Write Away reader and writer development website for teachers. http://www.writeaway.org.uk Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:21:58 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.writeaway.org.uk Write Away reader and writer development website for teachers. http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/822/ Last week schools all over the country celebrated World Book Day (http://www.worldbookday.com/). Sophie McKenzie (http://authors.simonandschuster.co.uk/Sophie-McKenzie/65784525/print) and Chris Higgins (http://www.chrishigginsthatsme.com/) visited Newton Preparatory School. Chip Colquhoun attended for Write Away and sent this report.Two unassuming women sit in front of the stage as the children, aged 11 to 13, file into their school theatre. None barely bothers to give the women a glance – these could easily be two new teaching assistants assigned to make sure everyone enters sensibly, or even a couple of dinner ladies hanging over from lunch break in their casuals. The only giveaway is the display of books behind them. Such is the charm of an authorial visit to a school; the children quickly realise that authors look just as normal as their mums, dads or teachers. “I think these visits are important so children see that authors are ordinary people,” explained Sophie McKenzie afterwards. “It... News - Latest Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:34:41 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/821/ Thursday 4th March saw an inspiring event taking place at White Hart Lane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Hart_Lane) to celebrate World Book Day. England international and Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Crouch) took time out from his busy schedule to promote reading for pleasure in an event with 120 children from local schools, alongside author Dan Freedman (http://www.readingforlife.org.uk/92/). Dan Freedman’s novels are all about an aspiring young footballer Jamie Johnson (http://www5.scholastic.co.uk/ms/#). They have helped thousands of children to discover an enjoyment of reading through their love of football. Dan wrote a special World Book Day story that published yesterday: Born to Play. Pupils from two local Haringey schools, St Paul’s and All Hallows’ Junior School and St Francis Desales Primary School, were chosen to attend the World Book Day event. Peter and Dan discussed what life is like for a footballer and if Peter’s early experiences are similar to the story that Dan... News - Latest Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:10:07 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/820/ We're late reporting the launch of John Agard and Bob Cattell's Big City Butter-Finger (http://www.franceslincoln.com/Book/6888/1/Big%20City%20Butter-Finger) which took place at Lord's (http://www.lords.org/latest-news/top-stories/) cricket ground on 11th February. But with a photocall showing so many happy kids enjoying the company of this talented duo and proving that there is more than one sport worth buzzing about, we thought we'd still like to share this with you.The launch took place at the MCC Museum where John and Bob read and performed poems from their richly ploted new book.John Agard said, ' To encounter the richness of cricket is to encounter the richness of the English language. The 1950 West Indies victory at Lord's propelled the spin twins, Ramadhin and Valentine into legend and calypso, and the great John Arlott noted that 'the West Indian supporters created an atmosphere of joy such as Lord's had never known before.' In the British-Caribbean 'calypos... News - Book Launches Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:30:34 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/819/ Steve Cole's (http://www.stevecolebooks.co.uk/) Cows in Action (http://cowsinaction.com/) and Astrosaurs (http://www.stevecolebooks.co.uk/series/astrosaurs-academy/)are definitely miracle books. Many teachers and librarians have witnessed them turning non-readers into avid readers. So when Random House threw a relaunch party for Steve, we were pleased to send Anita Loughrey (http://amloughrey.blogspot.com/) along to join in the celebrations.It is no secret I am an avid Star Trek and Dr Who fan, so when I was presented with the opportunity to meet the legendary Steve Cole of Astrosaurs, Dr Who, Z-Rex (http://www.zrex.co.uk/) and Cows in Action fame, well, I jumped at the chance. So, on Thursday 25th February I made my way from Newbury to Kings Cross and the very chic venue, ‘The Hub’ (http://kingscross.the-hub.net/public/), with its high-ceiling, brick walls, wooden floorboards, large theatre lights and flowing staircase leading to a circular viewing platform above. Actually, I nearly missed the venue all together because the only sign was... News - Latest Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:10:34 +0100 http://www.writeaway.org.uk/content/view/818/ Simon and Schuster children's books celebrated humour at their recent 'Make 'Em Laugh' children's author event. Sian Rowland attended for Write Away and sent this report: “The word ‘fart’,” observed Norwegian author and ex-rock star Jo Nesbø (http://jonesbo.com/), indicating the cover of his book, “is ten times bigger than my name!” Jo was one of the members of the panel gathered at Simon and Schuster’s London offices to discuss humour in young fiction stories. Under close questioning by panel chair Graham Marks (http://www.marksworks.co.uk/index.php/graham_marks/P1/), himself a prodigious author, it turns out that liking a good fart joke is not just the preserve of toilet humour obsessed Brits. Norwegians also fall about laughing at the mere mention of a ‘promp.’ Jo was discussing his recently translated book ‘Dr. Proctor’s Fart Powder (http://books.simonandschuster.co.uk/Doctor-Proctor's-Fart-Powder/Jo-Nesbo/9781847386533) ’ alongside debut author Katie Davies, whose book ‘The Great Hamster Massacre’ (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/10/great-hamster-massacre-waterstone-children-book-prize) has just won the Waterstone’s prize. Tamsyn... News - Latest Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:36:31 +0100