Two Worlds Collide
The Last Leaf is a story set in Victorian times, and is based around a Grand Hall set in a vast estate.
Isabella is the ten year old daughter of the Lord and Lady of the House and she befriends ten year old Jack, son of the Head Gardener to the Estate. What begins as a simple story of two children enjoying learning from each other’s experiences, develops into true friendship.
It is a poignant story of the meaning of friendship through crisis - of a caring spirit and grit determination to fight to save the friend of a lifetime.
Reviews
“Touching and heart-warming”
Dash Fan Book Reviews
4☆ - A Compelling Story of Friendship and Adventure.
The Last Leaf is a beautifully compelling story about friendship, society, differences and family set in the Victorian times. Jack and Isabella are best friends. Despite their differences the two have bonded through their loneliness, love of nature, learning, and zest for life.
Isabella is the little lady of Oakfield Hall and Jack is the son of the Head Gardener of the Oakfield Estate. Due to Isabella's social class she should not be mixing with the 'staff'. But they are the only two children on the estate and are drawn to each other. So they meet in secret as they embark on adventures. Isabella teaches Jack education, and Jack teaches her about nature, the world etc...
As the story develops so does their friendship. But can their friendship last as social class dictates their future?
What I loved most about The Last Leaf was how much passion, thought and dedication Pritchard has put into writing this book, making it authentic and personal. The story behind Pritchard writing this book was touching and heart warming.
Although this is for the middle grade age group I do think it would be more suited to ages 10+ unless it was as a group or bed time read. My reasoning for this is some of the subjects and wording is a little heavy and could be a little off-putting for the younger reader. Having said that, this would be a wonderful book to have in schools or for a book club to discuss topics such as Victorian era, cultural challenges, discrimination, grief etc...
The Last Leaf is an enthralling, fun, compelling and poignant read, with a good dash of wit and humour. The story flowed along beautifully, the historical references were well written, the characters were charismatic, believable, and well thought out. It didn't take me long to be whisked away into the heart of the story.
If you are looking for a shorter historical adventure read set in the Victorian era, that has an enchanting storyline, for the younger reader, then I would definitely recommend reading The Last Leaf. I am looking forward to reading more from Pritchard aka 'Gwynanory'.
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Dash Fan Book Reviews
About the Author
My name is Gwyn. I am 60 years old, married with two grown up children. I have worked in the IT industry for almost 40 years. Both parents were Welsh speakers preferring to keep their secret language to themselves rather than pass on this heritage to their children.
My Father was an Auditor attached to the British Forces on the Rhine, and we were constantly being moved around from town to town. My early schooling was therefore haphazard, and I struggled to achieve academically in the British Forces education system. So I was sent to Boarding school in Norfolk from the age of ten to sixteen years old. The standard of teaching there was poor and had a very high turnover of teachers as well as pupils. But it was there that I developed my passion for rugby, and at the age of 15, along with a couple of chums, I was invited to play for Diss Rugby Club. I later played for Delyn Rugby club in North Wales for a number of years but sustained too many injuries to take the sport any further.
I have always been interested in storytelling to younger children, being nicknamed “Gwynanory” by one family group who benefitted from me making up stories to fit situations such as, finding a lost teddy, being bullied at school, going to the dentist or being over excited for Christmas.
I must confess that I am not an avid reader. I do like certain biographies, and I also enjoy crime thrillers. But I mostly enjoy reading about the history of my spiritual homeland in the mid Wales region. I am an impatient reader though. If I do not get the point of the book early enough, or if the style of writing annoys me, then I might just abandon the book and move on to the next one.
The Last Leaf is my first book and I loved writing it. I get quite emotional when I read it back, and then when I do, I wonder if I could have explained a situation better, or added another chapter or two or three. I’m looking forward to carrying on writing and have so many more stories to share.
What is your favourite thing about writing books?
My day job is in IT, and this role restricts my creative juices from flowing. In IT, I am guided towards an outcome and I am advised on the preferred methodology I should use in order to reach the outcome.
But, when I am sat down at my writing desk with just an inkling of a plot, then ideas start buzzing around in my head. Then, I just convert my thoughts into written words, not caring whether the outcome even resembles the original plot and, more importantly, not a hint of a methodology in sight. I will write a chapter, print it off, re-read it, scribble all over it and try again. And whether the session is a brief minute or two, or an all-nighter, I am lost in unbridled creative heaven.
Who is your favourite character in your book and why?
I think it has to be Jack. He is a young lad, unschooled and deprived of motherly love through fate. Although, he does have more knowledge about growing fruit and vegetables than most adults could gain in a lifetime. Even at a young age, he is gifted in the perception of social situations, knowing when to step forward and when to shut up, when to be completely considerate of others and when to just do what he feels is right. Is he a reflection of me? Definitely not. But, maybe a reflection of the person I would rather be.
What is your favourite drink to consume while writing?
Generally, I would say Blueberry fruit tea or water. And, for the night sessions, loads of Coffee. But too much coffee gives me headaches and too much tea makes me run back and forth to the loo.
Do you have any bad habits while you’re writing?
I do not think so, unless you consider waking up at 04:00, turning the bedroom light on, and scribbling down some ideas a bad habit. Or, possibly, giggling to myself loudly in my sleep when I recall a funny situation I’d recently written about.
How do you research your books?
I do research as and when the need arises. So for example, from The Last Leaf, Lady Eloise was a highly educated lady, but I was not sure whether women were allowed go to university in Victorian times. So I did some research and confirmed my facts. I also researched why fishermen put maggots under their tongue. I asked several coarse fishermen why they do this and they all gave me different answers. Tip – don’t blindly trust the first person you ask, come to think of it you might not trust the second one either. But once you have a consensus, then validate the facts to confirm the correct answer.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
In the main I am a pantser. Although, I might claim from the outset that I do plan the story, well at least the beginning and the end. I am not troubled if the story ends up quite differently to my original plot, and in any case, other than me who would know.
If you could live in any fictional world, which would you choose and why?
I am not into science fiction or stories about super heroes. Living in a world which is dependent on technology is also a turn off for me. Instead, I would prefer to live in a bygone age where communities are skilled in self-sufficiency, and man has a close connection with animals. I would thrive best living in a place rich in folklore, mystery and intrigue. If I could be any character in any book I’ve enjoyed, then I think I would probably choose either The Grey King or The Dark is Rising, both by Susan Cooper.
If you could befriend any fictional character, who would you choose and why?
Great question, so many to choose from. Possibly Winston Smith, 1984. I would love to find out from him what it was really like living in such a terrible Big Brother society. I’d scream at him to stop smoking and drinking, and I would hug him to re-assure him that his love for Julia was reciprocated, but that his public declaration of love for her was both stupid and courageous.
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If I could befriend a character from The Last Leaf then I think I would like to buddy up with Uncle Ned. He had an immense knowledge of the countryside. He had been dealt blows in his life, but still managed to battle on. He had a strong sense of family values and took the responsibility of watching over Jack very seriously.
Interview with Author - Authoright Publishers
"A Daydreamser's Thoughts" March 2019
Resources
Below is a selection of workshop lesson plan resources which I am making available to the first 20 schools that contacts me requesting access to a full set for use by their school. The workshop material broadly follows the story of the Last Leaf and so the purchase of at least one copy of the Last Leaf would be useful but is not essential.
Click on the Docx logo to download Draft versions of the Workshop Material.
Developing Ideas Template
Extension ideas for developing learning throughout the curriculum.
Teacher Led Group Activities
A series of 6 creative activities based around The Last Leaf.
Further Workshop Lesson Plans
Seven lesson plans including curriculum links, learning objectives and lesson context.
Ten Things to Do When Writing a Book - Gwyn Ellis Pritchard
From the Luna's Little Library guest post, Gwyn Ellis Pritchard gives ten tips when writing a book.
Illustrations
Coming soon!
Contact the Author
For enquiries about resources available to schools, or if you are having difficulties ordering the book or indeed if you have any question to the Author please contact me via the form below and I will be in touch as soon as possible!