Spoooooky but cool? Pinocchio  is one of those tales that has travelled far and wide, starting in 19th-century Italy and weaving its way into the hearts of readers (and viewers) all over the world - including here in Britain, where it’s become part of the wider fairy-tale tradition. Written by Carlo Collodi in 1883, The Adventures of Pinocchio  is a curious, sometimes unsettling story about a wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy. But unlike the polished Disney version

Cinderella is one of those fairy tales that everyone knows, no matter their age or background. Whether it’s through a children’s picture book, a West End pantomime, or the iconic glass slipper of the Disney film, Cinderella has firmly planted herself in the heart of British storytelling tradition. But beneath the sparkly dresses and pumpkin carriages lies a tale that’s far older, and a touch darker, than many realise... oooooo... At its core, Cinderella is a classic rags-to

Snow White  is one of the most iconic fairy tales in the Western world - thanks in part to the 1937 Disney film, but its origins go much deeper. The version most people are familiar with comes from the Brothers Grimm, first published in 1812 in Grimm’s Fairy Tales . On the surface, it’s a simple story about good versus evil, beauty, jealousy, and love. But like many classic fairy tales, there’s a dark, haunting quality beneath the surface that gives it its enduring power. At

Asterix the Gaul is one of those rare comic book series that manages to be utterly silly and brilliantly clever at the same time. Created by writer René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo, the first Asterix adventure was published in 1959 in the French magazine Pilote , but it quickly won fans all over Europe - including here in Britain. Witty, sharp, and full of playful jabs at history, language, and national stereotypes, the world of Asterix is as delightfully bonkers

The Adventures of Tintin , created by Belgian artist Hergé (real name Georges Remi), has been delighting readers for nearly a century. First appearing in 1929 in a Belgian newspaper, Tintin quickly became a beloved figure across Europe and beyond. With his iconic quiff, faithful dog Snowy by his side, and a nose for uncovering trouble, Tintin embodies the spirit of old-school adventure with a distinctly European charm. At first glance, Tintin might seem like an unlikely hero.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , written by Lewis Carroll (the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), is one of those rare stories that has managed to stay weird, wonderful, and completely timeless since it was first published in 1865. On the surface, it’s a whimsical children’s tale about a curious girl who falls down a rabbit hole. But the deeper you go, the more you realize just how layered, strange, and clever it really is. The story begins when Alice, a young girl bore

A Little Princess , written by Frances Hodgson Burnett in 1905, is a heartfelt story about kindness, resilience, and the quiet power of imagination. It follows Sara Crewe, a wealthy young girl who seems to have everything - fine clothes, a loving father, and a place at a prestigious London boarding school. But when tragedy strikes, everything she has is taken from her. What makes the story remarkable isn’t just the fall from riches to rags, but how Sara holds onto her inner g

Ok - something reeeeally spooky... Grimm’s Fairy Tales, a cornerstone of classic folklore, have captivated readers for centuries with their enchanting blend of fantasy, morality, and the macabre. Collected by German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the early 19th century, these tales were not originally written for children. Rather, they served as a way to preserve oral storytelling traditions and the cultural values embedded in them. The Grimms began their work during a t

The Secret Garden , written by Frances Hodgson Burnett and first published in 1911, is much more than just a children’s story - it’s a powerful tale about healing, transformation, and the magic of nature. At its heart, it’s about broken people learning to grow again, just like the garden they bring back to life. The story begins with Mary Lennox, a sour, lonely little girl born in India to wealthy but neglectful parents. When a cholera outbreak kills her family, she’s shipp

Here's a little jaunt through the history of English poetry - enjoy! Poetry has been an essential part of English literature for over a...

Poetry holds a pretty special place in children’s lives - it's a combination of rhythm, learning - and fun! Not only can it spark their imagination, but it can also provide many emotional, cognitive and social benefits. It's a powerful tool for development; it stimulates creativity and an appreciation for language; it shapes emotional intelligence. One significant benefit of poetry for children is the way it can enhance language and literacy skills. Rhythmic patterns, rhymes,

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow This marvellous narrative poem tells the story of a shipwreck caused by the captain's arrogance and pride. Composed in 1839, it was inspired by a massive storm that struck the New England coast - so it's part fact, part fiction. The captain of the Hesperus, supremely overconfident, prepares to sail in spite of storm warnings. His young daughter, whom he's taken aboard, innocently trusts her father’s judgment, unaware of the dangers that lie ahea

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I have to admit I'm not very good at lyrical poetry, even though I studied lots of it at degree level! I've read loads of Baudelaire, Guillén and Lorca; Verlaine, Mallarmé and Eliot... and when the text is just a little, tiny bit obscure, I don't really get it. I used to appreciate the beautiful phrases, the alliteration, the images etc, but overall, if the meaning wasn't obvious, I'd be miles off with my interpretation and feel like a right nump

By William Wordsworth This is an epic narrative, set during the late 16th century, centering around the historical events of the Rising of the North, a failed Catholic rebellion against Elizabeth I. It combines elements of historical drama with deep emotional and spiritual reflection, particularly on themes of faith, loss and peace. A noble Catholic family, the Nortons, take part in a rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I, and it doesn't end well for them - reflecting the polit

CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE Now here is a poem that I love, love, love. Often referred to as, 'Twas the Night Before Xmas' - it's a really popular poem that's become part of the Christmas tradition, at least in the UK. It fully captures the magical anticipation of Christmas, with the coming of St. Nicholas - a joyful, gift-giving character riding a sleigh full of presents lead by reindeer. Awesome!! I love it. The poem has such a rhythmic quality and such warm, vivid descriptions. S

I really like this poem by Mary Howitt. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit and flattery: the crafty spider tries all sorts of tricks to tempt the innocent fly into it's the web. The little fly isn't interested in the appeal of the pretty staircase, the comfy bed or the food in the parlour - but as soon as the spider begins to flatter the fly, the trap is sprung! This poem in particular has stuck in my memory because I used to suffer from arachnophobia as a chi

Have a listen to my first interview with Radio Cornwall. I must say it was a bit nerve-racking... Prior to the event I was invited to think of two news items that I might like to talk about on the day - one local story and one from further away. This took me less time than expected. I immediately found one about a local circus giving away Xmas dinner for 300. I couldn't believe it - what a generous act! Imagine how much fun that would be! As it happened they were pleased to h

by John Greenleaf Whittier This wonderful poem tells the story of a poor farm girl, Maud Muller, and a wealthy judge who cross paths - and each imagine the possibility of a life together, in spite of their different social backgrounds. Neither acts upon on these thoughts though, and they go on to lead separate lives filled with regret over what might have been. It's soooooo sad, but beautiful. We all tend to idealize what we don’t have - it's only human - and we tend to carry

By John Keats Here's a fabulous story, one that tugs at the heart strings... This epic poem is set on the magical Eve of St Agnes, when, according to legend, a young woman can dream of her future lover. As WS Gilbert said, 'It's love that makes the world go round' - love is universal, timeless and vital, and so a poem like this one speaks to us all. However, just like in Romeo and Juliet, the problem is that the lovers, in this case Madeline and Porphyro, exist in a world wh

by Alfred Lord Tennyson I love Tennyson :) This poem is not a favourite of mine, but I had a young friend who completely loved it, and he grew up to become a soldier - so I wonder if this gave him the inspiration for that, or if it was in him already... Anyway, I'm creating blogs about narrative verse, and this is another really famous piece of literature I want to share with you. The poem is an epic story about one of the most tragic, and heroic, events in British military h