The Sweet Track

The Sweet Track is a wild and ancient place, black ditches, winding paths, willow branches interlaced…

A picture book idea based on a real area of ancient marshland on the Somerset Levels. Billy meets his grumpy neighbour Mavis Scrufferdump on a walk and she tells him about the Sweet Track and the danger of the black rhynes (peat ditches). She tells him he must tread carefully about this ancient place. Billy doesn’t listen and chases after Mavis’ little dog, Pip. They are having a great, wild time, but suddenly he can’t find Pip. They shout and call for him, but he has disappeared. Finally Billy sees Pip, he can see the tip of his nose poking out of the black water, Pip’s claws scrabbling at the roots of a tree, trying to get out. Billy launches into action and swiftly pulls Pip out.

Mavis is so grateful she invites Billy back to her house for biscuits. They enjoy washing Pip in the bath and Billy leaves feeling different about his neighbour.