Books – Leon Rosselson

Where Are The Elephants? A memoir by Leon Rosselson

Posted on December 22, 2022July 31, 2024 by admin

Where are the elephants? By Leon Rosselson

Leon Rosselson has spent a lifetime chronicling the times in song and envisioning the birth of a world after capitalism.

His book is an absorbing account of his journey from a childhood during the 2nd World War to lockdown during the pandemic, with lyrics from his songs to light up the way.

Also available, a compilation of all the songs mentioned in the text on CD or on a double LP. Both include all the song lyrics. The double LP has liner notes by Robb Johnson.

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‘Like many of his more complex songs, Leon Rosselson’s eminently readable memoir consists of discrete – and sometimes seemingly disparate – sections yet coheres as a fascinating deeply thoughtful whole.’
– read the full review on Morning Star

‘This is a gem of a book… Leon’s writing is often laugh-out-loud hilarious. At other times it is moving and reflective…’
– read the full review on Jewish Voice for Labour

‘One of the joys of this book is the writing. Rosselson has written for children but he is a good adult writer. Orwell would have approved of his uncluttered, clear style.’
– MQB Magazine

Number 1 beach read for the summer: ‘Leon Rosselson weaves his own musical and political journey into an extraordinarily powerful account of how with acoustic guitar and a good tune, while we may not be able to dance to it, the spectacle of how and why we must change the world is more than enough to have us humming along.’
– Philosophy Football

‘I am reading with immense pleasure, Rosselson’s memoirs, a slim but absorbing volume combining essays and those clever witty lyrics.’
– Salut Live

‘It would not be hyperbolic to describe Leon Rosselson as a living legend…. The book is an engaging read’
– read the full review on Labour Hub

Order Your Copy Now

Mail order from Fuse Records (UK Only)

Price: £12 (incl. postage to UK)

Please order from the PM Press links (below) if you live elsewhere in the world.

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United Kingdom

Where Are the Elephants?

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Where Are the Elephants?

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Children’s Books

Posted on June 15, 2009August 27, 2023 by admin

Rosa’s Singing Grandfather

Rosa doesn’t have a dad but she has a grandfather and a grandfather who sings at that. When Grandad sings on the beach or at Rosa’s carol service or in hospital or at the zoo, Rosa feels a bit embarrassed but no one else seems to mind. Rosa ends up being very proud of her grandad.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 1991

“The sheer quality of the writing makes this an immensely satisfying read” – The judges of the Carnegie Award

“ROSA’S SINGING GRANDFATHER comes from a deeper well of the imagination. It has a subtle beauty, using songs to explore tender areas of feeling – loss, abandonment, memory and fear. It also manages to evoke a vanished world of tin baths and backyard lavatories while presenting a little girl very much alive now.” – Times Educational Supplement

“The clarity and optimism of this book should make it very welcome to new independent readers.” – Books for Keeps

“Young readers will enjoy meeting Rosa and her grandfather and will

remember their voices for a long time to come.” -School Library Journal USA

Published by Barn Owl Books

Illustration: Norman Young

Cover: Ros Asquith

Price £4.99

Home Is A Place Called Nowhere

(8-12 year olds)

Oxford University Press. £6.99.

ISBN 0-19-27 1914-9

Published January 2003

“…a cracking good read (nine and up), a book which hits the issues without remotely patronising and without being vacuously hip.

Its overriding virtue is that it is a story of hope and dignity amid the cruelty and ugliness of racism. Hatred abounds and yet Amina retains her soul.

It’s provocative stuff, offering a sobering picture of our nation’s treatment of refugees.” – West Sussex Gazette 24/07/2003

“So powerful, we couldn’t put it down once we’d started.” (Mizz 12/03/2003)

Rosa’s Grandfather Sings Again

5-9 year olds

Viking 1991/Puffin 1992

Children’s Book of the Year choice.

More Children’s Books

Bernie Works A Miracle (5-9 year olds)	(A & C Black 1992/HarperCollins 1993)
Swim, Sam, Swim (3-7 year olds)	(Puffin 1994)
Where’s My Mum? (2-5 year olds)	(Picture Book. Walker Books 1994)
Save Our Playground (5-9 year olds)	(HarperCollins 1994)
I Thought I Heard A Goldfish Singing (8-12 year olds)	(Longman’s 1994)
Free The Sunbird	(A Play For Children. Ginn 1995)
Emma’s Talking Rabbit (hardback 5-9 year olds)	(HarperCollins September 1996)
Ben’s Magic Drum (5-8 year olds)	(Puffin May 1998)
Carla’s Magic Dancing Boots (6-8 year olds)	(Macdonald Young Books May 1998)
Football Crazy (8-12 year olds)	(Hodder March 1998)
Pumpkin’s Downfall (5-9 Year Olds)	(HarperCollins March 2000)

Stories in Anthologies

What’s Come Over Angela?	(Stories For 7 Year Olds. HarperCollins)
The Giant Of Lilliput Lane	(Stories For 5 Year Olds. HarperCollins)
Ella’s Bedtime Story	(Bedtime Stories For The Very Young. Kingfisher Books)
Thomas The Rhymer & The Broken Smile	(The Cloth Of Dreams. Little Brown & Co.)
Uproar In Yukland	(Best Stories For 6 Year Olds. Hodder)
Silly Billy’s Walk To London	(Journeys. Ginn)
The Greatest Drummer In The World	(Another Time, Another Place. Ginn)

In the USA

Where’s My Mom?	(Candlewick Press 1994)
Rosa & Her Singing Grandfather	(Philomel 1996)

Bringing The News From Nowhere

Posted on June 15, 2009August 27, 2023 by admin

125 selected songs, words, music, chords with illustrations by Jini Rawlings.

Published 1992.

Price: £14.95 (£16.50 with p & p to UK)

Sorry – No longer available

‘This is a beautifully produced book and one which is worthy of the highest praise. The songs should be read by people of all political persuasions and should be heard throughout the land. They are written from the heart and are a passionate commentary on life in the 20th century.’

-The Musician, September 1994

‘Possibly the world’s most accomplished mischief maker, his radical songs transfer successfully to the printed page.’

-Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1993

‘Plenty of good songs for the questing singer and plenty of food for thought for the casual browser…a collection of good and powerful songs.’

-Folk Roots December 1993

Turning Silence Into Song

Posted on June 15, 2009March 27, 2024 by admin

Leon Rosselson songbook

Contains 39 songs with music, chords, lyrics and notes. Richly illustrated.

Published on 15 September 2003.

OUT OF STOCK