I would like to thank Philip Pullman for his generous help, which made writing and then revising this book so much easier as well as more satisfying. Also a big thank you to Kim Reynolds as always, for her unfailing and ceaselessly stimulating interest and support. Kate Agnew was a marvellous editor, coming up with a whole series of excellent suggestions. Students I have taught at Sussex University and at the Roehampton Institute have also helped me greatly over the years, as have my own children and now grandchildren in all matters to do with children’s literature.