A few dates for your diary

Upcoming events in March 2013!

Saturday 2nd March 2013

C.J. Busby

C.J. Busby, author of the magical Frogspell series (www.frogspell.co.uk) will be signing books at WHSmith Exeter (Guildhall Shopping Centre) from 12pm


Jonny Duddle will be at Waterstones Liverpool One from 2pm

Sunday 3rd March 2013

Karen Saunders, author of Me, Suzy P will be signing books in WHSmith Bath from 2pm


Friday 8th March

Karen Saunders

Jonny Duddle is appearing at the Book Nook in Brighton from 4:30pm

Saturday 9th March

Jonny Duddle is at Waterstones Southampton West Quay from 11:30am

Simon Bartram will be at Discover Centre from 12 -1pm

Belinda Rapley will be at WHSmith Norwich from 12pm

Sunday 10th March

Michael Morpurgo is appearing at Oswestry Festival at 10am

Saturday 23th March

Simon Bartram

Jonny Duddle will be at Waterstones Chester 11:30 - 12:30 and then from

2:30 - 3:30 at Waterstones Wrexham


Sunday 24th March

Jonny Duddle will be at Waterstones Llandudno from 11:30 until 12:30

Wednesday 27th March

Jonny Duddle is at Waterstones Altrincham from 11:30am

and then from 2:30pm Jonny will be at Waterstones Manchester Deansgate

Saturday 30th March

Jonny Duddle will be at Waterstones Cheltenham from 11am until 12 noon.

Jonny Duddle

Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with events and news!

How The World Works Wins the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize 2011

Well it certainly feels great to be the WINNER!

It was such a proud moment for the Templar team last night to step up and accept the top prize from The Royal Society at their very smart awards ceremony for their Young People's Book Prize 2011 for How the World Works.

Very nice things were said to us (and about us) by the adult judges and we watched a hilarious video made by the younger judges from schools all over the UK. Lying in a pile of autumn leaves in a park, alongside a motorway, one young judge said, holding up our book, "You can read it anywhere!"

One thing that came over most strongly was that the interactivity of the book made it stand out head and shoulders from the rest of the field. The scientists (there were lots of them there) and the judges all praised the fact that the pops weren't just for decoration, they actually contributed to the understanding of the content.

Christiane made a lovely speech and both she and Beverley were congratulated by the other shortlisted authors and illustrators - with Nick Sharratt being especially complimentary about the book.

We then rounded off the evening with a bite to eat, before heading off home - weary but so glowing from the praise.

Good on Templar!

The winning team (left to right): illustrator Beverley Young, author Christiane Dorion and paper engineer Andy Mansfield proudly hold their award!

Simon Bartram at the Science Museum

This event at the Science Museum in London really made Simon Bartram's day - as he got to wear a REAL spacesuit! It was taken out of one of the Museum's display cabinets for Simon to put on after he had done his work (draw an alien, sign books and chat to very excited parents and children who were very pleased to meet him). The NASA suit from the Apollo XVII mission was worn by an astronaut by the name of Cernan - and it was this suit, along with proper Moon Boots that Simon got to wear. Luckily it fitted. After a few star jumps Simon calmed down long enough for us to take some photo's. What a brilliant event - and a real treat for Simon and all of us there. This is definitely one for the scrap book.

Thanks to Rachel and the team from the Science Museum bookshop who made this happen.

P.S. We also went up to the Launch Pad to see the winning drawing from the alien competition held by the Science Museum as Simon was one of the judges. It looks brilliant full size - congratulations to Aishling for a winning design.

Word Up! Festival

Three days at Word Up! the new South London children's book festival held in Dulwich saw Templar's Adam Stower, Emma Dodd and Kelly Gerrard and Simon Bartram play to sold out events. First up with Adam and despite a young fan knowing that the doggy was in fact a bear, and kept on shouting this out - Adam, as ever, was delightful with the children who just love guessing his drawings. The parents are pretty keen on him too!

That was on Saturday, then on Sunday - it was a Roman Rescue graphic novel session with Emma Dodd and Kelly Gerrard - and this being an area of very motivated children they really got stuck in with their graphic novel spreads - based on the Red Riding Hood scene - with Emma scaring herself with her own picture of the wolf. It was one of the children's suggestions that Red Riding Hood arm herself with a gun, but we are pleased to say that no wolves were harmed in this event.

Monday morning, bright and early had Simon Bartram in the main theatre at Alleyns School, which was the venue for the Word Up! festival. Very smart school - even have a Costa Coffee on site. Again, a packed house literally brought the house down with their excitement and shouting. A best alien fancy dress competition was judged - and following the X Factor lead we had best boy, best girl and best group winners.

Simon's writing and drawing workshop was well attended and some brilliant ideas were discussed, drawings done and a superb alien drawn by the children at the end of the session.

Thanks so much to Word Up! for inviting us - its was very well run and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Shaun Tan visits Seven Stories

Well, despite a marathon flight over from Melbourne to Edinburgh, there was no sign of fatigue or jet lag from Shaun Tan as he met his first audience at the book festival last night. As ever, everyone was entranced with his story of how he works, the themes of his books and the wonderful miscellaneous stories he willingly offers up. Still full of energy he joined the rest of the Templar team for a late night meal. Pick up at 9.30 am this morning, Wednesday to catch the 10 o clock train down to Newcastle. For Shaun, a treat - as he hasn't been out of London on previous visits to the UK - so a chance to catch the stunning scenery on the journey south, through Berwick on Tweed. We were met at Newcastle by Alison Gwynn from Seven Stories who took us to the centre's special collection depository. A quick coffee and a choccie biscuit and then we were being shown amazing original artwork and notebooks by Edward Ardizzone right through to Polly Dunbar's work. Onwards to the Seven Stories building itself and a quick tour round the current Anthony Browne exhibition before getting ready for the event itself.

To a packed room, Shaun started his event guiding us through a pictorial description of 'A Day in the Life...of Shaun Tan'. Where letting iguanas out in the morning refers to a part of his normal domestic life before his starts his 'job'. We all sat in wonder as suddenly the little things in our daily lives could be seen in such an extraordinary way if we just make a small 'adjustment' to the familiar. We were further amazed as we were shown pictures Shaun had drawn through his childhood – Star Wars-like spaceships by the age of 12!

The following 60 minutes, we were treated to insights into the creation of The Lost Thing, both book and award winning film. The Arrival and why it didn't need words. The Red Tree and it's ability to be valued by people in many different ways.

A short 'questions and answers' session was following by a very long queue for a unique Shaun Tan signature! Definitely worth the wait!

Shaun Tan on Tour!

Shaun Tan - Award winning author and illustrator of The Bird King, Tales from Outer Suburbia and The Arrival :  winner of the Astrid Lingren Memorial Award for his contribution to children's literature and an Oscar for his short film, The Lost Thing is in the UK this August.

He will be appearing at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Tuesday 23 August and Thursday 25 August

On Wednesday 24 August he is at Seven Stories in Newcastle.

He arrives in London on Tuesday 30th August and will be doing a book signing at Foyles, Charing Cross Road from 2.00pm.

Later that same evening, he is in conversation with  Paul Gravett - Director of Comica Festival and editor of “1001 Comics You Must Read Before you Die” at Waterstone's Piccadilly at 7.00 pm.  This is a ticketed event. For more information, please contact  0207 851 2400 or  events@piccadilly.waterstones.co.uk.

Finally, a wonderful exhibition of over 30 original paintings and prints of Shaun's artwork is on display at The Illustration Cupboard in Bury Street, London from 9th August to mid-September. www.illustrationcupboard.com

Check out shauntan.net

www.illustrationcupboard.com

www.templarco.co.uk

www.paulgravett.com and www.comicafestival.com

A day trip to the north with "the delightful" Simon Bartram

Well it's not often that we get the chance to take a jolly jaunt to the north but this week the opportunity arose to accompany (the delightful) Simon Bartram to the CLPE reading conference in Huddersfield.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Simon's work you simply must visit his fabulous blog here...
His Bob books have been a staple on the Templar list for some years and have delighted readers across the country.

Simon wowed a crowd of budding librarians with stories about his work, inspirations and influences and tried as hard as he could to enthuse then in his first love Football (sadly to no avail)

After a brilliant hour long talk with the aid of a powerpoint presentations, several fabulous vintage comics and a high tech lazer pointer Simon stayed to have his picture taken with smitten librarians and sign a huge pile of books (which could have quite possible reached all the way to the moon).

What a cracking day and what a super star Simon is, a genuine 100% lovely chap, he deserves a trophy!

Swash buckling tales with Jonny Duddle at the Pop Up Festival

Swash buckling tales today with Jonny Duddle at his Pop Up Festival of Stories event in West Library, Islington, north London. Along came some well behaved young land lubbers from Vittoria School and soon they were all joining in with shouts of "Ahoy!" and a very loud 'BURP' at the end as the Pirate Cruncher ate up everyone - except for the macaw and the strange pirate with strings attached. These year 3 and 4 children have been making a play featuring the ending of Pirate Cruncher - and they took back to school a very large drawing of a pirate, that Jonny created for them.

Simon Bartram Writing Workshop

Our very lovely author Simon Bartram, Blue Peter Award winner with his book ‘Man on the Moon’, will be holding a free adult story writing workshop in Conference Room 4 of Birmingham Central Library on Wednesday 20th April.

Come along between 12-2pm to meet Simon and learn how to write a children’s story and create amazing illustrations. Lunch will be provided.

Attendees will each receive a free goody bag, containing a signed copy of Simon’s newest book in the ‘Bob 'n Barry Lunar Adventures ’ series: Clone Chaos. Plus notepad and pencils to get you started writing your very own children’s story!

To register your place at the Munch Time Adult Story Writing Workshop contact Jovana Lakcevic on 020 7395 7141 or Jovana.Lakcevic@fleishmaneurope.com

Simon is the author ambassador for the Munch Time Storytelling Competition, which gives budding children’s story writers the opportunity to have their winning book published, plus a £1,000 cash prize. Five runner ups will each win a £500 cash prize. To enter visit the Munch Bunch website: http://www.munchbunch.co.uk/parents/win/

SLA - Guest Post by Author Teresa Flavin

Here is a guest post by Templar Author Teresa Flavin after her recent trip to the SLA conference

Last weekend I ended my winter hibernation and got on a train south to do something for the very first time: attend a School Libraries Group conference. It was my first time speaking about my writing to an adult-only group, let alone a conference of librarians. This might have been daunting except that I was able to mingle, share a meal and be on a quiz team with the friendliest librarians you could wish for.

There was a terrific buzz about the conference centre and it was infectious. Many librarians told me how much they enjoy meeting authors and what a great time they have at the SLG Conference.

Johnny O’Brien and I were the Sunday morning speakers on a panel chaired by Templar Publishing’s Helen Boyle. Any pre-speech nerves I had evaporated when I recognised familiar faces in the audience – although I did ‘encourage’ Johnny to speak first so I could see how it’s done properly!

Johnny is a really engaging and interesting speaker. I got so engrossed listening to him talk about the inspirations for his Jack Christie books that I almost forgot that I was there to speak about mine. Luckily, I love speaking about the story and inspirations behind The Blackhope Enigma; and for the first time, I spoke a bit about the forthcoming sequel, The Crimson Shard.

One of the nicest parts about speaking to audiences who love books is meeting them when I sign their copies afterwards – and the school librarians were no exception. It’s especially thrilling when people tell me they’ve connected with something I said, or they know a child who will love my books. A number of librarians mentioned that they would be giving The Blackhope Enigma copies as school prizes, which makes me very happy.

Thanks to all the lovely SLG conferees who made me so welcome!

Emma Dodd at Bookfeast Schools Festival 2011

It was an inspired move to stage the Bookfeast Schools Festival in museums and galleries in and around Oxford as yesterday, Emma Dodd presented her A Roman Rescue book to an eager and excited group of school children - who not only got to meet a real live author but then went on a treasure hunt around the fabulous museums. My school days were never like this.

We were in the gallery in the Pitt Rivers Museum - a smallish, darkish wonderland of amazing artefacts collected over the years by those Victorians who went off with a knapsack (apparently its not the done thing to ask about the shrunken heads) and gathered stuff. All around us were cabinets of curiosities, huge totem poles, canoes hanging from the ceiling...

I did feel very proud of myself in getting Emma to the Museum dead on 9am as requested - driving from Guildford to Oxford in foggy conditions wasn't wonderful but we did it.

Her first event was at 9.45am and year 3 from Manor Primary School arrived in their smart blue blazers. After listening to Emma explain how she did her graphic novel, they set about creating their own storylines using Little Red Riding Hood meeting the wolf dressed as grandma. Again, their creativity was wonderful - and as a special treat for them all, Emma drew lots of pictures of their pets, ending up with a drawing of her own dog, Bart.

Emma draws her pet dog Bart for the children at Manor Primary School

After a quick whizz around The Ashmoleum Museum, we were back for our second session - same as above - but this time with a slightly older year group from St Ebbe's Primary School - who once again, wowed us with their creative writing and drawing.

A lovely day with lots of good feedback from teachers and Blackwell's who were very impressed with A Roman Rescue and definitely looking forward to the Egyptians.

Emma Dodd and Thomas Docherty at the Discover Children's Story Centre

It feels like we haven't seen Jayne for ages! She was out and about last week with Simon Bartram and Emma Dodd and on Sunday (6th March) she spent the day with Emma again as well as picture book creator Thomas Docherty at the Discover Centre in Stratford. She has been keeping in touch with her blogs, however, and here is what happened over the weekend.

Click here to see more of Emma's books
Click here to see more of Thomas' books

The Big Write is a festival of children's literature run by the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford, east London, during March. On Sunday, two Templar authors and illustrators, Emma Dodd and Thomas Docherty told stories, drew wonderful pictures and charmed the children and their parents.

Thomas had a storytelling event and picture drawing workshop and even the tiniest tot joined in. His wife, Helen and two children Lucia and Bethan came along too and joined in with the others. Thomas put a huge piece of card on the floor and asked all the children to help him draw a magical playground - and they did! Wonderful imaginative work by all. I do hope this picture goes up on the wall alongside all the others.

The magical playground takes shape...

Emma's audience once again enthusiastically joined in with all the animal noises for her Miaow Said the Cow reading and their drawings too were lovely.

The fans queue up to get their books signed by Emma

Thanks to all at Discover for making us so welcome and to all those who came along for joining in and making it such a fun time.