...genocide "cheapens the word". He also denied a report by Ed Vulliamy on the existence of Bosnian concentration camps, stating that Vulliamy "got caught up in a story that probably wasn't true". But it wasn't the first genocide Chomsky had denied. He also criticized... 6/25

This week we will be looking at Burning the Tree from Stories by Firelight. Christmas was over and it was time to put all the decorations away in the loft until next year. Grandpa pulled off the shiny glass balls and handed them to William who laid them carefully in their box.

William and Grandpa laid the Christmas tree in a dust sheet and dragged it as far as the back door, trying not to leave a trail of pine needles behind them. ‘Get your coat. We’ll have a bonfire,’ said Grandpa. From Burning the Tree in Stories by Firelight

Probably Mum's best ending of them all: Grandpa burning the Christmas tree, but also a mysterious box of mysterious letters, with his pipe, and a "grand blaze".

Between the water and the ice were white frosty stars. The ice cracked and splintered when Alfie stamped on it. Alfie Weather

This beautiful illustration is from Enchantment in the Garden.

Cherubino let out a wild cry of anger and pain. Then he was off, kicking up sand, skidding through carefully laid picnics, trampling on wet towels, sending hats, sandcastles and sunshades flying… ‘Come back! Come back!’ Called Valerie. But Cherubino did not return.

Arguably Mum's finest book, set in an imaginary - but very real - Italia... and in no small part based upon her sketchbooks from our family holidays there.

The adolescent passion of Valerie towards a statue brings 'Cherubino' to life ... but the sea-sprite is lost, and even persecuted in the world of humans...

Thank you, Seattle!!!

late nights, early mornings, long days....don’t forget to DREAM BIG !  xx jc  POPtical uoᴉsnllI is out NOW! ♥️ johncale.ffm.to/popticalillusi…

All that driving and anticipation and then finally Alfie’s family arrive at the seaside. Bonting is one of the stories in The Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook

Mum never really liked the countryside. In her work, outings from the city were always to the seaside. Day trips? Actually, we were usually on holiday at a cottage we rented. But while Dad was in heaven there, Mum just wanted to be back in Ladbroke Grove.

Bella was very good at races. She won the Three-Legged Race with her friend Barbara. ‘Wouldn’t you like to go in for a race?’ they asked Dave. But Dave didn’t feel like racing. He was missing Dogger too much.

One lady had a Toy Stall, full of knitted ducks and cars and baby dolls in bonnets. And there, at the very back of the stall, behind a lot of other toys, was DOGGER!

But something terrible had happened. Dogger had just been bought by a little girl! She was already walking off with him. Dave began to cry.

The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.

Los Angeles Dodgers Time to win the World Series for Fernando Valenzuela 💔