The sun, peering across shrubbery on our lawn through the trunks of naked trees, rose into a clear pale slate-blue sky, ready to dry the dew this morning.
Sometime in 1973 I began to make a book for Becky, then my youngest daughter. It was planned for her fourth birthday the following year. I used water-colour pencils on a pad of thick cartridge paper, leaving the spiralled spine in place and binding the boards with a William Morris furnishing fabric, sealed by a press-stud on a flap. Taking a wee bit longer than anticipated, this labour of love was not finished until my little girl’s seventh birthday by which time she could read it for herself.
Here it is:
Tonight’s dinner consisted of perfect slow baked gammon, crisp carrots and cauliflower, a tangy melange of tomatoes, peppers and onions, and mashed potato and swede with a cheese sauce, followed by lemon and lime jelly. I drank more of Lidl’s Bordeaux.
66 responses to “Becky’s Book”
[…] particular trunk took me back to the early 1970s. Page 13 of Becky’s Book features a similar dappled effect on a tree and the fence beside it. I was inspired to make this […]
[…] fully illustrated text of the only children’s book I have ever produced is featured in ‘Becky’s Book’. The wall on which Matthew is playing appears on the frontispiece of this home made work, […]
[…] May, blossom was clothing the apple tree that featured in ‘Becky’s Book’. Michael and his friends Shaun, Jay, and Jamie, turned it into a tented house which they reached by […]
[…] may now be worth explaining that the production of ‘Becky’s Book of Seasons’ was one way of dealing with my grief. The whole piece is a metaphor for […]
Beautiful Derrick – it made my eyes leak! xo
Thank you Pauline, for your comment, and for the efforts you took to find it
Wonderful…
Thank you Ray
A talented writer AND artist!
Thank you Joanne
[…] readers of ‘Becky’s Book’, knowing what came later, will realise that the apple tree in that story was a metaphor for the […]
Quite wonderful.
Thank you Kate
Creatively made great post
Thank you fightalone 1
I hope you will publish this or at least have copies printed so your children and grandchildren can have a copy each. I appreciate the metaphor.
Thank you Mary. It has often been suggested that I publish it, but I’ve never thought it polished enough. But it has now been published on WordPress 🙂
And of course lucky Becky has the original 🙂 Maybe it’s up to her to follow up. I often wonder about the future of online publishing. Will they one day disappear into the ether? Well, I guess if they do they won’t pollute the atmosphere, hopefully.
If anyone would it would be Becky. Thank you Mary
Leaking eyes here as well. So lovely and so filled with love.
Thank you Jodie
Quite heartening to read such a good children’s story–the ant is a great character, too– and see what work you put into the rendering. Rich, deft, animated drawings, as well!
Thank you, Cynthia
[…] the background of the apple tree that featured in Becky’s Book, I […]
[…] Observant readers may have spotted that the picture of Becky was used as a model for one of the illustrations to her book. […]
This is so deep, Derrick. I love what you did for your daughter. I think Becky was and is so proud of her dad. It was a wonderful gesture of you.
You are very talented, too. Thanks for sharing this with me, my dear friend. I know you love your all kids very much 🙂
Hugs and kisses <3
Very many thanks, Monica X
xoxo <3
Becky is very lucky 🙂 This is the most beautiful post I have ever read in WP, Derrick. You are very talented. Thanks for sharing the link with me. 🙂
That’s a lovely comment, Rekha
🙂🙂
[…] who will take me to Oxshott for Michael’s funeral. Today’s header picture is taken from ‘Becky’s Book’ which uses the seasons as a metaphor for managing […]
This is so beautiful and sweet, Derrick! Joy-tears are in my eyes. What a treasure this book is to Becky and all of your family. Such a wonderful story and artwork. You are so talented.
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
Oh, this is so beautiful. 😍 What a wonderful heirloom to have.
Thank you very much, Sylvia
A wonderful, beautiful labour of love. I’m so sorry it’s winter today.
Nicely read, Susan. Very many thanks
Ah, this was well worth a second visit for me. It’s almost as though you wrote it for your future selves.
I’m so pleased it was worth it, Jodie. Very many thanks
🙂
Oh, Derrick! What an absolutely lovely book, such a wonderful gift for Beccy.
So pleased you liked it, Sue. I hoped you would. Thank you very much.
[…] illustrations of apples in https://derrickjknight.com/2014/02/21/beckys-book/ were inspired by the watercolour in this […]
This is a very sweet book, Derrick — Becky is fortunate to have a Daddy like you who can make such a sweet gift for her birthday! I’m sure she will always treasure it!
Thank you so much, Janet. She does, indeed
The drawings are wonderful and I think this is a gem of a story as well! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks very much, Introverted
Wonderful!
Thank you so much, Clare.
🙂
[…] the appropriate place her analysis of her Book of Seasons, the full version of which appears at https://derrickjknight.com/2014/02/21/beckys-book/ Her last paragraph demonstrates a perfect understanding of the […]
I’m here from the future. What a delight this book is Derrick! The illustrations are wonderful. I’m so glad Becky has held on to it.
Thank you very much, Merril. Your views are really important.
😀
What a delightful book!
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. The book was a delight to read, and knowing that you’d written and illustrated it for your daughter made it even more special.
🙂
The book is precious and so well done!
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick. I am only wondering why you haven’t published it.
It was really for Becky, and I’m not sure it is well enough presented for publication
Absolutely BEAUTYful!
Thank you so much, Donna
I did read this post two years ago, albeit I did not leave a comment. Rereading it I find it a beautiful healing project, and a layered store of the circle of life, and a God’s grace and protection. Thank you for resharing you are a wonderful artist. I hope Becky still owns Beccy’s Book of Seasons.