Cardinal Wiseman Library

dayfive

Today’s reading is from “A Traveller in Time” by Alison Uttley. This story is a classic children’s book which combines fantasy with a fascinating glimpse of history in the time of Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scots. Penelope slips from the twentieth century to the sixteenth and finds herself part of a household that supports Mary, not Elizabeth. So, there is not only the tension generated by historical events but also the reader is full of concern for Penelope and what will happen to her. Will she be able to return to her own time or will she be trapped in another very distant period?

You’ll have to read the book to find out! (The BBC made a children’s series of this in 1978 but it seems to be unavailable.)

day-four

Today’s reading is from “Little House on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It has some lovely images – Santa Claus being an accomplished horseman, the little sister who is unable to resist giving her candy “just one lick”, the determination of a neighbour to bring Christmas to the family.

Please listen again tomorrow for our next podcast!

3rd-december

Today’s reading is “The Journey of the Magi” by T. S. Eliot. It is a superb poem with a distinctive narrative voice and multiple layers of meaning.

We were really pleased to find a reader amongst our students who could give sufficient gravitas to this reading despite the clamour and bustle of a busy lunchtime that occasionally made itself heard.

day-two

Today’s podcast is an extract from “Millions” by Frank Cottrell Boyce. The hero, Damian, is a very interesting character who sees, and happily chats with the Saints. There is a tremedous plot involving vast sums of hijacked money and a dangerous gang who want to get their hands on this. The book is also very poignant as Damian and his family are struggling to cope with his mother’s death. Frank Cottrell Boyce balances the sadness with moments of farce and overall, the book is full of humour and a really good read – especially at Christmas.

The book is in print and there is also a film version.

day-one

Welcome to our first Advent podcast. Today’s reading is a favourite of both Librarians at CWS. It is “King John’s Christmas” by A. A. Milne. You will find it in the poetry collection “Now We Are Six” by A. A. Milne.

The book is in print and available from local libraries, bookshops and from the LRC in school.

The Librarians at Cardinal Wiseman have been working with a member of the ICT Staff and have organised an Advent podcast series. We have chosen 24 readings from books and poems and our final choice is from Luke’s Gospel.

We have copies of all these in stock and hope that people will be insipired to borrow (or buy from local bookshops) in order to read more.

We are passionate about reading for pleasure and aim to promote reading in many ways.

Happy listening!