Weblog Archive

I’ve just spent an absolutely brilliant morning at Huntcliff School listening to author Johnny O’Brien talk to year 7 and 8 pupils about his new book. It was part of the Bounce into Books Festival, a joint venture with local libraries and Bounce Marketing to bring children’s authors to the region. Here in North Lincolnshire Julie Irwin (JD Irwin – Edwin Spencer: Mission Improbable) had primary pupils in Crowle and Scunthorpe enthralled on Monday when she talked about her new book. Then today Johnny O’Brien spent the morning at Huntcliff School before going to Baysgarth School this afternoon. His book is a time-travel adventure set during the World War 1, and he’d brought along some of the wartime relics that had belonged to his grandfather and been a prompt for the book. It was brilliant to see the pupils hanging on his every word, examining the war medals and telescope that he’d brought along, and even trying on his grandfather’s kilt! They were so keen to ask him questions and to get a signed copy of his book that the session overran, so hopefully Johnny had time for lunch before this afternoon’s session!

It's National Storytelling Week this week. So what better reason to get the family together for some good old-fashioned storytelling around a cosy fire.  If you prefer to read from a book then even though you may have missed our children's storytime at Brigg Library yesterday you can still join us at Kirton Library from 2pm to 3pm on Friday to share some stories.  And if you can't make that then there are still loads of great books for reading aloud to borrow from your local library.  I love books that you can really put some expression into, and practice loads of different voices.  Farmer Duck is one of my favourites for reading aloud (lots of animal noises for everyone to join in with) and The Advertures of Bert is another great one.  If you know of a really good book to read aloud why not share it with us.