“It is through the power and music and magic of stories and poems that children can expand their own intellectual curiosity, develop the empathy and awareness that they will need to tackle the complexities of their own emotions, of the human condition in which they find themselves.”
— Michael Morpurgo
Charlotte Mason
Christmas is Coming 2021
…the most startling thing about this wonderful tree was that hundreds of tapers glittered like stars in its dark branches, and the tree itself, shining with an inner light, invited the children to pick its blossoms and fruits.
– The Nutcracker, E.T.A. Hoffman Continue reading
Visiting Cornwall
It’s been a while….but to kick off the new academic year I’m posting some books we enjoyed in the lead up to our Cornish summer holiday back in July. Continue reading
Getting in the Picture
“To really instil a love of art, children need to be encouraged to have a go and be creative themselves.”
— James Mayhew
In the last three blogposts I have shown how James Mayhew brings life to museums in Katie’s Picture Show, and now in this final post I want to explore how he brings life to the artwork itself.
Mayhew’s story begins in the Classical world. Continue reading
‘Katie’s Picture Show’: Museums are Gateways to Adventure
“A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can.”
— Maira Kalman
One of the most inspiring features of James Mayhew’s Katie series is the way in which museums and art galleries become playgrounds for adventure. Continue reading
‘Katie Picture’s Show’: The Ultimate Children’s Museum Guide
Characters in storybooks can be many things – heroes, villains, friends, and mentors. But they can also serve as a guide – not only through a story, but in a story as they help us explore different aspects of life beyond our experience. James Mayhew’s Katie is just this, ushering us simultaneously through Katie’s Picture Show (2014) and Continue reading
Make Art an Adventure: James Mayhew’s Katie Series
A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.
― Salvador Dali
Over 10 More Children’s Books 9+
I opened a book and in I strode
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion. Continue reading
CLASSICALLY CURIOUS 