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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Oh dear, blame it on the festering cold, but I had forgotten to mention last Tuesday's trip to WAKEFIELD!
First I went to Fitzwilliam Primary School, where I had fun meeting Miss Jones Year Two Class to tell them stories - and listen to that fire alarm!
Then Mr Quarry's clever Year Four class asked me some most interesting. questions - and they had read some of my books too!!! What a delight!!!
It was a great afternoon, ending with a talk to some of Wakefield teachers and librarians at the Schools Library Services Termly review meeting. Thanks to Wendy Mitchell and Lesley Marshall for inviting me along!
First I went to Fitzwilliam Primary School, where I had fun meeting Miss Jones Year Two Class to tell them stories - and listen to that fire alarm!
Then Mr Quarry's clever Year Four class asked me some most interesting. questions - and they had read some of my books too!!! What a delight!!!
It was a great afternoon, ending with a talk to some of Wakefield teachers and librarians at the Schools Library Services Termly review meeting. Thanks to Wendy Mitchell and Lesley Marshall for inviting me along!
Monday, November 22, 2004
Feeling a bit as if I'm in a Jon Snow-mail rush just now, trying to battle against a rumbling cold as I whizz around.
Spent a day next to the fishes last Wednesday at Hull's amazing submarium THE DEEP. (Try out the bubble lift that moves through the different aquarium levels amid the swimming fish.) I met children from two Hull schools during my "writer sessions". So a "Hi there!" to ST. CHARLES school's Yr 2 and Yr 1 Classes and teachers, and also to ALDERMAN COGAN school's Year 1 storytellers & staff.
I've also been helping with the TREE DAYS programme at RHS Garden at Harlow Carr. The children have a fun time, doing tree maths, science and art work, and ending tree storytimes. So happy tree times to the visiting classes from MEADOWSIDE Primary School (Knaresborough), HOOKSTONE CHASE Primary School, and HIGHFIELD Prep School.
Last FRIDAY was the big WHITE WOLF day! The official PUBLICATION DAY of my latest book, THE TALE OF WHITE WINTER HOLLOW! No party, or luxurious lunch, of course, but a nice card from my editors at Scholastic, and a slight fall of sparkling snow to set the mood for nmy wintry story!
(If you've come straight to this online journal, you can find out about the book on my website! Go on, have a read! BETTER STILL, HAVE A READ OF THE TALE OF WHITE WINTER HOLLOW ITSELF!)
Spent a day next to the fishes last Wednesday at Hull's amazing submarium THE DEEP. (Try out the bubble lift that moves through the different aquarium levels amid the swimming fish.) I met children from two Hull schools during my "writer sessions". So a "Hi there!" to ST. CHARLES school's Yr 2 and Yr 1 Classes and teachers, and also to ALDERMAN COGAN school's Year 1 storytellers & staff.
I've also been helping with the TREE DAYS programme at RHS Garden at Harlow Carr. The children have a fun time, doing tree maths, science and art work, and ending tree storytimes. So happy tree times to the visiting classes from MEADOWSIDE Primary School (Knaresborough), HOOKSTONE CHASE Primary School, and HIGHFIELD Prep School.
Last FRIDAY was the big WHITE WOLF day! The official PUBLICATION DAY of my latest book, THE TALE OF WHITE WINTER HOLLOW! No party, or luxurious lunch, of course, but a nice card from my editors at Scholastic, and a slight fall of sparkling snow to set the mood for nmy wintry story!
(If you've come straight to this online journal, you can find out about the book on my website! Go on, have a read! BETTER STILL, HAVE A READ OF THE TALE OF WHITE WINTER HOLLOW ITSELF!)
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Well, this week certainly felt like a tour deserving of a t-shirt! I had a great time in Wiltshire, so thanks to everyone who had invited me to visit.
The first Big Hello goes to all the children and staff of the following: to BROAD TOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL, below one of the famous white chalk horses; to BROAD HINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, where I received a snakeskin from a kind teacher(It was empty! phew!); to DILTON MARSH PRIMARY SCHOOL, where I saw some wonderful gardens & totem poles & a round hut (and the teachers shared their chocolates!); and last of all to PRESHUTE PRIMARY & their friends from St KATHERINE'S SCHOOL (Savernake) who were all great fun, especially Mr. Smith!
A second Big Hello goes to everyone who came to the two Children's Book Group meetings. I visited Aldbourne CBG, and the new White Horse CBG. It was lovely meeting you al!
And last of all huge thanks to Karen and Jo of the excellent WELL-WISHER CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP in Devizes, who had arranged my tour so expertly. I had a really great time, even without the t-shirt.
A MINI-T-SHIRT too, maybe, for my day at the NORTHERN CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR MINI-GALA in Middlesbrough. Certainly a lot of the smiling staff were wearing them! Thanks to the all those children of LINGDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL, who came to my first, nervous session, and to anyone else I met.
Thanks to CAROLYN for inviting me, and also a big "Thank You!" wave to CHERRY my minder, and JACKIE who took care of my room & baskets so watchfully. And to everyone else too.
The first Big Hello goes to all the children and staff of the following: to BROAD TOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL, below one of the famous white chalk horses; to BROAD HINTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, where I received a snakeskin from a kind teacher(It was empty! phew!); to DILTON MARSH PRIMARY SCHOOL, where I saw some wonderful gardens & totem poles & a round hut (and the teachers shared their chocolates!); and last of all to PRESHUTE PRIMARY & their friends from St KATHERINE'S SCHOOL (Savernake) who were all great fun, especially Mr. Smith!
A second Big Hello goes to everyone who came to the two Children's Book Group meetings. I visited Aldbourne CBG, and the new White Horse CBG. It was lovely meeting you al!
And last of all huge thanks to Karen and Jo of the excellent WELL-WISHER CHILDREN'S BOOKSHOP in Devizes, who had arranged my tour so expertly. I had a really great time, even without the t-shirt.
A MINI-T-SHIRT too, maybe, for my day at the NORTHERN CHILDREN'S BOOK FAIR MINI-GALA in Middlesbrough. Certainly a lot of the smiling staff were wearing them! Thanks to the all those children of LINGDALE PRIMARY SCHOOL, who came to my first, nervous session, and to anyone else I met.
Thanks to CAROLYN for inviting me, and also a big "Thank You!" wave to CHERRY my minder, and JACKIE who took care of my room & baskets so watchfully. And to everyone else too.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Writing, writing, writing - but not me, this time. Spent part of half term down in Saffron Walden (Essex) tutoring a Creative Writing Course for children,(organised by Pearse House). As ever, it was inspiring to be with young writers. So thanks to Abby, Alice, Amy, Austin, Billie Mai, Charlotte, Alex, Corina, Imran, Toby & Graeme for their work, and also thanks to all the children in Fred Sedgwick's group, whose pieces I enjoyed on our final sharing sessions.
P.S. I also enjoyed seeing my favourite exhibit in the excellent Saffron Walden Museum again: Wallace the Lion, now sadly stuffed, but the originator of the often recited "Albert & the Lion" poem. Roar!
P.S. I also enjoyed seeing my favourite exhibit in the excellent Saffron Walden Museum again: Wallace the Lion, now sadly stuffed, but the originator of the often recited "Albert & the Lion" poem. Roar!
