Tamesis Street

by Cressida Cowell, Samira Ahmed, Jay Rayner

London, 2050.

Catastrophic flooding has breached the Thames Barrier. As Londoners fight to escape the remains of their city a group of neighbours must band together for survival.

With authors such as Cressida Cowell, Samira Ahmed, Jay Rayner and Sarah Waters, as well as members of the ShelterBox team, our partners across the globe and some of our book club members – Tamesis Street brings together voices from Syria to Singapore, Scotland to Surrey, and lots in between.

Genres: Fiction

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Cressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.

Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)

Reviews

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful narrative set 30 years into the future where the effects of climate change are fact rather than fiction. It is the story of what it feels like to lose everything you have ever built and owned, the sense of family that comes from going through the same tragedy and the ability to make something of what you have salvaged.
Written by 30 authors in collaboration, this is surprisingly coherent, which speaks highly of the editors that worked on this project. To create a story where strangers come together and find a sense of belonging, Shelterbox Book Club has brought together a team of strangers working towards the same end.
Take a bow, team Shelterbox!

[Meghan Betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story highlighting the very real possibilities of climate change in the not too distant future. Really interesting format with each page written by a different author.

[Js100 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short, 50 pages, portmanteau story was conceived by Shelterbox, the UK based disaster relief charity, as a bonus for members of their very successful book club, with a message on the impact of disaster on ordinary lives.

It describes the result of the future failure of the Thames barrage on Isla and her neighbours, as their homes flood and complacency gives way to fear. It captures the acute sense of loss when home is destroyed, belongings are lost and abruptly the future is totally reshaped.

The organisers have done well in getting their 30 authors to tell a perfectly coherent story, one page each. I chuckled at odd bits of humour, I liked “ not many situations can’t be improved by a good biscuit”.

The story resonated for me. Whilst I’ve not personally suffered disaster, we hosted a Honduran student for a few weeks, who in his early teen years had narrowly escaped, waist deep, from being washed away by hurricane Mitch, from his slum home in a gully. I’ve also crossed the mighty Meghna river in Bangladesh, two miles wide of churning, lethal water, in a small boat. The flooding out of most of Bangladesh and nearby areas of India is probably the biggest single long term humanitarian threat from climate change.

The story shows how disaster can bring solidarity and community, as we have learned during Covid, and it’s not too much of a spoiler that the positive side shines through.

This ought to be an excellent text for older schoolchildren, short and readable, but with much to provoke thought and discussion.

As of November 2021 I understand it is only available via subscription to the book club, but no doubt there will be a further print in due course

To find out more visit :

https://www.shelterbox.org/book-club/

[Charlotte Mylifeinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very much looking forward to November knowing I was to receive two books with my #shelterboxbookclub membership.

Tamesis Street is a short story collaborated by 30 authors about our climate emergency . Each author takes a paragraph to add their part of the story.

If you’re not already aware SHELTERBOX is a Cornish charity which help support those affected by disaster around the world. Their book club helps to fund their work and allows me to enjoy a new book every month from somewhere around the world.

SHELTERBOX contacted authors to take part in the project of producing a book to help raise awareness of our climate emergency. Using their knowledge of the people they help around the world and knowing what shines through in the face of disaster, they have been able to create something special.

We are in the year 2050 in London when the River Thames bursts it’s banks. A very real possibility if things don’t change. Buildings are engulfed in water and the people of London need to evacuate. The only hope of survival lays within humankind.

[Philip Horspool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice idea. Each collaborator writes a paragraph and they link together to form a story of climate disaster, hope and love. This format would be a great thing to do in schools. Support Shelter Book Club and you get to read great books too.

[Cari Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through ShelterBox book club. It is fantastic. I particularly loved Jay Rainers great biscuit fraud scandal, which added some lightness to an important topic. It was extremely thought provoking.

[esmé · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not a consequence of climate change I'd ever thought about before but it's actually completely possible. This was a fascinating book and I loved the idea, the writing, everything. A very clear message that we desperately need to act now to have a chance of saving our planet but also that it is very possible if we don't let differences separate us and work together as a species to save the only planet we will ever have for future generations.

[Laura Sargeant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic mash up of renowned writers coming together for a cause and beautifully illustrated.

[Harbir · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me personally, this highlighted a lot of issues I am an advocate for.

Climate change is affecting everyone and anyone. No matter where you are on the planet- it will eventually reach you. And people need to see this. People need to hear this.

For me, the book started off with promise, I enjoyed the fact it was written in terms of the game "consequences." Where everyone writes a little bit based on some planning knowledge, but no one can see what you have previously written. Pure genius!

This was a masterpiece in itself but I felt a little caught off guard with the ending! I was expecting a little more, but there wasn't much. It felt anticlimactic for such a build up throughout the story.

I plan on reading this to my children (once I have some and they're old enough) so they can also see the effects of climate change on the planet.

Beautifully written, masterfully out together, a real triumph.

[AmyAmyAmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Receiving a Shelterbox book in the post is always a good day so I was looking forward to November knowing that we would be receiving 2 books.

Tamesis Street is a short story collaborated by 30 authors telling us one story of a climate disaster. This was an extremely creative idea and a good way to raise awareness surrounding our climate emergency.

I read Tamesis Street in one sitting and as someone who has recently found myself living a bushcraft lifestyle, I've developed a newfound respect for nature in which I understand the emergency the authors portray throughout this short story, hinting at the consequences that could occur if we don't make a change. This story was beautifully put together and I now have a new list of authors and podcasts I want to explore as a result.

To anyone wanting to support charities that help those affected by disaster around the world, check out ShelterBox. I highly recommend it. :)

https://www.shelterbox.org/book-club/

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an incredibly touching and moving story about the lives of those whose homes have been destroyed. It is such a unique story where each of the thirty authors have written a chapter each but it also has parts that are written by people that have had to rebuild their lives after a disaster. The story really shows the impact Climate Change has on the world, and how a community can pull together in tough times. It taught me some things too about Climate Change that that I didn't know about. I love that fact is it so unique and a story that I cannot wait to recommend to people as I feel everyone can learn a thing or two from this book. I also love that at the end of the book, there is a bit where it explains the story behind the story. This story has really touched me and I will not forget it.

[Gemma Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a clever idea that really worked. If each section wasn't labelled you wouldn't know they were written by different contributors. The subject matter evokes a lot of thoughts and feelings but ultimately it is about community and togetherness- however that comes about.
Thank you Shelterbox

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free with my usual monthly delivery from my Shelter Box book subscription. Shelter Box provide emergency shelter to families around the world who have been displaced for a number of reasons - I receive a book from them each month that promotes different cultures and ways of life.

This book is quite unique, as it is one story told by 30 different writers. These people include authors, journalists, climate change activists and individuals who have been helped by Shelter Box, from around the world. It is relatively short, but very powerful.

The story focuses on Isla and is set in London in the year 2050, at a time where climate change has caused the River Thames to breach its banks, forcing people to flee their homes. Each writer has written 1-2 pages of the story, with some of them adapting their own unfortunate experiences to relate to the story.

It's not a cheery read in many respects due to the subject matter, but I found myself enjoying the community nature of the story. A very powerful tale of what we could be heading towards if we don't start to take climate change seriously.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first book created by the Shelterbox Book Club! 📚 It's unique book with each author writing only a paragraph of two formulating a story about a climate disaster in 2050. It was written to raise awareness of the impact of climate change and also shares some of the work the charity does to provide aid to those in need.

A few of the sections shared the stories of real people whom the charity had helped too which was both devastating and inspiring.

It must be said that this book is also beautiful and the illustrations are lovely. The section about how the story came to be is particularly interesting. It indicates that most of the authors hadn't seen any other paragraphs which is intriguing, and whilst risky, paid off!

I've never read anything like it and read it in one sitting. I'm giving it 4 stars 🌟 for the books message, uniqueness and physical beauty. I'm pleased it was my last cover to cover read of the year! 😊 I hope Shelterbox Book Club go on to publish more books!

[Kelly Steed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tamesis Street is a unique book created especially for Shelter Box Book Club. It is a tale of warning and what could be if we don’t take control of the climate emergency.

Written by 30 different authors, each were given a character and plot line to write their section, without seeing any of the other pieces until it all got put together. I did find some elements disjointed but on the whole this concept worked well.

I would have liked to learn more about the building of the community in Dylife and felt the ending was a bit rushed. I also thought that there were too many characters to try and remember, especially for a short story.

That aside, this was a good quick read with a very important message - climate change is discussed and targets set but it never feels like something that’s taken all that seriously, and probably won’t be until something major happens in one of the big, rich countries. Unfortunately but in some part understandably, I dare say the pandemic has caused a backwards step with more single use items like gloves, sanitiser bottles etc ending up in the rubbish dumps.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!!!

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable short story on what the impact of climate change could be and already has been, paired with how humanity's reaction to disasters brings out the best and worst of humanity, as well as often bringing people together.

I would have liked it to have been longer and in some parts unsurprisingly the story did not flow greatly from writer to writer.

Overall though this was an enjoyable and enlightening read from talented writers and though it didn't flow perfectly, it still flowed incredibly well when you consider how many writers came together to write for the story.

[Chris B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 2050 about the effects of climate change, the flooding of London, and a group of people who grew together because of this. Unusual in that it's a collaboration by 30 or so people who each write a paragraph or three: these include Bill Bryson, Joanne Harris, Mike Leigh, Chris Packham and Sarah Waters. Published under the auspices of the ShelterBox disaster relief charity.

[ImA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my normal choice of read as it’s to short but I found this quite remarkable.

Also knowing that Sir Quentin Blake had willingly been involved made me curious and decide if he wanted to work on it, I wanted to read it.

An interesting mix of people that all contributed to this project and completely worth picking up.

[Aysia Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!
Love the fact that it’s a combination of authors to make the one book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting idea created whilst in Covid 19 restrictions with incredible virtual teamwork producing this with input from 30 well known writers…

[Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

short, bittersweet and thought provoking.

[Alex Moxon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really like the concept of the book, I was so excited getting a copy from Shelter box and the topic is so important, so raising more awareness is something I'm 100% behind. Having said that, it just wasn't executed very well. The story jumped ahead, the end felt like a rush. Great idea, disappointing outcome.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and powerful story set in the not too distant future about the devastating effect climate change may have on London. I was very unnerved by it. Loved the way in which all these different authors were able to weave together such dynamic narrative. Thank you shelterbox for this book.

[Gaynor Cherieann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unusual book was brilliant written in such an original format set in the future about climate change not my usual genre this was a Shelter box book amazing read can’t wait for more shelter box books Great message this book sends

[Ash Stally-Chudasama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopeful. Timely. Important. But also clunky and a bit too idyllic in it's vision of the future.