Listener Crossword 4239: Solution Notes
Laureate by Wasp
Puzzle explanation
Omitted letters spelt "Entered with A Squash and a Squeeze", referring to the first book written by Julia Donaldson (the current Children's Laureate) and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which was published 20 years ago. Squashing/squeezing two letters into each unchecked cell of the unclued entries completed six more of their titles: MONKEY PUZZLE (2ac), THE SNAIL (12ac) and THE WHALE (30ac), The GRUFFALO (6dn), ROOM ON THE BROOM (8dn), STICK MAN (18dn) and TIDDLER (22dn).
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 8 | R(E)TINA | TIN in RA |
| 9 | RA(N)GOLI | GLORIA * |
| 13 | MAN(T)A | MAN + A |
| 14 | SELFN(E)SS | S + ELF + (N + S) + S |
| 15 | (R)OSINA | IN in (O + SA) |
| 17 | BEN(E)FIT | N in BEFIT |
| 19 | (D)EPAINT | ET around PAIN |
| 21 | HAY(W)IRE | YAH < + I’ + R(eigat)E |
| 23 | MACHA(I)R | R after MACHA(n) |
| 25 | EIDEN(T) | I in EDEN |
| 26 | ROCK-(H)EWN | (ON WRECK) * |
| 28 | H(A)DN’T | H + D(ri)N(ks) T(oo) |
| 31 | MADNES(S) | (SEND + AM) < |
| 32 | EXE(Q)UY | (U + Y) after EXE |
| 33 | LION-H(U)NTER | (NORTH LINE) * |
| Down | ||
| 1 | B(A)TTA | (de)BT TA(xes) |
| 2 | MI(S)HNIC | HIM < + N(ow) + I/C |
| 3 | KANDA(H)AR | (K + AND + R) around AA |
| 4 | ERAS(A)BLE | (LAS(t) + BEER) * |
| 5 | U(N)ABLE | (TABLEAU − TA) * |
| 6 | LOWN(D) | LOWN |
| 7 | ELAST(A)NCE | (STEEL CAN) * |
| 11 | INSI(S)TENTLY | INLY around (TEN in SIT) |
| 16 | S(Q)UAMOSAL | (A + MO) in SUS + AL |
| 19 | EB(U)RNEAN | ERNE around B + AN |
| 20 | PEETWE(E)T | TWEET * after PE |
| 24 | HEXEN(E) | HEX + E + N |
| 27 | CADI(Z) | CADI |
| 29 | NEUM(E) | NEU + M |