More about the stories ...
Many of the mice in these stories are descendents of mice who came to Calais on ships that sailed from England. These ships smuggled lace machines, and brought people on new adventures to make beautiful lace to be sent across the oceans to decorate the furthest corners of the world. Many of these mice met and fell in love with the locals and the local places and made Calais their home.
​
If you go to the harbour and watch, with the eyes of a child, and listen, with the ears of a child. Sometimes, over the lapping of the water and the cries of the seagulls you might hear the voices of the mice chattering away. Sometimes you might think that out of the corner of your eye you can see a dragon sneaking by. And if you keep searching, maybe one day you will stumble upon Bobinette's house and she will invite you in for tea, poured into dainty cups from her great grandmother's English china teapot and tell you all her magical tales.
"When I hear the stories I try to capture them in my pictures. Sometimes I look carefully at places where the adventures have happened. Sometimes I find old, dusty pictures. I use my imagination, and my paintbrush and pens, and the stories come to life in the minds of the children who look at my books.
​
I paint on my kitchen table, where i can see out of the window and over the rooftops. I see lots of seagulls flying by. So far, I haven't seen a dragon fly past, but I keep looking, just in case."
Webster, Clarke and Bonnington
These three little mice grew up in Calais. They are cousins 36 and a half times removed. Their great great great great grandfathers were English. They came over to Calais on pirate boats from England which were smuggling lace machines into Calais. They liked Calais so much they married French mice and decided to stay.
Bobinette
Bobinette is a lacemaker. She makes the prettiest lace and she knows all the stories about the olden days before the lace machines were clanking and banging. She also knows lots of delicious recipes and makes biscuits that smell heavenly.
Petite Pierrette
Petite Pierrette is the youngest, smallest mouse. She has her friend, Seagull, who goes everywhere with her. They call for the Dragon who lives on the top of the belfry to join them on their adventures.
The Dragon
Dragon likes to go everywhere with Webster, Clarke and Bonington. He's always ready to join in the fun and adventures. Dragon is quite magical and changes colour like a chameleon.
The Little Golden Dragon
Little Golden Dragon lives on top of the belfry and looks out across Calais to tell everyone which way the wind is blowing. Little Dragon is always happy when Petite Pierrette and Seagull call for him to come and play. It's nice on top of the belfry but sometimes little Dragon sneaks down and sleeps on Petite Pierrette's bed.
The Lighthouses
Green lighthouse, red lighthouse and white lighthouse are always very busy shining their lights to keep the boats safe. They are always happy when anyone waves hello to them.
Jacquard
It's not always easy to see Jacquard as he sleeps in the day and wakes up at night. He likes to fly around the harbour and listen to the masts jingling in the wind.
Leavers
Leavers loves to stamp and dance in his big boots. He sometimes helps in the lace factory and when the machines are running you can hear him stamp, stamp, stamping.
Fishing boats
Every evening the boats leave the harbour to catch the fish. The next morning everyone can buy fresh fish from the little cabins in the harbour side.
Tall ships or pirate ships
The tall masts of the ships are often seen sailing into harbour. Watch out for pirates! Many of the lace machines were smuggled into Calais by pirates on ships like these.
The lifeboat
The lifeboat is always ready to rush into action to rescue any sailors or seafarers who get into difficulty.
Leon the peacock
Leon is the symbol for Calais Caudry Lace. There is a model of him in the Parc St Pierre where his tail is full of beautiful flowers. He likes to sit with Bobinette as she makes her lace.
Spindley lindley
Spindley Lindley is a silk worm. He can make fine thread that Bobinette can use to make lace.