Gemma Reece - The Girls Book of Secrets: Shhh... Dont Tell!

Written by Gemma Reece

Illustrated by Katy Jackson

Edited by Hannah Cohen

Designed by Zoe Quayle

First published in Great Britain in 2009 by Buster Books,
an imprint of Michael OMara Books Limited
9 Lion Yard, Tremadoc Road, London SW4 7NQ

www.mombooks.com/busterbooks

Text and illustrations copyright Buster Books Limited 2009
This electronic edition published in 2011

ISBN: 978-1-78055-061-9 in EPub format
ISBN: 978-1-78055-060-2 in Mobipocket format
ISBN: 978-1-906082-38-3 in hardback print format

All rights reserved. You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Cover design by Angie Allison
(from an original design by www.blacksheep-uk.com)
Cover illustration by Paul Moran

Ebook compilation by RefineCatch Limited, Bungay, Suffolk

www.mombooks.com

The publisher and author disclaim any liability for accidents or injuries that may occur as a result of the information given in this book. Be particularly careful with scissors, needles, kitchen equipment, and hot liquids. Always get permission from an adult before using any tools or utensils. Be mindful of the ingredients listed and your own allergies and medical conditions.

Follow safety precautions and advice from responsible adults. Always wear appropriate safety gear, stay within the law and local rules, and be considerate of other people. Most importantly, use your common sense at all times. Particularly when heat or sharp objects are involved.

It is very important to be able to keep a secret. The better you are at keeping secrets, the more your friends will trust you, and the more they will share with you. If you always blab, you might find that your friends wont want to confide in you any more. To be the best at keeping secrets, follow these rules.

Try to understand the importance of the secret you are keeping and why it must stay a secret. Think about how the person who has confided in you would feel if her secret got out around school. Put yourself in her position and imagine how you would feel if everybody knew your secrets.

Writing your secrets down can help stop the urge to say them out loud. However, if you do write your secrets down in a diary, then you will need to make sure you hide the diary in a really safe place, far away from snooping eyes (see for some top-secret hiding places for a diary).

Never say, I know something, but I cant tell you what it is. Your friends will try all manner of tricks to get information out of you. If you fall into this trap, simply change the subject completely and hope your friends get bored with begging.

Have you ever let a secret slip and then felt truly terrible immediately afterwards? Once you have blabbed you cant take it back and the damage is done. Remind yourself of this stomach-sinking feeling next time you get the urge to tell someone your secret and your mouth will magically stay shut!

There is an old saying that goes Loose lips sink ships. This wartime rhyme was designed to stop people blabbing secret information that could then be used by the enemy in battle against them. Say this rhyme three times in your head next time you are tempted to spill the beans and avoid giving any information away.

Keeping a secret means that you tell absolutely no one not your mum or your sister, not even your best friend. If a secret is just too big to keep to yourself, you could always try telling it to your cat or dog but be sure to whisper!

A secret diary should be a thing of beauty that you treasure picking up and writing in. Follow the steps below to make your very own designer diary to write all your secrets in.

a spiral-bound notebook (A5 size or smaller) PVA glue card a sheet of wadding or foam newspaper a piece of fabric in your favourite colour (make sure the fabric is not see-through) two lengths of ribbon (each roughly 50 cm long) ruler scissors a variety of sequins, beads, buttons and gold and silver stars

Measure the height and width of the front of your notebook with the ruler. Use these measurements to cut out two pieces of card that are the same size.

Cover one piece of card in glue and stick it on to the sheet of foam or wadding. Using the edge of the card as a guide, cut away the excess foam or wadding.

Do exactly the same with the other piece of card.

Cut out two squares of fabric each piece of fabric should be about 5 cm larger than the size of each piece of card around each edge.

Lay down some newspaper to avoid getting glue on your work surface. Next, cover the back of one square of fabric with plenty of glue. Place the padded side of one of the card pieces in the centre of the fabric square. Press it down firmly to make it stick.

Do exactly the same with the other piece of fabric and card.

Cut the fabric diagonally at the four corners of each piece of card, as shown here. Then simply fold that fabric over the sides of the wadding and use more glue to stick the edges down on to the card.

Now cover the front of your notebook with plenty of glue. Place one length of ribbon across it so that enough hangs over the edge for you to tie your diary shut.

Stick one of the pieces of covered card over the ribbon on to the gluey surface of your notebook. Press it down firmly.

Now do exactly the same thing with the back cover of your notebook, adding a piece of ribbon in the same way and covering it with the other piece of card.

Leave your diary overnight to allow the glue to dry completely.