Brilliant Craven Herald Article!

Check out the brilliant article in the Craven Herald about me and Noah Ramsbottom and the Runaway Sphinx! 

http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/11686962.New_book_for_children_by_Settle_born_author_Robert_Bullock/

Lakeland Radio Pet Appeal 2014

Thank you to everyone at Lakeland Radio for organising this years Pet Appeal. They donated a car boot full of food for Bentham & District Pet Rescue. As chairman I was delighted to accept the general donation!

http://www.lakelandradio.co.uk/photos/lakeland-radio-pet-appeal-2014-883529/i/2014-12-17-14-40-50/

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas!

HO! HO! HO Laddies!

Merry Christmas from me, Peg Leg Julian! 

Rememeber, Landlubbers, although he's a Landlubber too, a book by Rob Bullock makes a wonderful Christmas present! 

(He promised that if I said this I would be in his next book!)

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rob-Bullock/e/B0032KZQ90/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 

 

 

Inspiring grown ups and children!

I just wanted to share a few of the things people have said to me recently. 

"You recently visited my sons school and spoke to his class. You have inspired him to become a writer!" Proud Mum.

"You are my mentor, I am looking forward to cheering you on. You are my torch light!"  Grown up writer.

 "Dear Rob, why can't you come to my school every day? You make writing fun!" Year 3 Pupil.

"Thank you for your writing tips. You inspire me so much!"  Grown up writer.

"After listening to your fantastic assembly I'm determined to finish my book! Thank you." Teacher.

 

Christmas in the Yorkshire Dales!

My beautiful wife, Kristen, and I had a brilliant couple of days over the weekend raising money for Bentham & District Pet Rescue at Booths Supermarket and at the Christmas Lights Switch On in Settle. We raised over £400! 

http://www.settle.org.uk/christmas-lights-switch-on/

Hughie the Greyhound even decided to join in the fun when he put his antlers on!

WW1 BBC Radio York interview.

Elly Fiorentini was kind enough to interview me on her BBC Radio York show yesterday afternoon. You can hear the interview for seven days by clicking on the following link;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02bnslp

 

Horsforth St Margaret's Primary School

Into the patch - war time poem by Thomas Crawford.

I recently spent two fantastic days working with Key Stage Two at the brilliant St Margaret's Primary School in Horsforth near Leeds. Year 5 pupil Thomas has sent me his poem which I think is utterly amazing, I hope you agree.  

 

 

Into the patch,

Into the field,

Where Poppies lay,

Where People kneel,

For underneath,

The deep dark grave,

There is a person,

Whom once gave...

Their life with fear,

So we could live,

These People don't take,

They only give.

So every year,

We remember these Knights,

Please look after them,

Dear Jesus Christ.

 

By Thomas Crawford - Year 5

St Margaret's Primary School, Horsforth

What children think about my author visits!

The following are just a few snippets from the fantastic letters that Year 5 Watersheddings Primary School kindly wrote to me following an author visit to their school.

(Apologies if I've got any names wrong!)

  

Dear Robert.

I am writing this letter to inform you of what a great time we had with you. I loved it. All of Year 5 finished their stories. The day you came I will never forget it.

Jessica

I enjoyed your visit and I want to be an author. It’s hard to be an author because we need to check our mistakes and re read our work.

Asfand

When I found out you were an author I was amazed and nervous and I never wanted it to end.

Skye

I had a brilliant time. I would even put it in a top tens best days book.

Kyle

It’s not every day a real author like you visits us. You are fantastic. I wish you can come again I loved it.

Breeze

Thank you for coming to our school. I liked it when you taught us to write a good book. We don’t normally get that in our school.

Amy

Even though I don’t really like writing I would really love for you to come back again someday. Sometimes I just imagine how hard and tiring your job must be to be an author.

Aaliyah

I liked it when you said we were going to write a story. We thought you were a great author. Year 5 enjoyed your visit so please come again.

Abigail.

When I got home I told my mum all about you and your books. You inspired me a lot with your story writing. You’re the best visitor school has ever had.

Lucie-Jo

I would love to illustrate your books. You should see my drawings. The three headed dog is vicious and vile.

Ryley

Thank you for coming to our school. You have made me more inspired to be an author.

Joshua

Thank you for teaching us how to be an author because it’s not every day that we have an amazing author like you visiting us.

Evie

When I went home I wanted to read Jacob’s War because it sounds exciting.

Rebecca

I am really glad that you came and also for showing us your books especially Jacob’s War.

Thomas

We had a really good day. I enjoyed writing my story, it was fun and amazing.

Lydia

Because you came to our school we all know what to do when we write a story. You have given everyone ideas about what to write. Also you have inspired some people. We would like you to teach us some more.

Alyssa

I think you don’t have to achieve anything else because your stories are interesting. I like Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo and your books.

Miah

When I first saw you I didn’t know that you wrote books. When you mentioned it I knew you were an author.

Olivia

I enjoyed it when you showed us your stories and you have inspired me to write more stories.

Noah.

I am writing to thank you for giving up your time to visit us because we know you are a busy man. I looked you up on the internet and I saw some facts about you. It was interesting to read them.

Mulla

It was lovely to work with you. I felt really happy and thank you for coming.

S Clegg

I want to say thank you for coming. You inspired me with how you write your books and how you meet people and put them in your books.

Holly

We had an amazing time. We improved our stories. Also I went on our blog and wrote about your visit.

Jayson

Your books were really good. The ones that you read to us were really fun. You have made me want to read more books. You are the best author.

Lewis

I felt that I achieved writing a real story. I would be most grateful if you could come back again.

Madelene.    

World Record!

It's a new world record! I was pleased to be one of the 293 interviews that Gilly did today as part of the Gillathon for Children in Need on BBC Radio Lancashire. And I got the certificate to prove it!

 Well done Gilly!

Interview on Lakeland Radio!

A date for your diary! Hear my interview on Lakeland Radio with the brilliant John Pye on Saturday 15th November between 10 and 11! I even get to choose my favourite Depeche Mode track!  

http://www.lakelandradio.co.uk/on-air/john-pye/

Wearing my poppies with pride!

Here I am wearing my poppies with pride today in Luddenden Primary School!

Everybody knows what the red one stands for but the purple poppy is to commemorate the animals that have died in wars and is a campaign run by a charity close to my heart,  Animalaid http://www.animalaidshop.org.uk/

Please support Animalaid.

In the studio with Gilly at BBC Radio Lancashire!

Normally it's me who takes blurred photos! But never mind, the picture proves I was there! Looking forward to the Gillathon and getting into the Guinness Book of Records on the 13th November!

BBC Radio Lancashire.

I had a great time on Gilly's afternoon show on BBC Radio Lancashire yesterday. Really looking forward to taking part in the Gillathon for Children in Need!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p028lmx3

   

All roads lead to...Oldham!

Utterly amazing Roman themed workshops at Watersheddings Primary School today using my next book, which hasn't got a title yet but is about Roman Britain!    

Viking workshops!

I've just spent two fantastic days at Knowleswood Primary School in Bradford doing Viking workshops. Using Sam Marsh: The Viking King brilliant modern and ancient viking stories were created by the Year 6 children!

Noah Ramsbottom and the Runaway Sphinx!

   

Amazon.co.uk 

Amazon.com 

sbpra.com/RobertBullock/

Buzzing Bedale!

I've just spent two amazing days working with the brilliant pupils at Bedale Primary School! We had Noah Ramsbottom workshops with the younger children and drama workshops using Jacob's War with Years 3, 4, 5 and 6! 

The feedback from staff and pupils has been fantastic! Everybody worked so hard and produced some excellent writing! 

THANK YOU Mrs Foster for inviting me!

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

Ryedale Book Festival 2014!

I'm really pleased to announce that I will be taking part in this years brilliant Ryedale Book Festival.

I'll be reading from Jacob's War and, hopefully, hearing some of your war time stories!  

It's on Saturday 11th October at the Malton Museum between 2pm and 3pm.

It only costs £2!

I would love to see some of you there!  

http://www.ryedalebookfestival.com/Children.html

Time: Saturday 2.00 - 3.00

Venue: Malton Museum

Tickets: £2 on the door

Suitable for children aged 10 and over

HAPPY YORKSHIRE DAY!

August the 1st is Yorkshire Day! 

Beautiful Ripley Primary School

My last school visit of the academic year was also one of the best. A beautiful school in the gorgeous village of Ripley!

Wonderful workshops at Netherfield Primary School

A massive thank you to Ms Gray for inviting me to work with Y2 and Y3 for two brilliant days. I really enjoyed my visit to Netherfield Primary School near Nottingham. The Year 5 and 6 children had so many questions about Jacob's War! I hope I'll return soon!

Friends of Chernobyl's Children

I'm delighted to offer my support to Friends of Chernobyl's Children. This Wednesday, 25th June, a group of 12 children from Belarus will be visiting Osmotherley Primary School, in North Yorkshire, who I visited recently. 

The children are all from very poor homes in an area of southern Belarus which continues to be affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. They are with the local charity 'Friends of Chernobyl's Children'. 

Please visit their website for more information on how to offer your support.

http://www.focc.org.uk/

Citywing - Quality and inspiration!

Please see the current issue of Citywing's Connect/Magazine for a feature on  my 2013 visit to the internationally acclaimed Isle of Man Litfest. 

http://issuu.com/thethoughtstore/docs/issue-7-online

ps I'm on P38! 

  Photos courtesy of Rob Cope. 

War time workshops at St Peter's in Brotton

My visit to St Peter's CofE Primary School yesterday produced some of the best wartime workshops ever!

Year 5/6 pupils used their coursework, research and family knowledge to produce some fantastic 'Jacob's War' stories.  The performances were brilliant.

Special thanks has to go to Harvey for sharing what his grandad's uncle experienced in the torpedo room of a British submarine during WW2.     

Dynamic drama workshops in Blackburn!

I want to say a huge thank you to Miss Rawlinson and Mr Hawthornthwaite for inviting me to Longshaw Junior School in Blackburn, Lancashire this week. I enjoyed two days working with Y3, 4, 5 & 6 doing drama workshops with Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island and Sam Marsh and the Battle of the Cloudships.

It's been some time since I used 'Cloudships' for a school visit and I've forgotten how much children love the book! 

All the children worked so hard and produced some fantastic radio plays. 

THANK YOU!  

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sam-Marsh-Battle-Cloudships-Stories/dp/1618973487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401887063&sr=8-1&keywords=sam+marsh+and+the+battle+of+the+cloudships

 

Brilliant Bentham Carnival!

This year Bentham and District Pet Rescue are proud to be attending the brilliant Bentham Carnival on Saturday 31st May.

Please come along and support us and the many other local charities who will be attending.

http://www.aboutbentham.org.uk/whats-on-in-bentham/event-listing/

    

Small is excellent! Outstanding Osmotherley Primary School!

It might have been the smallest school I've ever visited with under 40 children but Osmotherley Primary School in North Yorkshire was certainly one of the very best!

Awesome teachers and an inspirational Head meant that the children produced some of the best work I've ever seen! Two Year 2 boys started writing their 'Noah' stories after morning playtime and were still writing in the afternoon! I look forward to posting some of the work and photos on this blog!

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

Excellent Early Years!

I really, really enjoyed my first full workshop with Early Years Foundation Stage children today! Both the Nursery and Reception children at Dixons Marchbank Primary School in Bradford were brilliant.

I really enjoyed helping them create their 'Noah Ramsbottom' time lines and making scary T-Rex face masks! Fantastic! Can't wait to visit more EYFS Schools!

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

Sensational Seaside Author Visit at Sandylands Primary School!

I had a sensational seaside author visit at Sandylands Primary School in Morecambe yesterday!

Both 5W and 5G produced the most amazing scripts for their radio plays using Jacob's War.

I look forward to sharing some of their podcasts soon!

Thank you!

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

 

Jacob's War just $5.66 on Amazon.com!

Amazing value! Jacob's War is just $5.66 on Amazon.com!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1622125827/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&sr=1-1&qid=1395323530

Teacher feedback for a brilliant Year 5 workshop in Leeds!

Hi

Just a quick note to say thanks for your visit (St Urban's, Leeds). My class really enjoyed it and 3 of them (plus me) actually bought the book off amazon afterwards.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel (I'm assuming that's what you meant by that last line).

Yours

Andy

St Urban's Catholic Primary School

Lesson plans using Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island

So many teachers want to work with Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island. 

There are weeks of lesson plans available in the accompanying PDF which is available when schools book an author visit. 

Below is just a short example of what you can do with the book which is aimed at Years 2 - 4. 

SECTION TWO

Guided Reading

First Reading

Look at the cover of the book and ask the children what kind of story this will be (adventure, humorous,

magical). What does the picture convey? (A huge sea monster, a boy and a tiny elf with a brush!)

Read the blurb on the back cover. Where is the real start of the adventure (In the middle of the ocean on

Peg Leg Julian’s submarine)

What’s the main “hook”, what is it that makes the reader want to read the story? (To go and rescue poor

Blunderplod from being fed to the evil Yellow Crabs and then to go on and find the treasure of Skull

Island)

Part 1 Introducing the book (Read pages 5 to 9)

What does Peg Leg Julian call Blunderplod? (A pesky wee fairy!)

Ask the children to describe Peg Leg Julian (A Scottish Ogre called a Fachan, with one leg, one arm, one

eye and tufty orange hair)

What is Betsy? (Peg Leg Julian’s pirate submarine)

What does Julian want from Blunderplod? (to know where the treasure map is)

What does Julian take great care in? (His appearance)

What’s his favourite colour? (Pink) 

Part 2 Going to see Mr Littleplod (Read pages 9 to 16)

What makes Noah decide to rush up to the Magic Cave? (Response to the message sent by pigeon to help

Blunderplod.)

Why is Noah sure Mr Littleplod will want to help Blunderplod? (Because they are cousins)

Who is staying with Noah’s family (Auntie Elsie)

Who is it that Noah does not see following him up to the Magic Cave? (Kevin the Mynah bird)

What does Noah’s mum say to Kevin when he won’t stop mocking? (‘Yellow card Kevin’)

Why does Mr Littleplod not expect to see Noah? (Because it’s raining and Littleplod thinks Noah doesn’t

like the rain.)

Can you remember the names Littleplod still uses for Noah? (“I”, “Noah Ramsbottom”, “Noah Ramsbum”,  

”I   Noah”)

What does Littleplod do when he discovers Blunderplod might be made to walk the plank by Peg Leg

Julian (he faints)

Part 3 The Magic Cave ( Read pages 16 to 24)

        What is the doctor’s full name? (Doctor Chuckle L Gigglyplod)

        And what is he? (Giggly by name, giggly by nature!)

        What does Dr Gigglyplod think is the matter with Mr Littleplod? (He’s gone flopbot!)

        Ask the children to describe the Ballbulance (Round with flashing green light all over it with a hatch and    

        mechanical grabbing arm)

        What sort of driver is Doctor Gigglyplod? (A maniac)

        What does Tiggleplod call Noah? (Your Majesty)

        What is Tiggleplod? (Noah’s number one fan and number one sweeping elf in the whole world)

        Who is the only person that can help Noah and Tiggleplod? (The Krakken)

        Through which number door is the Krakken’s cave ? (Number 23)

Going through the magic door (Read pages 25 to 30)

What number is on the magic door? (23)

What do Noah and Tiggleplod put on before going through? (Headscarves with skull and crossbones on

the front)

What was Noah staring at when the door opened? (a large, dark, wet cave)

What does Noah have to do as the door is opened (grab Tiggleplod and stop him going into the water)

In the Krakken’s cave they are not alone, who else is there? (Gruesome Yellow Crabs)

Describe the Krakken. (A huge Octopus with massive tentacles, a big face, a huge mouth and big black eye)

What does Noah find that tells him his Grandad has been through this door? (Grandad’s pipe)

Freeing Blunderplod (Read Pages 31 to 36)

Who stops Betsy from diving? (Long thin eels)

How do they do this? (They wrap themselves around the propellers)

What was Blunderplod bound in? (Pink ribbons tied in neat little bows)

With what did Julian push Blunderplod off the plank? (A big pole)

Who caught Blunderplod? (The Krakken)  

What does Julian shout at The Krakken? (‘No one shakes up Peg Leg Julian!’)

What did Julian and his crew do when The Krakken picks up Betsy? (They dive inside and close the

hatches)

Skull Island (Read Pages 38 to 46)

        Who takes Noah and the elves to Skull Island? (The Sting Ray brothers)

        What are their names? (Squirt and Splutter)

        What’s the first thing they notice about the island? (The large rocky skull in the middle of the island.)

        Where does Blunderplod think the treasure map is hidden? (A cupboard in a palm tree.)

        What was watching the visitors as they went inside the skulls mouth? (Skeleton paintings)

        What do the skeletons chant? (Leave treasure!)

        Who stops the Skeleton using its sword? (Kevin and Tiggleplod)

        What stops the visitors leaving the island? (a trap)

        Who gets them out of the trap? (Kevin)

How do Peg Leg Julian and his crew arrive on Skull Island? (Speed boats)