Stories by Firelight

Every child should have the opportunity to hear or read this miraculous collection of stories and poems with artwork for the season of winter. The quality of Shirley Hughes' writing can cope with short atmospheric poems about the weather and Christmas, a retelling of a folk tale about the Selkie wife, longer poems with a spooky feel and a moving story about a boy and his grandfather. There's also a spectacular wordless story about a small child's dream on a winter night. The richness and thoughtfulness of all this variety is never beyond the reach of a four-year-old, nor beneath the notice of an adult. This book is a remarkable achievement.