Welcome to Caroline Pitcher's web-site.

Hello!

Annie, a primary school teacher in North Devon, wrote "The Year 2s in my class were completely hooked by the story (of Lord of The Forest) and literally gasped several times at the incredible language.
I have never seen a book engage and inspire a class to the extent that this one has."
Annie sent me 11 examples of the childrens' own versions using different animals and they were excellent!! Thank you, Annie and her class.

These Little Owls DO get around - now there is a Russian One!






At the moment I am writing a novel for adults and a novel for children and guess what?
They both happen in Crete.

I have reviewed The North Water by Ian McGuire for WRITERS REVIEW. Take a look at this site, or follow it on twitter @WritersReview.
There are some good things here, recommendations by published writers.

I was happy to hear from Irina in Romania who tells me her son enjoyed reading The Shaman Boy .
I didn't even know there was a Romanian edition of The Shaman Boy. Apparently there is a Romanian edition of 11 O'Clock Chocolate Cake too.
Irina says "please write more books. Children love your wonderful stories" Thank You Irina.

Remembering some fun gigs with Berlie Doherty at Eyam Hall, and visits to lovely schools.

"Thank you from all of us at Griffe Field for your wonderful, inspiring visit to our school"

"Just wanted to say what a great day yesterday was. Thank you for engaging and inspiring our children so well. All the teachers that were in the sessions in the morning and the storytelling in the afternoon commented on how excited the children were. Thanks again",
Sam Taylor Head of Physical Education Smith's Wood Primary Academy

Some of my short stories can now be bought as e-books from
Cut a Long Story Short the writers publishing community.
There are lots of good stories for grown-ups too.

Here we were at W.H.Smiths, Fargate, Sheffield. Thanks, Mick!

Thank you Melissa, Isobel, Charlotte and Kathryn for your amazing reviews of	And an extra Thank You! to Isobel for reviewing
the updated edition of 11 o'Clock Chocolate Cake. published by Cybermouse	the updated edition of Mine, again published by Cybermouse, with artwork by Emma J Graham. (Times 'Top Teen Book')

Tiny Tiger is with us

Foyles are an efficient and reasonable firm who will send you books and pay their taxes.
But if you are anywhere near Cromford visit Scarthin Books.

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11 o'Clock Chocolate Cake (New Edition) Mine (New Edition) The Dolphin Bracelet The Shaman Boy and Ghost in the Glass are all now available on Kindle:

I loved to see this mention of my favourite bookshop (Scarthin of Cromford) in the Guardian www.guardian.co.uk/independent-bookshops

Obi's Umbrella is my story in Moonlight Tales.	My story Catch a Falling Star about a Narwhal called Nakkertok is in ON A STARRY NIGHT.	My Story Dog Star is about Chookie, a blue-eyed husky pup, and is in the Winter Wishes anthology.

Maybe I've read Once in a Blue Moon, That's What I Want or The Bit of Everything Dog to you in Assembly? They're in Wow! 366 which has now raised over £30,000 for ChildLine. So if School bought a copy, thank you!	My story 'Wakes' appears in In The Frame, an anthology of young adult stories from the 3 counties, published by Five Leaves. If you liked my novel Mine you'll like Wakes because it has a similar Derbyshire setting. The cover is by David Wyatt, who also illustrated the stunning covers for Sky Shifter, Cloud Cat and The Shaman Boy.	'The Dolphin Bracelet' appears in Like Mother, Like Daughter? an anthology for mothers and daughters. 'In this delightful collection... Caroline Pitcher strikes a poignant note in the story of a family holiday with a terminally ill mother' (Valerie Coghlan in Books for Keeps)	One of the best things I've ever done is to write 'Tam The Eldest' for Lines in the Sand Published by Frances Lincoln for £4.99. This anthology of writings on war and peace raises money for UNICEF's emergency appeal for the children of Iraq. PLEASE BUY IT NOW.

This illustration from Lord of the Forest has been auctioned on eBay. The painting, together with a signed hardback copy of the book sold for £620.00. The money all goes to help 21st Century Tiger. Thank you, everyone!

Every writing day is different. Here is one I wrote about for the Derbyshire Literature Newsletter: My writing day

The Winter Dragon was first published in 2003, with glowing illustrations by Sophy Williams. It's one of my very own favourites. Now it has been chosen by Bernice de Braal in RIGHT START as one of five Rip-Roaring Reads , in which monsters and baddies (or dragons!) help children overcome their fears. The other four books are Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson) A Hairy, Scary Night (Alex T. Smith) and We're Going on a Bear Hunt (Michael Rosen).

Nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2004

Aren't they lovely? These are the reindeer from 'Fox Fire' published in the anthology A Winter's Night (Stripes £4.99). The story is about a young reindeer's encounter with a mysterious white fox, before he witnesses the amazing Northern Lights. The anthology also has stories by Penny Dolan, Karen Wallace, Malachy Doyle and more... It has delightful drawings by Alison Edgson. Buy From Amazon	Look out for my story about a dog called Wizard which has been published in Winter Magic.	You'll know from The Shaman Boy and Cloud Cat that I love snow leopards. Here they are again, in my story Two Little Snow Leopards published by Stripes in Winter Tales.

What a surprise to find my story Kylie and the Can-Can Beans in this Puffin anthology of Stories for Nine-Year-Olds.........

Octopus News........

The Littlest Owl is out in paperback. Gillian (8½) wrote to me to tell me of her own ending. 'One goes to a willow tree in Canada, Two goes to a willow tree in Ohio, Three goes to a willow tree in California, and Four in a tree in Texas!' What far-flung Owlets! She says 'I really liked the book, it was awesome.' Thank you, Gillian.

Here is a picture book with charming illustrations by the very talented Tina Macnaughton. Buy from Amazon

			These Little Owls do get around
			and NOW:

Helen Davis reviewed my novel The Shaman Boy:
	'Two things immediately stand out: the warmth and originality of the characters, and the richness of the imaginative description. Reading the book is a sensual experience of shape, colour and texture… the startling use of imagery and language point to the fluid and unsettled nature of reality, throwing up questions about how we see the world, about freedom and choice. Luka, a blind boy, discovers that he has the power to transfer his spirit to move with an animal, allowing him to experience the world from a stunning variety of perspectives, to marvel at the miracle of the universe. Sharply contrasted against this dizzying world of possibility is the harsh reality of a village suffering the trauma of recent war. The orphan children love to hear Luka’s stories but Florin’s ability to process any story or information is reduced starkly to “bang bang dead.” Ultimately, The Shaman Boy is a book about power. Luka must move between the powerlessness of fear and the power of imagination, love and infinity. ..'
Click on the book cover above to see the characters, hear Luka's tune and read more reviews.	Berlie Doherty describes The Shaman Boy as 'a feast of a book'.

This is the beautiful second edition of Mariana and the Merchild. It was great to meet a real life Mariana in Assos - Hello Mariana!

The beautiful Lord of the Forest is out in paperback.

'For something genuinely awe-inspiring, try Lord of the Forest.......this unforgettable story about a tiger could stop even the stroppiest of infants in their tracks.' (Nicholas Tucker in The Independent)

'I defy anybody's head not to turn at this magnificent picture book.' (Emma Shaw in the Derby Evening Telegraph)

'Caroline Pitcher's language is as measured as a tiger's footfall......repetition, alliteration, and rhyme hidden in the prose all contribute to the "tigerliness" when reading aloud......Jackie Morris's drawing is skilful and accurate' (INIS - Children's Books Ireland)

'The best animal picture book of the season is Lord of the Forest...... Ms Morris's illustrations are lavish and painterly, and the story—who exactly is the king of the jungle?—holds the reader in suspense until the very last page.' (The Economist)

'beautiful watercolours distinguish this quiet story about grace, humility and identity' (Kirkus Review)

'What a joy to read! A great book for teenage girls, that had me constantly laughing aloud..... Sadness, tears, joy, depression and anger all take turns to feature. The layout is rather unusual....... the nicknames are very funny...... I loved this book, and read it in three days....... It's like an older version of a Jacqueline Wilson story, but with a few added twists, that keep you guessing until the end.'  (a young reviewer in Education Otherwise)

'...a delicious slice of teenage life. Readers will be engaged at once..... Great stuff.' (Adèle Geras in Times Educational Supplement)

'This is a real giggle about the most important things in life - friendship and food!'  (Mizz)

Click on the pictures below to see: