The Caterpillar — monthly children's newsletter

[The Moth]

We didn't get a kunekune pig in the end (you may remember I referred to it as 'a small gentle grazing pig'). Well. Here's what actually happened ... Billy was moping around after Scrappy died, and we felt sure he needed a new canine companion. In due course ... When we had given ourselves time to grieve … But I’m afraid we let our guard down, and the children showed no mercy. They found a puppy not five miles from here. Will and I agreed to go and see him. And that, as they say, was that. His name is Arthur Bear. He had his first Christmas here at Ardan Grange.  And lo, Will and Arthur went to see said kunekune pig early one morning while I was still fast asleep. Out in the woods, as they were being fed by their owner, our friend Justin. One of the pigs turned from the trough and went for Will, biting him on the leg. Will, who was holding Arthur in his arms at the time, screamed, 'Get him off me! Get him off me!' and Justin clouted the pig with a metal bucket. Will had quite the welt on his leg afterwards. The pig was fine.  Here are Billy and Arthur chilling out together. (Note: Arthur did that to the chair)   Now on to the serious news. Our friend Robert Schechter is judging The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2026! Robert's book of poems, The Red Ear Blows Its Nose: Poems for Children and Others was named one of the best books of 2023 by School Library Journal and Bank Street College, and received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist and School Library Journal. His poems have been published in lots of places, but most importantly, in The Caterpillar, many times, as we love his work so much. So it is a great honour to have him on board.  The other exciting thing to point out about this year's prize is that it includes a week at The Moth Retreat here in Ireland. Yes, that's right! A week living next door to Billy and Arthur Bear (not to mention the chickens)!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  XOXO Poems & art featured in this newsletter are from back issues of The Caterpillar Our mailing address is: enqu...@thecaterpillarmagazine.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.