Fun Ways to Teach Tommy Donbavand's Scream Street

By Candy Gourlay

So my friend, the author Tommy Donbavand, is having a terrible, terrible time at the moment. His illness means he's had to cancel all his school visits, which is the bread and butter of children's authors.

Tommy has to be one of the most impressive figures in the UK children's book scene. He's got a majestic output -- he wrote the Scream Street books on which the CBBC TV series is based, he's written a Doctor Who book, he has written for Beano, and has written plenty of other hilarious, creepy, scary books that children love.

Not only that, Tommy used to be a CLOWN.

I will let that sink in.

Is the Calm Real? A Teaching Resource for Shine

World Book Day is fast approaching and I'm excited to say my days are going to be packed with school visits --  I can't wait! It's been a while since I last made a teaching resource so here's a brand new one - focusing on Shine. If any work comes out of this resource, do let me know via the contact form below.

Candy Gourlay's Teaching Resources: SHINE - Is the Calm real? from Candy Gourlay

HALF TERM SHENANIGANS

This coming half term, I will be featured in the very popular Imagine Festival in the South Bank alongside lovely Laura Dockrill, author of Loreli (AMAZING read - go get it!) and the Darcy Burdock series. We're going to be talking about how realism and myth meet in young fiction. Emily Drabble, fastest children's journalist in the West, will be chairing our event. If you happen to be in London, do come and watch - we're on at 1 pm, 16 February, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall - you can book tickets here.

Laura's famous for her blue lipstick, so in an attempt to keep up here I am with ... er ... green lips.

I'm also participating in Dahl in a Day, basically it's a Matildathon - with authors and various others reading Matilda in a day on Thursday, 18 Feb from 10.30 am. It's FREE! The cast of Matilda the Musical is performing soon after 10.30 ... and if you're still around about 1.30, I'll be reading Chapter 19!

In fact, Laura and I were in the Guardian talking about the intersection between realism and enchantment in young fiction. Go read!

SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES

Today authors, educators and librarians marched on parliament to demand an end to the apathy and ignorance in local and central government that has led to the closure of many libraries.

Writers & illustrators supporting libraries at #SUFLlobby16!! @JohnDougherty8 @PhilipArdagh @mygibbo #JakeAinott pic.twitter.com/Rdl4QZPke1

— Sarah McIntyre (@jabberworks) February 9, 2016

High-profile writers including @cathycassidyxx, Jake Arnott and @PhilipArdagh joined this morning's #SUFLlobby16: https://t.co/nFMXD1sVRb

— The Bookseller (@thebookseller) February 9, 2016

Inspiring day thanks to #SUFLlobby16 & everyone who came to speak up for libraries. @SpeakUp4Libs #MyLibraryByRight pic.twitter.com/TrLGONwkgE

— Dawn Finch (@dawnafinch) February 9, 2016

Now you can print this year's library poster! Link to the free downloads: https://t.co/U0djqejadY #SUFLlobby16 pic.twitter.com/6mCOYUxgTC

— Sarah McIntyre (@jabberworks) February 9, 2016

I am an author today because a librarian helped me discover my lifelong love of books. Please, everyone, do what it says in the campaign: SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES.

Dear Candy Gourlay, Why did you decide to become a children's author?

By Candy Gourlay

Previous | Win more than 30 UKYA Books

Because of THIS:

 

Excerpts from a bulging envelope of letters from the children of William Read Primary School in Canvey Island. Thank you to the Year Sixes, Ms Probin, Mr Overill and other staff of William Read. 


Kids, you made my day! Thank you for making my job the best in the whole wide world.
Love, 
Candy

It's not too late to win a MOUNTAIN OF BOOKS! Join the UKYA egg hop - count up the chocolate eggs on participating authors' websites. Anybody from ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD can join! How does it work? Read this. Where does the Blog Hop start? Go to Teri Terry's blog.