I recently did a webinar for the lovely folk at Collins Big Cat about my own experiences of being a ‘reluctant reader’ and some of the things I’ve learned from talking to children like me.
I’ve tried to be as honest as I can about this subject as there are often some misunderstandings as to why some children don’t engage with books. I hope it’s of some use for all of those amazing people who work so hard to encourage a love of stories in our young readers.
I didn’t engage with books as a child, and I will be talking about my own experiences on this subject.
I’m also going to bang on about the importance of stories, the problems with book snobbery and I’ll also try to dispel the myths that some ‘readers’ may have about ‘non-readers’, while hopefully offering some practical solutions.
I’ve been very lucky. Stories (if not books) have ALWAYS played an important part of my life. Anyone who knows me through my various career incarnations will know I’ve always had my head in the clouds. Eventually becoming a reader made a university education possible for me, as a mature student. And now, working in a world of stories is still unbelievable.
ALL children, regardless of upbringing, should have the same opportunities as everyone else – whether or not they decide to take them.
It would be lovely if you joined me. Please click on the link here for more information and to register.
Delighted to have written an article for Teach Primary Magazine about how children can improve their enjoyment and understanding of books written by authors from diverse cultures – in this case, a working class background.
I’m especially happy to be included in the same issue as one of my favourite authors and cover star, Cressida Cowell, who has written a fabulous feature about creating a sense of suspense in writing.
My article was previously published online, and can be found here.
Huge thanks to Teach Primary and HarperCollins for giving me the platform to talk about something so close to my heart.
I didn’t realise how scary my face was on virtual school visits! Or how much time I spend waving! Huge thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School for inviting me into their classroom last week. It was great (and terrifying) to see this compilation of pictures from the opposite view of what I normally get.
Unfortunately, due to medical issues, I’m not able to do in-person events just now (although I’m hopeful that will change in the next few months), but it’s great fun to be able to connect with keen young readers and writers via whizzy technology. I’m very grateful to Mrs Hodge and classes 4H and 4S for being such a friendly and enthusiastic audience.
(Photo taken from Twitter and used with permission)
There’s been a lot of talk about the Roald Dahl stories lately, so here’s a polite reminder that
OTHER BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE!
But if you are after a Dahl-esque vibe (without the controversy!) then it is delicious of The Reader Teacher and Books For Topics to include ‘The Great Chocoplot’ in their ‘BookMatch’ & ‘Branching Out’ selections.
Download these marvellous posters from The Reader Teacher here and from Books For Topics here.
There are so many more books beyond the publicity displays and hype!
It’s been amazing to see my ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ books spreading chaos throughout the world. And especially fantastic to see one of the graphic novels, ‘Mission: Weird Weather’ breaking into the Top 100 in Japan’s Foreign Language Books for Children!
Also great to see the Japanese symbol for my name. That’s a first!!
Thank you to all the brilliant readers in Japan. I am honoured.
