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My Journal |
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Sunday, February 25, 2007
A big hello to all the people I'll be meeting during WORLD BOOK DAY WEEK in ST JOHN THE BAPTIST Primary School, Leeds; HOB MOOR Community School, York; SHAKESPEARE Primary School, Leeds, and MOORFIELD SCHOOL for GIRLS in Ilkley.
And not forgetting a belated "Thank You!" wave to last week's schools: not only OATLANDS INFANTS, Harrogate, and NEW LAITHES Junior School, Leeds, but also STACKSTEADS HOLY TRINITY Primary School nr Bacup!
As well as the joy of my junior novel THE THIRD ELEPHANT, Friday also brought me LITTLE TROLL. It's a "reversed" story written for Watts Tadpoles series. Last week I found that the loose "colour proofs" pages slip onto the floor if I don't concentrate on holding them in place. So I am very glad to be able to read from my first proper copy in the busy week to come. The book has really great GOAT illustrations by LISA SMITH! Thanks, Lisa!
And not forgetting a belated "Thank You!" wave to last week's schools: not only OATLANDS INFANTS, Harrogate, and NEW LAITHES Junior School, Leeds, but also STACKSTEADS HOLY TRINITY Primary School nr Bacup!
As well as the joy of my junior novel THE THIRD ELEPHANT, Friday also brought me LITTLE TROLL. It's a "reversed" story written for Watts Tadpoles series. Last week I found that the loose "colour proofs" pages slip onto the floor if I don't concentrate on holding them in place. So I am very glad to be able to read from my first proper copy in the busy week to come. The book has really great GOAT illustrations by LISA SMITH! Thanks, Lisa!
Friday, February 23, 2007
A great day today, as copies of my very newest book THE THIRD ELEPHANT arrived. Thank you, everyone at wonderful Walker Books!
I am so pleased, because the book feels so comfortable "in the hand", which is actually very important. I am really looking forward to spending some time with the lovely illustrations - and I may even read the words once again.
I am so pleased, because the book feels so comfortable "in the hand", which is actually very important. I am really looking forward to spending some time with the lovely illustrations - and I may even read the words once again.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Greeting to all the Year Four Children at HEADFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL, Dewsbury. Sorry I didn't get your school name in before your half-term holiday. My blog technology needed updating, so this message took longer to get going than I'd planned. Anyway, thanks for listening to my stories. Hope you have managed to illustrate the five class stories we made - and that you'll have fun sharing them after the break. Thanks to all the teachers for their IT help, too.
PS. I must also mention that I really, really need to UPDATE MY WEBSITE as soon as possible because my next book THE THIRD ELEPHANT will be out at the start of April. No, not on April the first, as some fule might suggest!
PPS. An early wave to OATLANDS INFANTS SCHOOL, Harrogate. Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
PS. I must also mention that I really, really need to UPDATE MY WEBSITE as soon as possible because my next book THE THIRD ELEPHANT will be out at the start of April. No, not on April the first, as some fule might suggest!
PPS. An early wave to OATLANDS INFANTS SCHOOL, Harrogate. Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Lots of phone calls from schools just now, all asking if I'm free around World Book Day. So sorry, but I'm not. I'd like to say yes, but there aren't enough days to do the visits, let alone time to do the travel from here in the fairly-north to down south, or elsewhere, so that limits the range of my travels.
Another peril of the trade is that my voice can't do five days of four or more almost-non-stop sessions daily without running the risk of becoming an unintelligible croak. Nor can my energy levels rise to five continuous days of 6am rising and driving for two or so hours to an unknown place, and then give my best full-on "show" several times. So I have to say no, even when there's one day in a week free.
Oh, I do so wish that schools would arrange their "Book Celebrations" at other times of the year, when I'd be free to visit. I am so, so glad that there's those that do! Excuse this glum lament, but 'tis the truth wot i speaks. A cheerful post next time round, I promise.
Another peril of the trade is that my voice can't do five days of four or more almost-non-stop sessions daily without running the risk of becoming an unintelligible croak. Nor can my energy levels rise to five continuous days of 6am rising and driving for two or so hours to an unknown place, and then give my best full-on "show" several times. So I have to say no, even when there's one day in a week free.
Oh, I do so wish that schools would arrange their "Book Celebrations" at other times of the year, when I'd be free to visit. I am so, so glad that there's those that do! Excuse this glum lament, but 'tis the truth wot i speaks. A cheerful post next time round, I promise.
