Camilla Chester - Children's Author
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Welcome to my blog, a place where you can keep up to date with everything I'm up to!

Raffle Prizes

30/1/2019

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I'm donating loads of brilliant prizes for the raffle on February 9th. To find out all about it please visit my Competition Page. 
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A Dream Come True

26/1/2019

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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.
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Catching Words Update

26/1/2019

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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. 
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Next stop is Altmore Infants. Can't wait to see what other amazing stories are ready and waiting to be released into the world.

Remember that Catching Words project is open for more schools in and around London to sign up to. It is cheap as chips and I highly recommend giving it a go. Find out more here: Catching Words Project
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Look Where I Am Next!

22/1/2019

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It's on Saturday 9 February at Cambridge Central Library running from 3.30pm until 5pm.

​Completely FREE for all ages and a drop-in event. Throughout the afternoon there will be the chance to meet all kinds of authors including Andy Shepherd (The Boy Who Grew Dragons), there's a raffle and lots of fun activities.

Come along - it will be great!

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I'm Shortlisting!

12/1/2019

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Very soon it's my turn to judge some creative writing competition entries. Watch out - the power might go to my head!

Check my competition page for more details and GOOD LUCK!
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Catching Words Project

6/1/2019

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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.


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Can you guess the book that the photo above is from? What about the photo to the far right?
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The exhibition that was on during my visit was about Julia Donaldon's books and was completely amazing. It contained so much, including a huge whale, the witches broom, the squash and a squeeze house and a Gruffalo! 

The walls of the centre are covered in signed, framed illustrations and the rooms are all story themed.

Honestly - it's a kind of heaven for a children's author! If you want to visit, or find out more, this is the link: Discover - Children's Story Centre
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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
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    Camilla's Blog

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  • Home
  • About Camilla
  • Camilla's Books
  • Author Visits
  • Blog
  • Buy Books
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  • Book Launch
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  • Aspiring Authors