Gervase Phinn's work primarily explores themes of education and children's literature, drawing from his extensive experience as an educator and schools inspector. He crafts memoirs and poetry that delve into the nuances of upbringing and learning, often with a warm and insightful perspective on the childhood world. His writing is celebrated for its empathetic approach and its ability to illuminate the educational landscape. Phinn's distinctive voice offers readers a compelling look at the importance of literacy and the journey of learning.
Tells of a life full of happiness, conversation, music and books shared with his three siblings, mother and father. This book is a snapshot of growing up in Yorkshire in the 1950s - reminisce with the author, and share in his personal journey - of school days and holidays as well as his tentative steps into the adult world.
The third in a delightful new series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn, set in a village at the top of the Yorkshire Dales, and following on from his acclaimed Dales and Little Village School series.
Gervase Phinn has collected together from his bestselling Dales books his favourite stories about children, and includes some poems from his popular Puffin poetry books.
A collection of poems based around the familiar themes of school and family, ranging from such topics as embarrassing and annoying parents, choosing a pet and running away from home, to reading around the class, facing the school inspector, and surviving a school trip.
"Mummy, why don't you get a bra for your bottom?" "No, Granny, don't go to one of those drastic surgeons!" "In the Bible, Joseph was a carpet-fitter." "You're nearly old enough to be dead, aren't you, Grandma?""Mummy, why are there more idiots on the road when Daddy's driving?" "I need plenty of talc because I perforate a lot." "When I came downstairs for a drink of water late last night, Mummy and Daddy were sunbathing in front of the living room fire." Children are delightful and appealing 'little treasures', but because they are also innately honest and direct, they can also make you smile or cringe with embarrassment with the things they say or ask. "Little Treasures" is bestselling author Gervase Phinn's third collection of children's favorite sayings, amusing remarks or impossible-to-answer questions.
Four novels selected and condensed by Reader's Digest.
The second in a delightful new series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn, set in a village at the top of the Yorkshire Dales, and following on from his acclaimed Dales and Little Village School series.
Life for the Gervase Phinn is about to become not unlike the rambling hills of the Dales themselves - up and down and all over the place. After a routine school inspection - and a rather brutal report - culminates with a teacher being forced into early retirement, Gervase is left feeling his year hasn't exactly begun on the right foot.
This entertaining volume of verse for the very young is the perfect introduction to poetry. It includes poems about everything that is important to children: animals, family, food - and some very good jokes.
Gervase Phinn thinks he's heard just about everything in his two years as a school inspector, but a surprising enquiry from an angelic six-year-old reminds him never to take children for granted. His marriage to Christine Bentley, finding somewhere idyllic to live in the Yorkshire Dales, and chance of a promotion. schovat popis
'Miss, who's that funny man at the back of the classroom? So begins school- inspector Gervase Phinn's second year among the frankly spoken pupils and teachers of North Yorkshire - the sight of Gervase with his notebook and pen provokes unexpected reactions from the children and adults alike. schovat popis
The third Little Village School novel Summer has arrived in Barton-in-the-Dale and as a new term begins at the little primary school, it's not just the warm weather that's getting people hot under the collar. Meetings with the teachers from Urebank School to discuss the merger are producing more than a few fireworks, a disruptive new pupil arrives, set to cause trouble, and a surprising staff love affair is exposed. There's also a big school production of The Wizard of Oz to organise as well as an impending visit from the Minister of Education. Headteacher Elisabeth Devine certainly has her work cut out for her. And that's just some of the drama set to shake-up the village. Throw in a sprinkling of secrets, shocking revelations, old flames, new liaisons, psychics, weddings and misfortune . . . There's plenty to gossip about this term.
'You're nearly old enough to be dead, aren't you, Grandma? If teachers keep asking you questions, does that mean they don't know much? ‘Childrenâ€, writes Gervase Phinn, ‘are such a source of amusement and wonderâ€: Little Treasures and Little Angels are collections of their disarming observations and impossible-to-answer questions.
Awkward teachers, pompous school governors and fearsome lollipop ladies occasionally make the author's hectic job as a school inspector more than difficult. But, for him, the main challenge remains the frankly spoken children. This title tells his story.
The follow-up to THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL by the bestselling author of the Dales series, Gervase Phinn. A charming, warm-hearted and funny tale of life in a village primary school with a new headmistress.
The fifth novel in the Little Village School series, packed full of humour, warmth and village drama, from bestselling author Gervase Phinn.
She was wearing red shoes! With silver heels! Elisabeth Devine causes quite a stir on her arrival in the village. No one can understand why the head of a big inner city school would want to come to sleepy little Barton-in-the-Dale, to a primary with more problems than school dinners. And that's not even counting the challenges the mysterious Elisabeth herself will face: a bitter former head teacher, a grumpy caretaker and a duplicitous chair of governors, to name but a few...
The author is offered the post of County Inspector of Schools in North Yorkshire. This book presents his experiences as he learns to appreciate the countryside and meets some larger than life characters, from lords, farmers, teachers, priests and caretakers to a host of endearing and disarming children who know exactly how to speak their mind.
This is a humourous tale about the schooldays of 11-year-old James Joseph Johnson (or Jimmy for short). Jimmy and his friends, Ignatius and Mickey, get into a few scrapes in the year leading up to the eleven-plus exams, but will they come out on top in the end?
The fourth novel in the Little Village School series, packed full of humour, warmth and village drama, from bestselling author Gervase Phinn.
The first in a delightful new series from bestselling author Gervase Phinn, set in a village at the top of the Yorkshire Dales, and following on from his acclaimed Dales and Little Village School series.
The delightful new novel from bestselling author Gervase Phinn, full of colourful characters and laugh-out-loud moments, set aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship
This collection of nativity play anecdotes recalls some of the funny and touching moments which were never part of the director's plans, including the innkeeper who had plenty of room for Mary and Joseph. Originally published: London: Michael Joseph, 2005.
Bestselling author Gervase Phinn writes with warmth and wit on the pleasures and pains of growing older.
