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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Another busy couple of days, so many thanks to the children and staff of SELBY ABBEY PRIMARY SCHOOL for inviting me along for their exciting Book Party and to all at BARWIC PARADE PRIMARY SCHOOL, Selby, for the fun of sharing stories with you.
Now feeling quite tired after those two especially busy days (partly because I was also battling with a nasty cold) as well as tonight's djembe drumming practice, so the group will be ready for a small gig this Saturday.
Goodnight all!
Now feeling quite tired after those two especially busy days (partly because I was also battling with a nasty cold) as well as tonight's djembe drumming practice, so the group will be ready for a small gig this Saturday.
Goodnight all!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Lovely day today in KNAVESMIRE PRIMARY SCHOOL,York, talking and telling stories to the children in the SCHOOL LIBRARY. Yes, at a time when school libraries are often now computer suites, this was a real, genuine and lovely library room full of shelves, and all the shelves full of brilliant books.
It made me extremely happy to be working there, surrounded by lots of interesting books - some by writing friends! - except for the fact that I had no time at all to read any of them.
All the same, it was still an absolute pleasure to be in such a bright and booky place, and special thanks to Tracy the librarian for her help - especially for getting some of my books in too!
Happy Reading Everyone!
It made me extremely happy to be working there, surrounded by lots of interesting books - some by writing friends! - except for the fact that I had no time at all to read any of them.
All the same, it was still an absolute pleasure to be in such a bright and booky place, and special thanks to Tracy the librarian for her help - especially for getting some of my books in too!
Happy Reading Everyone!
Labels: World Book Day 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thank you to everyone at BELMONT GROSVENOR PRE-PREP SCHOOL for your wonderful welcome and the chance to sit by your warm fireside and share my stories. If I'd have known, I'd have worn my pj's & dressing gown and brought my teddy too!
As for ST. PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Accrington - many thanks! I had a most brilliant time with you - and extra thanks for the surprise of that huge card you sent me. It was lovely coming to see you all, and I was so glad that the snow stopped long enough to make the journey possible.
Now for some very special people. Hi to all the children in Miss Richardson's Year Three class at MIDDLETON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Middleton, Leeds. Thank you for listening so fantastically well to my stories on Tuesday morning. Hope you are enjoying all of my books that Allison from the library service brought in (thank you, Allison), and look forward to seeing you again next Tuesday, perhaps.
As it's World Book Day Week next week, I'm also looking forward to seeing everyone at BARKSTON ASH CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, nr Tadcaster, KNAVESMIRE PRIMARY SCHOOL in York and WOODFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL, Harrogate. Greetings to you all!
As for ST. PETER'S PRIMARY SCHOOL, Accrington - many thanks! I had a most brilliant time with you - and extra thanks for the surprise of that huge card you sent me. It was lovely coming to see you all, and I was so glad that the snow stopped long enough to make the journey possible.
Now for some very special people. Hi to all the children in Miss Richardson's Year Three class at MIDDLETON PRIMARY SCHOOL, Middleton, Leeds. Thank you for listening so fantastically well to my stories on Tuesday morning. Hope you are enjoying all of my books that Allison from the library service brought in (thank you, Allison), and look forward to seeing you again next Tuesday, perhaps.
As it's World Book Day Week next week, I'm also looking forward to seeing everyone at BARKSTON ASH CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, nr Tadcaster, KNAVESMIRE PRIMARY SCHOOL in York and WOODFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL, Harrogate. Greetings to you all!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I've started another blog. In it I'll be talking about all manner of things leading up to the publication of my latest book - A BOY CALLED MOUSE. It's a "Victorian" novel for 9-13 year old readers and will be published by Bloomsbury in October 2010.
You can find out more about it by trying out the following link:
The Year of Mouse - Penny Dolan
However, I'll still be keeping this blog about my school visits going. Which reminds me - I have some very urgent catching-ups to do!
You can find out more about it by trying out the following link:
The Year of Mouse - Penny Dolan
However, I'll still be keeping this blog about my school visits going. Which reminds me - I have some very urgent catching-ups to do!
Labels: A Boy Called Mouse, blog, Bloomsbury, novel
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Had a busy time in London just over a week ago, meeting up with book people (various), and a sneak into the new Theatre Arts Gallery at the V&A Museum. Back 10.30pm Friday, followed by a weekend busily finalising my Storytelling Training Workshop for some of the volunteers at the Workhouse, Stockwell, a National Trust site, last Tuesday.
Joy! The National Trust day went very very well, though with work on my mind it was hard to take in the surroundings as much as I wanted to - and I couldn't prime the pump well enough to raise any water. Might have frozen if I had! Plan to go back there later this year when it's warmer, and as a proper "visitor".
This weekend I am working through some urgent untangling of Tome Two. The week ahead is busy: opening Belmont-Grosvenor School Pre-Prep Library on Monday, and telling stories by the fire-side, followed by a trip over to St Peter's Primary School, Accrington, on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to this very much, although I hate the uncertainty of the weather at this time of year. Keepin my fingers crossed inside my thermal mitts! The new blog - The Year of Mouse - seems to be going well.
Joy! The National Trust day went very very well, though with work on my mind it was hard to take in the surroundings as much as I wanted to - and I couldn't prime the pump well enough to raise any water. Might have frozen if I had! Plan to go back there later this year when it's warmer, and as a proper "visitor".
This weekend I am working through some urgent untangling of Tome Two. The week ahead is busy: opening Belmont-Grosvenor School Pre-Prep Library on Monday, and telling stories by the fire-side, followed by a trip over to St Peter's Primary School, Accrington, on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to this very much, although I hate the uncertainty of the weather at this time of year. Keepin my fingers crossed inside my thermal mitts! The new blog - The Year of Mouse - seems to be going well.
Labels: library, school visit, Workhouse
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hi again! Hope you are all happily back at school after enjoying the snow last week, even if the white fluffy stuff is still around in places.
This week I'm meeting some other authors and storytellers who will be taking part in a schools project in MORLEY, LEEDS, led by the storyteller PATRICK RYAN. Twelve new people. Wonder if I'll know any of them? I'll tell you more once we've all met.
This morning I've been busy planning a story day for the SOUTHWELL WORKHOUSE STORYTELLING GROUP, though that's not until the beginnng of February. Such an interesting starting point for stories - and I've heard the group are very good!
What else? Schools have begun calling about visits so I'm glad I have my satnav ready this winter.
And also my long novel for children, A BOY CALLED MOUSE, will be published by Bloomsbury later this year. That's so very exciting that I've started a new blog specially about everything Mouse-ish. It's called (drum roll! ta - daaaa!) THE YEAR OF MOUSE. Why not have a look over there too?
Bye for now. Be back again soon.
This week I'm meeting some other authors and storytellers who will be taking part in a schools project in MORLEY, LEEDS, led by the storyteller PATRICK RYAN. Twelve new people. Wonder if I'll know any of them? I'll tell you more once we've all met.
This morning I've been busy planning a story day for the SOUTHWELL WORKHOUSE STORYTELLING GROUP, though that's not until the beginnng of February. Such an interesting starting point for stories - and I've heard the group are very good!
What else? Schools have begun calling about visits so I'm glad I have my satnav ready this winter.
And also my long novel for children, A BOY CALLED MOUSE, will be published by Bloomsbury later this year. That's so very exciting that I've started a new blog specially about everything Mouse-ish. It's called (drum roll! ta - daaaa!) THE YEAR OF MOUSE. Why not have a look over there too?
Bye for now. Be back again soon.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Yes, I've been away, and away for a lovely reason. After a busy end of October,I began packing. I was on my way to India, a long-held dream of mine.
I spent some time in Delhi, a few days in Gujerat, ending up with a trip to Taj Mahal. I was also there for a work reason: I was telling stories at Bookaroo Children's Book Festival. It was a totally wonderful experience.
I didn't get back until just before Christmas, so it was a big rush to get the cards, gifts, house, visitors and decorations organised. But now the celebrations are over, and it's time to get back to work again. So good wishes to you all for 2010!
I spent some time in Delhi, a few days in Gujerat, ending up with a trip to Taj Mahal. I was also there for a work reason: I was telling stories at Bookaroo Children's Book Festival. It was a totally wonderful experience.
I didn't get back until just before Christmas, so it was a big rush to get the cards, gifts, house, visitors and decorations organised. But now the celebrations are over, and it's time to get back to work again. So good wishes to you all for 2010!
