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!

CHESTER SHINES ON JONNY AND SIMON

After spending a very comfortable night in the hold of the Duddle pirate ship last Friday - on what was a really dull and dismal day, we awoke to glorious sunshine on Saturday!  A few clouds scuddered across the blue sky, the wind was a fair westerly and all boded well for that days events with the GobbleDEEbook festival in Chester.

Swopping sails for wheels, Capt Duddle drove us into Chester in his trusty Morris Minor - and averaging at least 45mph on a downward hill with the wind behind us, we arrived at St Mary's - the venue.



It was a de-commissioned church and really lovely inside with a  play area, light refreshments, Waterstone's book shop and an event space that soared up to the rafters.

We met Simon for a quick coffee in the city centre and were amazed when a Roman legion, complete with urchins begging, marched past us on their way to the river.

Simon's event was a near sell-out and as ever, the children loved all his teasing and pantomime antics.  Book sales were terrific - and made Helen, the bookseller very happy.

Without pausing for breath - Jonny's event came up next and was in fact the last one that day, and closed the festival.

Not as many costumed pirates were in evidence as were at Cheltenham, but a good and hearty crowd nonetheless and Jonny was still signing books and posters an hour afterwards.

Great hospitality and friendly welcome from Harry, Emily and the team - and nice to meet Jessica who was my original point of contact all those months ago.  Thanks to you all!

Sunny Times at Cheltenham

Festival goers enjoying  the autumn sun

Well, they say the sun always shines on the righteous - not sure how righteous we all are, but certainly lucky with a bright, sunny weekend at Cheltenham for the Times Literary Festival.
Spread over two squares and in every theatre and town hall, the festival attracts thousands of visitors and this year was no exception.  Everyone who was anyone was there - including of course, the lovely Templar team!

First off on Sunday morning - a 10 am start, but queues all down the road to get into Dave Lowe's My Hamster is a Genius event.  Over 60 tickets sold beforehand, but with at least that number again turning up on the morning, it was packed and Dave really enjoyed the banter from the children (and their parents).   The quiz once again generated lots of laughs and furrowed brows and the winning child got to take home their very own Stinky toy.

All the event stock was sold with lots of parents asking when the next one was out - and teachers commenting on what a great series it was for their 7-9 year old pupils.

Young fans

After a quick coffee, it was time for Simon Bartram's event - and once, again, families queued around the block with a rush for the front seats.  Though one family who came with their  children clutching the two largest balloons ever weren't that popular - until, of course, the balloons ended up floating up to the very high ceiling.

The audience were treated to a whistle-stop tour of the 10 years of Bob and it ended with Simon reading aloud The Moontree - with an ending that satisfied everyone.

Making sure Simon spells her name correctly!

It was a bit daunting for Simon sitting alongside Jacqueline Wilson in the signing area (she had been there all the time he was doing his event) but the Bob fans were as enthusiastic and delighted to chat to Simon.










 The Waterstone's staff were thrilled when Simon  drew them a special alien for their display wall of fame!

Finally we ended the day with a raucous pirate event led by Jonny Duddle.  Most of the children and some of the adults came dressed in pirate costumes and they all loved seeing his images and hearing him read the Pirates Next Door.  Jonny was also very proud of his new hat with a lovely feather.

Group aaaargh

Even mummy pirates came along

A happy and fun filled day and thanks to all at Cheltenham who made it so!

Bath Kids Lit Fest weekend

In keeping with the Regency theme of our recent blogs,  Templar's lovely authors and illustrators had a great first weekend at this year's Bath Festival of Children's Literature. 

On Saturday afternoon it was a Graphic Novel Workshop with Emma Dodd and Kelly Gerrard (aided and assisted by Martin Brown, of Horrible Histories fame) and children, adults, librarians and Bath Festival volunteers got down to the serious business of making their own graphic novels.  This time Emma and Kelly also brought along some blank booklets for the children to really develop their ideas.  We had two hours and it flew by!  Amazing ideas as ever from the children - one had a brilliant pencil case hero, chasing after rogue rulers and evasive erasers.  Space, aliens, robots all appeared as their imagination showed no limits.

 Sunday morning at the beautiful Holburne Museum for a masterclass with Grahame Baker-Smith.  What a wonderful experience for all those who came along - again, a full house!  Grahame showed us his early sketches and notebooks for Farther, along with paintings and revealed how he used photo shop to create his magical images.  The adults were just as fascinated by his creative processes and we all loved looking at his original artworks.  We were also treated to a sneak preview of the new book, A Winter's Child - so looking forward to seeing it published. 

Around lunch time it was Dave Lowe's chance to show off Stinky - his genius hamster, but beforehand he had to have  a publicity shot of Stinky and the Puffin Club puffin called Stuffin ... think Stinky and Stuffin weren't too sure of each other.

Dave's event was a sell out - which is brilliant for an author  (he lives in Australia) with his first book just out.  What a delightful event - the children were in stitches over the antics of Stinky and came up with all sorts of ideas for what Stinky could do next.  Dave wasn't too sure about a football themed story, saying Stinky would make a rotten goal keeper ...

 And finally, it was Simon Bartram's turn to raise the Guildhall roof with his Bob's 10th Birthday event.  As ever, the children roared and shouted and pointed out every alien to a somewhat bemused Simon, who kept up the mantra that "aliens don't exist" for a while, until he got shouted down.

It was lovely to hear him read out The Moontree Mystery, with the last page making everyone go "aaahhh".

Thanks to all at Bath for their help and support - and as ever to team Templar for lots of laughs and fun.

Librarians welcome Templar

All three librarian groups, the YLG, SLG and SLA came together over the weekend of 9th and 10th June for what I called a Mega Mash-Up.   Over 300 librarians from schools, colleges and the public sector spent an enjoyable weekend at a conference venue in Old Windsor.

Templar's stand, as ever, caught everyone's attention with lots of comments on our new fiction list - which Helen Boyle was ready to expand on and introduce them to new titles for next year.  The picture books looked really strong and again, lots of ooohing and aaaahing over the titles.

Templar sponsored the Grand Opening of the Exhibition with glasses of bubbly for everyone and Mandy giving one of her wonderful exhortations on the wonder and power of books - urging everyone to get out there and sniff a book!

Katherine, Simon and Mandy

Up early the next morning Katherine Roberts, chaired by Helen Boyle, gave a spirited talk about her work and how much she loves her new characters in the Pendragon series.  She is clearly loved by the librarians who understand exactly what she means about inspiring children with legends and history mixed together.   All the delegates left with a special 'magic' Arthurian bead to guide them through the day.

After coffee, it was Simon Bartram's turn to describe a day in the life of an illustrator - or rather, what goes on in his shed when he's creating a picture book.  Alongside Simon was David Macintosh, an illustrator who works entirely digitally - so a really interesting session on the style and practice of each of them.

Back to the stand where Helen and I continued to talk to delegates, show them blads of new books and hand out reading copies.  Glad to say most of those found a good home.

Templar - after the reception - not all drunk by us!

All in all, a successful conference and once again, lots of compliments to Templar!

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.

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!

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/

Simon Bartram's South of Newcastle Tour

Day 5: Lewes Old Grammar Junior School

Bob and Barry's 4th lunar adventure
is out in April

Friday morning - the last day of the tour and I think Simon was feeling a little weary by now as we had an early start in order to get to Lewes by 9.am. Sue Giles who organised our visit to Lewes Old Grammar Junior School had invited Simon to their school a few years ago, so she knew what to expect - and laid on cakes and mugs of tea. Wonderful.

Tiny little reception age children filed into the hall - whilst a few parents joined in at the back. Quite nice for Simon to have a gentle beginning to the day especially as the next session was with the very grown-up older juniors. They were hilarious with lots of backchat and when Simon said he couldn't see any aliens, one shouted out "You should've gone to Specsavers!" and we all fell about.

A quick pub lunch - we were in Lewes, home to Harveys beer after all - and back into school for the last session with a lovely group of 7 and 8 year olds, who of course, loved all Simon's dodgy jokes. More tea and cakes and Anna from Bags of Books set up shop. Interestingly, she sold quite a few Watch Out For Sprouts! and one boy said he could recite The Dog Ate my Homework off by heart as it was his favourite. A photographer from the local paper rushed in, took a few pics and rushed off again.

The pupils of Lewes Old Grammar School with alien friend

Back to Bags of Books shop in the town for a final reading of Bob's Best Ever Friend to children and parents. So pleased to see this terrific shop still doing great business - and obvious fans of Templar books as they were everywhere - including our new fiction in the teen section.

And there ended Simon's tour 'south of Newcastle' - it was a pleasure to see yet again the response to his books and the huge warmth children, parents and booksellers feel towards him. Thanks Simon - we had fun, met lots of lovely people - and now its back to that shed, to bring us another wonderful picture book. We can't wait!

Simon Bartram's South of Newcastle Tour Day 4

Day 4: Stanford Infant School and West Hove Junior School, Brighton

Bob's second adventure

For World Book Day on Thursday, Simon headed down from London to Brighton and first stop was Stanford Infant School. An alien in underpants met us at reception, and a Shirley Bassey bird took us into the hall. Strange things going on here - we know Brighton has a bit of name for itself but these characters were definitely a little bit different. And they were just the teachers! Inside the hall were over 250 children, all dressed up as their favourite book characters - and it was great to see a fair few astronauts and aliens lurking amongst the Where's Wally's, Alice in Wonderlands and Harry Potters.

After Simon's wonderful and energetic event, the children sang us a lovely song all about opening up a book and seeing what's inside. Very touching and I think the first time we've been sung to.

The children from Stanford Infant School in their alien costumes

Vanessa from The Book Nook in Hove was on hand to help with the book sales as Simon and I looked through some project work on Bob Man on the Moon. I loved the DT work around the patterns on Bob's tank top. There were poems and drawings and even a playground installation. Brilliant work Standford Infants.

Then it was off to West Hove Junior School, where their theme was Shakespeare - so a rather loose connection with astronauts and aliens, but no one seemed to mind. A rather fetching trio of witches met us in reception and we found ourselves in front of another 250 children. Once again their shouts and laughter raised the roof and Simon stayed on to meet parents and talk to the children about his work. They were all so excited with the news of another picture book to look forward to.

More great costumes from West Hove Junior School

Vanessa whisked us back to her charming little bookshop in Hove and Simon valiently read his book to a noisy crowd of children and parents. Prizes were given out to the best dressed aliens (I especially liked the little tinfoil with green spots one) and we said our goodbyes.

Fun and games at the Book Nook

Thanks so much Brighton and Book Nook for making our World Book Day so much fun.

Simon Bartram's South of Newcastle Tour Day 3

Day 3: Corpus Christi School, Brixton

Jayne has taken a break from the Simon Bartram Tour to spend the day with Emma Dodd at Danes Hill School in Oxshott - the winners of a picture book competition run by ReadingZone. So, she's handed over to the lovely Becky who has taken some great snaps of Simon's day with the pupils of Corpus Christi School in Brixton.

Here's what Becky had to say:

Simon Bartram presented three (Nursery & Reception/Year 1/Year 2) incredibly lively Bob sessions at the Corpus Christi School yesterday, my ears are only just recovering!! He was on FIRE and the children loved it! I was incredibly impressed with the school, the children were so polite and well behaved.

A big thanks to the pupils and staff at Corpus Christi School for a great day!

Simon Bartram's South of Newcastle Tour Day 2

Day 2: St Francis School, Peckham

Simon Bartram

Day Two - sounds a bit Big Brother, especially with Simon's Geordie accent - but what a day. Once again, road works foiled my satnav so I arrived at St Francis School in Peckham, South London just as Simon had finished reading Man on the Moon to the reception class. He said some of them were about 3 years old but all sat and listened as quiet as mice.

The hall had been decorated with a huge moon painting done by the children with lots of rockets and space stuff all over it. It looked really good.

If the reception class were quiet and a little over-awed by this strange man reading them a story, then Year 1 and Year 2 (around 150 children in all) soon put paid to that. The noise levels and the unbelievable enthusiasm by them for all things Bob was fantastic. We agreed that this class was one of the best we have come across. They clearly adored the book which they had been working on before half term, and one boy came forward with his rocket model, with his drawing of Bob and himself in the 'cockpit'.

After a quick cup of tea, in marched the next set of year groups, 3 and 4 - this time wearing space inspired hats, which they waved around and whooped and cheered all the way through. Another terrific response to Simon - who I think is going to expect this level of audience participation all the time now.

Years 3 and 4 wearing their space hats as they watch Simon Bartram

We decided to bunk off from the staff room and school dinner and went out to look for lunch - rather a change from Dulwich village where we were yesterday, with its smart shops and delicatessens. High rise flats and boarded up shops - but we found a greasy spoon and Simon had sausage and mash (with gravy - £3.50) and I had omelette and chips. No sauce.

The afternoon session was with the 10 and 11 year olds, who insisted they weren't too old for a story, which Simon incorporated with his chat about becoming an illustrator. They really liked his comment that in this busy world they should keep a little quiet space in their brains, as "ideas are like little birds trying to find somewhere to land".

We had a Q&A session afterwards with questions such as "what feelings occur to you when you are writing" (happy); "what would you like to have been if not an illustrator?" (footballer) and "who helped you at school?" (wonderful art teacher, Mrs Scott).

Tales on Moon Lane set up a bookstall in the school hall, and we were mobbed. Amazing - sold out of Bob's Best Ever Friend and made a serious dent in the rest of the stock. Delighted with the response and so nice to meet the parents, all keen to meet and talk to Simon and have their children's photo's taken with him.

What a brilliant school and so much admiration for the teachers who have obviously inspired their classes. Huge thanks to Jilly and Danielle, the literacy co-ordinators for all their work.

A sample spread from Bob's Best Ever Friend (click to enlarge)

As a special treat I had promised Simon we would go to the Norman Rockwell exhibition at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. We rushed in (last entry at 4.30) at about 4.45 and I pleaded with the receptionist to let us in - which they very kindly did and we savoured the extraodinary artwork of this American painter. Really inspired Simon - and it was great for me to have a personal guide to someone who's work I have only ever seen on those iconic front covers of the Saturday Evening Post. Really recommended and on until end of March.

That evening saw us in the Angels and Gypsies tapas restaurant in Camberwell (a wonderful place, thoroughly recommended), where around 10 booksellers, librarians and literacy co-ordinators came together for a lovely meal and lots of good chat. Most had not met Simon before, so it was a great opportunity for them all - even if one was an Arsenal supporter (Sunderland are playing the Gunners on Saturday).

A weary late night journey home, but what a great day... I hand over the Bartram baton to the lovely Becky, who's out and about with Simon in Brixton for his next day of events.

I'll be with Emma Dodd in Surrey... but that's a whole new story.

Simon Bartram's South of Newcastle Tour Day 1

Day 1: Dulwich Hamlet Junior School

Simon and Bob have blasted off on their adventures south of Newcastle with their first stop at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School. Templar's Press Officer, Jayne Roscoe, reports back on the day's events...

Man on the Moon won the
2004 Blue Peter Award

In the beginning: Please can we have Simon Bartram visit our school - the children would just love it and he's fantastic. The pleadings of two head teachers I met at a seminar (back in the autumn last year) that Simon had just done for teachers on his books featuring Bob, Man on the Moon. And so began the planning for this week in March, which would take in three days in south London schools and two days in Sussex schools. As Simon lives in the north east, it makes sense to tempt him out of the shed with the promise of several school dinners in a row.

A cold and wet Monday morning and we rendevous at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School at about 9 am - well, Simon got there before me as I didn't listen to my satnav and found myself up a cul-de-sac with the school on the other side of the roadworks. Still it was quite nice gazing into the chi chi shops whilst waiting for the green light.

He kicked off with the year 3's. Sweet lovely children who when asked what pets they had, one insisted he had a camel. They also had a great idea to give Barry, the alien dog, a call sign of brrrrrbrrrrrbronngg whenever they saw him, rather than the traditional woof woof.

A five minute break and the year 5's came into the hall. Slightly bigger and with a little more attitude. Simon re-adjusted his talk to include more about his drawing process and they all loved seeing his sketch book and the different stages of how he constructs a painting. After another short break, the year 5's were replaced by the year 4's, who were determined to out-shout the rest of the classes.

Simon shows the year 4's
his sketch book

Their roars when aliens were spotted practically deafened us all and they shrieked with laughter at their own silliness. Simon was being pretty silly too and that just added to the general mayhem and noise.

Now time for lunch and off we went to queue jump the dinner line up - there are some perks to being with an illustrator. Rice and 'mixture' was the order of the day and after ducking and diving back across the playground, we found the staff room where peace and quiet reigned. Most of the staff were catching up on their half term news, which gave us a time to relax.

For the last session we had the top year group, the year 6's. Very smart and sophisticated and for them the funniest thing was Simon's accent. Soon, however, they were all with him, booing and hissing at the dog catcher, barking when Barry came into view and when Simon said he got the idea for Bob's Best Ever Friend from his own situation, i.e. man in shed on his own most the day - one young person wise-cracked, Why didn't you get a guinea pig if you were lonely? No answer to that really.

Ruby Craven and Maame Jehu-Appiah interviewing Simon for their school newspaper,
The Dulwich Hamlet Junior Press.

With all the class events over, Leah from Tales on Moon Lane set up shop in the school hall and as we waited for the parents and children to come and get their books, Ruby and Maame, both aged 10, interviewed Simon for their school newspaper. Quizzing him about his own school days and his favourite books amongst other things, the two intrepid reporters wrote copious notes for their article.

Unfortunately, Mrs Case, the headteacher who had originally asked Simon to visit was in a staff meeting as we left, so we weren't able to say a personal thank you for a great day and to all the children at Dulwich Hamlet Junior School - there are no such things as aliens!