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The things you can learn with a little book-talk

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If I had to name one character who could imagine their way to anywhere, it would be Calvin from the Calvin and Hobbes books by Bill Watterson. This boy and his patient tiger survive all kinds of torments, from boredom to homework to bedtime, by imagining worlds only they can see,where all logic is theirs. The pair of them have made me laugh so much.

What’s the magic? For me it’s the way they explore anything from whatever angle. It looks so easy and obvious when they do it.

Today a group of us older readers tried to dig into the thick web of possibilities that lead in and out of every book. Our brains were sluggish and adult, but we did find a way through to somewhere new by doing a couple of quizzes, each triggered by an incident in a children’s book.

The final quiz was on poisonous creatures. We listed a few, rattling off snakes, spiders, frogs, and fish, but we had no idea about the creature placed right at the top of the list of answers – the male duck-billed platypus. It turns out that this innocent, furry swimmer, with rounded beak and webbed feet, has spurs just above the heels of his back legs with enough poison in them to kill a small animal.

Who knew? We didn’t. Perhaps Calvin and Hobbes would have.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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This is not my hat – Jon Klassen

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Today I visited a bookstore. My task was to find books on crime and punishment in the adult, non-fiction section. Help was sought and books found, and I was about to leave with my treasure when I remembered another book I wanted to find.

“Oh,” said the weary assistant.

“A children’s book – This Is Not My Hat.”

“Ah,” said the assistant, suddenly eager, eyes brightening.

And this is it. You may have heard of it, but I had not until recently. As it turns out it’s another book on crime and punishment, and it may just be the best of the ones I came out with.

The story involves a hat, a big fish, a little fish, and the question of whether or not the little fish will be a lucky fish. The illustrations are restrained and the story telling minimalist. Together they pulled me right into the dark water with the fish wondering what would happen next, all the drama caught in the side-view eyes.

I think it’s a brilliant book, one you could talk about forever to a child, imagining what might happen and why, and whether or not it should – a classic tale about fishy goings on.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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‘Make Jewellery Not War’

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“Say Something”

Today was cold and grey, but it included a chance to visit an exhibition by 6Artist Collective at Farnham Pottery. That visit brightened the whole day, particularly our chat with Emily Smith about her ‘Make Jewellery Not War’ collection.

The rings in this collection were solid and definite, and each supporting a mini work of art – a sculpture featuring a tiny person (or people) made from brass shell casings. Their postures, even though so miniature, seemed full of resilience and hope, despite odds which she’d somehow also managed to convey. 10% of her sales from these pieces go to Médecins Sans Frontières. Eyes shining with emotion, she told us of her deep respect for the charity’s work. I hope that her own work, and its message, will reach far and wide. It looked so striking and beautiful in the old building.

Farnham Pottery is tucked in amongst the houses of Wrecclesham. Its brick shell has an old wooden heart, which adds to its welcome and texture. The whole fabric of the building felt creative to me, and so suited to displaying everything from Ali Tomlin’s elegant ceramics, to the rich selection of paintings, mainly landscape, by Ruth Taylor, Tamara Williams and Nic Cowper. It also showcased the gleaming mosaics of Denise Jacques, as well as including a small studio space where guest artist Jane Browne was working on her woven tapestries.

The whole visit was a gentle, thought-provoking few hours, topped off with homemade cake and scones from the Hobo Cafe below. Not bad for a grey day.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023