Author visit: Cath Howe

A couple of weeks ago, two of our member schools had a visit from Cath Howe. Cath is well known for her fabulous books for older readers, most recently the brilliant ‘My Life on Fire’, and has just started a new series for younger readers, ‘Call the Puffins’. Brilliantly illustrated by Ella Okstad, it was the first of these books, all about Muffin the Puffin who longs to join the search and rescue team, that Cath came to talk to the children about.

Great fun was had by all as Cath read some of the story, showed everyone how to draw Muffin and then taught them how to do the puffin dance! One teacher told me, ‘The children loved the visit!’, saying how engaged they all were and how much they were talking about the story afterwards. Another told me how wonderful it was to see so many happy children clutching their new books as they headed home.

Many thanks to Cath for coming to see us and for making so many children (and teachers) so happy! It was a wonderful day and ‘Call the Puffins’ is highly recommended!

You can find out more about Cath on her website-http://www.cathhowe.com/ and can read my review of Call the Puffins here.

Author visit: Jo Lindley

Last week, two of our lucky schools had a visit from Jo Lindley, author and illustrator of the ‘Best Friends with Big Feelings’ series. These books are beautifully illustrated, heart-warming stories which are perfect for reading aloud, sharing and discussing. Three seasons are currently available with ‘Hello Winter!’ coming later this year.

I was lucky enough to hear Jo speak as part of a picture book panel at last year’s YLG Conference so knew that the children were in for a real treat. Jo read to the children and talked to them about their feelings. ‘She was very lovely and the kids really enjoyed it’ one teacher told me.

Another teacher sent this message: Reception classes were so excited to meet author Jo Lindley today.  She read us her book ‘Hello Summer’, we talked about big feelings and what we can do to help ourselves when we feel angry, just like the character Summer in the story.  Then she drew the character Summer and added lots of different emotions to the face just by changing the mouth and eyebrows.  Thank you for visiting us Jo.

The children responded really well to her energy and enthusiasm and were excited about the story. It was a lovely day for all involved.

Thanks so much to Jo and the lovely people at Farshore for making the visit possible. And thank you to Alistair from Books on the Hill for providing a bookshop for each event.

You can find out more about Jo and her books on her website: https://jolindley.com

Author visit: Tamsin Mori

Last month, two of our member schools were lucky enough to have a visit from Tamsin Mori, author of ‘The Weather Weaver’ sequence. Wonderfully atmospheric, these books are fabulous adventures, perfect for reading aloud and exploring in depth. They romp along at a pleasing pace, with wonderful descriptions, full of myth and magic and the beauty of nature. Stones absorb all sorts of things…our connection to the world around us is beautifully celebrated, reminding us to pause, pay attention- and enjoy!

The children loved hearing Tamsin speak and being introduced to her books. One class teacher said, 'The children were captivated by Tasmin as she talked all things weather! Some of the children were particularly interested and impressed with the writing process - that the drafting and editing process can be as important as the writing bit took them all by surprise.'

Many thanks to Tamsin for joining us and inspiring so many children. Thanks also to Alistair from ‘Books on the Hill’ in Clevedon for providing copies of the books!

You can find out more about Tamsin on her website: https://www.tamsinmori.com

Author visit: Martin Brown

Today, the very wonderful Martin Brown came to Somerset. Visiting three locations, he spoke to children and staff from five schools, inspiring them all with his enthusiasm for drawing.

He started the day by talking to children from Year 6 and 7 about the Horrible Histories books which are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year! The children were so responsive, really enjoying his energy and enthusiasm as he inspired them to believe in their artistic abilities and to focus on the pleasure of drawing.

At the next two schools, Martin focused on his ‘Nell and the Cave Bear’ books, treating the audience to a reading. He showed the children how to break down a picture of a bear into shapes, offering lots of great tips, resulting in a gorgeous picture of Cave Bear. His energy and enthusiasm never waned for one second as he rushed from easel to easel, creating pictures from the children’s suggestions with oodles of good humour and such a spirit of fun!

It was a brilliant day! Thank you so much to Martin for coming to visit and to Pippa for all her support in arranging the visit.

Author visit: Sarah Coyle

Last month, two of our member schools had a real treat when author, Sarah Coyle, visited them for a ‘Pick-a-Story’ session. Pick a Story: a Pirate, Alien, Jungle Adventure is the first book in this interactive ‘pick your own adventure’ series and Pick a Story: A Dinosaur, Unicorn, Robot Adventure, the second. The books are perfect for immersing children in a story where they can make decisions about what happens every step of the way.

The events were a huge success with staff enthusing and saying how much the children enjoyed themselves. They said the children were completely transfixed, fully engaged for the whole session and loved the books. Lots of children from both schools bought copies and were delighted when Sarah signed them. Many have been spotted reading them since Sarah’s visit, a sure sign that they loved the event and it made a real impression on them!

When asked, the children said they had really enjoyed sharing the story, with some choosing the unicorn part as their favourite and others the dinosaur section! They also enjoyed making the cake, the soundscapes and hearing about how Sarah gets her inspiration for writing. A number mentioned they didn’t realise how long it took for a book to be written and published.

Alistair from Books on the Hill in Clevedon did a marvelous job of selling books- and as acting as chauffeur for Sarah. We are, as ever, very grateful for his support. Many thanks to Sarah for making so many of our children happy- and thanks to Antonia and Farshore for offering us this opportunity.

Pick a Story: A Pirate Alien Jungle Adventure

Sarah Coyle, illustrated by Adam Walker-Parker

Farshore ISBN: 978-1405299046

Pick a Story: A Dinosaur Unicorn Robot Adventure

Sarah Coyle, illustrated by Adam Walker-Parker

Farshore ISBN: 978-1405299053