The title of Betty Gilderdale's memoir accurately reflects her life which has been lived in two halves. The first half is her younger years growing up in London and experiencing World War II, university study, marriage and children. The second half of her life was emigrating to New Zealand in 1967 with her husband Alan and three children and her teaching, researching and writing career.

Betty Gilderdale's contribution to New Zealand has been significant. From her 1982 book 'A Sea Change: 145 Years of New Zealand Junior Fiction' to her much loved Little Yellow Digger series.

I thought this story was wonderfully told and most enjoyable. I gave it to my mother-in-law to read as her story has parallels with Betty. She was an evacuee in Hull during World War II and then emigrated with her husband aboard the 'SS Captain Hobson' in 1953 to start a new life in New Zealand. Highly recommended. ( )