A GREAT FINALE TO A YEAR OF STATIONERS LITERARY EVENTS
26 NOVEMBER 2025
An outstanding literary lunch was the fitting finale to a year of successful Stationers events.
Liveryman Jon Drori held the packed upper room of Ye Olde Watling pub in the City spellbound with stories about the characters that made up his latest book, The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of. They were, of course, all plant life!
Liveryman Jon Drori held the packed upper room of Ye Olde Watling pub in the City spellbound with stories about the characters that made up his latest book, The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of. They were, of course, all plant life!
Event organiser Mike James introduced Jon, who was interviewed by fellow Liveryman Chris Roycroft-Davis.
Jon entertained a sell-out crowd of Stationers as he spoke about his latest book for children of all ages, The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of. Jon’s good humour and passion for plants and trees are infectious. He reminded the audience that we are all dependent on plants — whether we eat them directly or rely on animals that need plants to survive and grow.
Jonathan brought the science of plants vividly to life, revealing how their world is intimately entwined with our own. His family-friendly book is one we hope will inspire children to discover the joys of reading.
We learned that there’s seaweed in ice cream, cork in spacecraft, and dandelion in truck tyres. Had we ever wondered how paper or thread are made, or why the mandrake is so mysterious?
We learned that there’s seaweed in ice cream, cork in spacecraft, and dandelion in truck tyres. Had we ever wondered how paper or thread are made, or why the mandrake is so mysterious?
Chris assured the audience that all of this—and much more—is covered in Jon’s wonderful publication.
Chris also noted that Jon’s books are full of the “sex life of plants,” a topic that sparked great amusement as Jon explained how plants are almost entirely motivated by reproduction and survival — and how they certainly seem to have loose morals!
It was fascinating to hear that chocolate, made from cacao beans, was consumed as a drink for many centuries before it finally matured into the chocolate bars we know today in 1847. We also learned that nutmeg was banned from prisons in the USA after Malcolm X wrote about its
hallucinogenic effects in his autobiography.
Liveryman Chris Smith asked Jon for his views on genetically modified food. While Jon is not always in favour, he spoke positively about “Golden Rice,” fortified with vitamin A and credited with helping to reduce childhood blindness in parts of Asia.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch. Not only did everyone leave with a deeper appreciation of plants, but also with broad smiles on our faces. And thanks to Jon’s extraordinary generosity, Stationers' charities received an £800 boost.
After six years we are pleased to say that the literary lunches have become a permanent part of The Stationers and Newspaper Makers Company calendar and hopefully will remain so for many years to come, thanks to the continued support of our members.
Chris also noted that Jon’s books are full of the “sex life of plants,” a topic that sparked great amusement as Jon explained how plants are almost entirely motivated by reproduction and survival — and how they certainly seem to have loose morals!
It was fascinating to hear that chocolate, made from cacao beans, was consumed as a drink for many centuries before it finally matured into the chocolate bars we know today in 1847. We also learned that nutmeg was banned from prisons in the USA after Malcolm X wrote about its
hallucinogenic effects in his autobiography.
Liveryman Chris Smith asked Jon for his views on genetically modified food. While Jon is not always in favour, he spoke positively about “Golden Rice,” fortified with vitamin A and credited with helping to reduce childhood blindness in parts of Asia.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch. Not only did everyone leave with a deeper appreciation of plants, but also with broad smiles on our faces. And thanks to Jon’s extraordinary generosity, Stationers' charities received an £800 boost.
After six years we are pleased to say that the literary lunches have become a permanent part of The Stationers and Newspaper Makers Company calendar and hopefully will remain so for many years to come, thanks to the continued support of our members.