Author Visits: Wrexham Carnival Of Words

I'm a big fan of book festivals.  I love attending them myself, and seeing my favourite authors talk about their work.  So I'm thrilled whenever I'm invited to visit a festival.

The Wrexham Carnival Of Words is a new festival, but it's already establishing itself as a brilliant one.  It was a real honour to be invited by the organisers, Charlotte Jones and Shan Cooper, to talk to a festival audience about my books.

Many schools in and around Wrexham took part; there were more than 200 people there! It was fantastic to be able to meet so many young readers, and to see their enormous enthusiasm for books and writing.

We didn't have quite enough time to answer all the questions that everyone had, so if anyone in Wrexham would still like to ask me anything, or to make a comment about the event or about my books, this is the place to do it!

Author Visits: The Institute Of Education Library

I'm a huge fan of libraries.  I write my books in them, and I couldn't do my work without them.  So it was an absolute honour to be asked to open the new children's book corner in the Institute Of Education Library!

The Institute Of Education trains student teachers, who then go out and apply what they've learned in classrooms around the country.  This book corner offers them a brilliant resource, to help them learn how to bring books to life for young readers.

 
It supports the idea of reading for pleasure, which is something I believe in very strongly.  Reading should be fun, and books should be a great thing to display in classrooms, as this book corner shows!

It was also wonderful to hear about work that teachers have done with my books.  I'm always humbled and inspired to learn that Varjak Paw or Phoenix has been shared and enjoyed in a school.  So a huge thank you to the Institute Of Education, to the brilliant Sue McGonigle for inviting me – and to all teachers who have kept the Way alive!