In praise of modern libraries
The sound of toddlers singing ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’ rings out across the room, punctuated by squeals of laughter…
Literary humour can be lost in translation
There is a particular kind of humour to be found in the pages of a book. It is often subtle…
Lessons are lovely but fun comes first
Children can be fickle creatures. One minute they like something, the next minute they push it away in disgust. I’ve…
The evolution of fatherhood in life and fiction
"For the times, they are a-changing" The lyrics of Bob Dylan's famous song continue to ring true, particularly in their…
What makes a word beautiful or ugly?
There is a beautiful village in the Cotswolds in England, all stone walls and flower boxes, called Upper Slaughter, and…
How to read to a reluctant baby or toddler
Forget Sudoku for toddlers, in utero Mozart concertos and Baby Einstein DVDs, one of the best ways to promote babies'…
Why we can’t look away from a fall from grace
A promising young swimmer is about to achieve his dreams of sporting glory, but just as his fingers are about…
Therapy does not have to be by the book
Fiction can serve a lot of different purposes. It can entertain us, inform us, uplift us and move us. But…
The complex sibling relationship in life and fiction
I hate conflict so much that I’ll accept a cold, undercooked meal garnished with a strand of the chef’s hair…
Aussie kids need Aussie books, too
As I flew into Heathrow Airport for the first time, I felt like I had arrived home. Here I was,…
