More blasts from the past

While tidying my office, I discovered some photos I took back in 1989.

This was my telephone back then. No mobile, obviously. The shades are slightly different, but still Ray Bans today.

This was my office and state of the art portable typewriter. Note the vinyl and headphones. My landlord at the time didn't love jazz quite as much as I did.

How I wish I could watch 'Ex Machina' with Mary Shelley

Watch Ex Machina as soon as you can. And keep in mind that Frankenstein was written 200 years ago by a woman.

A time travelling Mary Shelley would, I suspect, love Ex Machina. Alex Garland's mad scientist is a product of our age, assuming that Google may be exploring more possibilities than just the self-driving car. Oscar Isaac plays Nathan brilliantly. Folding up Caleb's non-disclosure agreement is one of the earliest omens in what becomes an intense, dark film.

Domhnall Gleeson is just geeky enough to be credible as a programmer, but his 'status' is clearly a major driver in the main plot and one of those early hints of darkness. I love the fact that it is his submission to Ava's command to "Stay here" which leads to his extended viewing of her development through glass, just as she's already been linked to his pornographic tastes.

The truly beautiful Alicia Vikander dominates the film and rightly looks in line for some awards of her own, above those for the stunning film in its entirety. Ignore the plot holes about power and battery life - Ava's story just got interesting.

Although I loved Suffragette, this is a century's development of feminism. Ex Machina explores and explodes myths about men playing gods. And women who just won't let them have it all their own way.

Ex Machina is probably the only film I'll choose to buy on DVD this year and will sit happily alongside my other Sci-Fi favourite - Blade Runner.

Tales to tell

I found this in the loft at the weekend while getting Christmas decorations.

Flicking through, I'm left feeling quite emotional - some fine weeks in 1983.It doesn't feel like 32 years ago.

Interestingly, it's exactly this week in 1983 that I was studying Brave New World, which we talked about at last week's AB Book Club. Most of the people there weren't born in 1983.

I don't regret anything I've done since 1983, but it's very strange to see what I was doing then.

On finding great vegetarian food

It's rare to enjoy great vegetarian food. Most often, it's okay. That's absolutely not the case with the food creations of Hitchin's Chef Martin Burke.





I've been a fan of Martin's falafel for a long time, but yesterday I discovered his delicious Pad Thai. Although we had snow yesterday morning, a spicy salad like that was great for lunch.




Then, today's lunch was one of Martin's Falafel Eggs. Filling and tasty, it was far from a traditional Sunday lunch, but just what I wanted.


Incidentally, this is one of my photos, but the other two are thanks to Martin's talented wife, Kasia.

Several Men in a Hurry

Last night was the official launch of 'A Man in a Hurry', the documentary and musical celebration of Tubby Hayes.

Who?

Sax player extraordinaire Tubby Hayes lived and performed through the heyday of British jazz in the 1950s. Indeed, he probably was one of the greatest exponents of the jazz of London in the run-up to the pop explosion of the 1960s.

If Tubby had a passion for jazz, then film-makers Mark Baxter and Lee Cogswell have finally realised their own passion of documenting his life and music. They haven't really been in a hurry - this project has been years in the making, but the momentum is definitely building.

I must declare an interest - I make a few tiny appearances in the film. My interest in Tubby's playing started many years ago and I knew I'd never get close. Not even in the same city, let alone the same ball park. He was a jazz genius and, although his weapon of choice was tenor sax, his flute and vibes playing was similarly moving.

But I've never seen so much footage of Tubby before. Nor heard the whole story, much of it from proper sax player and the man's biographer, Simon Spillett.

This was my second chance to watch the film, having already seen the DVD, and it was definitely an improvement to see it on the big screen, among friends, musicians and music lovers.

The launch was preceded by Simon's quartet - including John Critchinson, Alec Dankworth and Spike Wells - playing a blinding set of Tubby tunes. My favourite was The Serpent, with a tiny hint of Coltrane's My Favourite Things slipped in by Spillett. One of the things about Tubby's compositions was their references to people around him and this quartet of jazz masters did them proud. The speed alone of some of these tracks is mind-blowing. Men in a hurry.

A great evening and this is a documentary that even non jazz-lovers will enjoy. A sad story of a man taken far too young but who achieved so much. If you hate jazz, just let the beautiful music wash over you and don't try to understand it. Few of us can.

Wellies weather has arrived

Awards dinner snap

Nice photo from a couple of weeks ago. They managed to snap me without my eyes shut!

Sometimes, the setting matters

My scriptwriting partner and I have chosen the delightful Luton Hoo as our office. Once a week, we take up position in the corner of the lounge and write.

We're now welcomed by staff as returning and familiar guests. The food and drink is excellent and service impeccable.

All in all, a great location for creativity. We're fortunate in being able to spend the time and the money.

And it's especially good to have found a friend to write with.

A view from the Shard

A gorgeous lunch with clients. That's how to do business, albeit with slightly overcast views.

Congratulations to #HertsHour

A nice award this week for Dawn-Louise Kerr (a rose between two thorns!) of SM2Communicate.

See my #HertsHour blog for more.

Disappointment turns to delight

When a client booked me in to this hotel in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, I was disappointed. It wasn't the luxurious spa hotel I knew was close to their offices, but this one was cheaper.

In fact, the staff were friendly and helpful, the room was large, clean and comfortable, the night was quiet and I awoke to this view from my window. A delight!

Focus on the detail, but never lose sight of the horizon

Metaphorically, you can't do both. If you focus on the detail too closely and lose sight of the bigger picture, you'll run the risk of moving in the wrong direction.

I'm loving the Toodledo app, which allows me to assign each task an end goal. If I can't do that, then the task is probably not helping me get where I want to be.

Herded like animals

In terms of poor working conditions, I'm reminded that I experience nothing even close to what women in 1912 put up with (as evidenced in the Suffragette film I saw this week).

However, being herded on to the Northern Line by Transport for London is ridiculous in this day and age. If they're not running enough trains to take the number of passengers - regularly - then perhaps they should consider running more trains at rush hour. Or is that too radical a thought?

Suffragette. See it. That is all

There are many elements of the new film Suffragette that make it a must-watch.

The directing is just beautiful. Whatever the content or themes, it's rare to find a film which is sometimes difficult to sit through but keeps you absolutely gripped.

Which brings me to the next reason to watch - Suffragette is a film about London people, based and filmed in London. The setting is stunning, including a scene in the Houses of Parliament which adds a frisson. Those actors are playing real people who were actually there, just over a century ago.

The acting is, of course, exemplary. Carey Mulligan plays Maud Watts with little make-up and a growing passion for equality for women. At the beginning, she almost doesn't realise how unfair it is. There's a slight disappointment as she hands her pay check to her husband but it takes meetings with other women - led by Helena Bonham-Carter in one of her best roles - to spark her awareness. It's half-way through the film before she's able to admit "I am a Suffragette".

This truly is a remarkable film, with two fabulous male characters who are clearly products of their generation but with a growing awareness of their own. Ben Whishaw was interviewed on the red carpet and he understood his character very well, while clearly being a supporter or the benefits that came to society from the actions of these brave women. Never mind taking your daughters to see this film - take your sons!

It's the first film to be made about the Suffragette movement. I wonder why that could be. Purse strings held largely by men? I'd love it to be so popular it shows that films about women can be popular. And not a song or a dance in it anywhere!

Cashless (and cardless)

On arriving at a meeting, I discovered I had no cash. With a client who provides endless cups of green tea and a hearty lunch, it was fine, but I felt surprisingly liberated.

Perhaps it was the realisation that I couldn't be tempted to buy anything and luckily I had a tank full of petrol. Made me feel good, rather than cross that I'd forgotten my purse.

I love a good metaphor

Life is a path. I prefer that to a road, which implies a vehicle.

Some people help by clearing the weeds out of the way.

Others hinder by strewing rubbish everywhere, which you have to learn to ignore.

Sometimes, especially when it starts pouring with rain, you have to turn around and go back the way you came.

Appearance is immaterial

I probably shouldn't say it, but this is probably the best lasagne I've ever cooked.

You wouldn't know from looking at it. Which is my point, really. It certainly didn't look like this in the recipe. If I had judged it by look alone, this lasagne might have simply gone in the bin. In fact, it was delicious.




So I shall be less quick to judge by appearance in future. I might end up enjoying a great dish.

The cup is half-full

I drink far too much green tea. I may even be a little addicted. But there are almost certainly worse substances I could have selected.



And when I'm near the bottom of the cup, I simply enjoy those last mouthfuls even more.

Perhaps I'm actually addicted to positive thinking.

Stepping back in time

I found myself going back ten years to one of my previous client's beautiful offices in Walton-on-Thames.

When I worked with Birds Eye Wall's, this was a thriving place of ideas and processes and I have some very fond memories of the people who used to sit in that empty shell. In August 2005 I moved on and it was the right thing at the time, but this took me back to that moment.

When you really, really need a cup of green tea

It's been a busy few weeks. With no sign of a let-up this side of Christmas.

So I really needed this cup of green tea, half way down the M1.

So, I'm writing a book.

Technically, I'm writing two books. One has a deadline and the other is dragging on. Guess which one I'm being paid to write?

The 'job' one may be taking precedence, but it's spurring me in to action on the fictional one and I'm about to set myself a deadline, just to get it finished. Obviously, that deadline will be way after the first.

What I'm learning, though, is the small chunks approach. Even a couple of paragraphs at a time is breaking the back of it. I'm so used to writing short articles that the prospect of a whole, published book is a little scary. So I'm not thinking of it like that. And the 'eating the elephant one bite at a time' thing seems to be working. Even as a vegetarian.

Find the sunshine where you can

Dog and cat enjoying the end of a sunny day. They're both crashed out and enjoying full stomachs, comfortable carpet and the warmth of the sun. There's a lesson right there. Except the bit about the carpet, probably.

Doing new stuff (or old stuff you'd forgotten about)

I spent a Friday afternoon bowling with friends. I cannot remember the last time I did that. I wasn't the worst and, in fact, my team was only beaten by one point. Not to be sniffed at. Sometimes you forget to remember the things you can do.

Be good at what you do and share out the other stuff

My photography skills are ok, but I pay good money to those who do it better. Ditto on accountancy. Definitely on cleaning my house.

I know where my strengths lie and I'd rather just keep doing that. Some of my clients are brilliant at getting a good team together and it certainly makes everyone's job easier and more efficient.

So, ask yourself what you're good at. Really. Then do it and get rid of the other stuff. You'll be happier and more productive.

And if the 'other stuff' means asking me to write the article, blog, web copy or online profile you're struggling with, that'll make me happier, too!

Silence is golden

This was my view every morning last week. So no, I didn't blog, tweet or update my status. It's taken two days for me to get back to any sort of normality and it's been great.

I must book more holidays.

Autumn beckons

Returning from a hot summer week in Crete, the views of Hertfordshire approaching autumn are just beautiful. It is possible to enjoy different places and climates and not compare them. I wouldn't want to live permanently on Crete, but it's lovely to visit.

I'm definitely Made in England (thanks to The Shires)

Seven years' bad luck?

I broke a mirror last week. I don't believe for one minute it'll result in seven years of bad luck.

I'm definitely a 'glass half-full' kind of person and also that luck isn't really a thing - your attitude to what life throws at you is the key.

So, this morning, I awoke early and got ready for a conference call at 8am. Notes ready, mug of green tea ready in case it turned into a long one. Never happened. I just listened to ten minutes of muzak.

Then the major project I was expecting to work on for the rest of the day was postponed.

I can either whinge and moan and feel sorry that the landscape of my day has changed, or just get on with it. Use the time to clear the decks of other projects.

It's a done deal. New To Do list created. Half of it ticked off already. So no, I don't believe I caused a run of bad luck.

We're not defined by a piece of paper

It's exam results season, which always reminds me that it's really, really not about what any piece of paper says. You're defined by how you treat those around you, even those you just sit next to on the train who don't even know your name.

Good luck to those who get loads of A*s, Firsts and Masters. I hope you end up loving the job they lead you to.

I was never an A grade student. Too many other things going on in my life. The main thing was music. But I wasn't allowed to study at the Royal Academy of Music - I allowed my parents to 'guide' me several times during those career choices but I've ended up doing what I love and that's not down to great exam results.

Once every six months, I receive a royalty payment for music I recorded when I was supposed to be studying. No-one ever asks what grades I got in exams or why I 'only' got a 2:2 at university. But at least once a week, someone mentions in person or online the music I've played.

Every day, I'm fortunate enough to interview people about their job or their interests outside work. Most have a real passion for what drives them. I never ask about that bit of paper. I ask what motivates them and usually that's the only question I need to ask.

They talk and talk. And talk.

They might be great at their job, or fundraising for a charity that's close to their heart, or following a dream like bee keeping or helping the vulnerable around them. Whatever it is, that is their passion and I love being able to celebrate that in what I do. Telling their stories is an honour.

Blast from the past

This week has featured some decluttering in my office. While throwing out a load of documents, I found some memories of the past.

In July 1990, I had to visit an East Berlin clinic and this is the note I was given afterwards. I was working on 'The Wall' in Potsdamer Platz and can't remember what I did, but I ended up going across the newly-broken wall for treatment.

I wish I knew German, so I could make sense of it now. I do remember it was like going back in time, just walking a few yards.

Overcoming adversity

I don't think anyone ever said life was meant to be easy. It's definitely easier for some than others. Sometimes.

Sitting aboard a flight to Belfast and enjoying what was actually a good cup of green tea made the 5am start and the hideous experience of Luton Airport bearable.

You can either whinge and moan about stuff or you can just see it as a mean to an end.

I hate wheely suitcases, especially at airports and stations, when people don't seem to know where they're going. But you just have to negotiate a route around them.

Same with queues. Necessary evil sometimes.

A bit of stress is probably a good thing for a brief period, as long as you can follow it with a mini relax. And I console myself with the fact that there is always - always - someone who's worse off.

Why is your online profile important?

An errant apostrophe says a great deal about you and if your profile is a bit jokey and inaccurate, that's fine. It's how people will see you.

Which is fine, if you don't really care about accuracy and occasionally being taken seriously.

People will pay a LOT of money for a good profile picture. And then they write their own profile and it's just a bit rubbish.

Or they don't pay anything and even their profile pic is pretty poor.

We all know that first impressions are important and you don't often get a second chance online.

If you're not sure if your profile, brief as it must be, tells your story effectively, pay a professional to get it right. We're not always as expensive as you think and it'll be worth every penny!

Hot off the Press

For those of lucky enough to still work with printed magazines, the phrase 'Hot off the Press' means a love of that fresh magazine. It's not hot these days, but smells great.

The expression lasts despite many people having no concept of print and what the process entails.

It's similar to hearing people talk about 'upper case' when they've probably never seen a printer's collection of letters for the old typesetting process. I'm old enough to remember those days.

There's no replacement in modern tech. Unless you know better?

This made me smile

Sometimes, an office can look like this

My job takes me to interesting places and this hotel is just beautiful. Hogarth's, just outside Solihull.

I spent the day with a bunch of hard working people given a day off to celebrate success. It was worth every minute.

Don't tell me what you're going to do. Just do it.

Little is more annoying than a phone call informing you that someone is "just about to email" some vital information for an article. At least, it's annoying when you spend the next half hour (so far) waiting for the ping of said email.

It would have perhaps been more helpful for the source to email me the information and then call me to make sure I've received it.

Rant over. Just do it.

Weaning myself off gadgets - by accident

Gadgets make my life significantly simpler, but I do sometimes feel tied to them.

Force of circumstances separated me from all tech for six hours recently. That made me realise I have a problem. I hesitate to say 'addiction' but ...

Today I had a working train journey planned. iPad was nicely on charge and I knew the task I was going to complete. As I arrived at the station I realised it's still charging. At home. So that work will have to wait.

Although I'm now writing this and listening to music (Aretha Franklin, since you asked) on my phone, I'm going to wean myself off tech.

So if I don't reply to tweets, emails or status updates for a couple of hours once in a while, you'll know why.

Now I know why I'm so tired!

Looking back at my twitter feed and blog posts, I can see why I'm so tired - I haven't had a social media moment for over a week. Bonkers.

It's scheduled in, so there's no excuse, but I just haven't been able to find the time. Too many projects on the go. Not complaining, honest.

Ten minutes from my front door. Counting my blessings

Creativity in strange places

Yarnbombing. In a churchyard. That's a first for me. Get to St Mary's in Hitchin if you can. All in aid of Hitchin Festival. It's not all about music.

Rochester Castle in the sunshine

A beautiful day spent scoping out a couple of new jobs for October this year and June 2017. Fingers crossed they'll both come off. Exciting times.

London Bridge - the final stretch?

It'll probably take another year, but the side of London Bridge, in the shade of the Shard, is starting to take shape. New arches going in where the old arches were. There's a sense of bustle around the top of Bermondsey Street and hopefully eventually that road will get open again and a few more businesses will move in.

Trying to get the balance right

We all need exercise, right? Can't find time for the gym? Get a dog.

I kill two birds with one stone and find a morning dog walk both helpful for fitness and inspirational. The author Judith Kerr said recently that she gets most of her best ideas when she's out walking. And she's a lot older than me.

I consider it a soft reset for my brain. Sometimes I start work early and then take a break when I'm getting stuck on a particular story. If the creative juices don't flow, get out in the fresh air. Especially when the sun's shining.

"The best gig I've ever been to" (overheard in the audience)

Despite an annoying delayed start and therefore shorter set, The Brand New Heavies were simply amazing on stage at the end of Rhythms of the World 2015 last night.

I felt a bit jealous that a new generation is discovering and loving the Heavies. A bunch of 17-year-olds behind me were jumping along with those of us who remember the band when they started. Overhearing one of them describe it as the best gig he'd ever been to was actually quite moving.

Dawn Joseph is a spectacular vocalist and I'm fairly sure the backing vocalist was younger than the band.

What I love about ROTW is that closing headliners can be jazz artists (last year, it was Courtney Pine) and they absolutely rocked the main stage. In front of audiences who would probably tell you they don't like jazz.

World class talent at Rhythms of the World - day 1

Saturday at Rhythms of the World was damp but nothing could rain on the enthusiasm of the audience or, it would seem, the performers. All six stages were thronged from 12pm through to the final notes just before 11pm.

It's more of the same on Sunday, with better weather promised and some great artists still to perform.

Saturday highlights were CC Smugglers, especially with their audience participation in their encore and Neville Staple, with too many great local acts to mention.

My personal favourite, though, was always going to be The Shires, who are both world class and local. Fresh from their performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and Isle of Wight festival, they performed an acoustic set which kept everyone singing along and dancing.

The singing along surprised Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle, who seemed unaware of how big their album Brave is and how much airplay the single State Lines has had.

"It was amazing," Ben said. "We didn't expect so many people to know the words of our songs. There were definitely some country fans in the audience."

Crissie also agreed it was amazing. "All we could see was a sea of people," she said. "It was a bit daunting to be on such a big stage in front of thousands of people but without the boys behind us. It's really bizarre not to have guitar, bass and drums backing us up but the audience certainly didn't seem to mind."

Not minding is an understatement. The audience loved it and if you're one of their new fans, check out their website and get hold of Brave.

Blooming Hitchin and London

The sun is trying to shine and summer is on the horizon.

Whether in Hitchin (poppies) or London (roses), there seem to be flowers blooming all over.

There is something deeply positive in the air and even when it rains, it brings out the perfume even more.

Here's hoping we don't get too much rain as Rhythms of the World kicks off at lunchtime tomorrow. Another muddy weekend would dampen the festival vibe. Fingers crossed!

Music and its power

Hitchin. Thursday night before Rhythms of the World and you can hear Baz from The Stranglers in one pub courtyard and local singer songwriter Pete Woodroffe in another bar.

Music is an amazing thing and this weekend is going to be great. So much music filling the town.

The start of an era

I spent the best part of 24 hours helping my parents move into their retirement apartment. It was worth every minute.

They're genuinely delighted to be in their brand new flat, just across the road from me (although I'm not sure if their delight actually goes that far!). They have far too much furniture and general stuff but it'll get sorted in time.

This is definitely a very strange time for me - Fred has finished school and Flo is getting established in her career. Mum and Dad are settled in a much more sensible home for them. I'm making changes to my business and feeling very fulfilled. It's really not all about the money.

Content is key

I picked up a free newspaper this morning and quickly regretted it. There was little actual news and a lot about celebrities and clearly regurgitated press releases.

Lunch yesterday was a very swanky affair at a nice restaurant everyone raves about. I've had a few poor experiences there before but I was willing to give it another chance. Shouldn't have bothered. The food was average at best and I left feeling ripped off rather than indulged.

What both of these experiences have reminded me is that content is key. A newspaper that loses sight of what is really news is bound to disappoint. Similarly, a restaurant without great food is bound to be more than half empty on a Monday lunchtime when other places in town are thronged.

I'm working on some really interesting projects at the moment and it's great when one of my clients really 'gets' content and comes up with some good ideas. It makes delivery so much easier. Over the course of just a few weeks, we've begun to clarify their values and together come up with ideas for content across their website, blog, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Some say we're becoming overloaded with information. I don't think it's all information, I think a lot of it is puff. That's not great content that might actually make a difference. Find great content and you can unlock great relationships with your customers, suppliers, employees and even competitors.

If they asked me, I could write a book.

'I am Big Bird' - YOU have to watch this film!

I do use the word 'inspirational' a lot. Is it a fault that I find inspiration in so many places?

I loved Sesame Street as a child and never really thought about the people behind the muppets. Which is probably right. I guess any film around one of that team is going to be moving.

The story of Caroll Spinney who actually is Big Bird really is inspirational. He is so close to Big Bird he says he does "own his soul" even though Matt Vogel became the apprentice Big Bird for when Caroll can't do it any more.

I spent most of the film with a lump in my throat and several times tears fell.

I had no idea that there had been plans for Big Bird (and Caroll) to go up in the Challenger which were cancelled due to lack of space. Seeing him and Debbie, his wife, talk about how that ended was terrible. When Judith Nilan was viciously murdered on Caroll's property, he and Debbie created a garden in her memory. As a couple, they seem so in touch with tragedy and real life.

Check out the extras, too. A great piece about Oscar meeting Michael Jackson and some home movies with puppets. Nice touches.

He's described as "blessedly normal" by a fellow cast member. What a great testimony. He is Big Bird, but he's so much more. He's an artist in every sense of the word. Too often, we only remember the skills of people when they've died. It would be great for more genuine praise to be poured forth for Caroll Spinney while he can still enjoy it. And while he still IS Big Bird.

Awards - nominees, finalists and winners

Sometimes, you find yourself sitting in a room surrounded by a group of people who are part of the reason an organisation is great.

They're either great at team work, or coming up with great ideas, or they use their skills to help the local community. Or they can be heroes who step up when they need to, for their own reasons or for the needs of others.

All these people are ordinary. In a good way. You could walk past them in the street and not know the contribution they make to the world. That's probably the way it should be.

It's an honour to talk to them and hear their stories. Only a few will ever get told, but they all touch others. Every day.

Dedication takes different forms

This is what dedication looks like in our house.





Looby Loo is applying herself to destroying an antler. She probably won't stop tonight until it's disappeared.

Maybe we could all learn a lesson.

Collaborating in cafés

Some days just ARE productive. Collaboration is easy with some people and Dawn-Louise is one of those people.




Working together, our skills gel well.

Have I found my perfect (summer) writing spot?

Now, I've visited Champney's Henlow (or Henlow Grange, as it used to be known) more than a dozen times. Probably more than 20. And yet, I've never found this spot before.

It's a tiny bower near the river running along the edge of the lawn. Actually, let me stop there. If everybody knows where this little piece of heaven is, I'll never have it to myself again.

Although this day was all about relaxation, I couldn't stop a sneaky bit of writing and this was the perfect spot. Close to running water, the ubiquitous pot of green tea at hand and a comfortable chair. What more could I want? A cushion, perhaps, to sit there much longer.

If anyone feels particularly generous, a few Pamper Days at Champney's to keep me sane through the summer would do it.

"Less is better than more"

Behind the House of St Barnabas in Soho's Greek Street lies a hidden haven of a garden and a private chapel. One of the most beautiful spots in London.

The SohoCreate series of events was a great opportunity to see behind some of the usually closed doors of this special part of London.

I was fortunate in being able to see Alan Yentob interview Judith Kerr, writer of The Tiger Who Came to Tea. I had no idea of her background - forced to flee Berlin as a girl of nine because her father spoke out against the Nazis.

Hearing her talk - guided by the informed Yentob - was a true inspiration. Both of them are interesting and accomplished people. One of my next tasks is to watch the film they made together: Hitler, The Tiger and Me.

Kerr described herself as "a bit stupid" in having no idea of the fear felt by people in Berlin as the Nazis gradually came to power in the early 1930s. She found it "incomprehensible" that a law should be passed initially banning Jews from owning pets and then even mixed race families.

Writing for her seems a responsibility because of the number of similar children and adults with a German Jewish background who were denied the life she's lived.

Her mother and father met Einstein. Now that's celebrity name-dropping!

I loved her discussion of Google searching as time-saving for an illustrator - "how else do you know what a tiger looks like with their mouth open?" I also loved the fact that, at 90, she says she keeps discovering things.

"Words and pictures make a symphony - together, they tell the story."

And what a story she tells through her life and her books.