WORKSHOP {part two}

So the Brent workshops were a slightly different set up. They were about me and my latest children's book 'Batty',  creating a workshop around the book. These workshops are always fun, but are sometimes difficult to gauge as until you get there you never really know what type of audience you will get and how many children will turn up! I always go prepared with two workshops in mind, that way I feel I can take on what ever is thrown at me and hopefully everyone is happy - most importantly the kids and the council that has employed me!

This time is was a mixed bag with only a few children at the first library but loads at the second! It all went well though as the children (and parents/carers) were really enthusiastic. I love how they interpret my characters and re-draw them, it is fascinating to watch. Children of that age (4-7ish) always draw in such a care free way, I suppose the way we as illustrators are trying to capture, or hold onto. It is refreshing to watch and good for me to. I also feel renewed after a workshop, exhausted, but eager to get back into the studio.

The theme for the books this time was 'Batty at the Olympics'. Being from London they seemed particularly inspired and excited by the events on their doorstep. Many of them had seen the torch and loved the idea of the bat being at the Olympics competing in events and winning against other animals - such fun imaginations!

REVIEW

Stumbled across this very nice blog with a fabulous collection of children's books. Very happy to see my book reviewed so nicely here, and amongst some illustrators I so admire! Would like to own many books on this site, I have a few, but can always add to the growing collection and the heaving shelves!

This one, and this one look particularly good. Maybe on Stanley's (and mine!) Christmas list...

Don't forget, just 5 days left to enter my giveaway!

POP UP

recently i was asked to visit two schools in london to deliver a workshop event as part of Booklinks and POP UP. the schools had been given my books to read a few weeks before my event and so when i arrived many were excited to have me there which is always a nice feeling! one school had "Batty" and the other school had "Monster Day at Work".

with the first school we read the book then talked about animals at the zoo while i did a few drawings for them. they then created a huge picture with me, all drawing whatever animal from the zoo they wanted so we could hang them upside down on a branch...as is the theme of the book. the school had been really brilliant and done so may lovely things with my book and the children. when i turned up there were bat and lion masks, little bat models and amazing bat handprints. so sweet to see!
the children were reception age so mainly about 4 years old. they all did really well and i took some photos on my phone to show what they created.

the second school had also been working on my book too so i had a really warm reception! again we read the book and then spoke about the themes in the book. we 'brainstormed' ideas about what monsters looked liked which was fun. then they all created there own monster going to work.

a really fun day out for me. i find it is so rewarding to go into schools to do these workshops. connecting with the children that i write these books for is really important. sometimes working from home you can forget who your work is really for. this way i feel excited about working and go home ready to create more things! after all they can be brutally honest, if they don't like your stories then there is very little you can do about it!!