Strange Tales in Bradford Dale
by Irene Lofthouse
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"Spookily brilliant!" Hannah, 12
The second in the Strange Tales series of children's stories. For 7-12s.
Re-live with Ranulf and Aleycia how the wild boar lost its head. Meet a badly behaved boggart in a Bradford's beck. Share Darren and Chel's escape from the phantom carriage and its grisly driver. Decide if the giggling girl and her group of ghoulish spirits are friendly or not. Find out why Royalty paddles in the park. Travel to exotic lands as time shifts when a group of friends walk through a cemetery. Discover the gory secret of the Celtic carved head.
Bradford myths, legends and stories re-told and re-imagined with original tales inspired by the City's history.
Being a Bradford lass, Irene knows many of these tales from her choldhood in and around the city. She's told them at local festivals, libraries, schools and museums. For the first time, she's collected them to re-tell and re-imagine for a wider audience.
£7.99 plus £2 p&p AVAILABLE AUTUMN 2015
It can be pre-ordered now - ready for that Christmas present!
Publisher: Gizmo Publications Paperback: ISBN 978-1-900827-54-6
A Nose for Treasure
by Irene Lofthouse
Introducing Captain Red Hand and Snapper his treasure-sniffing dog.
Listen to Captain Red Hand's memories of childhood and meet Red aged 9, a homeless orphan caught pickpocketing by Jim, who pursuades Red to join him on the high seas. Cower from Captain Mauler's temper; discover why Old Tom Fingers Flint and Mac the Knife try to kill the new crew member; fight the Barbary pirates and learn how Red discovers Snapper's talent for sniffing treasure.
Book 1 in the Captain Red Hand Adventure series for 6-11s.
Storytelling at literature and book festivals (Ryedale, Leeds Big Bookend) and with schools, the tale has developed with feedback from children and teachers. "It was going to be one book,' Irene says, 'but children wanted to hear more about the different characters, they were so interested in them and their adventures, so I'm working on Book 2."
£7.99 plus £2 p&p AVAILABLE SPRING 2016
Image by Irene Lofthouse, the stimulus for Capt Red Hand workshops with schools
Publisher: Gizmo Publications Paperback: ISBN 978-1-900827-55-3
Cover design & Illustrations
by Clare Lindley
Photo by Tony O'Connell