Year 3, St Johns RC school

As we drank tea and read the newspaper this morning I was distracted from the sports pages by my wife’s pronouncement that Frank Cottrell Boyce talks good sense. Frank – whose early support for Caught by the River gave us immeasurable encouragement – has this week been awarded The Guardian’s children’s fiction prize for his latest book The Unforgotten Coat, a book ‘based on the true story of a failed asylum seeker’ (that description came straight from the newspaper btw). My wife, who works in primary education, was agreeing with Frank’s opinion that the current obsession with data and early testing in literacy is counter-productive and distracts from reading for pleasure. That was how I learned that the Guardian had bestowed an award on Frank.

Although it’s been a while since we’ve spoken (I’ll put that down to the fact the guy never stops work as you’ll find out for yourself if you read this Guardian interview), I think of Frank often and warmly. He really is a good man and it’s great to see him recognised for each of his huge achievements this year.

So, hats off to you Frank… and many congratulations from all of us here at Caught by the River. (JB)

Frank’s writings for CBTR are archived here.