by Mrs Eileen Carey

When my husband ordained Peter Sherred little did we know that his many gifts included that of creating delightful children's stories. This book came as a pleasant surprise, as did the invitation to write its foreword.

Being the mother of four and the grandmother of twelve, I am keenly aware of the importance of parents reading and telling stories to their children. Not only does it stimulate the minds and imaginations of the children, but it also helps strengthen the bonds between them and their parents. I am sure that Peter Sherred deeply treasures the time that he spent with his children when telling them the stories about 'Bertie Bonster'. The value of this kind of interaction between parent and child, for both of them, can hardly be overestimated. By offering these stories for publication, Peter seeks to facilitate that valuable interaction.

These particular stories are not only highly imaginative and entertaining, but they also provide some important moral lessons for children, e.g. helping others who are in need, overcoming obstacles, coming together to accomplish a common goal, dealing with death and issues of dying.

I am sure that parents and children alike will enjoy spending time with 'Bertie' and all his friends.

Eileen Carey
Lambeth Palace