there was this beautiful lake, glittering in the sun. And we were lucky enough to … More Blenheim Palace in the autumn sunshine
On Friday, I went to the annual Oxfordshire Book Awards. I love going to the OBAs. The organisers are brilliant, and there are always loads of kids from local schools who are passionate about books and reading. The winners get to do a little speech and any local authors who attend are made a fuss … More Celebrating great books in Oxfordshire
Last week, it being half term, I took my daughter to see the new comic strip outside the Story Museum in Oxford. The Museum isn’t properly open yet (we keep our fingers crossed that it will be next year!) but artist Neill Cameron has done some fantastic artwork to explain what’s happening and what the … More Cartoons at the Oxford Story Museum!
This is one of those books in which the location is almost a character of its own. Fourteen-year-old Deo and his older brother Innocence live in Zimbabwe, but their lives are changed forever when soldiers come to their village and massacre everyone. Suddenly the two brothers are forced to run – to South Africa, where … More Now is the time for Running – review
My friend Shelley had a little boy last week, and I wanted to make something special for him. Back at university, there were five of us who were really good friends, and ALL of us have had two daughters! Shelley is the first one of us to produce a boy! (after her daughter, who is … More Handmade gifts for a new baby
You know how sometimes people ask you who inspired you? It can be a difficult question to answer. Should you pick your parents, or a relative or friend who overcame some great difficulty? Should you choose a famous figure who did a lot of good? When I was young, I always thought I should mention … More Meeting a hero – Susan Cooper
I made this with my daughter the other day. She’d been collecting acorns and had found one with a little hole in. ‘Then I stuck my nail in and it made a keyhole!’ she said proudly. So I suggested we add a playdough top to it to make it into a fairy toadstool. Wonder what … More Fairy toadstool!
I am SO HAPPY. Like this 😀
Jo Cotterill 