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.

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!