Francesca Simon Audio interview

Just One More Book has a  really interesting interview with Francesca Simon. Despite being a global phenomenon  since the mid nineties Horrid Henry is only now being published in the US. The interview touches on what might have delayed the US release, and there is also much discussion of the pleasure of reading aloud.  Well worth the 25 minutes for this one.

First Flight at Fighting Words

I was lucky enough to be in Fighting Words this week as they welcomed their first school group. The building is absolutely stunning – bright and airy with flexible space and bookshelves that act as doors.

For primary school groups they get the chance to work with  a host and an illustrator to create their own book and each leave their personal copy, complete with space for each of them to add their own unique ending.  The session worked really well and the kids  I chatted to adored the whole process. Sarah was their faithful scribe.

Its a very powerful symbol to have an organisation dedicated to creating and enjoying stories. Wouldn’t it be magic if every town in Ireland had a dedicated story space?

Fighting Words are always on the look out for volunteers- its’s great fun, give it a go. You can read more about other international versions over on 826valencia.org

Very Hungry Caterpillar is top bedtime read

Happy New Year to one and all.

According to a recent poll Very Hungry Caterpillar is the top bedtime read – the book you understand, alas not this humble blog.

As reported in the Daily Telegraph British parents are turning to safe options for bed time reading. With many deciding traditional fairy tales are just too scary or too unPC for their little tots

Three quarters of mothers and fathers try to avoid stories which might give their children nightmares and half of all parents would not consider reading a single fairy tale to their child until they reached the age of five.

Top bedtime stories of 2008 in Britain:

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle (1969)

2. Mr Men, Roger Hargreaves (1971)

3. The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson (1999)

4. Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne (1926)

5. Aliens Love Underpants, Claire Freedman & Ben Cort (2007)

6. Thomas and Friends from The Railway Series, Rev. W.Awdry (1945)

7. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame (1908)

8. What a Noisy Pinky Ponk, Andrew Davenport (2008)

9. Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child (2001)

10. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Robert Southey (1837)

Top 10 fairy tales no longer read:

1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

2. Hansel and Gretel

3. Cinderella

4. Little Red Riding Hood

5. The Gingerbread Man

6. Jack and the Beanstalk

7. Sleeping Beauty

8. Beauty and the Beast

9. Goldilocks and the Three Bears

10. The Emperor’s New Clothes

Barefoot Books launch a young storytellers competition

Barefoot Books have launched a new competition for those under 14 which is all about storytelling. It’s all happening through youtube and young storytellers have to upload their stories to the site. There is a few technical steps to overcome but you have plenty of time considering the closing date isn’t until November. For more on the competition – visit barefoot books site

Here’s a sample of one of the entries

I came across this on Publishing News which alarmingly has just announced their decision to cease publication both in print and online. It’s a shame I always enjoyed their weekly e-news bulletins.