It has been a dreary, wet and windy month but I was cheered up yesterday by visiting my friend’s new pets.
Read MoreIt's National Libraries Day on the 4th February
Aquick blog post to let you know that on the 4th of February, it will be National Libraries Day.
Read MoreNew books coming soon!
First of all, take a look at this young reader (a friend of mine's little one) getting stuck into one of my upcoming books, The Noisy Jungle, which will be published by Little Tiger Press.
It's always nice to see my stories in action!
The Noisy Jungle is one of three books I have coming out soon for children of all ages. The others are When Will It Snow?, also published by Little Tiger Press, and Beast Hunter, which will be published by A & C Black.
All three books will be out this Autumn, so keep your eyes peeled!
Also, don't forget that you can check out all my other books right here on my website.
Come see me at the Bath Festival of Children's Literature
I will be reading from my books and doing activities with the children as part of the Bath Festival of Children's Literature on Tuesday 27 September.
Read MoreComing soon, my new book, Beast Hunter
Here's a sneak preview of the cover of my new book, Beast Hunter, which will be published soon by A&C Black!
Read MoreClick Clack Crocodile's back chosen for Summer Reading Challenge
I had some wonderful news this week when I found out that my book, Click Clack Crocodile's Back, has been selected as part of this years' Summer Reading Challenge. The Summer Reading Challenge was developed to enhance children's reading by creating a fantastic atmosphere though events and activities around reading. The challenge is to read six or more of the selected books from your library over the summer holidays. Each year the theme changes. 2011 is 'Circus Stars'!
The Summer Reading Challenge is run by The Reading Agency through the summer holidays and takes place in 95% of British public libraries with over 750,000 children aged 4-11.
For more information visit the Summer reading Challenge Website: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
A great day out at Stonar School
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of visiting Stonar School in Wiltshire, where I held one of my school visits. I had a fantastic time meeting and working with the children at Stonar, and was delighted to receive this wonderful feedback from Sophie Drew, who is in Year 9.
"We got the chance to read some of Kathryn's stories as well as write our own. Kathryn was very helpful and inspirational to us all and we would like to thank both her and the English department for such a great morning!"
Remember, if you'd like me to read and work with the children at your school, you can find more information on my Schools page and get in touch directly. I'd love to hear from you.
Best wishes to Tapora School in New Zealand
I had a lovely email from Jenny at Tapora School, New Zealand, and want to send them my thoughts and best wishes.
Read MoreMartin Amis: ignorance is bliss?
Last week, Martin Amis said a few things about writing for children in an interview with The Guardian. This post is my take on his remarks. Reported in the Guardian on the 11th February, Martin Amis’s comments about writing for children:
"People ask me if I ever thought of writing a children's book,” "I say, 'If I had a serious brain injury I might well write a children's book', but otherwise the idea of being conscious of who you're directing the story to is anathema to me, because, in my view, fiction is freedom and any restraints on that are intolerable."
"I would never write about someone that forced me to write at a lower register than what I can write," he added.
There has been offence taken on this comment, quite understandably. However, I think that all Amis’s comments show is that he is ignorant in the area. Any writer would be dissuaded from taking on a project that could limit their freedom of expression and scope, which Amis assumes happens when writing for children.
I think JRR Tolkien, Roald Dahl and Rudyard Kipling, to name but a few, have produced work of amazing breadth and imagination for children that is of notable quality and will remain a part of our culture for years to come.
Writers, who write down to children, patronize and show no understanding of their audience, generally fail. Children of all ages are astute and at times painfully honest, more so than adults.
So I believe that Amis has merely shown ignorance and inexperience in the field of children’s books which is quite sad in this enlightened age.
Photograph: David Levene
Come to my Ruby's School Walk event on Saturday 5 March in Sheffield
RUBY’S SCHOOL WALK will be an open event held at Sheffield main library in Surrey Street, S11 XZ at 2.30 pm on Saturday 5th March.
Read MoreGet ready for my new books
Find out more about my new books and the campaign to save our treasured libraries.
Read MoreWatch me talk about my book, Ruby's School Walk
My latest book, Ruby's School Walk, was published earlier this year. In this video, I talk about how I came up with the idea and what the book means to me.
Read MoreA wonderful trip to Norwood Green school
Earlier this year I did a school visit at Norwood Green where I spent the day reading from my books and having all kinds of fun and games with the pupils there.
Read MoreGreat book offers across the South West!
Newspapers across the South West region, including my local Wells Journal have a great offer on at the moment. They’re launching a whole series of factual books, packed full of fascinating information.
Read MoreBooks here, books there, books flying everywhere
Hi everyone, so I guess you know that it’s World Book Day (WBD) on March 4th. So following WBD, I’ll be trotting along to Yatton, near Bristol and we’re going to mask up and play act in celebration of books worldwide. What a great way to spend a Saturday.
Read MoreBrilliant Benhall!
Well, I had a wonderful time at Benhall Primary School and I must say a big thank you to everyone for making me so welcome. We had great fun in the hall making fantastic, bright masks; all made and coloured for the Click Clack, Crocodile’s Back event. A wonderful teacher, Miss Ruffle (who was completely unruffled by the whole experience) was a great sport and really brought the show to life by donning the pink flamingo hat, banana jacket, and shoe shuffling to Tuxedo Junction.
Read MoreA true tale about Dangerous Creatures and an upcoming competition!
Well, for all you local readers there is a competition coming out in the Journal Newspaper. It will be published on the 17th September and the first correct answer out of the bag wins signed copies of Here Comes the Crocodile and Click Clack Crocodile's Back!
Read MoreClick, clack I'm back from Edinburgh!
So, Crocodile came out to snap, chase, dance and jig to all at the Edinburgh Festival! Find out how it all went...
Read MoreCome and see me at the Edinburgh festival!
That's right, I'm off to Edinburgh and as I prepare to venture to the Festival, I will be packing some of my favourite stuff.
Read MoreHello readers and welcome to my blog!
Yes, welcome to my website and even better, this new blog where I can keep you up to date with where I am and what I'm doing! So, to begin with I have to let you know that my next Crocodile book is stamping through the bookshops, rampaging the shelves and waiting to be tamed. That's right, Click Clack, Crocodile’s Back is out now and available on Amazon, at Waterstones and other book outlets.
Also, Click Clack, Crocodile’s Back will be strutting around the Edinburgh Festival 2009 with lots of masks, activities, music and fun stuff. You can also access some great activities from my publisher’s website –Little Tiger Press, Summer Stuff. Go for it!
That's it for now, but be sure to come back soon to see what's new!