Shape of a Boy - by Kate Wickers (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Shape of a Boy is a hilarious and eye-opening travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she documents her travels with her family around the world.

'Have kids, will travel' is veteran travel journalist Kate's mantra. Her intrepid spirit is infectious in this warm, engaging account of her family's adventures and misadventures. She shares the life lessons learnt on their travels, from overcoming disappointment in Thailand to saying sorry in Japan, discovering perseverance in Borneo and learning about conservation in Malaysia.

From the jungles of southeast Asia to the waterfront in Havana and the blazing heat of Egypt, Shape of a Boy captures the essence of being a parent in the thick of it and learning on the hoof. Inspirational for anyone who has dreaded travelling with a baby, toddler, or teen, it is a life-affirming read for every wannabe-traveller.

Kate's vivid evocation of the highs and lows of family time make you belly-laugh and bring a lump to your throat.

"Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of A Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together."
ANDREW CLOVER, best-selling author of Dad Rules

This is a must-read for every wannabe-traveller grounded by lockdown and for every parent who has dreaded travelling with a baby.

Review Quotes

"A whip-smart and hilariously honest how-to (and how-not-to do) parenthood on holiday. My husband should take note." Celia Walden, author of Payday

"Funny, inspiring, tender, and a little bit bonkers, global travel with three small boys, what could possibly go wrong?" Gil McNeil, author of The Only Boy for Me

"Hilarious and wonderfully fluent, Shape of a Boy makes you see each corner of the world afresh. I read it in one long, lounging read, which took me away from Covid to a vibrant world of orangutans and elephants and a family growing together."
Andrew Clover, best-selling author of Dad Rules

"All the travel I have been missing between these covers." Sue Moorcroft, author of A Home in the Sun

"One page made me laugh, the next made me cry - it's incredible how Kate makes you feel like you're on this journey together, seeing the world along with her family." Katie Bowman, editor of Family Traveller

"Highly entertaining, often hilarious' and 'inspiring to all parents" Bel Mooney, The Daily Mail

"If you seek far-flung adventure but are put off by having the kids in tow, UK travel journalist Kate Wickers' hilarious book about her overseas escapades with her three sons will make you think again. From Cuba to Sri Lanka, Tanzania to Japan, it tickled the funny bone of Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding. We're willing to bet it will give all the family itchy feet." The Sunday Post
"Starting a family might slow down some travellers, but for the Wickers, kids have only made the adventures more fun. Every new destination provides a new lesson - and new laughs." Grant Balfour, Editor of Porthole Cruise Travel Magazine
"Travel writing at its finest - transports you to another place. Thoughtful and moving, this is a reminder of the bonding effect travel can have on a family." The Scotsman

"Well written, well paced, well amusing. Made me lustful for wandering - even with the kids!" Ben Aitken, author of The Gran Tour

About the Author

Kate Wickers is a veteran travel journalist who lives in Windsor with her husband and three sons. Shape of a Boy is her first book. When she's not tripping over games bags, shouting up the stairs "your food is getting cold" and searching for random missing mouth guards, bus passes and shoes, Kate writes features for publications including The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Scotsman, The Australian, The Globe & Mail, Porthole & Family Traveller. Kate is now writing her second book and dreaming of her next family trip to Costa Rica.