A Busy New Year

The weeks since Christmas seem to have whizzed by and it's hard to believe February is already here. In the last few weeks I've been busy working on a story about an Awful Astronaut, visiting schools, catching up with all my letters and paperwork, and lots more.

Vicky and I haven't had much time to go anywhere or do anything, but we did manage a little drive around parts of Wales that we hadn't been to before - ending up at Lake Vyrnwy. Some photographs we took are scattered around in this diary entry.  

A couple of weeks ago I had a great time working with the wonderful Year four writers at Kensington Primary School in Merseyside - it's a pleasure visiting the school and I can't wait to see everyone again in the future. I also fun day with everyone at St Chad's Primary School, Crackley Bank. 

Last week I visited Bowlee Park Primary School in Bolton, Black Lane Primary School in Wrexham, Byron Primary School in Bradford and Westbury School in Nottingham - a really good few days sharing stories and talking about writing.

This week I will be visiting Woodbank Primary School in Bury, Hadnall Primary School in Shrewsbury, Orion Primary School in Edgware and Ursuline Prep School in Wimbledon... I really looking forward to meeting everyone... See you all soon. 

Ysgol Llanerchymedd

Today I'm doing a bit of writing and preparing to visit Ysgol Llanerchymedd on Ynys Môn (the Isle of Anglesey) tomorrow. This will be my first visit to the school and I'm very much looking forward to meeting everyone there.

So here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at Ysgol Llanerchymedd.... See you soon.

School and Library Visits

Over the past month I've been busy, busy, busy visiting schools and libraries all over the place. I've been trying to squeeze in a little writing too but haven't had time to put anything in my diary for ages. I love getting out from behind my laptop and going into schools and libraries to share stories and work with people on their own writing. It's lots of fun and a real privilege to meet so many keen young writers.

On Friday this week I will be spending the day with everyone at Moss Lane Infant School in Surrey so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there. I can't wait to meet everyone.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the whole week visiting schools and Libraries in the Vale of Glamorgan - starting with a visit to Llansannor Primary School (the Mountain School).

It took me quite a while to find the school - tucked away as it is down some very narrow country lanes - but it was well worth it.

I then visited schools and libraries with the Vale of Glamorgan Library Service so here's a huge hello and thank you to everyone that came along and joined in the sessions - and a special hello to everyone at Cogan Primary School who sent me this wonderful letter full of self portraits. 

It was great visiting Eagleswell Primary School in Llantwit Major where I got to see some familiar faces and meet lots of new people.

Last week I took a train to Chester from our home in Wales - then a train from Chester to Crewe, rushed across the station to catch another train to Euston Station in London, followed by one of the Underground trains across to St Pancras International and then the Eurostar across London, under the Channel, through France and into Brussels. From there it was a short taxi ride Tervuren so I could spend a couple of days at the wonderful British School Brussels (BSB).

This isn't one of the trains I caught, it was part of the playground at school... great isn't it.

 

The BSB were celebrating book week in a big way and had invited lots of authors, illustrators, storytellers and poets. It was a real pleasure meeting everyone in school - the staff and students were so friendly and welcoming - it was an absolute delight. There was even a little welcome bag waiting for me in my room... perfect.

It was also fantastic to have the chance to meet and chat with the other authors as most of the time
I visit schools on my own. So here's a BIG HELLO and THANK YOU to everyone at the BSB and to all the other authors taking part - including Adam Bushnell, Liz Million, Theresa Breslin, Adisa, Helen Grant and Andy Mulligan.

Here's Adam with megaphone in hand just before we climbed onto the cherry picker and went 30 foot into the air to shout out a big welcome to everyone as they arrived at school.


Driving around Tervuren we couldn't help admiring some of the beautiful houses but we were particularly drawn to this interesting fountain that decorates one of the roundabouts...

That's all I've got time to write at the moment.... but come back soon as I'll be writing more...

Every Child A Member

Today I'm going to be visiting Holywell Library and Flint Library in Flintshire. Here's a big HELLO to everyone at the libraries and to all of the Year 4 classes that are coming along... I'm looking forward to meeting everyone... It's going to be fun!!!

To find out more about the 'Every Child A Member Scheme'... come back soon as I will be writing all about it.

Hello Harlow

Just a quick scribble in my diary before I head off to school. Today I'll be visiting St Alban's Catholic Academy and St Luke's Catholic Primary School in Harlow - so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there... I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

I've hardly had time to write in my diary as I've been so busy working. This week, however, Vicky and I spent a lovely couple of days in London (and a day in Paris too)... I will be writing about that, and posting some pictures later this week so come back soon.

Time to dash!!!

School Visits and Patron of Reading

This has been a busy week with lots of writing and a couple of school visits. On Sunday Vicky was at the Northop College Fun Day doing some Rhymetime sessions with parents and toddlers - I went along to have a look round and to see how Vicky was getting on... she was brilliant. It's always good watching and listening to other people tell stories.

On Monday it was my turn to share stories and rhymes so I drove a little further along the coast to Prestatyn where I spent a wonderful morning with all the Juniors at  Bodnant Community School - they were great... all very enthusiastic - joining in with stories and asking lots of great questions. In the afternoon I drove a little bit further along the road and spent the afternoon with the equally wonderful Infant classes.

Leaving the Junior School, after talking about my Mudcrust Books (among other things), I couldn't help notice this really cool frieze on the wall. It would look right at home on the Mudcrust's cave wall.

Yesterday I visited Wood Memorial Primary School in Saltney... It was nice visiting the school again, especially as it was whilst visiting that school three years ago that I met my lovely wife, Vicky. 

The day started with a whole school assembly - luckily I managed to avoid the fire breathing dragon that was swooping around above my head...

Then I spent half an hour or so with Reception and Nursery before moving off to visit all the other classes in school... Great fun!!!

 

A big thank you to all of the teachers and pupils of Bodnant Community School and Wood Memorial in Saltney for making me feel so welcome - see you all again soon...

 

I've got a few more school visits coming up in the next few weeks but I'll tell you all about those nearer the time. I'm now taking bookings for visits for the next school year. I'm already booked up for World Book Day 2014 but have other dates available around that time... I'm also very excited to have joined the list of authors who are eager to become a Patron of Reading in school - you can click HERE to find out more about the Patrons of Reading and you can also find out more by looking at my diary tomorrow as I will write more about it then.

Another Busy Week

It's been a busy week. On Sunday evening I spent four and a half hours driving down to Eastcote, Middlesex so that I could spend all day on Monday visiting Newnham Junior School. I had a great time at school meeting all the wonderful staff and children and sharing stories and poems, and generally having lots of book fun. Fellow author, Mark Robson was at the school too - I haven't seen Mark for a couple of years so it was great having the chance to catch up with him. 

The rest of the week has been spent writing and painting and decorating at home. The kitchen is almost finished, but once it is it will be time to make a start on the living room. Hoping to get it all finished in time to put the Christmas decorations up.

Tomorrow I'm visiting Mountain Lane Primary School in Buckley - only a ten minute drive from home - so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there. See you all soon...

St Aubin's

A quick diary entry before I set off for today's library visits...

I had a great time yesterday at St Aubyn's School, Woodford Green where I got to meet all the wonderful children in Nursery, Reception, Year one and Year two (and their equally wonderful teachers of course). I even managed to meet people form some of the the other years at the end of the day in the book fair - thanks for stopping by.

A big thank you to Mrs Scott, the school librarian (also known as the Bookette - take a look at her excellent book review blog) for looking after me all day and for organising the days sessions. 

Whizzing off to Cowbridge Library in the Vale of Glamorgan now - and Llantwit Major Library this afternoon. See you soon.

St Aubyn's School

Next week is Book Week and I will be driving around England and Wales visiting schools and libraries.

On Monday morning I'll be kicking things off by visiting St Aubyn's School in Woodford Green, Essex, so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone at St Aubyn's - I'm very much looking forward to meeting you all.

I will be spending Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday visiting libraries around Wales - more about that next week, and on Friday I will be in Warrington visiting Birchwood CE Primary School... Phew!!! it's going to be a busy week.

Hopefully I will be able to take a few photographs while I'm travelling around so watch this space...

School Visits - Cambridge Road Primary School

Yesterday I spent the day at Cambridge Road Primary School in Ellesmere Port (and very nice it was too) sharing stories, poems and talking about writing and being a writer. After starting with a whole school assembly and silly story I thought I was going to lose my voice. I croaked my way through the second session with Nursery and Reception but thankfully, after a break, everything was back to normal - Phew!!!

This willow elephant stands at the front of the school and I couldn't resist taking a picture of it as I left. Big thanks to everyone for all their questions and even bigger thanks to everyone that helped out with the stories by dressing up as Pirates and Cavemen...

Next week I'm visiting Ysgol Llanbedr in Denbighshire - so here's a BIG HELLO to everyone there, and also a BIG HELLO to all the ladies in Flint Library who I know come and read my diary from time to time.

Our wedding plans and preparations are coming along nicely - a good job too as there are only 36 days to go. On Wednesday of this week it was Rachel's turn to come down for her bridesmaid dress fitting... she looked absolutely lovely but you will have to wait until after the wedding to see pictures. Over the weekend we are getting shoes for the two youngest bridesmaids and next week we go to see the photographer... not many things left to arrange now... Very exciting.

Out and About... Schools... Libraries... Puppets and Muppets...

Phew... I've had a mad few weeks visiting schools and libraries all around Great Britain as lots of people celebrate World Book Day. It's been utterly exhausting but great fun... I've met thousands of excited and enthusiastic book lovers, hundreds of keen and enthusiastic teachers, assistants and parents, dozens of lovely librarians (though none as lovely as my lovely lady of course :-) ) and one most excellent puppeteer - The Amazing Marcus Clarke. 


I've got lots of pictures to put in my diary and lots more to say, but right now my head is ready to explode... 

Yes... EXPLODE!!!! 

There's a story that just needs putting down on paper (or on my laptop)... So STAND BACK...

I'm going to do a little writing to release the pressure and then I will be right back (or should that be WRITE BACK) with more news....

Car Trouble and a Great School Visit

Had a good day yesterday at the Lamplugh School in Cumbria talking about writing, sharing stories and showing how I go about writing a story. There were lots of great ideas flying around and Class One had lots of fun working on a story together (about Captain Fancy Pants the Pirate) and writing stories of their own. Class Two came up with a horrible old woman called Mrs McFeegle that I'm sure Roald Dahl would have been proud to include in one of his stories. 

I had about three hours to myself between the last session in school and an evening session with parents. In this time I'd planned to go and get something to eat and perhaps do a bit of writing on my laptop. Unfortunately, however, it was raining so heavily that the tiny roads around school were full of huge puddles. Driving through one of the puddles my car decided to stop and have a rest - and wouldn't get going no matter what I did. I thought I was going to be stranded in the middle of nowhere (200 miles from home)... luckily the car dried out and I got it going again just in time to chug back to school to meet some of the lovely parents that were keen on helping their children write stories - not sure if I managed to offer any good advice but it was a nice evening.


Just made it home in time for a quick bath and then straight to bed. Phew!!!


Today I'm catching up with lots of emails, letters and a bit of writing... More schools in the week to come.

Writers In Schools and Libraries

As well as sitting at home writing, authors and illustrators get the chance to go out on the road to visit schools and libraries everywhere. I love doing this as it gives me the chance to meet fans and readers and hopefully encourage other people to start reading and enjoying books and stories.

I've had a busy week so far visiting schools around the country and it hasn't finished yet. Today, we're off to Cardiff ready to visit the new Central Library where lots of children will be coming along as part of the Capital Reads festival. If you're in Cardiff why not come along. I'll be there from half two until four... See you soon.