The Game Changer

A book that changed me? Hmm... How far back can I remember, exactly?

Every time I think of an influential novel in my history of being an avid reader, I remember an earlier one that I assume has had more of an impact, mostly because something, or quite rightly someone, that I had the good grace of being gifted as a child, sparked a beautifully endless stream of events that have carried me over the course of my life.

I had put this challenge on the back burner for a while, whilst trying to narrow it down. Trust me, it's a lot harder than it sounds.

My memory is flooded with great children's authors; from Blyton, Dahl and Stine to Rowling and Grahame, but if I am to be honest, and I mean no holes barred, embarrassingly honest – then Biff and Chip, by Roderick Hunt wins the race.

I know you must be thinking... how ridiculous, her memory can’t be that good. But I swear to you, it is. I can remember a lot about my early childhood; some might say a shocking amount.

I remember my first day of primary school as my mum held my hand and led me into the classroom; my delight as I played in the sandpit and with the water apparatus. I remember the smell of my mum as I snuggled into her chest whilst sitting on her lap in the Doctor's office; I know I'm young because I still have a pushchair. I even remember my mum and her friend talking over a cup of tea whilst I was sitting on the floor in a nappy, playing with the oddest array of toys.

Anyway, I digress.

So, I’m six years old, and I am in Year One at Holbrook Primary School. I’m a well-behaved student, even for six, and love nothing more than to learn. However, I’m struggling to get the hang of reading - which is knocking my confidence. Everyone else has mastered the art of their ands and their buts, but I can’t seem to get the hang of it.

One afternoon, one of the teaching assistants, what was her name, offered to stay behind after school once a week and help teach me, but I was nervous and feeling quite deflated. I remember walking into the little conservatory attached to the back of our classroom to meet her, dragging my bag behind me.

I remember her clearly; she was perched on one of the tiny chairs, all smiles and rainbows, with the patience of a Saint and a friendly smile. She was a lovely lady. It's killing me that I can’t quite remember her name, especially as she is such an important person in my academic life.

I know she was Matt’s mum; Matt was a boy in my class who was lucky enough to have his mum working at the same school. I sat nervously next to her as she unveiled Biff and Chip. It looked like failure, with its confusing letters and spontaneous markings, which I soon found out is called grammar. She told me not to worry, we would go slow.

So, we began.

I’ve remembered her name most of my life; Sods law I can’t remember it now that I actually need it. It’s on the tip of my tongue...

For the next six weeks, Mrs Matt’s Mum and I would sit in that back room and go over the same words, again and again, until I was blue in the face. Her patience was limitless.

Finally, thankfully, something clicked. I began to get the odd word right, then more than most, and suddenly, before I knew it, I was reading complete sentences, lost in the world of Biff, Chip and Kipper as they went about their daily adventures. Damn it. It's really starting to bother me. I couldn’t believe it; entire worlds of magic and mischief in between the thin pages of these small books, all in the palm of my hand.

My little life turned on a point. Mrs. Matt’s Mum (still bothering me) opened a door for me all that time ago, one which I may have shied away from otherwise.

From that day forth, every birthday, every Christmas, every penny or pound I could earn went on books. I will never forget the excitement I would feel taking my one-pound-a-week pocket money and walking down to the local Car Boot Sale with high hopes of scoring the next Famous Five adventure.

I’ve taken five minutes out to send messages to every Matt I know on Facebook, in a spontaneous attempt to locate his mother...

I would use literature as a crutch from then on in an attempt to lose myself in the minds of others and live in their world, even for a little while. A habit that has carried over into my adult life, where I have lived a thousand lives from the comfort of my armchair.

A couple of confused replies... but I shall keep trying.

Between all of the Harry Potter's and Secret Seven's over the years, amongst Dahl’s classics and his Revolting Rhymes, before the criminal stories of Alex Cross and the Dark tales of King – Roderick Hunt reigns supreme.

Biff and Chip - The most influential book of my life.

Author's note: I have decided to dedicate myself to tracking down Matt’s Mum. I feel she deserves to be named, and I would quite like to thank her. I’m currently sending awkward messages to every Matt I can find in my local area, of a similar age.

So far, no luck.

I’ll keep you posted.

The hunt continues...