I’m always trying to do too many things. Like one of those multipurpose staplers that really should just be a stapler. Maybe it stems from my love of Swiss army knives (probably not). When I used to have a Swiss army knife I’d offered it to anyone that looked like they needed it; kind of a renegade tool superhero – with a little s. I offered it for use on the beach, to help a mother and child collecting bits of beach detritus for a school project and I’d offered it to a young couple on the platform of a London Underground station, who were opening a bottle of cider, saving his bare hands (and pride). I loved that Swiss army knife, and was sad to have had to hand it over to an airport official when I forgot to pack it in my checked-in luggage. Perhaps it found another loving owner. Anyway my point is that doing more than one thing can be beneficial for society but lately it has been making me feel like I’m a spinning top wheel. Not moving anywhere fast. Maybe I could take a chunk of time out of this daily chaos and do just one thing.

I tried to plan my half hour lunch breaks for reading. And this is what happened.

I love Neil Gaiman, like all the other bazillion fans across the globe. I love him because I love Tim Burton, Edward Gorey – you know? They would be my super team, for any game/project. I’m also an instant fan of Chris Riddell. So the Sleeper and the Spindle was first up. I clicked on Rabbit and Rogue, Danny Elfman’s new album and found a seat overlooking the plush green summery South Downs.

The book is interspersed with illustrations that fit perfectly with the words. You look at the pictures and you find the words are given another dimension. Obvious, but not always true – sometimes illustrations feel misplaced or don’t fit with what you imagined. Riddell’s black and white illustrations, some with a gold back drop are perfectly intertwined with the tale of the Queen and the three dwarves.

Gaiman is bringing together two traditional stories, Sleeping beauty and Snow White. He picks elements of both and tells a surprising new version. It’s still a fairy tale but one that reflects the fact that some Princesses want adventures rather than Princes; charming and excellent work. I’ll continue listening to the epic Elfman compositions…