Let's make this birthday one to remember.

72 years old (Born on December 12, 1952)

Happy Birthday, Helen Dunmore! May your day be as spellbinding as "A Spell of Winter" and filled with more warmth than the siege ever allowed. Your words have captivated readers young and old, whisking us away into worlds both hauntingly beautiful and profoundly moving.

From enchanting children's tales to gripping wartime narratives like "The Siege," you've proven that storytelling magic is timeless. Today we celebrate not just another year but every poetic line, each unforgettable character, and all those late-night page-turners you’ve gifted us over the years. Here's hoping this birthday brings laughter brighter than rubies—and absolutely no mourning required!