Like a tidal wave, World Book Day and World Book Night have engulfed me this year, but I hope it’s not too late to share some pictures and stories from the dozens of events I was lucky enough to take part in. It’s always a delight to see children and teachers celebrating books, with displays, dressing up days and quizzes and competitions. It does reinforce the symbolic value of books and all the thoughts and dreams and hopes they contain.
World Book “Day” meant in fact around 3 weeks of school visits, and then a four day tour of Pembrokeshire schools and libraries. At St. John’s in Cambridge I was greeted with a wall in my honour, and entries by children to a competition, to imagine a new adventure for Katie. It was a terrific day. I, of course, had the tricky task of judging… but Katie in Cambridge had to be a winner!
Bassett’s Farm school in Devon welcomed me into their art week with splendid displays.
I was also delighted to meet James Lake, an inspirational man who overcame cancer as a teenager (and the consequent loss of a leg) to become a brilliant sculptor using card. I was blown away by his work with the children – and highly recommend him to schools. Take a look HERE: http://www.jameslakesculpture.co.uk/
Schools in Sevenoaks, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire invited me in, and just look at the Katie in London image from The Firs Lower School in Ampthill – fantastic work!
In Pembrokeshire I visited a secondary school, and you can see the talent there – drawings inspired by the story of The Firebird. I also worked in libraries and primary schools across the region… and enjoyed staying by the sea.
Then just this week, World Book Night took place, and I joined author Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, comedian and author Natalie Haynes, and the inspirational Beverley Naidoo, at Canada Water Library for a very special event in support of BOOK AID INTERNATIONAL. This is a charity I feel very passionately about, who send books to the poorest children in Africa. Without books, without education, these people will never have the opportunities to help themselves and their communities. Imagine a world without books! I was proud to be part of such an illustrious line-up and I painted an illustration of St George (well, it WAS April 23rd). This was auctioned off for the very good cause we all supported. For more information and to support Book Aid International, visit: http://www.bookaid.org/
My thanks to everyone who welcomed me to an event these past weeks. It’s been a wonderful and inspiring time, and I hope all the children in your school and libraries continue to discover and enjoy stories.
Leave a Reply