A Good Read
My Animals and Other Family Claire Balding
In recent years, Claire Balding has slowly risen to ‘national treasure’ status.
Not
only does she know a great deal about sport, but she seems to have the knack of showing genuine interest in everything she presents and everyone she talks to. It all appears to be such good fun.
This same personality shines out from her autobiography, which covers her childhood, school, university, and the very beginnings of her broadcasting career. As the title suggests, it is the animals who take centre stage in a world that revolves around horses and dogs.
No-Bot: The Robot with No Bottom Sue Hendra
Sue Hendra’s name be
will instantly
recognisable to anyone who has ever come across Barry, Norman or Keith. above,
Like the heroes Bernard
the solution? Can he fi nd his bottom? Each chapter is
based on a particular character, from Candy the boxer dog who was her very fi rst friend, to some of the greats of the equine world who passed through her father’s racing yard.
From the fi rst, this feels like a very honest book. Balding does not paint over her faults – she shows them very clearly and is not afraid of being the butt of the joke. The sections which deal with her relationship with her younger brother Andrew are likely to feel very familiar to anyone who has ever coerced a younger sibling into doing something they really knew they should not: or indeed to anyone who has ever been that unfortunate younger sibling! Her school life is particularly well told too, as she documents the mistakes she made and the way in which she seized the second chance she was given.
The most memorable and touching aspect though, is the passion for the animals who give the book their structure.
As well as
telling the story of her early life, Balding off ers a fascinating insight into the life of a racing yard, and the highs and lows of competitive horse racing when your father is a champion trainer.
Beautifully illustrated and always well written, this is an excellent read for anyone interested in sport, animals or even just people.
22 To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
Barry, of course, is The Fish with Fingers; Norman is The Slug with the Silly Shell, and Keith is a Cat with a Magic Hat.
If you
haven’t met them, then you are in for a treat. Now Bernard is set to join them after an unfortunate incident, in which he leaves his bottom behind on a swing at the park. At fi rst he doesn’t notice, but by the time he does his bottom is long gone – it has been a bird’s nest, a drum and who knows what else!
Sadly for Bernard his friends can’t help, and when they advise him to sit down, he has to remind them that he isn’t a robot any more – he is a no-bot. Will he fi nd his bottom before it is too late?
This book appeals to young children on so many levels. For a start, it is about bottoms. There is a ‘hide and seek’ element of trying to spot Bernard’s bottom, and even a dance to do. I challenge you to read without giggling!
the
Robot has an unusual problem.
Can he fi nd
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