9 Comments
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Holly Stroud's avatar

I was not expecting to have my heart broken by a newsletter this morning 💔😿 I'm glad The Children's Bookshow exists and is doing such good work. I work in my local library and while in theory we are a way for children to get free access to books, in reality if their parents/carers need to work all the time to stay above the poverty line, who is going to bring them there?

Anyway, Pie's lino cut is great. I have some lino cutting tools that I bought 2 years ago and haven't used yet - except to carve a pumpkin. They are brilliant for that!

Helen Stephens's avatar

Exactly that, even a bus trip to the library is too expensive if you can’t afford to turn your heating on or wash your clothes. It really is heart breaking.

I must tell Pie to use her lino cutting tools for carving her pumpkin!

Marleen Wienk's avatar

Wonderful initiative, and, unfortunately, a heartbreaking story :( awesome you’re doing this Helen!

mariska eyck's avatar

Thank you for this post. We tend to underestimate the poverty in the Western Society. Thank you for bringing it to my attention again.

As for my Sunday activities, I am certainly resting after my open studio yesterday. I do that every week now. This was the fourth weekend. Everyone is welcome to draw or paint here for free. Yesterday a friend turned up with amongst others 4 of her grandchildren. Children are great artists!! I loved it!

Helen Stephens's avatar

What a lovely thing to do with your Sundays. Yes, greed, children are the best artists.

Jane Porter's avatar

Superb linocut! And what excellent work from the Children's Book Show... if only it could happen everywhere, all the time!

Helen Stephens's avatar

I know. It feels more needed than ever. You will know from your experience Jane, things are getting worse for children in poverty. And for underfunded schools. It makes me so sad.

Jane Porter's avatar

I know - so sad. I've been doing the odd visit on a voluntary basis on that basis if it's nearby and I know the school has zero budget...

Paolo Peralta's avatar

Beautiful 👍❤️🙏