Shape of a Boy was a perfect holiday companion, sending me on a journey around the world with Kate Wickers and her family. I was astounded and impressed by her bravado in taking her young sons (from babyhood) to farflung places such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Borneo - especially as one son has a nut allergy (I have a son with a nut allergy too). I laughed, I cried (with laughter) and I laughed again at her sons' reactions (from astonishment to apathy) about some of the geographical wonders of the world, and the nature of the questions they asked about the minutiae of everyday life. The lessons they learnt along the way, about people, places, safety and courtesy. The adventures and mishaps and memories they shared. I feel like I've watched her sons grow up through the pages of her book. This was such as fun read, and I hope they're still sharing adventures as a family for years to come.
Shape of a Boy is a hilarious and eye-opening travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she documents her travels with her family around the world.
'Have kids, will travel' is veteran travel journalist Kate's mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm, engagingaccount of her family's adventures and misadventures. She shares the life lessons learnt on their travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan, discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia.
From the jungles of southeast Asia to the waterfront in Havana and the blazing heat of Egypt, Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has dreaded travelling with a baby, toddler, or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller.
Kate's vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat.
"Life-affirming and laugh-out-loud funny" - HELEN FIELDING, AUTHOR OF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY
"Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of A Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together." ANDREW CLOVER, best-selling author of Dad Rules
This is a must-read for every wannabe-traveller grounded by lockdown and for every parent who has dreaded travelling with a baby.