I hope you're all having a lovely half-term holiday. It was quiet yesterday at the story-time session at Bill's on Chequers Street, St. Albans but the good news is that if you were away and wanted to come they have invited my back for another session.

Catch me at Bill's on Tuesday 26th February 4-5pm.

The event is totally FREE and even though my books are aimed at 8-12s the session is open to all ages. 

The idea is for families to come in for hot chocolate and cake and listen to some stories whilst they are there. I have a whole collection of different books to read from and stories to tell, something to suit all tastes, so do come along and say hello, it would be great to see you!

Today was a first experience for me and completely wonderful. 

I was asked to come along and do the honour of snipping the ribbon surrounding the brand new library at High Beeches Primary School.

It was such a privilege to be able to talk about the importance of libraries and our shared love of books, then take hold of the enormous scissors (aka garden shears) and declare the library officially open.

I was even lucky enough to be asked back at school closing to meet the children and parents and sign some copies of my books.

Here's wishing all the best for all the users of High Beeches Primary School Library. What a wonderful thing to be a part of, especially in this day and age when we hear about the death of books and libraries.

It is so important to get behind our local libraries and support them in every way we can. It's a right to be able to read for free and libraries are the only way we can do this. Books make a difference on so many levels. It's not just about literacy, books are freedom to travel, to be someone different, to gain knowledge, to gain power and insight. They help us to communicate and to empathise with others. Books are brilliant.

Go borrow a book now and thank your librarian as you do!

All the best High Beeches Primary School Library - oh and a special mention to Annemarie who remembered me from Y4 when I visited the school during World Book Day week. It made my day that you loved Jarred Dreams so much you bought my other two books!

Thank you to everyone who was able to come to the Meet Your Local Authors event at Cambridge Central Library yesterday.

The afternoon was a fantastic success and lots of fun for all of us authors and/or illustrators and the many families who came along. We had children of all ages, from babies right up to early teens. There were FREE actives for all, such as: story reading, crafts, drawings techniques, quizzes and the chance for readers and creators of children's books to chat.

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

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to everyone from me and the lovely pony I ride and help to take care of, Turko.

What are your New Year resolutions?  I'm hoping for good things in 2019. It's certainly off to a flying start with the Catching Words project.

I will be visiting several schools in East London as part of the Catching Words project that is run by the amazing Discover Stories Centre in Stratford. 

If you want to find out more about the centre, or the project please click on the link below:
Discover Children's Centre

Whatever you're doing I hope that you have a good Christmas and remember if you'd like me to visit your school in the New Year please get in touch.
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See you in 2019!