Shape of a Boy, Kate Wickers
Shape of a Boy, Kate Wickers
List: $25.00 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.50

Shape of a Boy
Family life lessons in far-flung places (a travel memoir)

Author: Kate Wickers

Narrator: Stephanie Racine

Unabridged: 6 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Aurum

Published: 01/25/2022


Synopsis

"Life-affirming and laugh-out-loud funny" - HELEN FIELDING, AUTHOR OF BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY

Shape of a Boy is a hilarious and eye-opening travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she documents her travels with her family around the world.

‘Have kids, will travel’ is veteran travel journalist Kate’s mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm, engaging account of her family’s adventures and misadventures. She shares the life lessons learnt on their travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan, discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia.

From the jungles of southeast Asia to the waterfront in Havana and the blazing heat of Egypt, Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has dreaded travelling with a baby, toddler, or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller. 

Kate’s vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat.

“Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of A Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together.”
ANDREW CLOVER, best-selling author of Dad Rules

This is a must-read for every wannabe-traveller grounded by lockdown and for every parent who has dreaded travelling with a baby.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Melissa (Always Behind) on February 11, 2023

Uplifting family travel memoir. Lots of humor and heart. Travel writer Kate Wickers compiles her journals from over twenty years of traveling with her family. Beginning with when she was pregnant with her first, up until the present day with two of the three off to university. Each location has lesso......more

Goodreads review by Miriam on July 24, 2022

“Shape of a Boy - My Family and Other Adventures” is a laugh out loud travel memoir, as featured in the National Geographic Traveller’s best travels book of 2022, written by Kate Wickers. - “Have kids, will travel” is veteran journalist Kate’s mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm,......more

Goodreads review by bookishcharli on July 17, 2022

I really really enjoyed reading this book. There were moments I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the things that happened to them on that specific holiday. I love that Kate and her partner didn’t go for the ‘safe’ children friendly holidays that a lot of parents tend to gravitate towards, it was ni......more

Goodreads review by Karen on February 14, 2022

This was a fantastically fun travel memoir of a family looking back over their travels over the years and really gives the reader a great insight into exploring the globe, and the trials and tribulations of travelling with children from a young age to their teenage years! Travel journalist Kate has a......more

Goodreads review by Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) on July 23, 2022

What a brilliantly entertaining read. Full of experiences to share and remember, Kate Wickers has really brought the places seen to life and all from a family’s perspective which adds such humour. I laughed out loud over many moments - living next door to the queen just one of those moments - and co......more


Quotes

“Anyone who has travelled with children will find this book uplifting, life-affirming – and laugh-out-loud funny” Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary

“A whip-smart and hilariously honest how-to (and how-not-to do) parenthood on holiday. My husband should take note.” Celia Walden, author of Payday

“Funny, inspiring, tender, and a little bit bonkers, global travel with three small boys, what could possibly go wrong?” Gil McNeil, author of The Only Boy for Me

“Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of a Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together.”
Andrew Clover, best-selling author of Dad Rules

“All the travel I have been missing between these covers.” Sue Moorcroft, author of A Home in the Sun

"One page made me laugh, the next made me cry – it's incredible how Kate makes you feel like you're on this journey together, seeing the world along with her family.” Katie Bowman, editor of Family Traveller

“Highly entertaining, often hilarious' and 'inspiring to all parents” Bel Mooney, The Daily Mail

“If you seek far-flung adventure but are put off by having the kids in tow, UK travel journalist Kate Wickers’ hilarious book about her overseas escapades with her three sons will make you think again. From Cuba to Sri Lanka, Tanzania to Japan, it tickled the funny bone of Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding. We’re willing to bet it will give all the family itchy feet.” The Sunday Post 
  "Starting a family might slow down some travellers, but for the Wickers, kids have only made the adventures more fun. Every new destination provides a new lesson - and new laughs.” Grant Balfour, Editor of Porthole Cruise Travel Magazine
"Travel writing at its finest - transports you to another place. Thoughtful and moving, this is a  reminder of the bonding effect travel can have on a family." The Scotsman

"Well written, well paced, well amusing. Made me lustful for wandering - even with the kids!" Ben Aitken, author of The Gran Tour