Great stuff, well done!! We (in central London) have a deal with our local council that we can close off the road for a time around drop off and pick up. It definitely helps, but it isn’t perfect: there are obviously strict rules about staffing it; bikes still come roaring through. It’s hard.

Quick update on this, @acaseforbooks.bsky.social - can confirm that my in laws took my niece shopping today, and she’s bought the entire rest of the Pages and Co series… I think you’ve got a fan! X

Mariesa this looks stunning. A friend of mine wrote her masters dissertation about how the negative portrayal of sharks in film and lit has impacted efforts to conserve their habitats and populations. This is fab.

If anyone can’t afford therapy, may I recommend coming to this bunch of twelve year olds for advice. They will cure ALL YOUR PROBLEMS.

“And remember, you’re perfect darling.”

“Remember that to be loved is to be able to love yourself.”

“You are strong and beautiful, but right now you are seeking validation from men.”

“Love can be really messy, but it should make you feel safe and wanted, not hurt and unsure.”

This looks pleasingly similar to ours - great minds!
We love The Last Wild. Piers Torday came to visit us last year - highly recommend, he’s great.

Yes please Bennie, I’d love a copy!!

I think your message about the building blocks of storytelling and what a story actually is really struck a chord with some of our older ones too. They get so bogged down in the detail that they often forget to just tell the story. Thank you.

PS - I’m borrowing this line from you!