MY SUPERHERO
NAN
Written by Jessica Allton Illustrations by Katherine Loosley
My Superhero Nan Written by Jessica Allton Illustrations by Katherine Loosley
Psst you! Yes, I’m talking to you...come a little closer. I have something to tell you.
My nan is a very secretive person. In fact, I’ve often wondered if she is a secret superhero. Let me tell you why...
She may look like any other nan, grandma, granny or whatever else they get called. She may even look like yours.
But sometimes people aren’t all they seem...
There is a pond at the bottom of her garden, home to frogs, fish and snails. Most people see an old lady enjoying the sunshine at the bottom of the garden. Not me. I know her secret.
Much of her time is spent there and sometimes she disappears altogether. She rides giant snails into battle, and leads an army of frogs, marching to the music of her goldfish orchestra.
My nan rides a white bicycle; well, what we see is a bicycle.
But I know what she’s really riding is a white charger to rescue princesses trapped in the tallest castle turrets.
Quite often, she takes her canoe onto the canal for a gentle paddle.
Or so she tells us. As she disappears behind a curtain of willow tree branches, she enters a world of pirates and black death. The captain of her own ship hunting for treasure in far away lands.
Like most people her age, she enjoys a spot of gardening. She is rather good at it too.
What she doesn’t tell you or me is that she uses her sweet smelling flowers to make intoxicating perfumes and potions. She has cast a spell or two in her time. Of that I am sure. Hmmmm! Well, she does seem to enjoy Halloween more than most people her age.
That might explain why she has had black cats for as long as I have been alive.
This one in particular is nothing but Trouble. It’s even his name! A ferocious beast is he, attacking his mortal enemy at every turn. Only superheroes (or witches) need a guard cat to protect them.
She is quite the baker and master of the kitchen. Cakes, muffins or my favourite scones, you name it, she can bake it.
Sweet and sticky apple pie filling and gooey chocolate fudge. They sound like delicious treats. Well, they would be, but my nan uses her baking to fight the forces of evil. Not so sweet anymore!
At any time of the day she will have her nose in a book. She LOVES to read.
I often wonder if she has fallen in, lost in an adventure far away.
Her world is filled with adventure.
I’m not sure if she really is a superhero. I may have stretched the truth a little. But let me tell you something...
She’s my not-so-secret...
...hero!
I wonder what your nan, grandma, granny or whatever it is you call her gets up to when you’re not looking.
Next time you visit, take a closer look. Adventure is nearer than you think.
As I sit here looking forward to my next adventure, just know that ours will always be in my heart.
Dear Nan, Thanks for the adventures. All my love, Jess x Christmas 2018
Meet my nan. She looks like an ordinary nan but sometimes people aren’t all they seem.
@katloosleyillustration