Mr Jingle's dog

Here's Mr Jingle again, with another unlikely tale.

'Ah! you should keep dogs - fine animals - sagacious creatures - dog of my own once - Pointer - surprising instinct - out shooting one day - entering inclosure - whistled - dog stopped - whistled again - Ponto - no go - stock still - called him - Ponto, Ponto - wouldn't move - dog transfixed - staring at a board - looked up, saw an inscription - "Gamekeeper has orders to shoot all dogs found in this inclosure" - wouldn't pass it - wonderful dog - valuable dog that - very.'

Pickwick Papers

And so to Tiny Tim, of course in A Christmas Carol.

'God bless us, everyone!'

No longer secret

Two small parcels arrived yesterday.

The first contained stickers and posters for the latest 'ology' book from Templar. Called Alienology, it gives a more comic twist to the series and will be a great seller, I'm sure.

The second contained posters for the new addition to the list of classics illustrated by Robert Ingpen - The Secret Garden.

The rest of this sumptuously illustrated series comprises Peter Pan, Treasure Island, The Jungle Book, The Wind in the Willows, A Christmas Carol, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Tom Sawyer .

All these fine quality hardbacks are in stock at only £14.99 and we have a few with signed bookplates - first come, first served.