What's the Matter With Slithers?

Snakes – ew! Cold-blooded, poison-fanged, slithering about the place…  They’re creepy, right?

Well, not according to Barbara Michaels, whose first book, What’s the Matter with Slithers?, provides a rather different picture of these oft-maligned creatures.

Not that she always felt so warmly towards our no-legged friends. When her grandson first decided to get a pet snake, Barbara was wary. But the newly christened Mr Slithers soon won her round.

Barbara says: ‘You might not think so, but snakes have personalities. A snake is as much an individual as a cat or a dog. And just like a cat or dog, once you get to know one, it becomes part of the family.’

And so, hoping to show this seldom seen side of snakes, Barbara was inspired to write What’s the Matter with Slithers?, a charming tale of a corn snake with an itch he just can’t scratch. Adorably illustrated by up-and-coming artist Sian Bowman, it is a tale that manages what to many might seem the impossible: making a snake not only sympathetic, but cute!

The conclusion is gently educational, revolving around Slithers shedding his skin. While What’s the Matter with Slithers might be Barbara’s first book, it draws on her wealth of writing experience.

Barbara Michaels

Barbara has had several short stories published, contributed to the award winning Laughing not Laughing, and has worked for many years as a journalist and a freelance writer; she is also part of the editorial board of Bimah, the magazine for the Jewish community of mid and south Wales. But most importantly, for many years Barbara has played the role of storyteller to her family. Barbara continues: ‘As a mother and a grandmother – soon to be great-grandmother. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to spin a tale to dispel a child’s fears, or to teach them something without them even realising it. I thought about this a lot while writing my book. I wanted to capture the feeling of a good old fashioned bedtime story: something cosy and comforting which leaves you having learned something, but most of all, with a smile.’

So Slithers might just dispel the phobias of children and parents alike. The launch of the book on 26th November was a great success.  

What's the Matter With Slithers? launch. From left to right: Matt, Holly, Barbara, Verity, Liberty, Holly.

Candy Jar’s Editorial Coordinator Will Rees says: ‘What’s the Matter with Slithers? is a truly endearing tale. The illustrations alone are enough for you to want a Slithers of your own, and combined with Barbara’s sweetly traditional storytelling, the book is an irresistible package.’

Happy 95th Birthday Eileen!

Candy Jar is delighted to be able to say "Happy 95th Birthday!" to the incredible Eileen Younghusband today. Reaching such a golden age is only one of the formidable achievements this lady had made throughout her time, and we'd like to take this opportunity to share a few more today!

Aged 16, Eileen joined the Women's Auxilliary Air Force in 1941 in one of the top secret roles: Clerk Special Duties. She and her co-workers had to sign the Official Secrets Act, preventing them from telling their families and friends about the work they did in the unknown Filter Rooms.

In the war years that followed, Eileen proved herself and went further and further up the ranks, becoming one of the youngest Filterer Officers ever. Any historic event, from the Little Boats of Dunkirk to the time Winston Churchill accidentally flew in without his "IFF" (Information Friend or Foe) signal - Eileen Younghusband was there.

On June 6th 1944, Eileen was working on shift during Operation Neptune, the code name for the D-Day landings of Allied Forces on the French coast and celebrated the success with her co-workers.

On September 8th 1944, Eileen received the "Big Ben" alert, indicating the first V2 rocket launch from Germany against London - one of the most iconic moments in history.

Credit: Warren Allott

On November 16th 1944, Eileen was sent onwards to Second Tactical Air Force in Beligum, gifted the task of working within a highly specialised team to detect the V2 rocket launchers until June 1945.

When VE Day arrived, and Germany had been defeated, Eileen's job wasn't at an end. She was sent to Breendonk, a liberated concentration camp, where she was instructed to act as a guide and translator to RAF officers sent there to learn of the horrors thathad occurred.

In the post-war years, Eileen has remained an unstoppable force. Aged 87, Eileen achieved one of her life's ambitions of attaining a university degree, and remains an active campaigner for health and education. Due to the Official Secrets Act, for 30 years after the war Eileen's story remained a secret from all she knew; her friends,  her family, and even her husband Peter Younghusband whom she married in 1945 and their son Clive Younghusband, born 1946.

It wasn't until 2011 when Eileen published her first war-time autobiography that her story, and the story of thousands of other women, was told.

One Woman's War went on to win the People's Book Prize 2012/13, and has become a widely recognised authority on the realities of war-time Britain and the role of of the women in the Filter Rooms in the Second World War.

Now, Eileen feels that it's time to share her story with the younger generation. Launched today, on her 95th birthday, Candy Jar is honoured to announce the publication of Eileen's third book Eileen's War.

As veterans gradually age and pass away, many of them taking their memories with them, Eileen sees her children’s memoir as her ‘legacy’ book. She says: “I think it is really important to engage with young people about World War II. It’s a pivotal moment in our history. I feel my book helps to make a sense of the insecurities we all face at the moment. In truth I am not going to be around forever, but if my story can live on from generation to generation this will be wonderful.”

Eileen continues: “When I wrote One Woman’s War I wanted to shine a light on the work done by the women of the Filter Room. At the time our position in history had almost been forgotten. Now I am so proud that the women’s contribution has been acknowledged.”

Once again, Eileen tells the story of the Second World War with frank and charming voice, peppered with hilarious anecdotes of a young girl who found herself in the middle of it all. Eileen's War is the legacy of an inspiring true story which will live on. Fans of Roald Dah's Boy and Flying Solo, and Jennifor Worth's Call The Midwife will love Eileen's latest memoir. You can order yours today here.

From everybody here at Candy Jar Books, we're so proud to be able to celebrate and share the work of one incredible golden lady. Her ambition, drive and outlook on life inspires each of us here, and we're delighted for Eileen Younghusband to be a friend of Candy Jar Books.

Happy Birthday Eileen, you are a true hero. 

Spread The Word Festival 2016 - We're Excited!!

Candy Jar is really excited to be getting involved with the Spread The Word Literary Festival 2016, coming to you on World Book Day, Thursday March 3rd.

The amazing event is hosted by Stephens & George Centenary Charitable Trust in Merthyr Tydfil town center, and is one of the biggest annual arts and literature festival in Wales for children.

Spread The Word Festival was first launched in 2013, and with the great success that was seen has been a recurring fixture in Wales' annual line-up. With previous themes including Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland, this years event is based on characters created by the iconic Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl.

The main influence of the event will be Roald Dahl's hugely influential classic Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, and the event locations will be teaming with Oompa Loompas, and even Willy Wonka (on stilts!!) Keep an eye out for the Glass Elevator!

Among the famous faces which will feature at the Merthyr Tydfil event, including BBC Drama Waterloo Road's Richard Mylan and CBBC poet Joseph Coelho, we are privileged to announce that Candy Jar authors Alison Thomas, Emmerdale actress Sammy Winward, People's Book Prize 2014 Nominee Anthony Ormond, Mark Brake & Jon Chase, and the renowned pop-culture artist Nathan Wyburn will be featuring at the event!

There will be author-led talks and workshops for children of all ages, as well as the opportunity to buy signed copies of their books and meet the authors in person.

There will be food, there will be drink, and there will even be crafty stalls to get your hands mucky!

Keep an eye out for the event schedules, and we will see you there! (hopefully in costume)

Photo credit: Sir Quentin Blake (The Guardian)

Spread The Word Festival will be held at various locations in the Merthyr Tydfil town centre Thursday March 3rd, 2016. Further details will follow. 

BOOK REVIEW: "I AND MANY OTHERS WILL BE RACING TO THE SHOPS TO PICK UP ANY FUTURE TITLES!"

Tommy Parker: Destiny Will Find You!
Anthony Ormond
9+

"Ormond trained initially as a lawyer, but his insight into the ways of children and their interactions is sharp, fresh and most assured. In this first novel, Tommy is given a pen from his grandfather, which seems nothing out of the ordinary until Tommy is told of the history of the pen, and of what it can do. From there on, Tommy and his friends are pulled into a series of adventures involving time travel, danger and a most unpleasant organisation. Ormond's observations and ability tell an exciting yarn are very convincing; this alone, aside from the subject matter and ideas exploited in the book, will be enough to have the reader turning pages without wishing to put the book down. The end of the book appears to set the stage for at least one sequel, and if Ormond's talent at writing anything to go by, I and many others will be racing to the shops to pick up any future titles!"

Rudolf Loewenstein
The School Librarian (Winter 2014)

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