You'll forgive me, I hope, if this post is more than usually self-indulgent, for yesterday we were at the launch of a particularly special book, a collection of poetry written by our daughter Alice.
Published by Maclean Dubois and with illustrations by Iain McIntosh, the book's foreword has been written by someone who needs no introduction:
In addition to last night's signing session, our young poet has also given her first interview, and an article about the book is due to appear in The Sunday Times Ecosse section this weekend.
The whole family is enormously proud of Alice.
Wow!!!
Please pass on my heartfelt congratulations, this is so wonderful. Where can one buy a copy?
Posted by: Simon | 29 June 2007 at 10:43 AM
How exciting! Congratulations to you all.
Posted by: Dee | 29 June 2007 at 11:46 AM
Oh wow, how absolutely thrilling, congratulations to Alice and what a lovely, meaningful foreword.
Posted by: Rebecca | 29 June 2007 at 12:20 PM
I am a recent visitor to your site, but a very sincere congratulations to your Alice. One who names a collection after the work of RLS and is thus lauded by AMS is no doubt destined for greatness.
Posted by: Claudia | 29 June 2007 at 01:24 PM
Many, many excited congratulations to Alice! Absolutely thrilling news.
Posted by: tara | 29 June 2007 at 01:36 PM
The achievements of our children are heart-burstingly greater than our own could ever be. Please would you give us the URL for the Ecosse article, and maybe tell us from where the book is available (I've already tried Amazon, maybe too soon, though).
Posted by: ctussaud | 29 June 2007 at 01:51 PM
And one can order this where?
Posted by: Avice | 29 June 2007 at 02:20 PM
How wonderful, such an acheivement, at any age it would be an triumph, but to be recognised as a real poet at her age is stunning. Thank God that poetry is still alive and very well, in a non-poetic world.
A great tribute to you as her parents too. More book buying ahead!
Posted by: carole bruce | 29 June 2007 at 02:20 PM
Congratulations to Alice. You must be very proud. Our own accomplishments pale in comparison to that of our children's, and that is as it should be.
Posted by: Donna | 29 June 2007 at 02:37 PM
So pleased for you all. Congratulations, Alice!
Posted by: Kelly | 29 June 2007 at 02:44 PM
What a beautiful volume! Congratulations to your Alice, and to her proud parents. What a wonderful accomplishment!
Posted by: Robin | 29 June 2007 at 04:22 PM
Congratulations to Alice! What a wonderful person to write your forward!
Congratulations to you, too, Mom. What a wonderful weekend for the Howlett family! Enjoy!
Posted by: Peg | 29 June 2007 at 04:41 PM
Congratulations to you and Alice!
Posted by: Worsted_knitt | 29 June 2007 at 06:19 PM
I have only one word: outstanding.
And you are certainly entitled to feel enormously proud.
Posted by: Francesca | 29 June 2007 at 08:50 PM
There's hope for the world yet then - and for Scotland.
Posted by: Rhona | 29 June 2007 at 09:08 PM
Congratulations to Alice! That's brilliant! I'll read it in our Times on Sunday. Talented, like her mother then...
Posted by: A Wildlife Gardener | 29 June 2007 at 10:12 PM
I have long known of Alice's wonderful talent, and I cannot tell you how excited I am about this wonderful achievement. Huge congratulations to Alice and I know there will be much, much more to come!
Posted by: terence | 29 June 2007 at 10:13 PM
How wonderful to read today's post -- many congratulations to Alice. I'm sure the entire Howlett family is rightly bursting with pride!
Posted by: Heather | 30 June 2007 at 02:36 AM
I am stunned. What a wonder. And as someone who doesn't know you or your family other than through your blog, I'm amazed. I had no idea your girl was a poet. I would like to buy this book. How did AMS come to write the introduction? Is he a family friend? Is Edinburgh really the small town it feels like in his books? Oh, Karen, I'm so thrilled for all of you.
Posted by: Nan | 30 June 2007 at 03:37 AM
I'm utterly speechless. This is just fantastic, lovely news! How proud you must be. Nan and I are chums, so I'll ask her to forward your response to her to me, as I too am curious about Smith's introduction.
While she doesn't know me at all, please give my very best wishes to Alice.
Posted by: Les in NE | 30 June 2007 at 03:53 AM
Amazin'
Posted by: Rhys | 30 June 2007 at 11:02 AM
How nice! You must all be so proud. Well done Alice!
Posted by: Lisa W | 30 June 2007 at 12:34 PM
I've just read this post. Wonderful and congratulations to your daughter. You must be very proud. I'll make sure we get the Sunday Times this week.
Posted by: Zoe | 30 June 2007 at 08:56 PM
Karen, I can only imagine how bursting-proud your hearts must be. Well done, Alice. I came in to use my work computer because my home server is kaput, found a message from a friend to check out Alice's accomplishment on the Cornflower site and suddenly a lousy day (computer problems) turned into a lovely one. If Friends of Cornflower are this delighted, you must be orbiting the planet!
Posted by: Tui M. | 01 July 2007 at 08:39 PM
Oh, most excellent news! Congratulations!
May I purchase an autographed copy through you? :-) I'd love to read Alice's collection.
Posted by: Fiberjoy | 01 July 2007 at 09:05 PM
"the book's foreword has been written by someone who needs no introduction"
That's just as well, otherwise you'd need two forewords! ;-)
Well done to Alice.
Posted by: John Self | 02 July 2007 at 11:40 AM
Catching up at last and enormous congratulations to Alice, you must all be so proud of her, and yes, how do we purchase?
Posted by: dovegreyreader | 04 July 2007 at 06:50 PM
Karen - many many congratulations to Alice and how proud and delighted you must be. I daresay tearful as well, I know every time my children did anything at all I was proud of, the tissues had to be pulled out pretty quickly. I am thrilled for you both.
Posted by: Elaine | 05 July 2007 at 07:15 AM