Fred started as a bedtime story for my then young children, Andy and Nicky, a very long time ago. Andy and Nicky 1969 bedtime story text When Nicky had her children, she asked “What happened to Fred-Fred”. I found the 1969 text and a wonderful illustrator, Bonnie Lemaire. We published the first book “When Fred […]
Perdy and Jack join Fred’s adventures Read More »
Did you know that January 29, 2025, marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake? Fred is rather pleased. Wikipedia says “The lunar calendar consists of a cycle of the twelve animals, in sequence: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each year, an animal is paired with
2025 is the year of the snake! Go Fred! Read More »
While contemplating writing another of my books about Fred the lovable snake, I have been remembering the authors which captured my imagination as a child, and perhaps awakened my own muse. There were four authors, all British, like me… Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) is of course famous for “Through the looking glass” and “Alice in Wonderland”.
Famous Authors of children’s books, and me! Read More »
In previous years we have sent our annual end of year holiday letter by snail mail. To save trees (and some funds/energy) I have attempted to send it mainly by email. Recognizing that some of the addresses are probably outdated, I am attaching it also here. Apologies if duplicated, mis-fired or irrelevant. Ignore at leisure.
You may know that I write books for young children about Fred the snake. I am often asked, and you may wonder, why choose a snake? Snakes are not most children’s favorite pets or cuddlies. Surely a koala bear or a cute dog would have been a better subject, and gotten more traction in the
Why Snake, and why Fred? Read More »
Ten years ago the Cook company invited me to interview the pioneers of the revolutionary ERCP procedure, 40 years after the first description of sphincterotomy. There were two publications, covering 15 pioneers from 9 countries. Many of the pioneers have since passed. I have written earlier at length about Meinhard Classen and Kees Huibregste. Two
Celebrating Claude and Laszlo, endoscopic giants Read More »
In 1980, Christopher Williams and I published the first textbook for GI endoscopy We were working at The Middlesex and St Marks Hospitals in London. My photo of The Middlesex was taken after it closed (it lives on as part of UCL). My Unit was on the second floor, here shown boarded up. St Marks
Our Endoscopy book over 5 decades Read More »
Three years ago I wrote about my time on the staff of the Middlesex hospital in London, and explained it’s unusual name https://petercottontales.com/2020/10/the-middlesex-hospital-what-sort-of-a-name-is-that/ Unfortunately the illustrations of that piece seem to have disappeared The Middlesex closed in 2005 and it’s functions and staff joined the University College Hospital, now in a fancy new building on
The Middlesex Hospital lives on ……in Connecticut Read More »
So, as of Jan 1st 2024, I am finally retired, exactly 60 years from graduating, 50 years after starting specialist practice at The Middlesex Hospital in London, 37 years after leaving England to work at Duke University in North Carolina, and after 30 years at the Medical University in Charleston. It will not be a
Goodbye Medicine. Saluting some mentors. Read More »
What bang? All will be explained, but before that….. We were comfy in our home on Dewees island expecting a wet and windy Sunday Dec 17, but it turned into a hurricane size event, with about 8 ins of rain. That and high tide raised the ground water level 39 ins, and 23 ins above
2023 goes out with a bang, literally Read More »
