In the Willows, June Kashita skilfully entertains us with her 1940's childhood experiences and an exploration of how life has changed in the meantime.
During the war years and despite the hardships, June's memories are of a charmed childhood. Having been brought up in a practical, matter-of-fact Yorkshire environment, a disciplined life was about making the most of what you had - and she had the Willows.
The Willows was a personal heaven for her and her childhood friends. They could run free, exploring a natural world as pals, testing skills and bravado without overbearing adult supervision. They learned valuable life skills - how to work together, disagree, adjust and cooperate in a wild place full of hazard and magic ... .
She accurately illustrates her life via entertaining anecdotes of the small village school, wandering freely in the countryside, coming to terms with family relationships where children are seen and not heard and speculating on family history pieced together from early family memories.
