Denbighshire Libraries and Writing

Over the past few months I've been busy working on some new books. They won't be published until later this year but I thought that you might like to have a sneaky look at the covers.

The first one to be published this year is this little non-fiction book about Lizards. I love the picture of the Komodo Dragon on the cover which has been done by Bruno Robert - an illustrator that lives and works in Normandy, France. 

I have also done a retelling of the popular fairy tale, 'The Elves and the Shoemaker', which will be published later this year - but I am most excited about a series of books called Global Heroes. The covers, and the artwork inside, has been done by a brilliant British illustrator called Alex Patterson. Alex has illustrated lots of great books including Enid Blyton's Faraway Tree books. I'm delighted that he's illustrating The Global Heroes - they aren't finished yet as I'm still writing them and Alex is still illustrating them, - but here's a couple of the covers.   

These books will be coming out later in the year but I will tell you more about them soon.

After a couple of years of not being able to visit schools and libraries like normal, it's exciting to be returning to libraries in Denbighshire this month. 

Here's a HUGE HELLO to everyone in years 3 and 4 from Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Gwernant - see you soon at Llangollen Library. Everyone in years 4 and 6 from Christ the Word School in Rhyl - visiting Rhyl Library. Everyone at Ysgol Caer Drewyn and Ysgol Carrog - visiting Corwen Library ... and finally everyone who will be coming along to Rhuddlan Library. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.   

The Mythical Maze #Summer Reading Challenge

On Monday this week I had a great time with everyone at Rhyl Library as this year's Summer Reading Challenge got under way...

 

I spent the day telling stories, talking about books, recommending books to read and helping some of the eager readers negotiate the maze and find all of the characters that were hiding amongst the shelves. All of the artwork for this years reading challenge has been done by Sarah McIntyre - you can find out more about Sarah by visiting her website HERE.

Throughout the day the library team were busy helping children join the library, sign up to the Reading Challenge and having fun with craft activities. It was a great day and I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone at Rhyl Library for making feel so welcome...

If you haven't already signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge then get down to your local library and do it today... Just in case you don't know anything about the reading challenge, here's what the Reading Agency say...

"Children's reading can 'dip' during the long summer holidays. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence. Because everything changes when we read.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday.

There is a different theme each year. Children can read whatever they like - fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library.
Every time children finish a book they get stickers and rewards and there's a certificate for everyone who finishes.
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all school children and is designed for all reading abilities. Schools work with local libraries and give out information to encourage children to take part, and most libraries run Summer Reading Challenge linked early years activity for pre-schoolers.

Find out more about the Summmer Reading Challenge by visiting the Reading Agency Website HERE or for information about the Mythical Maze click HERE.

If you've read a good book for your reading challenge, why not send me an email and let me know... or you can post a comment here in the diary.

#SummerReadingChallenge @jabberworks @WelshLibraries

Library Visits

I've got lots to tell you about in my diary but haven't had chance to do it yet... but here's a quick bit of news before I fill you in on what's been going on...


Today we're off to Rhuddlan Library for a session at 10.30, and this afternoon we're going towards the coast to visit Rhyl Library for a session at 2.00. Everyone's welcome so if you're in the area why not pop in.


See you soon....