Well done to brilliant editor Anya Dimlow, who only launched the magazine in 2014 - under 2 years ago - after a successful crowdfunder scheme! Eco Kids Planet is a lively, smart, fun, well-designed and fact-filled monthly magazine - and it keeps gong from strength to strength. I'm extremely proud to be on the writing team. (I love this job - just hope the kids are learning as much about our beautiful planet as I am!)
Click below to play and enjoy while scrolling down this post...
illustration by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Brilliant, gentle, wonderful actor and human being, Alan Rickman
After the loss of two such shining stars of the music and acting world, here's a teeny bit of cheer back on planet earth...
The latest Okido magazine is out today, and by some strange synchronicity or coincidence, and most certainly a degree of poignancy, is all about Planets and Stars.
This issue has been dedicated to the original Starman himself, David Bowie, and to British astronaut Tim Peake, who as I type, is literally floating about in space, mending stuff and doing cool experiments.
"Ground control to Major Tim..."
#TimPeake #astronaut #Space
My poem in this issue is called: The Boy and his Teddy Bear and owes more than a nod to Edward Lear...
Just to send you off on an upbeat note, I'll remember Alan Rickman for many roles: he was wickedly attractive in Les Liasons Dangereuses (mesmerising on a white-draped stage), steadfast and gentle in Sense and Sensibility and how I cried when he died as Severus Snape, a tragic hero at the heart of the films. But I was a real, blubbering wreck after Truly, Madly, Deeply (despised poor Michael Maloney who was SO wet in comparison). However, one of his most wonderful performances was in 'cult' gem Galaxy Quest. Watch the whole thing if you've never seen it, but here's a taster in the meantime...
A friend came across this the other day. I'd written it for her "After a telephone conversation the night before..." I'd completely forgotten about it so it was like reading it for the first time - and then sort of remembering writing it.
