Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
A children's writer best known for the Naughty Little Sister books.
On the island
Eight records
Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Rafael Kubelík
Well, it's a river. I've always loved rivers, and of course I was born near the River Thames. And all my childhood was a matter of going backwards and forwards to places where the Thames always was. It was as if we were surrounded by it.
Duke Ellington and Bing Crosby
Well, that takes me back really to my adolescence when we were just becoming aware. Of this rather decadent music, at least our family thought it was decadent. They were all brass band addicts at that period.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hans Vonk
Well, I chose it because I love the Victorians. And I always think of Mendelssohn as part of the Victorian scene. But most especially I I chose it because it reminds me of a production for the Festival of Britain that my husband did.
My Naughty Little Sister (reading)
because Kay has had a great love for my little sister ever since she came out. And I just think she does it so beautifully.
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
Clifford Curzon, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch
I lead a very busy life. I'm very involved with children and with my family. I love my family. There are times when. I like to just listen to music, and I love Beethoven, and I think I love this one more than any other.
Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
I first heard this when I was quite young, and I was really shattered because the first time in music I heard something that was part of the magic that I'd found in some of the early fairy stories.
Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah)Favourite
London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult
I would like to be greedy, but obviously I can't. I mean, if I could have my way, I'd have the whole of Handel's Messiah. But um I just have to have the Alleluia Chorus.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:40How worried are you at the prospect of loneliness on this island?
Oh, I should hate it. I I just could I sh I should hate it, but I'd have to put up with it, wouldn't I?
Presenter asks
4:49What sort of job did you do when you left school?
Well, I did a succession of jobs really, mostly secretarial jobs, going from one to the other until I was earning a reasonable salary.
Presenter asks
5:11Had you started writing in your spare time?
Oh, I'd always written. I I wrote my very first story when I was four. My grandfather taught me to read when I was very young indeed. And I would never have believed it, only after my grandmother died we found an envelope with my name on it, and a little note to say that I'd written it when I was four.
Presenter asks
6:32When did [writing for young children] start?
Well that started um I didn't intend to specialise, it started in in nineteen fifty when Listen With Mother first went on the air. merely because the then editor came on to the air several times and asked parents to write in and criticise or comment on the material they were supplying. And, um I Thought, well, it's very good, but they're reading the stories, they're not telling them. And so I I just sort of got in touch with them and sent something along that I'd told my own children.
The keepsakes
The book
The Oxford Book of English Verse
Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch
I'd like the Oxford Book of English Verse, the old one, 'cause I know my way round it, the one that was edited by Sir Arthur Quillicooch.
Presenter asks
14:22How do you get the attention of a class of young children to start with?
Well, I usually, if I can like to be there before they come, then I can start talking to to them as they come in, you see, otherwise, if they've been very brainwashed, they're absolutely terrified and they don't respond. But if if I have very naughty ones, or if I have very lively ones, I have one or two little methods that I apply.
“I wrote my very first story when I was four. My grandfather taught me to read when I was very young indeed.”
“I didn't intend to specialise, it started in in nineteen fifty when Listen With Mother first went on the air.”
“I lead a very busy life. I'm very involved with children and with my family. I love my family. There are times when. I like to just listen to music, and I love Beethoven, and I think I love this one more than any other.”