A Load Of Old Tripe by Gervase Phinn

Jan16

A Real Gem

A Load Of Old Tripe by Gervase Phinn is a most delightful children’s historical novel and perfect for ten years and over. Whatever your age, this is another gem from Gervase Phinn.

The story is set in 1957 as we follow Jimmy who’s eleven and his friends Micky and Iggy.

Told in a wonderfully down-to-earth style and with much humour, we follow Jimmy as he prepares for his eleven plus.

Jimmy is a likable lad and a good friend to Iggy who is clever but has a poor home life and is a social misfit. We drop in on their class as they have various activities including a trip to Whitby.

Jimmy is an ordinary lad who gets into scrapes – dropping the tripe for his dad’s tea, and eating a whole coffee and walnut cake to name but a couple.

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Bad Becky In Trouble by Gervase Phinn

Jan16

Very Charming

Bad Becky In Trouble by Gervase Phinn is a very charming contemporary children’s novel perfect for ages six to ten years old. It is the second book in the Bad Becky series. There are three tales within the book that are just the right length for bedtime reading – or end of the day at school.

Becky is a very likable little girl who comes to life under the author’s pen. Trouble seems to follow her around. She doesn’t mean to be bad.

The illustrations by Lindsey Gardiner are beautiful in their simplicity.

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Little Black Dog by Kerk Murray

Jan16

Adorable Bundles Of Fluff

Little Black Dog by Kerk Murray is a most charming nonfiction tale of Maximus (Max) a black Yorkipoo and Spartacus a white and copper Morkie.

The reader is delighted by the antics of both dogs. These bundles of fluff are proper bundles of energy. Their enthusiasm for life has been perfectly captured by the author. It is easy for us to ‘see’ and empathise with their actions.

Both dogs have beautiful bonds with their dog parents. They wait for them to return, as soon as they leave! “To them, every return is a miracle.”

We see that where there are dogs, there are rules to be broken! Any human willpower disintegrates once one gazes upon their furry faces!

Food is something the dogs really love. The following resonated with me: “When she bakes these muffins, both boys camp out by the oven. Max whines, paces, and generally acts like he’s never been fed in his life.”

The author wrote this book as a tribute to Max, who at seven-year-old is still very much with us. “I don’t want this to end. But one day it will. Time will run out… I hope my heart remembers the love that never will.” This brings a lump to my throat. It is always too soon to say goodbye.

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Every Lifetime After by Jennifer Ross

Jan16

Love Remains

Every Lifetime After by Jennifer Ross is a very charming dual timeline novel that I loved.

The action is set in 2018 and 1943, and concerns the boys who flew from bomber command in Yorkshire. It is their story which is being filmed in 2018.

The leading actress has links to the area as it is where she was born and spent her first four years. Memories are awakened – some are her own, others are transcending time and space as she has a gift to ‘see’ past actions. Though their tale is already known, locations give her glimpses to the past. She is unsure what to do with her gift.

A character alive in 1943 is still alive and in a nursing home in 2018. He lives haunted by memories, grief and guilt. He grieves what he cannot change.

We see the pain of miscarriage. It affects the lives of the couple – until they share their grief, they are lone ships drifting along.

The reader ‘experiences’ the lives of the men and women of bomber command. Lives were uncertain – every time the boys left the base, they realised it could be their last.

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