At my writing class this week we explored the genre of ‘gritty realism’. Key authors in this sort of children’s literature are Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. In their books they explore themes such as divorce, living in care, and bullying. Whilst not unaware of these writers, I’d never read anything by them and now, given the opportunity, I have to say I thought it was very good. I wonder if Little Owl will grow up to write ‘gritty realism’? She made a ‘book’ at school this week. It consisted of three sheets of her marvelous drawings, stapled together. “It’s about you Mummy,” she announced. “Oh that’s nice,” I said. “Yes,” she replied matter-of-factly. “You die in it.” Lovely. I’m not taking it too seriously but I have been extra careful crossing the road, just in case. Meanwhile Finch hasn’t yet cottoned onto the fact that his head continues above his eyebrows. He has a nice row of bruises and one lumpy egg on his forehead from crawling full-pelt into the furniture.
Here is an illustration I did recently for a commission from science education charity Centre of the Cell, all about medicine in the 1900s and medicine now.
Absolutely love the illustration and tag line Hannah x