Lottie the Little Wonder is out today!
Spring 2024
Dear friends,
Welcome to the spring edition of my newsletter. If it looks a little different this time round, that’s because this is the first edition coming to you via Substack!
New book: Lottie the Little Wonder
Today I’m celebrating the publication of my newest book Lottie the Little Wonder illustrated by wonderful Ella Okstad.
This book, which is part of Barrington Stoke's Little Gems series, is loosely inspired by the story of real-life athlete Lottie Dod, who became a Wimbledon Ladies Singles tennis champion in 1887, aged just 15. As well as winning Wimbledon five times, she also played hockey for England, was a champion golfer, and even won an Olympic medal for archery. I first came upon Lottie’s story through the City of Women project, and was immediately struck by her incredible achievements across a whole range of different sports - truly a multi-talented sports superstar!
Lottie the Little Wonder takes us back to Lottie's childhood to find out how her love of tennis and her amazing sporting career began. I’ve imagined a lot of the details of what her early years and family life might have been like, but kept some of the key true-life elements of Lottie’s story, such as her first ever Wimbledon victory.
Here’s the blurb for the book:
“Girls can’t play tennis as well as boys? What a lot of NONSENSE!” Lottie Dod is DETERMINED to show that girls can be just as good as sports as boys. She runs and jumps and leaps after the ball – playing tennis makes Lottie feel WONDERFUL. After beating her brothers, she eventually goes on to reach the finals of the most important tennis competition of them all – WIMBLEDON! Can she continue her winning streak to become the world’s first female sports SUPERSTAR? NEVER underestimate what little girls can do!
It’s out today, and if it sounds up your street, you can buy a copy now from Waterstones, Bookshop.org. or Amazon.
I didn’t have any books at all out last year, so it’s particularly lovely to be celebrating Lottie this week. At home, I’ve been marking the occasion with a tea-party complete with scones, strawberries and of course, Lottie’s favourite — homemade lemonade.
Next week, I’ll be out and about visiting schools for World Book Day (Reminder to teachers and librarians: if you are interested in enquiring about an event in the future, please do get in touch)
I also have a lovely storytime event coming up at The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London on Saturday 7th March. If you’re in the area, come along to help me celebrate Lottie with a storytime and fun activity - tickets and info here (event best suited to children aged 5-7). Keep an eye on my events page for more Lottie events coming soon, including some fun events in the North West.
If you’d like to learn more about Lottie, be sure to follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be celebrating the new book over the next week or two with extra content and insights.
Giveaway time
To celebrate the publication of Lottie the Little Wonder, I have a signed and dedicated copy of the new book, plus a signed set of my other three Barrington Stoke Little Gems, to give away to a newsletter subscriber.
Each of these books is inspired by an amazing woman from history, from aviator Sophie Blanchard to fashion designer Rose Bertin - perfect for helping you celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in March!
To enter just email me with the subject line ‘Newsletter Giveaway’ by 12 noon (GMT) on Monday 11th March. I’ll choose one entry at random to win the set of books - giveaway open to UK only, because of postage costs.
World Book Day: Dressing Up ideas
In need of a World Book Day costume idea? Check out my website for some very some quick tips for dressing up as one of the historical heroines from my Little Gems books. My little helper dressed up in these outfits we created with items from her wardrobe and a few bits we found from around the house - perfect if you’re looking for an easy last-minute costume!
Alternatively, take a look at these ideas for dressing as Sophie, Lil or one of the Sinclair’s Mysteries gang.
Five favourites…
If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you’ll know that I always include five favourite books (or sometimes other things) that I’ve been enjoying. Here’s my springtime selection:
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes
I absolutely loved this gorgeous graphic novel - a big-hearted story about 12-year old Tuva, who is dealing with school, the challenges of first love, and what happens when you and your best friends are growing up in different ways, or at a different pace from each other. Translated from Norwegian, it’s a completely lovely, charming read, and features an especially wonderful father-daughter relationship. Winner of the 2024 Stonewall Book Award in the USA, it’s been one of my favourite new children’s books of this spring.
Secrets of the Snakestone by Pia Das Gupta
Of the middle-grade fiction I’ve read over the last few months, I wanted to pick out this one to recommend — an atmospheric debut which I think will appeal to fans of my Sinclair’s Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents books. Set in 1890s Paris, it follows brave heroine Zélie as she ventures into the maze of underground tunnels and sewers beneath the city streets to find a magical diamond — and save her father from a sinister secret society.
The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman
Another book with lots of appeal for young fans of mystery and adventure is the debut solo middle grade from Sam Sedgman, of Adventures on Trains fame. A locked room mystery which kicks off in the clock tower of London’s Big Ben, it’s jam-packed with intriguing ideas, puzzles, codes and conundrums. I’d recommend it for 9-12 readers who like their mysteries with plenty of fast-paced, direct, high-stakes action, or who particularly enjoy pitting their wits against tricksy puzzles and challenging clues.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
I was recommended this new YA fantasy by my friend and fellow author Katherine Webber. The premise appealed to be immediately: in a world in which powerful ancient gods have drawn humankind into war, 19-year-old Iris Winnow is trying to make it as a journalist. At the newspaper office, she must fight for promotion against her rival, the cold and privileged Roman Kitt. Meanwhile, her older brother is away, fighting on the front-lines; by night she writes him letters, knowing he will never receive them. But the typewriter she is using is enchanted, and soon a mysterious correspondent begins writing magical letters back to her in return... With a similar set-up to one of my favourite classic films, The Shop Around the Corner (which also inspired the film You’ve Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks), this is a very satisfying read, which left me looking forward to the next book in the series.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Now for an adult book recommendation! I’d seen this online and in bookshops, and was drawn to the title and cover without knowing much about it. When I got round to picking it up in my local library, I discovered it’s an enjoyable romantasy, set in an alternative version of the 1900s. The story follows prickly Cambridge academic Emily, a dedicated scholar of faerie folklore, who is taking a research trip to a remote northern village. But her plans are turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of her dashing (and insufferably handsome) colleague Professor Bambleby. This is a delightful grumpy/sunshine romance, which I’d recommend for readers who are less fussed about a sense of historical authenticity, and instead want their historical romance to be light, cosy, whimsical and fun. (I also enjoyed the sequel Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands.)
Illustrator’s Sketchbooks by Martin Salisbury
I’m sneaking in an extra bonus recommendation in this edition! This book is such a joy for fans of children’s book illustration. I always love seeing artists’ sketchbooks, roughs and works-in-progress, and there’s such a rich array of different artistic work to enjoy here - ranging from famous names such as Edward Ardizzone, Beatrix Potter and Quentin Blake, to exciting new talent from around the world whose work you might not have encountered before. Crammed with inspiration, it’s a visual treat.
Don't forget to check out my Bookshop.org.uk page for lots more book suggestions, or take a look at this list of all the books I've recommended previously in this newsletter.
That's all for now! I hope you've enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. I'll be back in the summer: until then you can find me on Instagram, that place we used to call Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and Threads. You can also find out more on my website katherinewoodfine.co.uk and of course, you can contact me here.
Happy reading!
Katherine
Header illustration by Karl James Mountford