Great Gran's Diary - by Joan Peake about a girl who found her grandmothers diary

A local Cardiff author, Joan was born and brought up in Cardiff.
Four generations of her family attended Gladstone School.
She enjoyed reading with the pupils and has dedicated this book to them..........

A second book is also now available, written for children based in Cardiff around
World War II, its called "I Spy" (click on the link below to read some extracts from the NEW book)
"I Spy"

Many years ago, a young girl called Rosie lived in Cardiff ... she went to Gladstone School ... she picnicked in Roath Park ... she said goodbye to the soldier who lived next door as he went off to fight in the First World War.

And she wrote it all in her diary.

Whitsun

We all went to the Whitsun Treat, marching down to Queen Street Station with the Boys’ Brigade Band parading in front of us, playing their instruments. The sound of the music made me feel very excited, no wonder they play music for soldiers to march
to – it probably helps them on their way to the front. We caught the train to the field and as we arrived we were each given a glass of milk and a big currant bun. There were swings and a slide and coconut shies.

Today Mama took us all to Roath Park. Sidney was in the pram, while Emma sat on a board across the top. We took sandwiches, a kettle and everything we needed to make a cup of tea. We walked across the Prom to see where they’re building the memorial to Captain Scott. I don’t know why they decided to build a lighthouse. I suppose it was because he was a sea captain. The foundations went down an awful long way. Mama said we will come back another day to see how they are getting on.

We stopped on the Lake Road West side of the park and played on the grass for a while. Then Mama filled the kettle with water, and after putting a penny in the slot, lit one of the big gas stoves to boil the water. It’s funny how much nicer bread and jam tastes when you are out in the open.

Sept. 25^th

Emma doesn’t like school. She cried all the way there this morning. Mama gave me a medicine bottle full of milk to give to her teacher to put on the stove so she can have a warm drink at playtime. Mama is very worried about her, she is so thin, not like the rest of us. Her teacher said she would let her sit nearest the stove in the winter when it’s lit. Lucky dab! Everybody wants to sit in the front when it’s cold, although it smells of rotten eggs when the caretaker stokes it up with coke at playtime.

In the year 2000, Hannah found a treasure - her Great-Gran's diary. Reading it brought the past so vividly to life that for Hannah, the diary was magic ...

This book is available from all good bookshops
or direct from Pont Books - Ł4.95

To buy a copy direct from the publisher
click on the link below .....

http://www.gomer.co.uk

Now available

Joan has written a new book for children set in wartime Cardiff
the title is "I Spy" click here to visit the web page.

Joan has had a short story published in a collection
of short stories entitled

"The Blue Man & other stories from Wales"
the story is called

"The Witch of Bevan Lane"

This book is available from all good bookshops
or direct from Pont Books - Ł4.50

To buy a copy direct from the publisher
click on the link below .....

http://www.gomer.co.uk