Children’s author Robert Bullock to visit Settle Library

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the workshop next Thursday in my home town, Settle.

http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/10317459.Children___s_author_Robert_Bullock_to_visit_Settle_Library/

New York, New York!

Thanks to everyone at New York Primary School, North Tyneside for a brilliant day last Thursday. Although it was sad the session with Years 5 & 6 was so short I was particularly impressed with the brilliant writing of Year 1!

http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Jacob's War - published next month!

When top US scientist Carl Becker moves his family to Britain in May 1940 to work on the new RADAR system all their lives change forever.

Whilst Carl is visiting the Ministry of War police call at his mother’s house and arrest her, his wife Elizabeth, his ten year old daughter, Sarah, and twelve year old son, Jacob, under regulation 18B and send them to camps on the Isle of Man. All because Carl’s mum was born in Germany.

As Carl struggles to find out information Jacob is split from his family because he looks older than his years and he’s sent to a brutal men’s internment camp on the island, and this is where Jacob’s personal war starts.

In this fast paced, exciting adventure three stories run parallel, Carl’s important war work with other scientists at Bawdsey Manor, the idyllic vacation for the Becker females in the holiday camp atmosphere of the Rushen Camp and Jacob’s challenges with his new best friend, Terry Lowe.

Jacob is imprisoned amongst violent nazi supporters, witnesses a terrible drowning, is shipped out to camps in Canada on the doomed Arandora Star, torpedoed, shipwrecked and rescued by the US Navy. But while the British might seem impervious to his plight in the US his story goes all the way to the top, to  President FDR himself!

This novel for older children and teenagers highlights the panic that the British nation felt in spring 1940, with Hitler’s armies only a few miles away in Calais poised for invasion, with the RAF stretched to the limit every night, cities bombed and burned to the ground, the plight of children evacuated from Germany in the Kinderstransport and desperate refugees fleeing tyranny and the despair, hope, fun and adventure of two teenage boys, one a displaced American and the other a happy go lucky Yorkshire lad.

Based upon true stories and personal accounts, this Arts Council England supported project finally tells the story of one of Britain’s best kept wartime secrets. 

Snowy St Joseph's in Surrey!

I was glad I battled through the snow and sleet to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Kingston upon Thames last Friday! Working with all the children from Nursery to Year 6, their work was brilliant!

http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Simon Beaufoy Short Story Competition 2013

I was honoured to be asked to be the judge of the Simon Beaufoy Short Story Competition 2013 held last Monday 18th March at Malsis School.

The standard of the entries was staggering and the stories by the two winners absolutely brilliant.

Results

Category A - Years 5 & 6

Runner up - The Great Escape by Sebastian Goodson

Winner - A Fish out of Water by Verity Fullerton- Smith

Category B - Years 7 & 8 

Runner up - The Stardust Dreamer by Isabella Fox 

Winner - Dream by Maire McGovern 

I hope to publish these stories on this blog and pictures of the event in the near future. 

Superb St. Joseph's Park Hill School

Yesterday was awesome, brilliant KS1 and EYFS, but the drama workshop with KS2 was one of the best ever!
Thanks for inviting me, Mrs Robsinson!

http://www.parkhillschool.co.uk/

 

Marvelous Moffat Academy!

I had a brilliant day in sunny Scotland at the very impressive Moffat Academy taking workshops from P1 to P7! Thanks Mrs Brown!

A grand day out at the Gatehouse School!

I had a grand day out at the Gatehouse School in east London the other day working with all the children from Reception to Year 6! Thank you for inviting me Mrs Gately.

http://www.gatehouseschool.co.uk/

My great visits to the Greville Primary School, Ashtead

Thank you to Miss Boulton for inviting me to the Greville Primary School for two days. I thought the drama workshops with Key Stage Two were amazing!

http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Dramatic drama workshops at St Paul's in Thames Ditton

I had a wonderful couple of days this week taking script writing drama workshops for Key Stage Two at St. Paul's Catholic Primary School in Thames Ditton! What amazing ideas the children had! Thank you for inviting me Miss Hoodless! Brilliant organisation!

http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Excellent Eaglescliffe!

I had an amazing day at Junction Farm Primary School yesterday! What a brilliant school it is, I think the  children there are right up their in the premier league with their writing! Right through from Y1 to Y6 they’re full of talent!