A whole new world was created in this series and yet it seemed like it was only a step away from the world in which we live. We all accepted our position as muggles, yet through the books we learned a new lesson in magic. The beauty of Harry Potter, for me, is its simplicity. A boy finds out he is a wizard and goes to a wizarding school. You know that feeling when you hear a new song and you feel like you've always known the tune? That's how Harry Potter makes me feel.
2. Help, It's Harriet by Jean Ure
"PROPER PENS OUT! BALL-POINTS IN!" - this is my main memory of this entertaining book which I, obviously, loved because the main character shares my name. It's a book about a young girl who is constantly trying to help but is totally accident-prone. We had this as a book-on-tape and I remember hearing it on holidays. I laughed and revolted as Harriet caused trouble.
3. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
With illustrations as well recognised as the stories themselves, it's easy to fall in love with a world in which animals full of character run around having adventures. I remember visiting the Lake District as a child and seeing the garden wherein the little blue Peter-Rabbit jacket hung as a scarecrow.
4. A Mouse Called Wolf by Dick King-Smith
"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart" is a mouse you can seriously learn to love. He's a mouse that dreams big and accomplishes much. While I was learning a love for music, so was Wolf. His name is wonderfully ironic and I love jokes like that in childrens' books.
5. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
You know you carry a book with you when you see it in life. Whenever I see a walled garden with an interesting wooden door I wonder whether a secret garden lies behind it. I love stories that make you cry and fill you will hope of a better life. This story does that for me.
6. Beaver Towers by Nigel Hinton
I remember reading these books at school. I loved the details like the characters Mick, Ann and Nick whose profession was.... Oh, I forget! ;) I remember telling someone I knew that the answer to a question they had was the shape of the islands in Beaver Towers. These stories were exciting to me. I still occasionally call people named Phillip "Flipip" in my head.
7. The Five Find-Outers or The Mystery Series by Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton makes most people's list of children's authors, but my choice is probably not a classic favourite. I read the Secret Seven and the Famous Five but my favourite stories were the stories of Fatty and the others: Larry, Daisy, Pip and Betts and the additional member, Buster the dog. My favourite story was The Mystery of the Invisible Thief. Fatty was always the hero of the books and would come up with a wonderful explanation in the end. The books always had me completely intrigued.
8. The Blue Balloon by Mike Inkpen
This is my favourite illustrated children's book. I loved it especially because of the pull-out rainbow balloon in the end. That, to me, was magic!
9. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
"We're going on a bear hunt. We're going on a bear hunt." Please watch this video performed by the author. Actually amazing! When Mom read this to us, she would say a line and we would chant it back to her. It was great fun and I still do it when I'm on a walk with Ben. Please lend us your children so he can have his sanity back.
10. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
I think I read the Hobbit when I was about ten years old. As an adult I find Tolkiens writing a bit harder but as a child I remember not struggling over the way it was written at all because I fell deeply into Bilbo's world. It completely absorbed my imagination. In "Riddles in the Dark" I was right there with Gollum and Bilbo, trying to work out the answers. I felt like Bilbo - like at any moment my ordinary world could be plunged into adventure - and it was when I read that book!
11. The Bad-Tempered Ladybird by Eric Carle
Looking back on this book I laugh. I think I was the bad-tempered ladybird when I was younger. I wasn't afraid to pick fights even if it meant I may one day get swatted by something much bigger than I am. I still love the story and I think it has a great message for kids!
12. Horton Hears a Who by Dr Seuss
"WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE!" - In my opinion this is Dr Seuss' best book. I love the tale of Horton the Elephant who finds out that "a person's a person no matter how small" and sticks to his knowledge when everyone around him doubts. It is a great book!
13. Little Bear's Trousers by Jane Hissey
It still makes me giggle that they used Little Bear's Trousers as icing bags. I love the pictures and story. I loved the 'Old Bear' books in general, but this was my favourite.
14. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
Stanley is flattened at the beginning of this book. It's a trauma and tragedy that I, as a child, readily accepted. Things do happen, after all. I liked imagining what he could do with his new 2-dimensional proportions. I remember writing about it at school.
15. Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell
This was me. I was always the little bear who "couldn't sleep" - I loved the story of the bear being taken out into the night to see the moon. A great book for eye-close time.
16. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
I have to admit to reading these outside of my 'childhood' years. I don't know why people don't talk about Artermis Fowl more. These books make me laugh out loud. I can't wait to introduce my kids to Mulch Diggums and explaining to them what a "kleptomaniac" is. The first book, in particular, is an absolute treat. It has a magical world and a wonderfully lovable villain.
17. The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark by Jill Tomlinson
Who ever thought of a barn owl called Plop? It's amazing what you can get away with in children's books. It never seemed odd to me! In the different chapters Plop meets individuals who teach him about why the dark is so great and how exciting it can be. A great book for teaching children not to be scared at bed time!
18. What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
Some books affect you deeply and this had that impact on me. It was hard to 'feel and see' Katy's pain as she becomes bed-bound after an accident falling off a swing. Through her experiences she grows and learns. I often still think about the poem "In School" that Katy is sent by her cousin on Valentine's day. It's a lesson in learning from pain and from love. I cherish this book!
19. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
If I could choose any fictional world to live in it would be Narnia. I have heard The Chronicles of Narnia criticized as being too preachy. As a Christian, I love them because they teach about Christ. I'm grateful for the understanding that came to me as I read and heard (we had it on tape!) about Aslan the Lion and the sacrifice he made for the mistakes that had been made. But, aside from that - Jack Lewis created a world that was incredibly rich - a massive playground for children's imaginations.
20. Jeremy James by David Henry Wilson
Every time I'm poorly it's because "errmm.. well... a red licorice allsort has probably had a fight with a blue licorice allsort". When I feel tiny in a crowd I am "weaving in and out of the leg jungle". When I see a tower of tins, I know that the very best one must be right on the bottom. David Henry Wilson, I salute you. Just remembering the antics of the (very brave) Jeremy James has brought laughter to me. Just be warned: you may need to explain to your children that as a rule their Uncle Arthur won't come into the house wearing black in the middle of the night.
6. Beaver Towers by Nigel Hinton
I remember reading these books at school. I loved the details like the characters Mick, Ann and Nick whose profession was.... Oh, I forget! ;) I remember telling someone I knew that the answer to a question they had was the shape of the islands in Beaver Towers. These stories were exciting to me. I still occasionally call people named Phillip "Flipip" in my head.
7. The Five Find-Outers or The Mystery Series by Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton makes most people's list of children's authors, but my choice is probably not a classic favourite. I read the Secret Seven and the Famous Five but my favourite stories were the stories of Fatty and the others: Larry, Daisy, Pip and Betts and the additional member, Buster the dog. My favourite story was The Mystery of the Invisible Thief. Fatty was always the hero of the books and would come up with a wonderful explanation in the end. The books always had me completely intrigued.
8. The Blue Balloon by Mike Inkpen
This is my favourite illustrated children's book. I loved it especially because of the pull-out rainbow balloon in the end. That, to me, was magic!
9. We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
"We're going on a bear hunt. We're going on a bear hunt." Please watch this video performed by the author. Actually amazing! When Mom read this to us, she would say a line and we would chant it back to her. It was great fun and I still do it when I'm on a walk with Ben. Please lend us your children so he can have his sanity back.
10. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
I think I read the Hobbit when I was about ten years old. As an adult I find Tolkiens writing a bit harder but as a child I remember not struggling over the way it was written at all because I fell deeply into Bilbo's world. It completely absorbed my imagination. In "Riddles in the Dark" I was right there with Gollum and Bilbo, trying to work out the answers. I felt like Bilbo - like at any moment my ordinary world could be plunged into adventure - and it was when I read that book!
11. The Bad-Tempered Ladybird by Eric Carle
Looking back on this book I laugh. I think I was the bad-tempered ladybird when I was younger. I wasn't afraid to pick fights even if it meant I may one day get swatted by something much bigger than I am. I still love the story and I think it has a great message for kids!
12. Horton Hears a Who by Dr Seuss
"WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE!" - In my opinion this is Dr Seuss' best book. I love the tale of Horton the Elephant who finds out that "a person's a person no matter how small" and sticks to his knowledge when everyone around him doubts. It is a great book!
13. Little Bear's Trousers by Jane Hissey
It still makes me giggle that they used Little Bear's Trousers as icing bags. I love the pictures and story. I loved the 'Old Bear' books in general, but this was my favourite.
14. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
Stanley is flattened at the beginning of this book. It's a trauma and tragedy that I, as a child, readily accepted. Things do happen, after all. I liked imagining what he could do with his new 2-dimensional proportions. I remember writing about it at school.
15. Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell
This was me. I was always the little bear who "couldn't sleep" - I loved the story of the bear being taken out into the night to see the moon. A great book for eye-close time.
16. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
I have to admit to reading these outside of my 'childhood' years. I don't know why people don't talk about Artermis Fowl more. These books make me laugh out loud. I can't wait to introduce my kids to Mulch Diggums and explaining to them what a "kleptomaniac" is. The first book, in particular, is an absolute treat. It has a magical world and a wonderfully lovable villain.
17. The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark by Jill Tomlinson
Who ever thought of a barn owl called Plop? It's amazing what you can get away with in children's books. It never seemed odd to me! In the different chapters Plop meets individuals who teach him about why the dark is so great and how exciting it can be. A great book for teaching children not to be scared at bed time!
18. What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge
Some books affect you deeply and this had that impact on me. It was hard to 'feel and see' Katy's pain as she becomes bed-bound after an accident falling off a swing. Through her experiences she grows and learns. I often still think about the poem "In School" that Katy is sent by her cousin on Valentine's day. It's a lesson in learning from pain and from love. I cherish this book!
19. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
If I could choose any fictional world to live in it would be Narnia. I have heard The Chronicles of Narnia criticized as being too preachy. As a Christian, I love them because they teach about Christ. I'm grateful for the understanding that came to me as I read and heard (we had it on tape!) about Aslan the Lion and the sacrifice he made for the mistakes that had been made. But, aside from that - Jack Lewis created a world that was incredibly rich - a massive playground for children's imaginations.
20. Jeremy James by David Henry Wilson
Every time I'm poorly it's because "errmm.. well... a red licorice allsort has probably had a fight with a blue licorice allsort". When I feel tiny in a crowd I am "weaving in and out of the leg jungle". When I see a tower of tins, I know that the very best one must be right on the bottom. David Henry Wilson, I salute you. Just remembering the antics of the (very brave) Jeremy James has brought laughter to me. Just be warned: you may need to explain to your children that as a rule their Uncle Arthur won't come into the house wearing black in the middle of the night.
Harry Potter Studios
We're heading into a magical time of year.
I'm not a fan of the cold - I'm a creature that is much happier in a tropical climate, thank you very much! I've regularly heard people remarking on the heat when they walk into our flat. There is one insanely brilliant thing about this time of year though and there are no prizes for guessing what that is- CHRISTMAS!
I'm officially "allowed" to talk about it now - it's less than one month away, after all. Plus, during our weekend trip to London we saw Christmas trees up and decorated and even got to see the preparations at Hogwarts for Christmas.
As I said, it's a magical time of year!
It's a great time for celebrating and getting together with family. Ben and I had a totally wonderful weekend with Ben's parents, Graham and Judith.
We always have a lot of fun when we go and visit them and our adventures take us to London quite often which is something that I love to bits! It's really fun to be able to explore and experience things together. Ben always says that he can't get a word in edge-ways when we all get going talking about something or other.
One thing that often becomes a topic of conversation (less with Graham and Ben - but certainly with Judith and I) is books. Anyone who knows me knows I am a total bookworm. I love to read. I love to be recommended books and to recommend books. I try and influence everyone around me to get as enthusiastic about reading as I am. In our marriage, this has led to reading "Life of Pi" and "The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of The Window and Disappeared" out loud together as I have tried to impact Ben. I think he's enjoyed it!
There are books that touch me deeply. They give me memories and they inspire me. I will never forget the first time I cried with Katy or the moment I first read the line, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." I've loved all kinds of fiction from the sublime to the ridiculous. I admire good writing. I also love stories that suck you in.
How about this one?
I devoured the Harry Potter books. I remember reading the sixth one under the desk at the back of a history class and having the teacher come past and, instead of telling me off, asking me "How is it???" in excited tones.
The nation - the world - fell in love with this book. I mean, they had to print an adult cover due to the need to 'legitimise' all the grown-ups that were just as thrilled about the world of Quidditch, Hippogriffs and Wizards.
I loved visiting the Warner Brothers Studios and taking a step back into my childhood. I grew up with Harry Potter - the characters are my peers! It was absolutely amazing to see the sets and the amount of work it took to bring Harry Potter to life on screen. It was already very much 3-D to me as I read the books but it was actually pretty moving to imagine how it must feel to see the fruits of your imagination being realised.
Imagine being J.K. Rowling!
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