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Monday, June 30, 2008
Special day today - my last school visit of the term - all the way to LOUNDS JUNIOR SCHOOL, Chapeltown, near Sheffield, where children & staff are have organised a week to celebrate traditional stories. Saw a wonderful "claymation" version of the Gingerbread Man created by some lads in Year 6. Just sorry I wasn't able to see all the other films. Great ideas! Thanks for asking me along, everyone, and hope you have fun for the rest of the week.
However, won't be lounging around here as I have more than plenty to work on and/or catch up with. Now where's that thirty item "To Do" list . . .? Just remembered something else to go on it.
Interesting sign seen in a school recently: "Lucky Dinner Plate Competition". I can't help thinking of an enthusiastic child turning the plate upside down to look for the Lucky Message. Or maybe that's just what I would have done, eg "Ooops!Splat! Dearie me. Where's the dustpan & mop?" Must have missed some essential clue, I think.
However, won't be lounging around here as I have more than plenty to work on and/or catch up with. Now where's that thirty item "To Do" list . . .? Just remembered something else to go on it.
Interesting sign seen in a school recently: "Lucky Dinner Plate Competition". I can't help thinking of an enthusiastic child turning the plate upside down to look for the Lucky Message. Or maybe that's just what I would have done, eg "Ooops!Splat! Dearie me. Where's the dustpan & mop?" Must have missed some essential clue, I think.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The cold won, at least for a while. Gradually started feeling bright & cheerful again, so back into action with a run of visits.
So greetings to everyone at SAINT PETER & SAINT PAUL PRIMARY SCHOOL across in Rishton, Lancashire, to all at NEWBY PRIMARY SCHOOL, Bradford, and to all the KS1 children at ST. AUSTIN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Wakefield. ST. AUSTIN'S junior's enjoyed a visit from author HELENA PIELICHATY the following day.
On Wednesday, I drove across to Cumbria, for an afternoon in ST. BRIDGET'S PRIMARY SCHOOL in the village of Parton (just outside Whitehaven) where I had fun chatting to all the young readers. I even had enough time for a walk around Whitehaven's harbour on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, I visited a large Whitehaven school, VALLEY PRIMARY. Happily I was in one room so I didn't have to try and find my way all round the building, carrying my piles of books and bags. Lots of enthusiastic children, so thanks to you all!
On Friday, I felt very honoured to be involved with the Cumbria Library Service's "Spellbinding Books" Reading Challenge. No, I wasn't on their impressive reading list, but I was asked to be the "AUTHOR VISIT", won by a keen pupil at STORTH VALLEY SCHOOL, Milnthorpe. It was a great day, with a whole school session, a writing workshop for KS2, a KS1 poetry time based on African snails, and a sharing time & presentation at the end of the day. Many thanks to all who arranged my short Cumbrian "tour". It was really enjoyable!!!
Tomorrow is my last visit of this summer term. I'm off to tell stories at LOUND JUNIOR SCHOOL, Chapeltown, Sheffield. Looking forward to meeting you all!
So greetings to everyone at SAINT PETER & SAINT PAUL PRIMARY SCHOOL across in Rishton, Lancashire, to all at NEWBY PRIMARY SCHOOL, Bradford, and to all the KS1 children at ST. AUSTIN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Wakefield. ST. AUSTIN'S junior's enjoyed a visit from author HELENA PIELICHATY the following day.
On Wednesday, I drove across to Cumbria, for an afternoon in ST. BRIDGET'S PRIMARY SCHOOL in the village of Parton (just outside Whitehaven) where I had fun chatting to all the young readers. I even had enough time for a walk around Whitehaven's harbour on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, I visited a large Whitehaven school, VALLEY PRIMARY. Happily I was in one room so I didn't have to try and find my way all round the building, carrying my piles of books and bags. Lots of enthusiastic children, so thanks to you all!
On Friday, I felt very honoured to be involved with the Cumbria Library Service's "Spellbinding Books" Reading Challenge. No, I wasn't on their impressive reading list, but I was asked to be the "AUTHOR VISIT", won by a keen pupil at STORTH VALLEY SCHOOL, Milnthorpe. It was a great day, with a whole school session, a writing workshop for KS2, a KS1 poetry time based on African snails, and a sharing time & presentation at the end of the day. Many thanks to all who arranged my short Cumbrian "tour". It was really enjoyable!!!
Tomorrow is my last visit of this summer term. I'm off to tell stories at LOUND JUNIOR SCHOOL, Chapeltown, Sheffield. Looking forward to meeting you all!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Battling with a horrid cold, so am writing this with a muzzy mind. Recent joys have included time helping with the RED HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD event at the Hay Festival. This is a wonderful celebration of a wonderful award, owned and organised by the FEDERATION OF CHILDREN'S BOOK GROUPS. It is the only national award voted on by children.
Then down to the Gower, and Rhossilli Beach for a sunny Welsh weekend. Just a rapturous, relaxed time. Then back to . . . Well , back to a mix of school visits and family flu. Oh dear!
So this post carries belated greetings to the great Guiseley schools whose young writers joined me for a second set of enjoyable writing workshops at St OSWALD'S PRIMARY SCHOOL on 5th & 6th June. Thank you for all your fine work - and thanks to the organising teachers too!
Plus a big hello to ELDON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Preston, my school visit destination for Wednesday 11th June, though I was much sustained by strong cold remedy. Hope you enjoyed the five sessions as much as I did.
Now, let me struggle back to that sofa again, and hope tp be better for next week's visits.
Then down to the Gower, and Rhossilli Beach for a sunny Welsh weekend. Just a rapturous, relaxed time. Then back to . . . Well , back to a mix of school visits and family flu. Oh dear!
So this post carries belated greetings to the great Guiseley schools whose young writers joined me for a second set of enjoyable writing workshops at St OSWALD'S PRIMARY SCHOOL on 5th & 6th June. Thank you for all your fine work - and thanks to the organising teachers too!
Plus a big hello to ELDON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Preston, my school visit destination for Wednesday 11th June, though I was much sustained by strong cold remedy. Hope you enjoyed the five sessions as much as I did.
Now, let me struggle back to that sofa again, and hope tp be better for next week's visits.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Just a small bit of news. My latest "big" manuscript - or typescript, to be precise - is now doing the rounds of the children's publishers.
Yes, I have marked the weeks off in my diary, but so far we are only just past week one. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Though mentally, rather than physically, as it may be rather a long wait. And maybe no big bit of news at the end of it either . . .
Hope you are enjoying the half term break!
Yes, I have marked the weeks off in my diary, but so far we are only just past week one. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Though mentally, rather than physically, as it may be rather a long wait. And maybe no big bit of news at the end of it either . . .
Hope you are enjoying the half term break!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
On Thursday night, I went to an absolutely, amazingly, words-fail-me stunning experience at WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE. It was THE ARAB & THE JEW by Amit Lahav and Al Nedjari (Gecko Theatre Company). Strong physical theatre, surreal comedy, poignant tragedy - and so completely wonderful that I went to see it again on next and last night, Friday. Though the performance was just as good, and the balance of sounds and speech slightly clearer, the night did not have the impact of that first stupendous viewing because I had already seen what was coming next - though it was a triumph for the two actors and the company just the same!
So today I tracked down the geckotheatre website and came across their YouTube entry. Oh no! A concise sampler of all the different "action" and moods in the piece, but if I'd seen it before my theatre visit, would that first Thursday show have had the same impact? Or would I have seen it in Friday mode, where I knew what action was coming next? I don't know!
But YouTube, working in short sampler clips rather than dramatic theatre time, does not capture the intense power at the heart of THE ARAB & THE JEW. So glad I didn't see that entry before the show! YouTube might work for music clips, but I can see it as a real problem for some theatre performances.
All the same, if you ever get a chance, go and see the magnificent Gecko, whatever their next show is. Congratulations and all good wishes, Amit & Al and all the crew.!
So today I tracked down the geckotheatre website and came across their YouTube entry. Oh no! A concise sampler of all the different "action" and moods in the piece, but if I'd seen it before my theatre visit, would that first Thursday show have had the same impact? Or would I have seen it in Friday mode, where I knew what action was coming next? I don't know!
But YouTube, working in short sampler clips rather than dramatic theatre time, does not capture the intense power at the heart of THE ARAB & THE JEW. So glad I didn't see that entry before the show! YouTube might work for music clips, but I can see it as a real problem for some theatre performances.
All the same, if you ever get a chance, go and see the magnificent Gecko, whatever their next show is. Congratulations and all good wishes, Amit & Al and all the crew.!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Busy last week with a trip to London to meet some editors and talk about books. Sat in the sun outside the BRITISH LIBRARY for a short while, among the mighty sculptures. Not sure how the circular courtyard would feel in the winter drizzle.
Further along the Euston Road, chatting at a coffee shop, found the wind whirling through the tall buildings, lifting empty paper cups, straws and wrappers way up into the air - though no Wicked Witch of the West was riding up there among them. Wicked Witch of the Wastebins, maybe?
Yesterday was certainly a day for admiring the improved junctions on the A1, as I drove down to visit children at GREAT PONTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Lincolnshire, in the morning, and CROXSTON KERRIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, Leicestershire, in the afternoon. Great to meet you all! Followed by stories for BARROWBY & GRANTHAM CHILDREN'S BOOK GROUP. Thanks to all who helped arrange the day.
Further along the Euston Road, chatting at a coffee shop, found the wind whirling through the tall buildings, lifting empty paper cups, straws and wrappers way up into the air - though no Wicked Witch of the West was riding up there among them. Wicked Witch of the Wastebins, maybe?
Yesterday was certainly a day for admiring the improved junctions on the A1, as I drove down to visit children at GREAT PONTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Lincolnshire, in the morning, and CROXSTON KERRIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, Leicestershire, in the afternoon. Great to meet you all! Followed by stories for BARROWBY & GRANTHAM CHILDREN'S BOOK GROUP. Thanks to all who helped arrange the day.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Not only is the sun shining merrily, but I had a good "Writing Day" today with Year 3 and Yr 4 classes at CLIFTON GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, York. We ended up with a fairy tale about beans ( no, not that one exactly!), a fearful Viking attack on Lindisfarne Abbey, and some scary creatures being let out of boxes . . . Ooooer! Well done all of you, and hope you enjoy working on with your writing!
