In case anyone missed our earlier announcements, booking is now open for this year’s Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture. This year’s lecture is being given by Frank Cottrell Boyce. More information and a booking form can be found at the lecture website.

Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books is raising funds in order to buy Susan Einzig’s artwork for Tom’s Midnight Garden.

A number of Einzig’s iconic illustrations for Tom’s Midnight Garden are being sold next month in a Susan Einzig Memorial Exhibition at the Piers Feetham Gallery in London. Seven Stories are rapidly trying to raise funds to purchase at least three drawings.

The artwork is likely to attract a good deal of interest from private collectors, so a quick response is essential. The goal is to raise £5,000. All contributions, however large or small will make a difference.

Philippa was a great supporter of Seven Stories, donating a copy of her typescript for
the novel, and leaving a legacy in her will.

Visit www.sevenstories.org.uk in order to find out more and to donate.

In May this year Walker Books published Amy’s Three Best Things, a charming picture book written by Philippa Pearce and illustrated by Helen Craig. There’s a very interesting post at Gillian McClure’s blog which goes into some detail about Helen’s illustration process, and her love of drawing horses in general.