The Owl Book by Jane Russ

How pleasing when a chance encounter on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal with the friend of a friend leads to the inclusion of one of my poems in a book as delightful and beautiful as this one.

And what a lovely surprise when, months later, a copy plops through the letterbox like a dead mouse dropped from a barn owl's talons.

The friend of a friend in question was Jane Russ, the writer and editor of this enchanting tome. You can get your copy here. 

The friend was Dru Marland, of course. She has a poem in the book too, alongside owl-themed leatherwork by the wonderful women of Skyravenwolf, Chris Palmer and Jinny Peberday.

In fact, there's lots of gorgeous artwork in it, by Catherine Russ, Tamsin Abbot, Hannah Willow, Jenny Steer, Jen Heart, Jackie Morris, who retells the story of Blodeuwedd, and more.

Talking of Blodeuwedd, there's even mention of my last still-living childhood hero, Alan Garner. Whose eponymous crockery in The Owl Service was designed by Chrisopher Dresser of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Which I love almost wholesale.

In fact, it's a bit of a thrill when so many of my favourite things come in one neat, fact- and fantasy-filled package. 

What a treat.