The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse has been one of this year's runaway hits at work in the lead up to Christmas. We cannot keep it on the shelves and the UK publishers (Ebury) cannot seem to print enough for demand. School librarians are buying this book by the bucket load. And the Instagram buzz around this book is HUGE.

If you love Winnie-the-Pooh and love a heartfelt message about kindness, caring and hopefulness, then I'm sure this will be a hit with you too.

It shares all the innocence and joie de vivre of Pooh.

It's thoughtful, gentle and motivational.

It celebrates friendship.

It's poignant and full of universal truths.

Mackesy's illustrations are whimsical and tender.

The end papers are just lovely with their cantering, flying horses moving around a musical score.

It's a treasury of kindness from start to finish.

I'm sure that some people will find this too twee or cringe-worthy, because there are always Scrooges.

Bah Humbug!
Let the haters hate; the rest of us can feel warm and fuzzy as we bask in haze of kindness.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is the kind of book that makes you crave snowy days, hot chocolates and warm fires.

The desire to snuggle up with favourite little person to explore each page and discuss each message is irresistible.

Minimalism is the key to Mackesy's success. And authenticity.
You can feel his lived experience behind each thought.

Elegant sketches with accompanying wise words, make each page instagramable and hashtag worthy!
They are of this time, yet timeless.
They make you feel nostalgic.
They make you feel better.

In this time of political unrest, climate change and busy, distractible lives, the boy and his animal friends are a timely antidote to all the seems wrong with our world.

Recently the Barnes and Noble booksellers voted it as their Book of the Year for 2019.

"We are pleased to announce Charlie Mackesy’s extraordinary 'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' as our winner,” says CEO James Daunt. “This is the book more than any other that has caught the magpie eye of our booksellers. Word of mouth amongst our booksellers has made this inspirational book the surprise bestseller of the year."

If your soul needs nourishing, then this is the book for you.

Recommended for 4 yr olds - 104 yr olds.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming ended up being an epic read for me, simply because I put the book down when I was half way through it in the New Year, when we were away and busy with family and summer and stuff, and then I forgot to pick it up again.

Other new, shiny books caught my eye and it kept sliding down the pile of half read books by my bed.

A few nights of waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep though, has cured that problem.

I find it too hard to read my fiction books at that time of the night, but the heavier non-fiction titles don't work either. An easy to read memoir is the thing that does the trick.

And a memoir that is full of the such hope, dignity and grace is the perfect antidote for the 3am blues.

I'm not sure I can add anything new to all the other rave reviews I've read for this book where Michelle Obama walks us through her childhood, her school years, her career, meeting Barack, having a family and moving to the White House. All I can add perhaps, is a perspective from the other side of the world.

There may be nuances particular to the American dream in Michelle's story that those from elsewhere may not fully appreciate, but I could appreciate the message about the importance of education to change lives. However, as Michelle realises too, it's not just a good education that gets you there.

In our modern Western world, a large majority of children have access to a good education. But not every child has the advantage of a strong, supportive, loving family or an inspiring teacher that can change the course of their lives, or a minister or neighbour who mentors them towards a better way. Good education, especially in the early years is vital, but so too are these connections, these people who boost, push, motivate, encourage and manage to say just the right thing at the right time to make a difference. People who open just one door, or people who do that one thing that makes your life easier for just that one magic moment. Then having the right personality to be able to make the most of those moments is the final blessing.

Michelle Obama was fortunate enough to have most of those things work in her favour. But it's her gratitude and her ability to give back, or to pay her good fortune forward, that makes her shine with grace and dignity.

Gratitude, grace and dignity are sadly lacking in much of world politics at the moment. Arrogance and bullying tactics have been mistaken for gravitas.

It is a curious thing watching all our Western democracies floundering on a bed of teenage petulance, seemingly in a race with each other to the bottom of human decency and kindness. I sometimes wonder if we are watching the death throes of the democratic process as we know it. The Obama White House may be the last decent government anywhere in the world for a long time to come. Living under the political systems currently in China, Russia, North Korea or Iran are not enviable or desirable in any way shape or form either. It could be easy to despair.

I have to remind myself of inspirational leaders like Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand or Justin Trudeau in Canada to know that it is still possible for kindness and inclusivity to be the guiding philosophy of a government and its leader.

Becoming reminds us that there are people in leadership positions who care, and care deeply. That small changes can lead to bigger changes. That individuals can make a difference. And that kindness and generosity will always be more admired than the alternative.

Michelle Obama's book is charming, genuine and heart-warming. The perfect antidote for the 3am blues.

8/20 Books of Winter Summer
Sydney 20℃
Dublin 20℃

Once Upon A Small Rhinoceros by Meg McKinlay

Once Upon A Rhinoceros is my kind of picture book.

As a child I dreamed of setting off into the big, wide world to explore. I've always wanted to see what there was to be seen. I couldn't wait to be grown up so that I could finally just go.

Small rhinoceros has the very same dream; she wants to see the world. She patiently waits until the time is right, and as you can see by the glorious cover designed by Leila Rudge, she succeeds.

She sailed on...through the woolly wild of winter and the smooth sweep of summer...to faraway lands and beyond.

On her return home, her family and friends are happy to see her, but unimpressed by her tales...all except for one quiet voice who asks,

'Did you get lost?'

'Many times.'

'And was it...wonderful?' 

'Oh yes!'  

Oh yes indeed!

With themes of independence and freedom, pushing the boundaries of what is considered 'normal' and daring to be different to fulfil your heart's desire, Once Upon A Small Rhinoceros will charm you and inspire you in equal measure.

Meg McKinlay has written some of my favourite books for teens and children, including the CBCA award winning A Single Stone, No Bears and Ten Tiny Things. She has a wonderful blog post describing her creative journey with this particular story here.

Leila Rudge adds collage elements to her pencil, paint and paper 'hand snipped' illustrations. She has written and illustrated the wonderful CBCA Notable book Ted, the very popular CBCA shortlisted book, Gary as well as No Bears with McKinlay.

#AusReadingMonth
#AustralianWomenWriters Challenge

Very Good Lives by J K Rowling

Some days you need a little inspiration and a little serendipity to pull you out of a blue funk.

Today's little boost came from J.K. Rowling's Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination.
Today a customer asked me if the book would be suitable for her 11 year old granddaughter...and I had no idea as I haven't had time to look inside it since it arrived in store.

This evening I made time...and I'm so glad I did.

Based on the commencement address that Rowling gave to the graduating class of 2008 at Harvard University, Very Good Lives is her little book of inspiration and wisdom.

And now that I've read it, I can tell you that this little book is indeed perfect for all 11 year old granddaughters...and grandsons...as well as for their grandparents and everyone in between.

Google is overflowing with quotes taken from this speech, so I will only trouble you to look at two of them for now.

Failure, imagination, empathy and friendship are at the core of Rowling's speech. Even though she quotes Seneca and refers to her own Classics degree, the speech is written lightly, with humour and good grace.

This is a heart-warming gift book for graduating classes the world over or for anyone needing a little light at the end of the tunnel.

I never though I would find something to replace Dr Seuss' Oh, The Places You'll Go, but this is it, just without the rhyme!

And just in case you've forgotten all about Oh, the Places You'll Go - here's a little reminder...

Do you have a favourite inspirational book?