In hindsight, a loss of reading ability was an early sign that something was amiss. As Neve was reaching the point of being able to read freely, she was simultaneously losing these skills. Reading was never as easy and straightforward for her as it might have been.

Recently, I have been reading Women Who Read Are Dangerous. There and then, I knew I needed to paint Neve reading. To have this coincide with early March and the usual trials and tribulations of World Book Day was a gift.

Neve chose to dress as our beloved Anna Hibiscus, two years in a row. I can’t say that I complained about an outfit that mostly revolved around a distinctive but simple hairstyle.

Somehow, I imagine that she would have grown out of Anna Hibiscus by now. Though this raises more questions than answers, as I ponder the reading of a child who was both gaining skills and also losing them.

For now, I present to you my first Neve reading painting, inspired by the glorious paintings of women reading over the centuries. Painted in Manganese Violet and Mars Orange, Neve’s favourite colours.