Askews
Thanks to the good folks at Askews for running this piece (see p8) about the inspiration behind Dandelion in their newsletter!
Askews is the leading library supply specialist in the UK. Libraries played a huge part in my reading history - shout out to the lovely Central Library in Waterford, where I spent many a rainy Saturday! Nowadays, I bring my own kids to our local library in Rathmines, Dublin, where they can learn the joys of browsing the shelves, reading on the floor, and taking home a few treasures.
How I Came to Write That’s It, Said the Dandelion
By Nicola Reddy
When I was growing up in the countryside, my parents had a beautiful garden, full of roses and camelias, tulips and daffodils, alliums and lilies. All lovely to look at, but not so much to play with! Instead, I spent my time over with the wildflowers, making daisy chains, holding buttercups under my chin (yes, I do like butter), making bluebell bouquets and lavender perfume. But my favourites of all were the dandelions.
These days, my two city children love dandelions too. After the long winter, suddenly these brilliant golden flowers are everywhere, brightening up the grey streets. A few weeks later, along come the fluffy puffballs – you might call them clocks, jinny-joes or wet-the-beds – ready for us to blow and make a wish. Watching my kids in this lovely moment, so sweet and open-hearted, my own wish is always the same.
In our messy, wild garden, we let the dandelions do their thing, because with them come the bugs, the bees and the birdies. More people are welcoming dandelions in these days, knowing that these cheery chappies are not only eco-champions but can even improve poor soil. (Don’t worry, I won’t go so far as recommending dandelion tea.)
I wrote That’s It, Said the Dandelion when my son was a toddler and obsessed with Eric Carle. Like Carle's hungry caterpillar or quiet cricket, our dandelion tells a small story from nature in which our youngest readers can see themselves; a tale of growth, change, finding out who you are (and realising you're everything). I also wrote it as a mum who is all too aware of her own little seeds slowly blowing away from her fluffy puffball, finding their own way. But we'll always have those wishes.