I’ve been reading a few blog posts recently about how to survive the summer holidays when you’re a work-at-home mum, how to keep your little ones occupied etc. and I realised I am at an awkward age with my three. At 9, 11 and 14 they don’t want to go to kids clubs...
The Summer Reading Challenge for 2018 is called Mischief Makers in honour of the much-loved children's title Beano, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Children will follow clues and explore a map of Beanotown to find the mysterious buried treasure, with...
Storymakers is a creative writing club for kids. UPDATE: THE CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER WORKSHOPS HAVE NOW FINISHED. FOR DETAILS OF WEEKLY GROUPS FROM SEPTEMBER, PLEASE GO TO THE STORYMKAKERS WEBSITE: http://www/storymakersclub.com In addition to weekly groups, we offer...
Every year the National Literacy Trust conducts a survey among children and young people to gauge their interest and enjoyment in writing outside of school. The 2017/18 survey interviewed 47,786 UK school children aged 8-18 years, asking them questions about how often...
This week, the Young Writers looked at story openers. We examined different ways to open a story, to see which worked best for the story ideas they're currently working on. The group is currently writing stories aimed at young readers who have just moved on to...
‘Time School: We Will Remember Them’ is book one of a series of four and is available to pre-order now. "A power cut and a series of mini disasters means friends, Jess, Nadia, Tomma and Ash barely make it to the station to catch their train to school. What they...
On 25th May 2018, the Data Protection Directive will be replaced by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Although the UK is in the midst of BREXIT, these regulations are likely to be converted into British law and with that in mind, organisations need...
Research by the National Literacy Trust examines attitudes towards writing among children and young adults. Much has been done in terms of studying the importance of wider reading for enjoyment and its connection to reading ability, but what about writing? The...
Many of the children who come to my creative writing club start out as reluctant writers. They have absolutely no problem talking, funnily enough, and that’s fine if they’re sharing ideas. But when it comes to actually writing these ideas down, it’s often a different...
Most children love stories and they all have amazing imaginations. With a little support and guidance, they can become a confident writer too. It goes without saying that if you want to improve at something, first you have to practice. The more you practice, the...
As it's Mother's Day soon (11th March in the UK), I've compiled a list of gifts that would be perfect for mums who love reading and writing. I'm not hinting at all, promise! Coffee and book club subscription I've seen a number of these. You can choose from book plus...
A snow day is the perfect excuse to stay indoors and catch up on some writing. Having a snow day, it seems, is no excuse for not doing any work and my middle daughter's school gave her enough to do to last at least a week (not sure how long they think they'll be...
One of my groups at the Storymakers Club is the Young Writers. They are aged eleven or above and get together once a fortnight for some writing practice and to work on their current project. It's a great little social group too. This week I used music as a writing...
Today marks the start of #NationalStoryTellingWeek and in honour of this, I’m sharing my book recommendation for February and asking the question, do you still read with your children? I’m not talking the dreaded book scheme reading, that from my own personal...
Want to hear about my next book? It's a middle-grade fiction story for 9-11 year olds, like my first book, but that's where the similarity ends. This one is the first in a series that centres on four children, a school, the events that have occurred during its 100...
Nondula is the second part of the 'Waifs of Duldred' trilogy and it's shaping up to be the most interesting trilogy I've read in a long time. If you haven't read book one, 'Oy Yew', I suggest you add it to your reading list immediately! You can read my review here, if...
I write children’s books, I love stories and I want to share my passion for writing and creating stories. That’s why I set up, Storymakers, my creative writing club. I’m not a teacher, but does that make a difference? At the start of a new term or course, when I...
Whilst a certain politician thinks the environment isn’t worth bothering with for him and ‘his country’, I have been both shocked and ashamed to learn of the damage plastic waste is doing to our oceans. Towards the end of last year, I began to make small changes in my...
When you are little, you're encouraged to follow your dream. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ When you ask this question to a child, you'll hear all sorts of amazing, weird and wonderful answers, from Superhero and Princess, to Premier League Footballer and...
ENOUGH I’ve been out of the loop for some years, but now I find myself with a 13, going on 14 year old and I’m learning there’s been a lot of changed in the world of teenagerdom. Of course, I’m not naive enough to think teenagers will remain tee-total until they’re...