KIDS BOOKS

Hello my name is Mrs Horse. I have lived in Kings Heath all my life. I am happy here and I love my house. Over the years I’ve seen many changes

in this area.

When I was a child there were fields everywhere. In the field across the road

from my house were horses. They were used to carry bread, milk and coal from place to place. How many horses are in the field?

The school fields used to be allotments. How many vegetables can you name?

There were pigsties there. That’s why the path by the school is called Piggy Lane.

My earliest memory is going to school and dressing up to act out a play for the Queen’s

Coronation. We had a big street party!

For my pocket money I had sixpence a week. For a sixpenny piece I could catch

the bus, go to the cinema, buy some sweets and catch the bus back home.

My children came to Allens Croft Primary School. Back then it was called Pineapple

School. We used to have sports days on the fi eld and my children would win rosettes.

I’ve still got them.

Design & Illustration by Year 4 pupils in collaboration with Ian Richards & John Eddy at Heavy Object.

This book (part of a five-part set) is the result of a two year

Creative Partnerships funded project with Year 4 staff and

children from Allens Croft Primary School, who worked in

collaboration with creative practitioners Ming de Nasty and

Ian Richards, in order to gather real-life stories from parents

and local residents, to support the literacy curriculum across

the school community.

Thanks to:

Year 4 children, their parents and the local school community

Year 4 Teacher (2009-10): Tara Harris

Year 4 Teachers (2010-11): Duncan Holman and Mary Greaney

Head Teacher: Johanne Clifton

Creative Practitioners: Ming de Nasty and Ian Richards

Creative Agent: Andrew Tims

Consultant to the National School of Creativity programme: Patricia Thomson