I was recently invited along to help open the new library of Woodlawn School in Whitley Bay http://www.woodlawn.org.uk/. However, when I got there I discovered I was a mere supporting act. When the Gruffalo arrived the children squealed with delight and queued up to have their picture taken with him. I managed to kick a few of them out of the way to make sure I had a chance with him too After he left, I donated a set of my Young David Picture Books on behalf of SPCK Publishing and read some stories to the younger children. I then spent some time with the senior students talking about the life of a writer. I hope the children and staff will spend many happy hours in their new library – it’s a magical place.
Supporting act for the Gruffalo
Author: FionaJun 24
Picture book workshop and donation at Trinity School
Author: FionaJun 8
I visited Trinity School and College, Rochester, in May, to make a donation of books to their library. I did an interactive reading of my book, David and the Hairy Beast, where the children were encouraged to act out the stories. I then did a workshop with the older children on how to write and illustrate picture books. The books were donated by SPCK Publishing in celebration of the re-launch of the Young David Books series. Trinity is an independent day school specialising in teaching children aged 6 – 18 with a diagnosis of speech, language and communication difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The staff do a brilliant job and I was highly impressed with how well the children engaged with me. It’s a school run on love. http://www.trinityschoolrochester.co.uk/
And just as I was putting this on my blog some wonderful thank you cards arrived from the children. I loved them all, but this picture from Erin and message from Bethany really touched me.
Young David in the Bookseller
Author: FionaJun 1
The Young David Books have just been mentioned, along with their new publisher SPCK, in the Bookseller! Well chuffed. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/spck-start-childrens-list The new versions of the books will be coming out in August. And work is well under way to find a new illustrator for a second series.