The Same Old Story Every Year
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Cover story
On the front of BfK this month is the cover of Yesterday by Adèle Geras. The artwork is by Carolyn Piggford. This book is one from the 'Teenage Memoirs' series published by Walker (see the article, All Their Yesterdays, in this issue) and Adèle, of course, is the subject of our Authorgraph - see centre-spread. Our thanks to Walker Books for their help in using this illustration.
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The Same Old Story Every Year
Illustrated by Vanessa Julian-Ottie
Nicely double-edged title. It's the School Nativity Play, of course, and Mr Kelly is strong-armed into producing it yet again despite all his protestations. Maya, new to the school, lands the part of Mary and politely, but firmly, makes the point that the pink plastic doll could not possibly pass as her baby, thus sparking some class discussion on what colour was Jesus anyway? Maya is eventually rescued from her predicament by the kindly, long-suffering Mr Kelly and she, in turn, rescues the play with some inspired ad-libbing when Eddie the Inn-keeper dries centre-stage. Everyone who's ever been involved with a school production will recognise the rehearsal scenes; and the frisson between teacher and Head is a delight. The line drawings are superb (I'm sure Mr Kelly works at my son's school). A great read-aloud. Can Anne Fine do no wrong?
