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Philippa Pearce
Philippa Pearce had an idyllic childhood growing up in a
beautiful old mill house on the banks of the River Cam just outside
Cambridge. The youngest of four children, she and her brothers and
sister canoed, swam and fished in the river and, in really cold
winters, skated on it.
Philippa was ill for several years of her childhood
and so didn't start school until she was eight or nine. Once she
did, she worked hard at the things she was interested in,
particularly English, and went on to study English at Girton
College, Cambridge.
Philippa worked as a scriptwriter/producer for BBC
schools radio and as an editor for a publishing company before
really getting going writing her own books. Her first two books
drew on her childhood experiences, for example the house where Tom
goes to stay with his aunt in Tom's Midnight Garden is the mill
house in which Philippa grew up. Later stories, such as the Battle
of Bubble and Squeak, were written for her daughter Sally who was a
passionate animal-lover.
Philippa now lives just down the lane from where she
grew up with her dog, cat and a huge vegetable garden.
A Dog so Small
For months Ben had been aching to have a dog: an Alsatian, a Bloodhound, a Great Dane - any kind of big dog would do. Imagine his disappointment on his birthday when the dog he is given is only in a picture. Ben's imagination gets to work and soon he and his dog have their own special adventures. (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
Tom's Midnight Garden
One night, while staying at his aunt's house, Tom hears the old grandfather clock ticking away and chiming out the hours. 'Hurry!' the house seems to whisper. Tom gets up in the middle of the night and finds the strange, moonlit garden where Hatty plays. A wonderful and mysterious fantasy. (10+)
Published in Puffin Books
The Battle of Bubble and Squeak
Mum has made her position quite clear: the gerbils cannot stay. But Sid, Peggy, and Amy adore Bubble and Squeak. The family struggle that follows is convincing and hilarious. (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
Lion at School
One day a Lion goes to school. On the whole he's very well behaved, but when he sees the school bully he roars his most frightening roar. Jack Tall is never quite such a big shot after that! Eight other tales are included in this collection of funny and surprising short stories. (8+)
Published in Puffin Books
What the Neighbours Did
A collection of eight entertaining short stories including In the Middle of the Night, the story of an unforgettable midnight feast, and Return to Air in which Sausage manages to dive deep down into the dark water. (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
The Shadow Cage and Other Tales
Ten tales of the supernatural, each with a spookiness that sends gentle shivers down the spine. Read them all and enjoy the thrill of the unexpected. (10+)
Published in Puffin Books
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- The Battle of Bubble and Squeak ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- I look back to my childhood ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- It was a perfect childhood ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- I was Robin Hood ]
