National Year Of Reading 2026
It is so exciting to be part of several events for #NationalYearOfReading with our lovely friend Charlotte L Taylor of Toadstool Tales and Wild Wood Press. Plus the wonderful Herefordshire Libraries.
Beginning in February Charlotte has set up an online Newsletter why not check it out snd let us know your thoughts.
Click HERE
We recently discovered a poem by the wonderful poet Neal Zetter which sums the reading up perfectly. Neal gave us permission for Miss Ruby Heart to read the poem and share it on social media. Thank You 🌹📖🐾
2026 #Storytime Events
February 2026 Events
FREE STORYTIME
#GoAllIn2026 for #NationalYearOfReading
Hello booklovers especially those of you in and around Herefordshire, especially parents, grandparents and guardians of under 5s.
Do you fancy joining us for FREE Storytime sessions at Lyde Court Events will be weekly on a Thursday beginning 29th January 2026.
There will be x3 sessions of around 10 to 15 minutes each, commencing at 10:30am, then 11am finally 11:30am.
Tickets may be booked on Eventbrite but you can just drop in on the day. Please #SpreadTheWord thank you for dropping by.
The Magic will have you hooked
** Customer Review **
Ellie 8th September 2025
My daughter loves your book! ❤️ I bought it yesterday at the Lyde Court market (I was your candle neighbour) we sat down last night and read it, then this morning she brought it to me again to read. The snowman that I got with the book also went to bed with her last night and got up with her again this morning ⛄️ we’ll see you on 30th October for the book reading 🩵
Eco-friendly Plush Toys
Hello Book Lovers
If you have visited our store pages you may have noticed some of our books come in a gift set with a plush toy. (like in the image below) Well did you know these plush toys are created from around six plastic bottles each. Yet they are so utterly soft. I am looking to extend my range in the new year and wondered if it may be something of interest to you?
I use mainly a company called Zappi Co but also Keeleco and it was from Keel that I managed to find a little video to show you the process. I hope you enjoy watching.
New Project 'Activities and Rhyme with Grandfather Time'
I'm so excited to be working on a new project. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time now. It will be a children's book featuring activities, short stories and fun poetry.
I have the book almost complete, in hope that I can sell it at my forthcoming Storytime Events. Having tested out some of the stories already and getting some lovely feedback from the children I feel it's time to move forward and share the fun with even more kids.
Click the video for a sneak peek.
Your thoughts and feedback would be appreciated. I'm looking to do the book possibly as A4 with single sided pages so the kids can cut out and colour in images to keep.
I used to love putting my son's work on my fridge. (He would not thank me for telling you that as a man now in his 30's).
Here is a sample of my son's artwork from school aged 7 1/2 years.
Thank you for visiting.
Happy Reading
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My daughter loves your book! ❤️ I bought it yesterday at the Lyde Court market (I was your candle neighbour) we sat down last night and read it, then this morning she brought it to me again to read. The snowman that I got with the book also went to bed with her last night and got up with her again this morning ⛄️ we’ll see you on 30th October for the book reading 🩵
Thank you for dropping by Ellie, I am so pleased your daughter enjoyed our little picture book and snowperson ❄️ We look forward you joining us for Storytime at Lyde Court. Thursday 30th October 2025
Learn More About Us
Gillari Books was set up by Indie Author Rose English and her little mascot Miss Ruby Heart.
Living on 'England's Green & Pleasant Land', among the gentle rolling hills of the Herefordshire Countryside, Rose's house is wall to wall books. She's a Read-a-holic, whose hobby is to write stories for the young and young at heart.
Working as a school librarian, and sharing her love of books with children, was the best job she ever had. However, life moves on and another chapter was only a page turn away. Working in a very different library now, she is a key worker for the NHS helping to run the Medical Equipment Library in Wye Valley NHS Trust.
After winning FIRST PRIZE in a short story competition with 'The Magic of Grandfather Christmas' she is inspired to transform the tale into a collection of stories for all ages. ‘Young Ebenezer' is inspired by the Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' and brought into modern times with a strong theme of sharing and caring.
Rose has a little sidekick called Miss Ruby Heart, a ruby King Charles spaniel from the Grandfather Time Series. The puppy is the Ghost of Christmas Past and features on the 'Young Ebenezer’ covers. She also has her own social media pages check out www.instagram.com/missrubyheart1
** 2023 the royalties from our new picture book 'A Christmas Carol with Grandfather Time' went towards printing copies of the book that were then gifted to children at Hereford County Hospital Wye Valley NHS Trust West Midlands UK.
A big THANK YOU to those of you who donated copies. **
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