Almost at the end of my "visiting" for this term! Last week, I spent two busy but interesting days at Pheasant Bank Junior School in Rossington, near Doncaster. I hope you all had great fun dressing up on Friday, and a "Thank you!" to Mr. Lowman who arranged the whole thing.

But, just when I thought all was over, and this fat lady could sing her carols, I got a surprise. I was invited by Kathryn Sheard of Booksplus (Kirklees Library Service) to the Yorkshire heat of the 2004 KidsLitQuiz. This took place at the dramatic Northern Light Gallery, near Huddersfield. This Quiz has been brought here by Wayne Mills, past Chair of Storylines, the Children's Literature Foundation in New Zealand. The UK organiser seems to be Eileen Armstrong, in Newcastle, and a whole team of real book enthusiasts - and teachers - across the UK!

I arrived to find a huge room full of teams of four children (pub-quiz style) answering all sorts of questions about children's books. They had come from as far away as Scarborough and Aysgarth! Piles of books given out as prizes atthe end of each section and lots of fun. The winning team will have travelled to the UK final up in Newcastle last Monday, 6th December. Must see if their website is working yet - and who the winners were!!! And if they go over to compete in New Zealand as in 2003!  ¶ 7:30 PM