It's maybe easy to think about how author visits inspire children in their literacy. I know from the response I get during a visit and the feedback I receive afterwards that the children have been empowered in both their reading and writing by meeting me. It makes sense that meeting the creator of books brings them to life. Authors are regular people who have decided to do something with the ideas that they have rattling around inside their heads. Meeting the creator of the characters and stories that, as a reader, you have loved is bound to feel good. What we need to remember, however, is this works both ways. 

For me, there's little that is more encouraging, inspiring and motivating as a creator of children's books than to meet children who love them. This is the whole reason I do what I do. Characters that have only lived and breathed inside my own head only truly become real when the children I have created them for read their stories.

These pictures are of a Y3 class in London being read the opening chapter of EATS. This is my dream coming true. The thought that this is happening in real life is completely amazing to me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to every single child that has ever read and enjoyed my books. It makes me want to write more.

Here I am outside Sandringham Primary School in Newham where I have been working with the fantastic 3C class as part of the Catching Words project. 

Just round the corner is Woodgrange Infants where Willow and Hawthorn class have now completed their Catching Words experience. Their class books are being prepared ready for their visit to the Discover - Children's Story Centre. 

I feel honoured to be taking part in such a whirlwind of creativity and productivity and be reminded that children really are amazing. 

The new year is off to a flying start as I embark on my part of the amazing Catching Words Project run by Discover - The Children's Story Centre in Stratford, London.

If you've never been to the centre I strongly  recommend a visit there. It's a story based, indoor and outdoor interactive, adventure playground for children up to the age of nine or ten. Totally interactive with story telling sessions and fantastic exhibitions.

This photo is a selfie of me in front of the tree of spoons, completely created by the children who visited that week.

My role in the Catching Words Project, will be to create class books with several different infant schools based in East London. The classes I will be working with have already had visits from a poet and a professional story-teller. They have learned all about the creativity and wonder of words. With me they will be putting what they have learned into creating a book!

I will help them to learn how to structure their story, how to keep it interesting and fun for the reader and ensure that it is put together ready for their visit to the wonderful Discover centre. 

My first class is Willow at Woodgrange Infant School on Tuesday next week and I can't wait to meet the children!
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If you would like to know more about the project for your school, click on this link: Catching Words Project