The Adventure Continues!

For various reasons I haven’t done any school visits for the last 7 months. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to get back into it than by visiting two of my favourite schools: Denton West End and St Michael’s Bamford!

It was my 5th visit to Denton West End. (I first went there 9 years ago, very early in my author career.) I always know the visit will be expertly organised by Mrs Garlick, and that I will receive a friendly welcome from her and the other staff. The children are always keen to engage with my presentations in a respectful and enthusiastic way. The visit this time was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the large KS2 and KS1 audiences. They joined in superbly to bring my stories to life. And will I ever forget the three-headed story about Bob and the chicken with a toilet seat stuck on its head?! The next day, I had great fun chatting with lots of children at the book signing; it was successful enough that, although we started at 1.30, I was still signing books at 4.30!

Voting taking place at Denton West End

This was only my 3rd visit to St Michael’s, but I have known the headteacher, Mrs Barratt, just as long as Mrs Garlick – Mrs Barratt first invited me to her old school, Castleton, 9 years ago. Now she makes me feel very welcome at St Michael’s. Mrs Barratt has fostered such a lovely environment at St Michael’s. During my visit this week, the staff and children were all, without exception, so polite and friendly. I couldn’t have been better looked after and my presentations with KS2 and KS1 were a complete joy. The children’s enthusiasm was infectious and created a really warm buzz and those who came up to help me were brilliant actors! At the book signing the following day, every child who bought a book said ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in a completely natural way – amazing! 

Outside St Michael's after a great morning book signing!

A big thank you to Mrs Garlick and Mrs Barratt for continuing to embrace my author visits and books. I’m already looking forward to my 6th visit to Denton West End and 4th visit to St Michael’s!

The Blubber Monster reigns supreme!

Yesterday, I completed my final school visit of 2018. I'm now taking a break until 2019!

What better way to finish than by signing books under this brilliant display, created by the reading champions at The Park School in Bristol...

Have a great summer everyone, and see you in 2019!

Amazing artwork

At Laleham Primary School today, I was given two of the best pieces of 'fan art' I've ever received, by a couple of year 5s.

Click on the images to see them full screen.

Firstly, this drawing, inspired by the front covers of my books Doorway To Danger and The Ghost Lord Returns. I LOVE the colouring and shading, the expression on the main character, Becky's, face and the creepy ghost lurking in the background.

Secondly, this drawing, which creatively brings together ideas from my school visit and things they found out on YouTube. I love Becky's mum screaming 'What on EARTH?!' in the left hand corner, and Spooky Steve (winner of the worst dancer at Boo Hoo TV) on the right. I also love the expressions on Becky, Finn and Jimmy's faces as they are being attacked by a spectre.

Thank you so much to the two year 5s for giving me these. They've really made my week!

Three-headed Storyteller

During my school visits, I ask 2 children to come up and play a game with me called "Three-headed Storyteller". The audience chooses a character and a problem that will happen to them. We then tell that story one word at a time. Like this:

Here's a brilliant drawing by Kaci at Swindon Village Primary School, inspired by my book The Secret Theatre. It's one of my first books, which I wrote when Kaci was about 2 years old...

Happy World Book Day!

Me and my car were stuck in stationary traffic on the A1 for 8 hours yesterday. I'm now well and truly snowed in at home in Lincoln. (By the sounds of it, many people unfortunately had it worse, especially in Scotland ... so my thoughts are with them.)

I'm sorry that I was unable to make it down to St Cuthbert Mayne Junior School in Hemel Hempstead to celebrate World Book Day. It's one of my favourite schools to visit, and I now look forward to visiting in April instead. Here's a little video I sent them:

And here are a pair of red-legged partridges pecking through the snow in my garden this morning (click on the images to see them full screen):

Some of the classes at Mayfield Primary School in Cambridge had a competition to make their own covers for my book, The Ghost Lord Returns. Here are the top five covers. They're brilliant drawings and all use ideas from the book to create really dramatic covers. Can you guess which one I picked as the winner?

(Click on the covers to make them bigger.)