Several FREE downloadable teaching resources for open based activities will soon be available for teachers to use alongside Jarred Dreams. There will be a set of several different tasks and/or activities that will cover certain aspects of the curriculum. These include:
Language Development
Character Development
Punctuation
Flashback 
A new page on the website will be dedicated for these so WATCH THIS SPACE!

Forget what I'm reading...who cares about me? Go to mangobubblesbooks.com and see what kids of your age are reading and what they think. 

I have just heard about this website and would love someone to post a review of Jarred Dreams on there. Could you do that for me? Whoever is reading this...are you a kid? Have you read Jarred Dreams? Would you like to do a review for me to tell other readers about it? Then please go to mangobubblesbooks.com and do just that. Go there anyway - it's great!

What is it?
It is a website set up by a kid who loves to read and review books. Only unedited children's reviews are posted on the site, so they are genuine and honest. If you are looking for something to read, this is the perfect place to look. See what other kids think of the books you like, or are thinking about reading. If you want to tell other children about a great book that you loved, then this is the site to do it on.

If you do want to know what I'm reading: I have just finished a YA novel called The Island by Olivia Levez, which was brilliant, but only suitable for 13+ really and I'm about half way through Cogheart by Peter Bunzl which I'm sure you know all about as it seems to be everywhere at the moment. If you've not heard of it then why not see what it says about it on mangobubblesbooks.com? 

I think that's enough plugging of mangobubblesbooks.com for now, but seriously, go take a look...okay, I'm stopping now, I really am.

See kids?

I am prepared to dress up as Sade too! I definitely wouldn't fit into the Dream Thief outfit though. Here I am at the SCBWI Book Launch party, where I got to launch Jarred Dreams. I am with my good chum Kirsten (aka Ginny Weasley). It was a fantastic conference. If you would like to read about it, go to the SCBWI online magazine Words & Pictures. Every day there is a different feature:
www.wordsandpics.org

The conference is over for another year (sniff). It is my second time going as a delegate and I dipped my toe into volunteering. Loved it. Next year I might even take a swim.

I've done a couple of really short write ups about the conference for the Words & Pictures mag. You can check it out if you like by clicking here: Words & Pictures

You guessed it...

The other books are staying on the shelf for now and I'm straight into David Almond's book that I got signed at the SCWBI conference. I am supposed to be reading it with my daughter, Sasha, but I might be seen to take a sneaky peak now and again, if only to look at the beautiful illustrations.

The back says 'Heartfelt' and that sums it up really. I'm enjoying every fishy word!

The SCWBI Conference Key Note Speaker yesterday was David Almond. He is the most inspiring, refreshing and encouraging speaker EVER. I loved his talk and workshop which was about 'releasing the writer within'. It felt like he was only talking to me and validating my own writing journey.

I was lucky enough to sit on the same table as David for lunch and later I plucked up the courage to ask for a picture with him as he signed one of his books (The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas) for me.

I conclude that David Almond is a great writer, with the right message for children, a gentle person who gets (understandably) excited by the contents of pencil cases and makes crazy scribbles all over his notepads.

I felt honoured to meet him. Please read his books.

I'm off to the SCBWI (Scooby) conference tomorrow. Very excited. I've just packed my bag, including my costume for the party on Saturday night. I'm going as Sade from Jarred Dreams just to show you kids that I'm prepared to wear the wig too!

The conference is the chance to talk shop for an entire weekend with gorgeous Scooby members who are just as excited and enthusiastic about children's books as I am.

Joy, joy, happy, happy, joy, joy! 

Also...
I am featured in a short video this year which Candy Gourlay has made especially for the conference. This conference marks the 20th anniversary of SCWBI British Isles and the video forms part of celebrations. The short film is of twenty genuine agent rejections received by SCWBI members. I'm not allowed to share it yet, but promise to post it up once I get the green light. Funny? Hilarious - but only if you watch it right to the end.

As part of 'What Am I Reading?' ...

I am currently reading one of the Atticus Claw books - this one is Atticus Claw Hears A Roar.

Nice, light, easy read...be good for younger middle grade readers.

THANK YOU to all the wonderful teachers and children who supported my whirlwind tour of Sheffield Primary Schools. In the three days I was there I managed to meet hundreds of Y5 and Y6 children from these fantastic schools:

Greystones Primary School: wins the prize for most engaged children.

Shooters Grove Junior School: wins the prize for most amazing story related to Jarred Dreams.

Arbourthorne Primary School: wins the prize for most patient children.

Gleadless Junior School: wins the prize for noisiest assembly.

Nether Green Junior School.: wins the prize for best Y5 writing.

All the children participated really well in both the assembly and the workshops. There were lots of hands up, lots of active listening, lots of enthusiasm and of course some wonderful writing. 

For those of you who bought Jarred Dreams, thank you and I do hope you enjoy it. If you missed your chance, don't worry you can order one by clicking here: buy Jarred Dreams

Remember that Jarred Dreams has been nominated for the Sheffield Children's Book Award and I will find out if it makes the long list in January 2017. Fingers crossed!