Our lovely children’s book, ‘Water Vole’s Diary’, tells the story of Water Vole and all the interesting things he had to write about in his diary. Most people keep a diary at least once in their life. It may be an occasional scribbled one-liner, or a detailed description of everyday life. Sometimes a person’s diary has a record of their planned tasks and meetings. But “Water Vole liked to write in his diary, all about his life by the river.”
Water Vole’s Diary and Writing Desk
There is a beautiful illustration in the book which shows Water Vole seated at his writing desk in his living room. A log fire burns brightly and the kettle is on for tea. Water Vole liked to write in his diary “every night, before he went to bed.” In the picture, he is wrapped up in his cosy red dressing gown, with his matching slippers on his feet. A large candle in the window gives Water Vole enough light for writing. His supper of bread, cheese and apple waits on a plate with a hot mug of tea at the ready.
This illustration gives us a wonderful welcome into Water Vole’s cosy cottage. Beside the fire, a soft pink hearth rug covers the rustic flagstones. A deep and comfortable-looking winged armchair is drawn close to the fireplace. Here Water Vole will soon be relaxing and eating his bedtime snack. The purple grandfather clock by the stairs reminds him that it’s almost supper time!
Life By the River…
But Water Vole has so much to write about in his diary. The story tells us how Water Vole wrote about “his shop and his friends and the weather, and what he was going to have for supper.” On the next page, we read about the Rose Petal Syrup which is now ready, and tastes “scrumptious”! And Water Vole describes the new wallpapers that have arrived in his shop.
Something Very Exciting to Write About
Enjoyable as these everyday descriptions are, Water Vole soon has “something very exciting to write about in his diary.” A big storm arrives one night. Wind and cold rain burst through a window into Water Vole’s snug little bedroom. This is the beginning of all the adventures!
Over the page, we can see the first sepia ink & wash drawing in the book, to mark the beginning of real time in the story. And it gives us an idea of how the pages of Water Vole’s diary might look. Water Vole’s diary does not interrupt the exciting action of this dramatic story. But every now and then, Water Vole comments personally about what is happening. He notes how deep the flooded river is, and what sweets the Grey Mouse twins like best. And he records the special River Boat party at the end, with games, music and dancing that went on “until the stars came out”.
Published by LRM Books and printed in the UK. Available from Goldcrest Gallery.