Mary is a pigeon. A very fast, rather cheeky pigeon who absolutely loves to race! So when World War 2 breaks out, Mary joins The National Pigeon Service, flying top secret messages across the channel back to her pigeon loft in Exeter.
But it’s dangerous work and Mary has to be very, very brave. Can Mary keep going, against the odds? And will she find her way home?
Buy the Book!
A charming story of courage, friendship and perseverance - I loved it!
Sarah Turner, Author (The Unmumsy Mum)
An action-packed story about a local heroine
Philip Reeve, Author
Making Mary
This year, for the very first time, Quirk made a book alongside the show. And not just any old book! An extra special book, illustrated by collage artist Rosie Race and the people of Exeter!
We ran workshops all summer long for Exeter schools and community groups, teaching painting, mark making and collage and creating one-of-a-kind illustrations for the Mary book! Then, our wonderful collage artist Rosie Race illustrated the rest, seamlessly working in the fabulous, community created pieces. And it is STUNNING!
We worked closely with Charlie Brewer's family to explore the story more deeply. The book is perfect for KS1 & KS2 children, and can be found on the shelves at our fantastic partner bookshop, BookBag, at Makermart & in the RAMM & Exeter Cathedral gift shops!
Mary The Pigeon- in audio!
Mary is a pigeon. A very fast, rather cheeky pigeon who absolutely loves to race! So when World War 2 breaks out, Mary joins The National Pigeon Service, flying top secret messages across the channel back to her pigeon loft in Exeter.
But it’s dangerous work and Mary has to be very, very brave. Can Mary keep going, against the odds?
And will she find her way home?
Narrated by Katie Villa with sound and original music by Jonny Wharton, you can download for as little as £2! A treat for little ears (and big ones too!).
Listen to the story again and again
(and support Quirk's outreach work) by purchasing the audiobook through our Bandcamp page.
Our partnership with Exeter Library & Exeter City of Literature
We have been proud to partner with Exeter Library and Exeter city of Literature to deliver our ambitious outreach work for the Mary project. Our partners ensured we reached new audiences in new ways and helped people across the city celebrate the true story of Mary The Pigeon
We rounded off this amazing Arts Council funded project with two book events at Exeter Library. On World Book Day 2023 we welcomed workshop participants, invited guests and members of the public to a fascinating panel event called Telling an Exeter Story, hosted by Liv Hooper from Exeter City of Literature. Our Quirk team were joined by George Barron from Positive Lights Project and Michael Parrott from the 307 Squadron Project to chat about how the Mary story has been adapted for stage, page and screen,
And then, on World Book Day weekend, we took over the Children's library for a family fun day, complete with readings of the story, a pop up collage workshop and even a visit from Mary herself! Lots of fun and creative mess, and a fitting end to a wonderful, community project.
