Children's Writer Rob Bullock's Blog

Noah Ramsbottom and the Great Gold Robbery!

2012-02-22T11:18:00.000Z

Coming soon on Amazon Kindle -
Noah Ramsbottom and the Great Gold Robbery!

The Excalibur Code By Robert Bullock

2012-02-09T09:45:00.000Z

The Excalibur Code is second of the Lavender Blake books. After saving the world from total destruction in the Prophesy of Blood, the time travelling teenager is once again thrown into a fast paced chase to trace the whereabouts of the sword that will finally end all bloodshed and crown the true King of England and France.

Whilst holidaying with her grandmother in south west France, Lavender nips out early one morning to collect the daily bread from the village boulangerie only to take a short cut almost one thousand years into the past! In fact to Autumn 1169! Whilst the baguettes and croissants are still warm in her hands, Lavender is thrown into a bloody battle in the ancient Duchy of Aquitaine.

Hearing cries and screams from an old alleyway just off the Rue du Quatorze Juillet, Lavender rushes to investigate. A horrific scene meets her eyes as she almost runs straight into some wooden gallows! A young boy has been captured by a rebel faction and is about to be hanged for reasons unknown to her.

As the battle commences Lavender has one chance, one split second to decide, save the boy or let him hang! Lavender hasn’t a clue who the boy is. He looks about her age, 13, but Lavender is an experienced time traveller and she knows that, in the past, ages were deceptive! But all life is important to Lavender and she can’t just stand by and let this happen!

Little does the time traveller know that she’s about to save the life of one of the most famous people in history.

As Lavender shouts out in her excellent French to the boy with the noose around his neck , he answers like a English schoolboy just learning French, in a bizarre mixture of English and French words! Except for a handful of loaves and pastries Lavender is unarmed but that's never stopped her before.

Amidst the violence, Lavender hastily bribes a greedy mule over to the gallows with a croissant, she pulls out her Swiss army knife and quickly cuts the noose free from the boys neck. Little does she know that she has freed Cœur de Lion himself, Richard I, otherwise known as Lionheart, to follow his destiny, a journey that begins with solving the Excalibur code!

Author visit to Forest Park School

2012-02-08T17:41:00.001Z

A big thank you to all the staff and children at Forest Park School in Cheshire. I had a brilliant time and the children produced some amazing work!

Some highlights were the effective listening of the kindy children, the brilliant creative writing produced by Years 1 & 2, the way the year 3’s and 4’s wrote superb scripts for their Sam Marsh plays and how well years 5 & 6 acted out their own plays with real flair and enthusiasm! Fantastic!

The Prophesy of Blood

2012-01-23T17:03:00.000Z

The Prophesy of Blood.

The Graveyard.
Her young face was muffled in something horribly soggy. Lying face down, her aching body was flat out. As Lavender slowly came to her senses she raised her head a fraction, careful not to attract any unwanted attention.
Dark, it’s so dark she thought as she shivered, maybe from the cold seeping into every corner of her being, maybe from the sight that met her eyes. A gravestone.
As she slowly read the carved words on the weather beaten limestone another shock wave flowed down her spine, this one definitely not caused by the cold or damp. Some of the words she couldn’t read, but others she could clearly make out.
Here lies...Blake
Beloved daughter of Theo, sister of Daniel
Rest in peace.
Sssss.

The inferno of the Hellion
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam..ba-bam..ba-bam,ba-bam,ba-bam,ba-bam! The beating heart of Lavender Blake pounded ever harder. Faster and faster, harder and harder, beating so loudly that the imperceptible sound was drawing the beast closer and closer to her location. A hunter closing in on its prey. Lavender Blake was that prey!
“Hh...Hh...Hh! She panted as she struggled hard to move the dead weight, “nearly...there!” Lavender hauled the body of her friend further and further, “HELP ME WITH VIBIUS WILL YOU SIGGI!” She screamed over the noise of the rising molten tide.
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam..ba-bam. Even though she was screaming and there was noise all around her it was her heartbeat that was acting as a homing beacon.
Flames devoured what little oxygen was left making the twelve year old gasp for breath. Blackness surrounded the small group of mismatched characters as a flood tide of fear enveloped them.
“I can’t do it!" Whined Siggi pathetically, “I’m just a girl! He’s too heavy!”
“You’re an adult, Siggi,” snapped Lavender, “a full grown woman! Oh! Just get out of my way!” Lavender continued to heave her friend along the ground, “just...one...more...pull!"
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam..ba-bam.
Things were made much worse by the heavy plaster cast on his ankle digging into the ground, ploughing deep grooves in the floor, “there!” Gasped Lavender finally.
Lavender’s body desperately craved rest but the island in the sea of fire was getting smaller and smaller as the level of the molten liquid rose ever upwards pushing her, Siggi, Vibius and Casiopia further towards the highest point. Casiopia’s wings had been singed so badly that she could no longer fly, Siggi was worse than useless and Lavender’s strength was being sapped by constantly having to pull her unconscious soldier friend to safety.
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam.
“Lavender!" Yelled Casiopia pointing, “look!"
The intrepid reporter, Siggi, had a small camcorder in her hands and she was busy filming everything.
“Do you ever put that thing down?" Barked a furious Lavender.
“I’m a reporter, Lavender!" Siggi Clements argued, “I record things, then I tell the world!”
“There might not be a world left to tell soon!” She replied.
“Lavender,” Casiopia was still pointing, “LOOK!"
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam..ba-bam.
Vibius groaned in agony as Lavender pulled him towards Casiopia and stood between her friends and the lapping tide of white hot heat.
Ba-bam...ba-bam...ba-bam..ba-bam. Her chest was going to burst open!
“What on..." Lavender whispered as she looked out over the sea of magma and saw the waves slowly parting. Quickly, she fumbled in her deep pocket felt the wand and held it aloft trying desperately to remember the spells her friends had taught her. Lavender had only ever used the magic before for lifting stones and making doors invisible now she was expected to use it to fight to save lives, maybe many lives and definitely her own!
Now what was it? She thought impatiently, racking her brain what was that spell ? But her mind had gone blank and everything she had learnt seemed to have just disappeared into the dark night like everyone and everything she loved.
As Lavender Blake searched her memory for the magical words a colossal, monstrous head slowly rose from the liquid, metal fire dripping as it emerged. The tips of its ears appeared before the unblinking, demonic eyes. Pointed ears, sharp enough to cut through stone, no nose just holes that oozed slime, a mouth full of narrow razor sharp teeth and eyes as red as the deepest sunset were staring straight at Lavender.
BA-BAM...BA-BAM...BA-BAM...BA-BAM.
“No!” Gasped Lavender banging the wand against her leg in frustration, “work you stupid thing!” She pointed her wand in desperation.
“It’s no good, Lavender," sighed Casiopia wisely, “your magic is child;s magic, you’re not powerful enough! It’s all over now! You can’t resist it, no one can! The Flaming Hellion is the harbinger of the end of the time!”
“What?” She replied then something caught her eye, “OH NO! It can’t be!" she screamed pointing.
The birth of the Flaming Hellion marked the culmination of the prophesy of blood, the prophesy of the blood ties of Lavender’s and her sibling, for trapped behind the teeth in the cavernous demon’s mouth was Daniel Blake, Lavender’s twin brother. Soon the beast would have Lavender too. Then it would be too late!

Earlier that night - An eye at the bedroom window.

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships pre-release

2012-01-17T13:24:00.002Z

http://sbpra.com/RobertBullock/

The books I use for school visits.

2012-01-17T11:56:00.000Z

Noah Ramsbottom and the Cave Elves for Early Years, Years 1 & 2.
Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island, Years 3 & 4.
Sam Marsh: The Viking King, Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships, & Jacob's War for Years 5, 6, 7 & 8.

School visits using Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships & Jacob's War

2012-01-17T11:50:00.000Z

I've expanded my repertoire! School visits can now included creative writing sessions using Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships & Jacob's War!
www.ninnylizard.com

Jacob's War is finished!

2012-01-08T16:53:00.000Z

Just finished Jacob's War! It's taken over two years to plan, research and write! 57,000 words! I'm so pleased with this story and have even thought up a new Jacob story! Though I'm sure that will involve a lot of planning and research also.
But in the meantime I've two new novels for teenagers to finish, a major new project to plan and research, some new Noah Ramsbottom stories to work on and a new story about a tarantula who visits a family for Christmas to complete for my younger readers!
I hope to publish excerpts from Jacob's War on this blog over the coming weeks.

www.ninnylizard.com

FINAL DAY OF SALE - 25% OFF SAM MARSH: THE VIKING KING!

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000Z

Just type in ONEMORETHINGUK305 to receive 25% discount!http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/sam-marsh-the-viking-king/5581109

30% OFF SAM MARSH: THE VIKING KING

2011-12-26T07:59:00.000Z

Happy holidays! Get 30% OFF Sam Marsh: The Viking King paperback at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/sam-marsh-the-viking-king/5581109

Just type in BOXINGDAYUK305 at the checkout to get the discount!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-26T07:52:00.000Z

HAPPY CHRISTMAS To everyone all around the world who has supported me this year. Keep watching my blog in 2012 for all the brilliant stories that I'm working on including;

THE PROPHESY OF BLOOD

DREAM LABS

&
NOAH RAMSBOTTOM AND THE MYSTERY OF MONA LISA'S SMILE!

www.ninnylizard.com

Give to those who have no voice.

2011-12-22T11:35:00.000Z

This Christmas why not spare a few pounds, dollars, euros or whatever is your currency and donate to animals who live outside in the worst of our winter weather. http://www2.peta.org/site/PageNavigator/SecretSanta2011.html

ORDER NOW on pre-release Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships

2011-12-19T09:57:00.000Z

http://sbpra.com/RobertBullock/

FREE Delivery and 17% OFF Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island

2011-12-19T09:54:00.000Z

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Noah-Ramsbottom-Treasure-Skull-Island-Rob-Bullock/9781609760779

FREE Delivery and 21% OFF on Noah Ramsbottom and the Cave Elves

2011-12-19T09:49:00.000Z

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Noah-Ramsbottom-Cave-Elves-Rob-Bullock/9781608603350?selectCurrency=USD

Sam Marsh: The Viking King on Amazon Kindle NOW 60% OFF!

2011-12-19T08:48:00.000Z

The perfect last minute Christmas gift Sam Marsh: The Viking King
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004FN2C18/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1445211955&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0GZKTFZNWGPVAKZ5B16F

The Boy from Karelia

2011-12-01T10:57:00.000Z

For all my Russian readers, you'll be interested to know that I've just started researching a new book set in the Russian Republic of Karelia! Over the next few months I'm really looking forward to discovering some of the magic of Karelia!

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships pre-release

2011-11-26T12:06:00.000Z

http://sbpra.com/RobertBullock/

Coming Soon, Noah Ramsbottom & the Mystery of Mona Lisa's Smile!

2011-11-25T09:57:00.000Z

Noah Ramsbottom & the Mystery of Mona Lisa's Smile! By Robert Bullock

“Croak, croak! Icy lollies!" Called a strange throaty voice as he entered the large artists studio, “anyonea wanta an icy lolly?”
“Yes, please," replied the large man with the beard, who was painting, “thank you."
“Ribbit! Whadabouta you missus?" The strange pixie asked the woman who was having her picture painted.
“Oh, yes please," smiled the woman sweetly. She had a lovely smile.
“Croak, croak! Wanna heara joke missus?" Asked the pixie as he passed the woman a lolly, “croak!”
“Yes, OK," replied the woman, desperate for the smelly, green creature to leave.
The pixie stood on his webbed tiptoes and whispered the joke in the woman’s ear.
“Hahahaha!” The woman roared with laughter and just at that moment her teeth, which must have been false ones, shot out! As quick as a flash another frog pixie appeared and caught the teeth and then both of them scurried from the room!
“M-m-m...my teeth, my teeth!” Called the woman, “they’ve stolen my teeth!”

www.ninnylizard.com

Jacob's War - coming soon!

2011-11-23T13:34:00.000Z

www.ninnylizard.com UPDATE!

2011-11-18T17:18:00.000Z

Take a look at the new home page for my website http://ninnylizard.com/
I'm so indebted to my cousin and friend Dean Haines who is the best website designer on the planet!

Sam Marsh and the Lunar War - Excerpt

2011-11-03T13:46:00.000Z

Saturday June 13th 1943, 3.47 GMT, Lunar Mine S4D, The Daedalus Crater, the Far side of the Moon.

Boom! Boom!Boom!Boom!

Mining the moon was going exceptionally well, the lunar rock was proving easy to hew and it was full of valuable precious minerals like diamonds, bauxite and nickel.

“Do you know? This small insignificant satellite will win us the war Jahnke!" said Herr Krater, surveying the sub lunar activity with great pride, “They don’t have a clue how we are able to meet the challenges of almost the entire world because they don’t know our secret. They don’t even know that we’re even up here on the moon. Pathetic idiots!”

“This is so true,” replied Herr Krater’s trusty sidekick.

“Argh!” screamed a miner from the rock face far below, “Argh!" he screamed again.

Jahnke’s radio crackled to life, “Professor Jahnke Schmidt is dead." The voice was panicky and scared, “Something killed him!"

“Repeat what you just said man!" shouted the professor into his radio.

“Something killed Schmidt! Oh no, no, no, argh!!!!!!”

“What the? Hello! Hello! Operative come in!" called Jahnke who turned to Krater, “It’s happening again Sir!”

“Nonsense!” replied Krater, “It’s probably just another lunar accident that’s all!”

“But you heard the man!”

“I heard nothing of the sort!”

“Herr Sturmbannfuhrer! I suggest we evacuate this site immediately until it can be made safe and the dragons contained!” pleaded Jahnke to his commander.

“Request denied," replied Krater coldly, waiving his hand dismissively and walking back to his Earth bound shuttle, “seal this mine up, gather the operation up and move to another site elsewhere on the dark side of the moon. We have no time to waste! There’s a war to be won man.”

Coming soon on Amazon Kindle - Jacob’s War

2011-10-12T13:19:00.000+01:00

Jacob's War by Robert Bullock

Blonde haired,‭ ‬blue eyed Jacob Becker is twelve years old,‭ ‬though he looks older.‭ ‬One minute he is the all American school boy,‭ ‬good at sport,‭ ‬academically gifted,‭ ‬handsome,‭ ‬living the perfect life with his family in Concord,‭ ‬Massachusetts,‭ ‬the next he‭’‬s a‭ ‬‘convict‭’‬ who‭’‬s thrown into a prison cell for just one reason,‭ ‬his family are German.

Set in England in 1940, Jacob‭’‬s War is an heroic adventure and heart-warming story of friendship,‭ ‬bravery and family loyalty.‭ ‬At times it‭’‬s funny and cheeky,‭ ‬at others poignantly sad.‭ ‬

Available soon on Amazon Kindle

A big thanks to Eveline Day School!

2011-10-09T10:27:00.000+01:00

A big thank you to Eveline Drut for inviting me to the Eveline Day School in Tooting Bec last week! http://evelinedayschool.com/default.asp
What a great day! The children produced some amazing work! I was especially impressed with the Year 3 children who wrote their very own Sam Marsh: The Viking King stories!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sam-Marsh-Viking-King-ebook/dp/B004FN2C18/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A3TVV12T0I6NSM&qid=1318152280&sr=8-1

National Poetry Day - The Loch Ness Lizard

2011-10-06T16:53:00.001+01:00

The Loch Ness Lizard! By Robert Bullock

The Loch Ness Lizard is a curious sight.
Seeing her will give you quite an awful fright.
But only if you see her rising from the gloom last thing at night!

With a back lumpy bumpy with reptilian ridges
She can easily fit under hump backed bridges.
And also maybe with the salad into wart faced giant’s fridges!

On her back her passengers comfortably sit
Their heads often ducking right down so as not to hit
Or scoop off their hair and the top most bit!

She’s yellow, red, green and pink.
And she often sails so very close to the Earth’s brink.
That the worried amongst you may fear she’ll very soon sink!

When the weather makes the water uncomfortably choppy.
Her legs bend and flex and she becomes ever so hoppy.
Small wings they appear that no one could copy!

Flapping madly she soars into the blue sky.
And never have the poor passengers been so blooming high.
That in fact one or two actually think they might well die!

If you think that her services might just be for you.
I must finally give you one teeny weeny clue.
She only flies on a month with days numbering thirty two!

© Robert Bullock 2011

Read & Answer booklets for my books

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000+01:00

For each of my books I write a Read & Answer teachers aid. When I visit a school I give these to teachers. I'm told they each provide up to six weeks of lesson plans and cover Art and Design, Drama, History, Geography and Citizenship in addition to Literacy. Below is a sample of the Read & Answer for Sam Marsh: The Viking King.

Part 2 Sam’s Discovery, a new life, a family and enemies he never knew

he had. (Read pages 20 to 50)

What sort of a home is 22 Grimwith Crescent? (A foster home, is it happy, peaceful, chaotic, secure?)

How do Sam, Jenny and Spike feel about living there? (Happy, unhappy, angry?)

What do the children think of Jessie Brooks? (Is she a good foster mum or not? If not, why not?)

Page 20 to 23 offers descriptions of some of the characters, discuss with the children what they think they might look like from the descriptions.

A news flash comes on the TV. Discuss who’s interested in listening to it?

Page 26. Ask the children to discuss how they would feel diving in a mini sub. What could they look for?

What must the SS Helmsfjord look like after sitting on the sea bed for sixty years?

How did Sam and Jenny feel when they heard someone knocking on their front door at 5.07 am.

See Page 34. There is an old van sat across the street from 22 Grimwith Crescent, what is it they doing?

Where does Sam think the Lofoten Island’s are? (Near the North Pole.)

What do the Norwegians call their provincial kings and queens? (Chieftains)

Discuss with the children how Sam must have felt discovering who his birth parents were and then finding out they were dead?

Page 41 How did Herr Krater feel when he discovered the Chieftains of Lofoten had a son? (Surprised), Why? (He likes to control everything, it may interfere with his plans.)

Who Is the first person to figure out how Sam’s mum and dad were killed? (Jenny) And what does she think? (That they were murdered)

Who is Freyer Becken? (Sam’s great grandmother or Oldemor) How did she discover she had a great grandson? (Newsflash)

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

School visits!

2011-09-28T10:39:00.000+01:00

I'm doing my first school visit of this school year next week and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there again.
It's really great because you get to visit schools all over the country, work with some really talented children and meet some brilliant teachers!
Next week it's Tooting Bec, the week after Oldham! I'm hoping to visit Scotland and Wales later in the year too! It doesn't matter where your school is I'd love to come and visit!
http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Mr Littleplod the Cave Guard

2011-09-13T11:50:00.000+01:00

The Gurglespink Leprechaun’s from County Fergusbotherbetrouble

2011-09-13T11:48:00.000+01:00

“This be a newsflash!” Said the elf newsreader seriously, “the Elf Broadcasting Company be hearing rumours that the naughty O’Plod brothers be preparing a takeover bid for Cave of Victoria, the Magic Cave! Elves are asked to be keeping their eyes and ears open and not, repeat NOT, to leave their posts!”

The O’Plod brothers were Gurglespink Leprechaun’s from County Fergusbotherbetrouble, they were small, mean, silly and green. They had big eyes made even bigger by thick magnifying spectacles and they always said ‘Bejimminy’! They hated cave elves with every fibre of their being but quite liked the idea that the magic cave had magic doors that could take them anywhere their hearts desired. And, because they were so greedy, if they took over the magic cave they were going straight to Fort Sox, the elf bank, to steal some gold!

Two pairs of huge, beady green eyes peeked over a rock at the front of the Magic Cave and then quickly disappeared. They waited for ten seconds and peeked again. They kept peeking and disappearing, peeking and disappearing. Something untoward was afoot!

The scene at the entrance to the cave was quite normal, the elves were busy coming and going but nobody was sat on the Cave Guard’s mushroom stool and nobody was playing with the fairy chess set by the entrance. A radio could be heard talking away to itself but there was no one listening to it.

Suddenly a strong wind started gusting towards the cave, the noise of the howling was so loud that it masked the silly giggles and cackles of the creatures that were causing the wind to blow so hard.

Please support my sponsorship to make it public

2011-09-08T11:56:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 25th September, along with Clover, Bramble, Hughie and Poppy, I will be leading a sponsored dog walk between the villages of Clapham and Austwick in the Yorkshire Dales to raise much needed funds for Bentham & District Pet Rescue, your generous support would be most welcome!

http://apps.facebook.com/sponsor-me/campaign/sponsored-dog-walk

I need more facebook friends to support this event in order to make it public on Facebook.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS CAUSE.

Amazon Author Page

2011-09-07T16:07:00.000+01:00

Buy all my books on Amazon, visit my author page at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rob-Bullock/e/B0032KZQ90/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

2000 hits on Red Room Blogs this year!

2011-09-07T13:27:00.000+01:00

I've not blogged on Red Room for a while, but just discovered that my blogs have been read 2000 times this year alone! Thanks to everyone who has read my blogs and for everyone about to read them, enjoy! And I promise to getting blogging on Red Room real soon!
(In the meantime, why don't you buy one of my books!)

http://redroom.com/member/robert-bullock

Bentham & District Pet Rescue

2011-09-06T11:04:00.002+01:00

Is a small independant not for profit animal rescue centre, based on the west edge of North Yorkshire and North Lancashire. We specialize in cats, but have close contacts with other organizations for dogs and small furries. Our aim is to rehome all the animals that come to us.

Children's Discovery Centre

2011-09-04T13:25:00.000+01:00

Leap Off the Page

The National Charity of Children’s Writers and Storytellers in Education

We are a charity set up by teachers, actively targeting the disadvantaged. We passionately believe in changing children’s lives through stories.

Book children's author Robert Bullock to visit your school by following this link:

http://www.childrensdiscovery.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/robert-bullock.doc

New drama workshops

2011-09-04T12:28:00.000+01:00

My new drama workshops start in the same way as the Creative Writing ones, I read from either, Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island or Sam Marsh: The Viking King (depending on the age of the children) and then the children get together in small groups and write the script for their own radio play.

I have chosen a radio play for these workshops as this makes the children think about how to express actions, situations and emotions using verbal communication and not visual actions. It also allows children to enjoy creating diverse sound effects!

The scripts can be planned, developed, written and rewritten and then the plays can be extensively rehearsed before they are performed and possibly recorded in front of the larger group. This is proving to be my most popular and lively workshop!

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

Sita Brand & Settle stories

2011-09-03T08:25:00.000+01:00

Take a look at the feature in the Guardian newspaper on my good friend Sita Brand.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/02/a-working-life-the-storyteller

Herr Krater's revenge

2011-09-01T11:06:00.000+01:00

Herr Krater‭’‬s revenge.

‭“Look!” called Sam’s Gran Freyer Becken, pointing out to sea. She had a terrified look in her eyes.
‭“Oh no! There are more of them coming!” yelled Sam's friend, Jenny James. Staring out from the burning embers of the Royal Villa in Svolvaer.
“The battle‭’‬s not over yet men‭!" ‬Admiral Stig Berg‭ ‬called out‭ ‬to his MJK soldiers and everyone else at the smouldering bomb site which had just been subjected to a brutal attack by the laser firing spider tanks of Herr‭ ‬Krater.‭ “‬Everyone take cover again‭! ‬Back down into the bunkers‭!”
Everyone stared in horror as the sea started bubbling and boiling once again.‭ ‬But no one could have ever imagined what was coming next.‭ ‬One by one flat metal discs plopped to the surface of the sea.‭ ‬There were ten discs,‭ ‬each five metres across.‭
After a few seconds of total inactivity the discs started flashing fiery red and yellow light from their edges and then they started to spin.‭ ‬They started turning slowly but soon were turning quicker than‭ ‬helicopter propellers.‭ “‬No‭!”‬ shouted Sam,‭ ‬rushing up to the front line,‭ “‬it can‭’‬t be‭!”
“What are they Sam‭?”‬ asked Stig,‭ ‬watching in disbelief.‭ ‬After figuring out how to destroy the Spider Tanks,‭ ‬Admiral Stig Berg had learnt to trust Sam Marsh‭’‬s judgement one hundred per cent.‭
“Spinners‭!”‬ replied Sam,‭ “‬They‭’‬re here to finish us off‭!”
Everyone stood in silent terror as the Spinners turned faster and faster on the surface of the ocean.‭ ‬They were creating huge,‭ ‬violent waves.‭ ‬In a blinding flash of light they were airborne and moving slowly and purposefully towards the villa.‭
“What can we do Sam‭?”‬ Even Admiral Stig was at a loss as to what to do.‭
Sam was about to speak when there was a gentle tapping on his shoulder.‭ ‬As he turned,‭ ‬all he saw was a long thin metal body and he had to crane his neck to see the head which was over a metre and a half above his head‭!
“Zebedee‭!" ‬uttered a stunned Sam,‭ “‬How‭ ‬did‭ ‬you get out of my workshop,‭ ‬and‭…‬” Sam stared behind the Robo diver,‭ “‬…where did‭ ‬they all come from‭?”‬
Behind Zebedee were at least a hundred other tall,‭ ‬skinny android robodivers,‭ ‬all standing firmly to attention and demanding what they should do next from their commanding officer,‭ ‬Sam Marsh‭!
“You built them Sir,‭”‬ replied Zebedee,‭ “‬don‭’‬t you recall‭? ‬And now we are here to obey your orders.‭”
“Orders‭?”‬ Sam was stunned,‭ ‬he didn‭’‬t remember building a hundred robodivers‭! ‬This felt like a dream,‭ ‬so he pinched himself hard.
‭“Ow!” He yelped.
‭“Sam!” Admiral Stig Berg’s voice snapped Sam out of his daze.
“Yeah‭?”
“Sam,‭ ‬look‭!”‬ Stig was pointing.‭
The Spinners‭ ‬had almost reached land now and it was obvious what they would do next,‭ ‬pretty much destroy everyone and everything.‭ ‬Well,‭ ‬except‭ ‬for‭ ‬the canister that contained Herr Krater‭’‬s precious plans,‭ ‬plans that he‭’‬d sent his Spider Tanks to recover in the first place.‭
Thinking quickly Sam rushed and grabbed the steel canister that was lying on the wet grass and held it aloft.‭ ‬He cleared his throat and began to shout up at the Spinners.‭ ‬He knew this was risky but his choices were severely limited‭!
“Don‭’‬t come any closer Grandfather or I will destroy the plans‭!"
The‭ ‬Spinners seemed to ignore Sam and just kept coming.
‭“I am not joking!” Sam tried to sound as brave as he could but inside he was terrified. If his plan went wrong everyone around him would die.
“Last warning Grandfather‭!"
Suddenly the Spinners stopped moving forward and just hovered fifty metres above the ground.‭
“Ha‭! ‬I knew you were listening‭!”‬ shouted Sam bravely.
‭“Sam! No!” called Freyer, “He’s pure evil! You can’t bargain with a man like him! He’ll kill you!”
“Sam Marsh‭!”‬ boomed a voice from the Spinners.
‭“Grandfather!" replied Sam.
‭“You can’t bargain with me Sam Marsh!"
“I‭’‬m warning you‭! ‬I‭’‬ll destroy the plans‭!”‬
“Ha‭! ‬Ha‭! ‬Ha‭! ‬You can‭’‬t‭ ‬even open the canister child‭!" ‬snorted Krater.
‭“Don’t bet on it!"
“Terminate them‭!”‬ Krater‭ ‬ordered‭ ‬abruptly and once again the spinners started moving forward again,‭ ‬this time they started charging their primary weapons in readiness for the annihilation that was to follow.‭
Before he could do anything there was another tap on Sam‭’‬s shoulder.‭ ‬Sam turned to find Zebedee and his battalion at action stations and they were now all heavily armed with huge laser canons.‭
“My men are ready Sir‭!”‬ reported Zebedee‭ “‬May I suggest all humans take cover immediately‭!”
“Everyone take cover‭!”‬ shouted Sam.
‭“Take cover everyone!” repeated Stig.

FOR MORE SEE SAM MARSH: THE BATTLE OF THE CLOUDSHIPS! OUT SOON!

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships - Prologue

2011-09-01T10:59:00.000+01:00

Prologue:‭ ‬Sunday‭ ‬16th May‭ ‬1943,‭ ‬2.43am,‭ ‬high over the island of Masoy,‭ ‬northern Norway.

‭“The view is beautiful, no?” sighed Sturmbannfuhrer Eric Krater, as he and his trusty technicians stood in the ‘long viking ship’ shaped basket undercarriage of the immense zeppelin they used for their experiments.
“Ja,‭ ‬beautiful,‭ ‬Sir,‭”‬ replied Professor Klaus Jahnke,‭ ‬his trusty sidekick,‭ ‬as he peered down through powerful binoculars at the still ocean ten thousand feet below them.‭
Even though it was still in the wee small hours of the new day,‭ ‬this far north there was barely any darkness as the year fast approached midsummer.‭ ‬They were close to the North Pole and soon it would be daylight for twenty four hours each day.‭
The Sturmbannfuhrer,‭ ‬an eminent professor of physics from Berlin‭’‬s oldest university,‭ ‬the Humboldt,‭ ‬had hastily commissioned today‭’‬s early morning test flight as soon as he‭’‬d become aware of the location the Royal Navy‭’‬s new‭ ‬‘V‭’‬ Class submarine,‭ ‬HMS Viper,‭ ‬which was encroaching on his top secret testing facilities at Havoysund,‭ ‬near the Northern Cape,‭ ‬the very northern pinnacle of mainland Europe before the North Pole.
‭“There, there!” yelled the normally implacable Jahnke excitedly, pointing with his spare hand, “The boat is there!”
“Where‭? ‬Oh ja,‭ ‬now I see the periscope‭!”‬ replied Krater.‭
“She is surfacing‭!"
“Order the‭ ‬‘Death Angels‭' ‬to descend at once‭!”‬ shouted‭ ‬Krater.
‭“Aye Sir!” replied Jahnke, reaching for a radio, “Death Angels, DESCEND!”
Within seconds a dozen commando type soldiers,‭ ‬in effervescent white suites and white capes,‭ ‬leapt out of the basket and dived down like falcons towards their prey,‭ ‬the surfacing boat.‭
The men dived like bullets from a gun.‭ ‬Although they were wearing no parachutes they showed no fear.‭ ‬They didn‭’‬t need to,‭ ‬they were flying‭ ‬like birds and had bird like flight control too.‭ ‬As they neared their prey they effortlessly changed their body positions from dive to‭ ‬flat.‭ ‬Their suits seamed to break their descent in an instant.‭ ‬This allowed them to float down and land on the sub‭’‬s deck as silently as if they were feathers.‭
HMS Viper had‭ ‬surfaced.‭ ‬Straight away the‭ '‬Death Angels‭’‬ got to‭ ‬work,‭ ‬clipping powerful limpet mines at key points all around her sleek hull.‭
Nobody on board knew they were even there until the hatch on the tower opened and an oily seaman poked his head out to take his first breath in four days.
‭“Oy!" He yelled at the men in white, “What in Heaven’s name are you lot doing? Chief! Chief! There some men on the deck!”
Without uttering a single word the angels rose majestically.‭ ‬But their ascent was cut devastatingly short as when they‭’‬d reached only fifty feet the mines detonated early.
The explosions‭ ‬were vicious and deadly.‭ ‬Within a second the smooth,‭ ‬majestic hull of the Royal Navy‭’‬s pride and joy was blasted into a million pieces and all the‭ ‬'Death Angels‭’‬ were blown to‭ ‬Heaven.‭

“Drat‭!”‬ said Jahnke who reeled backwards from the shock of it all,‭ “‬I‭ ‬knew‭ ‬the time settings were too short on those mines‭! ‬I knew it‭! ‬Those poor men.‭"
“Ah,‭”‬ grinned Krater philosophically,‭ “‬never mind,‭ ‬maybe we‭’‬ll just give them longer settings‭ ‬next time.‭”‬ He smiled at Jahnke.‭ “‬Actually,‭”‬ he said,‭ ‬grabbing his shoulders,‭ “‬I think we can safely say that today‭’‬s test flight of the flying suit was a real success,‭ ‬Jahnke my friend.‭”
“Success‭?”‬ snorted Jahnke,‭ “‬but we have lost twelve of our‭ ‬best‭ ‬men,‭ ‬Herr Sturmbannfuhrer‭?”‬
“Pfff‭! ‬They died for our‭ ‬cause.‭ ‬Viper is no longer a pest‭…‬and‭ ‬we now know that the suits work,‭”‬ smiled Krater coldly,‭ “‬I would say that was a resounding success,‭ ‬wouldn‭’‬t you‭?”

Responses to my visits

2011-08-30T10:33:00.000+01:00

Hi Robert,
Just a quick line to say thankyou again for your input with the kids today - they had a great time and it was clear after talking to colleagues later that the children had been very engaged and enthused by your visit. The children in KS2 were really motivated and engrossed - you were a great inspiration to them and my year 5/6 went home 'buzzing' about their homework challenge to turn the work you started into a book of their own by next week. They can't wait to dive into your books for guided reading next week too, and again, I can see these being a real hit with some of the reluctant boys. Look forward to hopefully working together with you some point in the future.

Dear Robert
The day with you in school was very successful and the children without exception enjoyed hearing you talk and read your work. We will definitely be inviting you again! It is unfortunate it is so near the end of term from my point of view, for carrying the work on. But we have the books now and the read and respond material, so thank you for that. So best wishes and thanks again.

Dear Robert
“Thank you!!!! Yesterday went really well, everybody's still excited about the experience and the feedback has been tremendous! Hopefully the stimulus from your book has had an impact on their big writing today -can't wait to read and mark some of them.”

Dear Robert
The children really did enjoy your book and it was great to use to write our own stories. I am not exaggerating when I say it provided us with several weeks' work. The children wrote their own mini books with chapters and, once started, I had very little to do. They were actually asking to write - even the more reluctant writers. Just shows what having a real author and a real book does for motivation. Please - I would love you to come to our class again. Look forward to seeing you again.”

Dear Robert
The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to Rob reading 'Noah Ramsbottom and the Cave Elves'. As he read, the children sat silently, impatiently awaiting the next part of Noah's exciting adventure. We were left wanting more and wondering what Noah would be getting up to in his forthcoming adventures. We did follow-up work involving Noah and the children produced some fabulous character descriptions. Thank you ever so much for visiting our school and bringing Noah to life. We can't wait for your next visit.

Thanks so much for coming to our school Rob. It was brilliant to have a ‘real life’ author to inspire and enthuse the children, and thank you for taking assemblyat such notice! As you read I sat and watched the children, especially the boys, hang on your every word and I could see that they were going to make the most of your visit. Their work was brilliant. Thank you!

HI i just thought i would let you know that you visited my daughter's school N..... today and she wanted to let you know that it was 'the best day ever!' She is an aspiring author and is constantly writing short stories at home! When you said her story was good i think you made her year! Thanks again.

Dear Robert,
Thank you for your workshops at .... They served especially well at inspiring some boys who are reluctant readers and writers. Their follow on pieces of work were especially good. Your sessions also proved very inspiring for a child with SEN and behavioural difficulties. He related to the idea of being an author and through this we have a way of motivating and encouraging him to engage in aspects of literacy, such as spellings, that he previously saw no point in. This was totally unexpected as this child has always been hard to engage. Many thanks

Hello this is Mollie from .... primary school in B...i am just saying a big THANK YOU for coming to our school we really enjoyed it. p.s hope your other book will get out soon it seems nice

Hi Rob, I really liked the story which you read to us. My favourite part was when Tiggleplod was stuffing treasure and jewels in his pants. My name is Ben and I really enjoyed the writing session about Noah.
Thanks for coming into school and working with us. From Ben

Hi ,My name is Becky and I am from ....School.I enjoyed the story of Noah and Tiggleplod and very much enjoyed your session, particulary the writing session.
From Becky

To Rob, I am Lucy. Thank you for coming to our shcool.I have asked my mum if I can buy some of your books but she wont let me.Are you famues?Are you like Gorge Luckas?Gorge is a very good story teller. From Lucy. P.S your a very good writer!
http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Inspirational workshops with Rob Bullock

2011-08-26T15:36:00.000+01:00

Inspirational workshops with children’s writer and award winning blogger

Literacy, drama, art & design and cross curricular workshops.
Early Years, Key Stage 1, 2 & 3

*£150 for half day

*£300 for full day

*plus expenses

Read & Respond Lesson Plans Included

www.ninnylizard.com

Teaching Qualification & Experience

CRB Checked

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

COMING SOON!

2011-08-26T15:07:00.000+01:00

SAM MARSH: THE BATTLE OF THE CLOUDSHIPS

Doctor Chuckle L Gigglyplod from Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island

2011-08-25T09:41:00.000+01:00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noah-Ramsbottom-Treasure-Skull-Island/dp/1609760778/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314261620&sr=8-2

Ninnylizard.com

2011-08-24T15:42:00.000+01:00


see my website for details of my workwww.ninnylizard.com

Click to give to animals in need

2011-08-24T15:37:00.000+01:00

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_ars_linktous_sitenav

Finding stability amid unrest - Article in The Monitor

2011-08-24T13:39:00.000+01:00

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Articles-on-Christian-Science/2011/0824/Finding-stability-amid-unrest

Article on Spirituality.com

2011-08-01T16:04:00.002+01:00

http://www.spirituality.com/article.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Jul2011/1311860242.xml&ElementName=Never%20lost

Settle Story Telling Festival

2011-08-01T16:02:00.000+01:00

Last year I was honoured to be a part of Settle Stories and this year it looks even better! http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7998b02c822020874986f9a71&id=3bab6de48d&e=8389f550f0

Experience storytelling with a difference

Taking place in Settle, the Yorkshire Dales, the Settle Storytelling Festival is for all ages and celebrates the best of storytelling from around the world. This year's featured artists include:

Hugh Lupton in the Homing Stone. This is the story of Hugh's Great Uncle Arthur Ransome's perilous journey through Russia where he played chess with Lenin, and fell in love with Trotsky's secretary.

Grant Gordon from the Divine Comedy performs Century, the story of the 20th Century through music. This is uplifting, multi-media music theatre at its best.

TUUP and Sheema Mukerjee. An unforgettable evening of African and Carribean tales from members of Transglobal Underground.

Taffy Thomas, the UK's Storytelling Laureate, leads storytelling walks and workshops and tells bedtime stories to under 6 year olds. Don't forget your teddy bear!

Kamishibai Capers - Japanese storytelling with highly acclaimed Japanese storyteller Mio Shapley.

Littleplod's lie in and the boing, boing shoes.

2011-07-17T10:31:00.000+01:00

Littleplod's lie in and the boing, boing shoes. By Robert J Bullock

The cave guard, Littleplod, was tucked up snug in his little elf nest. Elves don't have beds like human people. They have little nests made of cushions, pillow, blankets and sheets. Each night they curl up tight in the pile of bedding and go to sleep. But before he goes to bed at night Grandma Crinkleplod always reminds Littleplod to wind his alarm ticktock up, but, as Littleplod hates doing as he is told, he always refuses! So if Grandma Crinkleplod ever forgets to wind the ticktock herself, it ends up stopping in the middle of the night. This is what had happened this morning.

"Littleplod!" called Grandma Crinkleplod from her kitchen as Littleplod’s brothers and sisters were disappearing off to work and school.

"What!" mumbled Littleplod rudely. Littleplod didn't like being woken up. He was a grumpy box in the morning.

"Do you be awake, Littleplod?"

"No! I be SLEEPING!" Roared the angry elf.

"You be late for work!" Warned the old elf.

"I be my own boss!" He shouted rudely. "No-one be telling Littleplod when to start! I be starting when I be wanting!" And with that he burrowed deeper into his nest and went back to sleep.

"Whatever you be saying," said Grandma Crinkleplod calmly, shaking her head.

At ten o’clock there was a loud banging on Littleplod’s bedroom window. All cave elves live in small burrows hollowed out of cave walls. Littleplod's bedroom was on the second floor of the burrow.

"Knock...knock...knock!"

"What?" Shouted an angry Littleplod from under the covers.

"Little..." boing! "Plod..." boing! "Come..." boing! "Quick!" boing!"

A curious Littleplod emerged from his nest and scuttled over to the window. As he opened his curtains, a small, familiar head appeared, then disappeared and then appeared again, then disappeared. Littleplod was becoming dizzy just watching.

"Weenyplod!"

"Hel..." boing, "...llo!" Boing!" said cousin Weenyplod. Weenyplod was a very tiny creature indeed, in fact he was a Naggledong Fairy. Naggledong Fairies live in the pre-historic world full of dinosaurs.

"What be you doing, Weenyplod?" asked Littleplod peering out of his window.

Boing! Boing!

"Be stopping boinging!" screamed Littleplod as loud as he could.

Weenyplod had huge springs under his red shoes, and every time he landed he bounced straight up again.

Quickly, Littleplod threw on his cave guards uniform, ran down stairs and outside. The only way Weenyplod could stop bouncing was by crash landing on his back! And as Littleplod opened the door his cousin was lying flat staring up at the sky!

"What be so urgent?" yelled Littleplod, furiously.

"Mole Robots!"

"What be Mole Robots?" Asked Littleplod.

"Robot Moles!"

"Never heard of them!" Declared the Cave Guard.

"They be attacking the magic cave from underneath!"

"But what can I be doing? I be just the cave guard!"

"Boingboing shoes!" Grinned Weenyplod passing his cousin a pair of the bright red shoes with the gigantic springs underneath. "Be putting on, please!"

"Oh alright!" Agreed Littleplod.

Reluctantly, Littleplod did as he was asked. At first he could barely stand up in the strange shoes. Then when he started bouncing he found he could easily jump quite a height. He discovered that instead of trying to walk he just had to bounce with both his feet together.

"Be following me!" called Weenyplod who was now something of an expert at using boing, boing shoes, apart from when it came to stopping, of course!

The two elves bounced through the magic cave and out of the entrance where Littleplod should have been standing guard. Just down from the magic cave was a large, grassy ledge and burrowing up through the ground were strange, evil looking, mechanical mole creatures! They had big shovel-like hands, one yellow eye in the middle of their face and sharp looking teeth.

Obviously sent by some enemy of the cave elves, maybe the Furglegurgles, to attack Victoria Cave, ten of the horrible mechanical creatures had appeared. As they came through they started bombarding the cave with large bits of soil.

"Oh, no!" yelled Littleplod as the elves in the cave took cover, "what can we be doing about this?"

"I have a plan," squeaked Weenyplod.

"Tell me?" ordered Littleplod.

"Be bouncing on their heads!" Yelled Weenyplod as he bounded down the steep path towards the horrible machines.

"Be bouncing on their heads?" Argued Littleplod, "but that be dangerous!"

But Weenyplod was already bouncing towards the Mole Robots.

"Oy! Be waiting for me!" replied Littleplod following his brave cousin.

Weenyplod and Littleplod were quickly down on the grassy ledge and were bouncing between the mole machines, jumping on them and making them go back underground. Two, boing, four, boing, six, boing, eight, boing, ten, boing! Gradually every one of the Robot Moles were pushed back underground. For good measure, they bounced all around the ledge after the last of them had disappeared until they were finally satisfied that they had gone for good.

"Littleplod!" A lady's voice echoed from the cave entrance.

"Oh, oh!" said Littleplod bouncing up the path, "Miss Bagshot is looking for me, I need to be going and guarding the cave, ooh, ooh I be in trouble, I be late!"

"Littleplod!" Called Miss Bagshot again.

Littleplod bounced and bounced, faster and faster then suddenly he bounced really hard, lost control, bounced on a wobbly rock and flew like a rocket backwards over the ledge! He landed on his back with a heavy thud!

“Ow!” he mumbled quietly, rubbing his very sore head, “I think I should be listening to Grandma Crinkleplod from now on! Sleeping be not a good idea!”

© Copyright Robert Bullock 2009.

To plan or not to plan, that is the question!

2011-07-16T13:27:00.000+01:00

Some writers methodically plan their stories out, others fly by the seat of their pants! I have to say I am asked this question a lot and I always reply both! I fly methodically!

When I get an initial idea, I love pant seat flying! Methodical planning when I’m in this kind of mood inhibits my creative flow, so I’ll write and write and write, up to 6000 words a day!

But sometimes you’ve got to try and gain control of creativity otherwise it doesn’t always make a whole lot of sense.

When starting my writing day I always read through what I wrote last. And more often than not there are a lot of mistakes and sometimes what I’ve created and thought was utterly amazing isn’t even comprehensible! At this point planning can help creativity!

The inferno of the Hellion. From 'Prophesy of Blood'

2011-07-13T09:49:00.000+01:00

The inferno of the Hellion
“Nearly there!” Eve hauled the body of her friend further and further, “help me Siggi!” She screamed over the noise.
Flames devoured what little oxygen was left making twelve year old Eve Blake grasp for breath. Blackness surrounded the small group of mismatched characters as a flood tide of fear enveloped them.
“I can’t do it!" Argued Siggi, “I’m just a girl! He’s too heavy!”
“You’re an adult Siggi,” snapped Eve impatiently, “a full grown woman, oh just get out of my way!” Eve continued to heave her friend along the ground, “just...one...more...pull!" Gasped Eve, “there!”
Eve desperately needed rest but the island in the sea of fire was getting smaller and smaller as the level of the molten liquid rose ever upwards pushing her, Siggi, Vibius and Casiopia further towards the highest point. Casiopia’s wings had been singed so badly that she could no longer fly, Siggi was useless and Eve’s strength was being sapped by constantly having to pull her unconscious soldier friend to safety.
“Eve!" Yelled Casiopia pointing, “look!"
The intrepid reporter Siggi had a small camcorder in her hands and she was busy filming everything.
“Don’t you ever put that thing down?" Barked a furious Eve.
“I’m a reporter Eve!" Argued Siggi Clements, “I record things, then I tell the world!”
“Well soon there might not be a world left to tell!” Said Eve.
“Eve,” Casopia was still pointing, “look!"
Vibius groaned in agony as Eve pulled him towards Casiopia and stood between her friends and the lapping tide of heat.
“What on..." Eve whispered as she looked out over the sea of magma and saw the waves slowly parting. Quickly she held her wand aloft and tried desperately to remember the spells Princess Arachne had taught her earlier. Eve had only ever used magic for stupid things like lifting stones and making doors invisible now she was expected to use it to fight to save lives, maybe a lot of lives.
Now what was it? Eve thought impatiently, racking her brain what was that stupid spell ? But Eve’s mind had gone blank and everything she had learned seemed to have just disappeared into the dark night like everyone she loved.
As Eve Blake searched her memory for the magical words a huge monstrous head the size of a house started to slowly rise up from the liquid metal. Dramatically, first the tips of it’s ears emerged before starting demonic eye. The head had pointed ears, a mouth full of razor sharp teeth and red eyes that were staring straight at Eve.
“No!” Gasped Eve banging her wand against her leg in frustration.
“It’s no good Eve," sighed Casiopia, “your magic is child's magic, you’re not powerful enough! It’s all over now! You can’t resist it, no one can! The Flaming Hellion is the harbinger of evil.”
The birth of the Flaming Hellion marked the fulfilment of the Prophesy of destruction, for trapped behind the teeth in the cavernous demons mouth was Daniel Blake, Eve’s brother and soon the beast would have Eve too. Then it would be too late!

My first workshop in a woodland class room!

2011-07-10T18:47:00.000+01:00

http://www.yorkadvertiser.co.uk/news/9034106.Children_go_wild_about_author___s_visit/

My final visit to Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School near York was with their infants and the day was spent doing creative writing workshops in their brilliant woodland class room!
After reading my stories to the children, they paired up and used almost every inch of the fantastic space to write their own Noah Ramsbottom stories. Then we came back together, sat on our logs, benches and mushrooms and listened to what the children had created.
Thank you Clifton with Rawcliffe School for three amazing days!

The Skeletons battling the pirates!

2011-07-10T18:39:00.000+01:00

I love this picture of one of Peg Leg Julians crew fighting a skeleton from Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island.

Check out more work by my brilliant illustrator Louisa Biggin at http://louisabiggin.webs.com/

Supporting libraries not fining children

2011-07-04T14:44:00.000+01:00

“To try to raise revenues by targeting this client base is a backwards step,” said Robert, who lives in the Yorkshire Dales and has family in Stockton, Marske and Seaton Carew.
“You are fining a lot of people who can’t afford it. If there’s the potential to be fined then people won’t use that service.
“I go to a lot of schools where the kids have next to no money. The first thing they ask me is whether the book will be in the local library. Libraries are hugely important and literacy among children is a really big issue.”

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2011/07/04/teesside-libraries-charging-highest-kids-fines-in-north-east-84229-28989247/

Arts Council support for Jacob's War

2011-07-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

Soon to be published is my novel called Jacob's War which has been supported by the Arts Council.

Set in 1940 the story deals with the mostly forgotten subject of internment in World War 2.

Peg Leg Julian makes Blunderplod walk the plank!

2011-07-04T10:20:00.000+01:00

In Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island, the evil pirate captain Peg Leg Julian makes poor Blunderplod walk the plank!
http://www.ninnylizard.com/skull_island.htm

Teacher responses to author visits

2011-07-01T15:52:00.000+01:00

“Dear Robert‚ The children really did enjoy your book and it was great to use to write our own stories. I am not exaggerating when I say it provided us with several weeks' work. The children wrote their own mini books with chapters and, once started, I had very little to do. They were actually asking to write - even the more reluctant writers. Just shows what having a real author and a real book does for motivation. Please - I would love you to come to our class again. Look forward to seeing you again.”

“Thank you!!!! Yesterday went really well, everybody's still excited about the experience and the feedback has been tremendous! Hopefully the stimulus from your book has had an impact on their big writing today -can't wait to read and mark some of them.”

“The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to Rob reading 'Noah Ramsbottom and the Cave Elves'. As he read, the children sat silently, impatiently awaiting the next part of Noah's exciting adventure. We were left wanting more and wondering what Noah would be getting up to in his forthcoming adventures. We did follow-up work involving Noah and the children produced some fabulous character descriptions. Thank you ever so much for visiting our school and bringing Noah to life.

If you would like me to visit your school please go to my website http://www.ninnylizard.com/home.htm and go to 'Contact'

Resources for Primary/Elementary School Teachers

2011-07-01T07:42:00.000+01:00

Animals are wonderful and when I can I like to help educate children that animals should be treated with kindness and respect. Everyone, even children, should stand up to cruelty to animals of every kind.

Some of my stories about animals are available on PETA's educational website. http://www.allaboutanimals.org.uk/PT-StoryTime.asp

Take a look, read the stories to children, and use the wonderful free resources.

Peg Leg Julian - my favourite character

2011-06-30T14:13:00.000+01:00

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

The Prophesy of Blood

2011-06-30T14:09:00.000+01:00

The Prophecy of Blood is a book that I am just finishing. Set in 21st century York, England young Eve Blake finds a time door on Eboracum Alley that takes her back in time to Roman York, also known as Eboracum, in the 2nd century!
But Eve did not find the door by chance. Someone put it there and wanted her to discover it...
Dark and magical this book moves backwards and forwards between the past and the present and is a fantastic adventure for Key Stage 2/3 and middle grade readers.
Check my website and this blog for details!
www.ninnylizard.com

Feedback from children

2011-06-29T09:05:00.000+01:00

I visit lots of school all over the country with my inspirational literacy and drama workshops and the work the children produce is often amazing. This is an idea for a Noah story from some children in Oldham:

Noah opened door number 40 and he saw a witch flying on a broomstick.
She said to Noah, “Who are you?”
Noah said, “I’m Noah Ramsbottom. Have you seen my Grandad Fred?”
“NO!” said the witch and she raised her sparkly black wand and turned Noah into a frog!
Noah hopped away. He saw a deep pond and he saw his Grandad – he had been turned into a gnome!
Suddenly the magic wore off. Then they went back through the same door and they were home! Mum had a delicious plate of pancakes and Grandad Fred and Noah ate supper.

Fantastic!

Click on this link for details of my author visits http://www.ninnylizard.com/visits.htm

Sam Marsh: The Viking King on Amazon Kindle

2011-06-28T16:01:00.000+01:00

Sam Marsh The Viking King is a thrilling, high tech, adventure story. It's one boys story of self discovery. It moves at break neck speed from a horrible housing estate in England to the Royal Villa in Svolvaer, Norway. The story spans seventy years and three generations. Sam is an eleven year old inventor, a genius, he's even been developing a flying, rocket chair in his garden shed! But he doesn't know that this invention will be vital to the future of the world! Sam and his friends are thrown against the evil plans of the Company. They have to stop them destroying the Rost Reef to get ancient plans back. Plans that will change the future of humanity. But The Company have fantastic machines, X boats crewed by androids, Robo Divers, Spider Tanks and the immense Underwaterworld. Sam needs all the might of the US Navy to help him save the Earth.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sam-Marsh-Viking-King-ebook/dp/B004FN2C18/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1309272921&sr=8-2

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships

2011-06-28T10:07:00.000+01:00

This is a new blog and I hope to keep you updated about my books, events, appearances and new ideas.

The second of the Sam Marsh stories is about to be published by SBG and will soon be in pre-sales. Keep watching www.ninnylizard.com for information!

Furious after his defeat by Sam Marsh, his rocket powered sofas and the US Navy the evil Herr Krater is determined to avenge the defeat of his spider tanks at the Battle of Lofoten and intends to flatten Washington DC!

Krater has built a fleet of immense cloudships with saucer attack fighters and red eyed skelibots to fly them. But his great grandson, Sam, has to stop him.

A sky battle kicks off above America as cloudship is pitched against cloudship in the biggest family struggle of the millenia! If Sam loses it means the total annihilation of the eastern United States!

Children's Writer Rob Bullock's Blog

Noah Ramsbottom and the Great Gold Robbery!

The Excalibur Code By Robert Bullock

Author visit to Forest Park School

The Prophesy of Blood

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships pre-release

The books I use for school visits.

School visits using Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships & Jacob's War

Jacob's War is finished!

FINAL DAY OF SALE - 25% OFF SAM MARSH: THE VIKING KING!

30% OFF SAM MARSH: THE VIKING KING

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Give to those who have no voice.

ORDER NOW on pre-release Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships

FREE Delivery and 17% OFF Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island

FREE Delivery and 21% OFF on Noah Ramsbottom and the Cave Elves

Sam Marsh: The Viking King on Amazon Kindle NOW 60% OFF!

The Boy from Karelia

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships pre-release

Coming Soon, Noah Ramsbottom & the Mystery of Mona Lisa's Smile!

Jacob's War - coming soon!

www.ninnylizard.com UPDATE!

Sam Marsh and the Lunar War - Excerpt

Coming soon on Amazon Kindle - Jacob’s War

A big thanks to Eveline Day School!

National Poetry Day - The Loch Ness Lizard

Read & Answer booklets for my books

School visits!

Mr Littleplod the Cave Guard

The Gurglespink Leprechaun’s from County Fergusbotherbetrouble

Please support my sponsorship to make it public

Amazon Author Page

2000 hits on Red Room Blogs this year!

Bentham & District Pet Rescue

Sponsored Dog Walk

Children's Discovery Centre

New drama workshops

Sita Brand & Settle stories

Herr Krater's revenge

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships - Prologue

Responses to my visits

Inspirational workshops with Rob Bullock

COMING SOON!

Doctor Chuckle L Gigglyplod from Noah Ramsbottom and the Treasure of Skull Island

Ninnylizard.com

Click to give to animals in need

Finding stability amid unrest - Article in The Monitor

Article on Spirituality.com

Settle Story Telling Festival

Experience storytelling with a difference

Littleplod's lie in and the boing, boing shoes.

To plan or not to plan, that is the question!

The inferno of the Hellion. From 'Prophesy of Blood'

My first workshop in a woodland class room!

The Skeletons battling the pirates!

Supporting libraries not fining children

Arts Council support for Jacob's War

Peg Leg Julian makes Blunderplod walk the plank!

Teacher responses to author visits

Resources for Primary/Elementary School Teachers

Peg Leg Julian - my favourite character

The Prophesy of Blood

Feedback from children

Sam Marsh: The Viking King on Amazon Kindle

Sam Marsh: The Battle of the Cloudships