Speaking of books

It’s nearly the end of the school year. How does it effect me? Quite a lot actually. This year I visited more schools than ever before. I still have two school visits next week, but the holidays are around the corner.

 Going to schools, talking to children and doing workshops is very inspiring for me and I do enjoy it. I will never get tired of seeing children drawing these amazing  pictures

O.k. it can be hard work too. Talking from morning to late afternoon to hundreds of children and their teachers, making sure that everybody is happy isn’t always easy.

But what makes my job much easier is the agency SPEAKING OF BOOKS , run by Kate, Elli and Jan Powling. Speaking of Books organises my school visits and events and they are do a great job. I’ve just realised that I’ve been with them for a few years and I can’t  praise them highly enough for what they do!

It’s always nice to see children being excited about the visit. It’s good to know that they are inspired to read more books, perhaps write some stories themselves or do pictures (or both).

For me it’s  great to see children’s reactions towards my books and I do get inspired by their enthusiasm.

Apart from organising my events Speaking of Books also sells quite a big number of my books at schools. It does make a difference these days when it is so hard to get books in to the bookshops. It’s appreciated not just by me, but also by the publisher, I’m sure.

I realised how long I’m with Speaking of Books last Tuesday when I went to Yardley Primary School in Birmingham . It was one of the first schools I visited some time ago. Three lovely ladies I know were waiting for me.  Phyllis, Pat and Denise. They are now retired, although Denise has few more days at her lovely school.

I did two talks and we made this picture. It was a great day and nice to see familiar faces.

On Monday I was at Stanley Road Primary School in Worcester. Again, I know the deputy head Stephen Murphy, who is a writer and poet himself.

Wednesday – I was picked up from the hotel where I was staying by Lisa, the head teacher of the primary school, Samuel Ryder Academy in St. Albans. I know Lisa. I visited the school where she used to be before she the became head teacher. It was nice to meet up again. I had a good day in the new school.  It seems that the theme of  the week was Elephant and Suzy Goose.

On Thursday I was took part in a celebration to open the new Primary School in Tooting in London. Of course, opening a new school is always an exciting experience not just for children and parents, but for everybody involved. Great day. Brilliant Jeremy Strong was also there.

On Friday I was mainly doing emails and I fell asleep in the middle of the afternoon watching Wimbledon. I was tired though.

This week I’m going to Kingham Hill School in Kingham. I will work with children on ideas for picture books. These workshops can be challenging and I never know what exactly can happen, but it only makes it more exciting.

I’m looking forward to it.

Here is one more picture. This one was done by a teacher. Who said that pigs can’t fly?