Those of you who have been following the Blog may have noticed that I have been absent for a few weeks. I decided to take a break over Christmas and then with a problematic start to the new year owing to snow problems it has taken me a little while to get properly back on track. So my apologies but I am now back and have lots of exciting plans for Armadillo and the Blog this year, thanks of course to all those who contribute their time and effort and of course all the wonderful writers and illustrators of children's books!
I have of course been busy in my absence, primarily in my day job as Librarian in a primary school where I have just run a fabulous Book Week for the children who are aged 6-13. This involved in the region of 15 authors and illustrators visiting the school and we had the pleasure of authors such as Jeremy Strong, Gwyneth Rees, Patrick Ness, Michelle Lovric, illustrators included Chris Wormell, Adam Stower and Karin Littlewood, we even had the motivational 'worm poo lady' telling us more about how to care for the world around us. the buzz amongst the children was brilliant but the joy it has inspired in them to read, create stories and even draw has been fantastic. I am now planning Book Week 2011, if anyone would like to make any suggestions for visitor ideas then please do get in touch.
All this has meant that I have been squeezed for reading time but I have still managed to curl up with some wonderful picture books from Lizzie Finlay's 'Little Croc's Purse' a tale of honesty and its consequences to Emily Gravett's 'Blue Chamelon' teaching the reader that to fit in it is important just to be oneself I have also enjoyed the debut 'Magic Glass' by Jocelyn Dolamore.
The variety of children's books set to be published this year is thrilling and I look forward to continuing an exploration with as many of them as possible through the blog, the magazine and of course my work in school.
For now however some quiet reading time and a little bit of creativity call....
