The much-loved classic story for children, written and illustrated by John Vernon Lord, Emeritus Professor of Illustrating at Brighton University, has been out of print for many years. Bouley Bay Books is bringing out a special, golden anniversary edition, to celebrate the fiftieth year after its original publication in 1973 by Jonathan Cape. The Runaway Roller Skate tells the story of Mr Ellwood, who loves nothing more than skating in the countryside, admiring the views. One sunny morning, at ten to eight, a mouse creeps into one of Mr Ellwood's roller skates and steals it, steering the skate through a hole in the door and out of the house. Mr Ellwood, accompanied by his pet cockerel, chases the mouse through rivers and tumultuous seas, across icy mountains and deserts, and through a busy city, a forest and an ancient castle, guarded by a moat full of crocodiles, all on his one remaining skate. This wildly inventive and delightful tale is the twentieth century equivalent of Alice in Wonderland and it deserves to be available to this and all future generations of children.
