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!

I've just had a lovely experience that I wanted to share on my blog.

Obviously I'm far from famous so not everyone that I come into contact with knows I am a Children's Author. Today at my dance class my fantastic instructor, Andrea, did an announcement for me. It was such a kind thing to do and no, people weren't annoyed or thought I was showing off, they were interested and happy for me. I was so glad that I talked to her about doing it. 

It just shows that sometimes you need to summon up a little courage a be proud of what you've achieved so far in your life. So thank you, Andrea and for buying one of my books too. (BTW - Dance is fantastic exercise and so much fun, I love it!)

Remember if you're local and would like to get a book or two for Christmas presents I will be in Harpenden Library on Tuesday 18 December 4-5.30pm. I will be selling and signing all three of my books £7 for one, £12 for two or three for £15. Bargain! Details are all in the latest issue of Forum - the Harpenden Newsletter. 

Since I last blogged about the books I am reading I have guzzled up quite a few. The two that I would like to give a special mention are: Ella on the Outside by another great SCBWI writer, Cath Howe and the classic Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler. I know I'm breaking my own rules by telling you my opinion of these books but they are both awesome but for very different reasons. I've not quite done it yet but I will write full reviews of both books on Goodreads.

Sadly the SCBWI Conference is over for another whole year. It really is my favourite weekend of all time. It's hard work but really fun. It was more difficult for me to take pictures this year, but I did catch a few brilliant moments that I would like to share with you.

The first is seeing my new book, Thirteenth wish, on sale with all the other SCBWI members books. I just love that. 

The second is a picture of Kathy Evans and Natascha Biebow (The Co-Regional Advisors for SCBWI British Isles) judging the Ten Word Pitch competition. The entries were through the roof this year and they couldn't decide between two so they both won prizes! . 

The other photos are of the party. This is when we all get to dress up, do the Mass Book Launch and announce the winner of the Crystal Kite Award (Video for this is at the bottom of this blog post)

I was lucky enough to be the judge this year for the fancy dress costumes. It was really tricky, because they were all so amazing. The theme was Travelling Through Time which was a good topic because it was really open to interpretation. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the winner who was the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland - forever late!

The cake this year was probably the best yet. Following the design from our Key Note Illustrator Speaker, Benji Davis the designer did a fantastic job. If you want the link their website it is: http://www.reillycakes.co.uk

If you look really closely you might see my book there!

That's it, but I know I'm not the only writer that has come away from the conference with a real sense of belonging. Writing (and illustrating I imagine) can be a lonely thing to do, but when you are a member of such an amazingly supportive, warm and encouraging organisation such as SCBWI it feels good. 

I am proud to be a member and a volunteer and I hope that the organisation goes on getting stronger. I'll leave you with the Crystal Kite video and BB Taylor's video from last year's conference. 
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