Shape of a Boy

Shape of a Boy is a laugh-out-loud travel memoir by the mother of three boys as she crosses the globe with her family.

‘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.

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

Included by National Geographic Traveller and Wanderlust Magazine in their ‘Best books for 2022’, and The Independent in ‘Best books to inspire your next adventure’.

‘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

‘Life-affirming and laugh-out-loud funny’ – Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones’s Diary

‘Highly entertaining, often hilarious’ and ‘inspiring to all parents.’ -The Daily Mail

Author Biography

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.