Magical bells, a box of tiny mice, and a rummage in Hampstead

Story Street #5

February went by in a flash – but the highlight for me was Window Wanderland.

Once a year the people of Southfields decorate their windows to make an outdoor, after-dark art gallery – the idea started in Bristol and has been spreading ever since.

I went for a frog theme this year (a cheeky promotion for my book with Neil Clark, So You Want To Be A Frog), and I prepared by painting lots of tissue paper with different greens mixed from my trusty school paints. Once my window was in place, I wrapped up warm for a wander to look at the others – what do you think of these beauties?

My friend and fellow illustrator Tracey English always makes a brilliant one (top left in the second picture) – you can read all about her window-making here:

The start of March marks World Book Week, which means lots of school visits for me, both online and in person. It’s exhausting, but very enjoyable making up stories with children after I have shown them my Story Map. They are always exploding with ideas! One boy told me very seriously this week that it was the best day of his life, which was very touching. I’ve just finished a Zoom call with a school in Saffron Walden – I drew out their story ideas, featuring a trickster fox called Dave, a lonely hen, a kindly wolf and a pig with a rowing boat. We could easily have turned it into a chapter book.

TOP TIP! For my ‘real life’ visits this week I’ve been using my new set of jingle bells – they are like MAGIC for getting the children’s attention when they are busily chatting about their work. Thankyou Sarah Lodge!

Here’s King Otter with the bells, having a relaxing cup of tea after being thoroughly hugged in school all day yesterday…

If you’re a fellow author/illustrator who is new to school visits, I wrote a blogpost a while ago with lots of advice. I used to feel daunted by them, but I love doing visits now - I hope these tips will be helpful.

And if you would like to book me to come to your school in the future, there’s lots of information about what to expect and how to book here:

When I wrote last month’s newsletter it was Hourly Comics Day, and I’m just going to share this little snippet which sums up why I love visiting my local nursery once a week. What could possibly be a better start to the day than discussing where playdough aliens had their breakfastses?

This month I’ve also been back at Canons House and Garden in Mitcham, this time with a collage workshop for schools and families aimed at creating material the design team at Easy Tiger can use for signage around the site. I was so impressed with the work everyone made – can’t wait to see what happens next. Just look at that glorious heart-adorned obelisk…

This little box of mice is one of the very last things to go on the very last page of the picture book I’m working on at the moment – Paul Stewart’s story about a mouse who’s frightened of the outside world. The final page has about 15 mice on it and I’m going slower and slower with my scissors and glue because I don’t want to finish this project. It’s going to be published by Otter Barry Books in around 18 months’ time.

Do you like charity shops as much as I do? I find it almost impossible to pass one shop without going in for a rummage, and often come out with treasures. In mid-February I had a Saturday potter with my husband in Hampstead, visiting the fascinating Freud Museum, and I came home with this gem from Oxfam – Martin Pebble by Sempé.

First published in French in 1969, this English Phaidon edition is from 2006. The simple expressive pen and ink lines are a delight on every page, as is the story about two friends – one who can’t stop blushing, the other can’t stop sneezing – who lose touch and meet up again as middle-aged businessmen, when they rediscover the joy of silly games, talking - and not talking - together. Have you made any good charity shop finds lately?

That’s it for now – have a good March, and see you in April. As always, here’s a handy link for you just in case you would like to buy any of my picture books. And if you do, or already have, THANKYOU!