ACHUKA: June 2006 Archives

Here are some pictures from last night's Puffin audience with Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson And The Sea Monsters) and Paul Shipton (The Pig Who Saved The World). The discussion was chaired in relaxed and informal style by Amanda Craig, children's books reviewer for The Times. I did make one or two notes during the entertaining session, but my notebook has disappeared. The photos will have to suffice, except to say that I have been a Paul Shipton admirer for many years, so it was good to meet face to face at last, and that it was refreshing to hear Rick Riordan say that he missed the classroom (he was a middle school teacher in the US for fifteen years).

Rowling: 'I may kill off Harry Potter' | the Daily Mail

Report on J. K. Rowling's 'Richard & Judy' appearance:

J.K Rowling has given her strongest hint yet that she is planning to kill off the young wizard who has made her a multimillionaire...

We are amused from Guardian Unlimited: Culture Vulture

Julia Ecclesahre reports from the palace:

With children's books enjoying a previously unimaginably high profile, this was a chance in a lifetime....

Orion Summer Party 2006

Orion's Summer Party gallery

John Gordon, in conversation with Michelle Paver and Geraldine Brennan (TES)

The White Giraffe by Lauren St John is published 1st August

Gatty's Tale by Kevin Crossley-Holland in published in October, and will be Orion Children's Books lead autumn title

Scripps Howard News Service

An interview with 'Olivia' creator Ian Falconer

Puffin Summer Party 2006

Hodder Children's Books recently held a day devoted to David Almond at Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books, based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle, to celebrate the paperback publication of CLAY, now shortlisted for the Carnegie and the Guardian Awards.

A writing workshop began the day's activities, with clay modelling sessions in the Engine Room and readings of David's picture book - Kate, The Cat and the Moon. The afternoon was devoted to a schools session with an evening drinks and reading to round off the day!

Kate Stephenson, aged 12 said: “It’s been really good listening to his tips of how to become a writer and has really inspired me.”

Two picturesfrom last week's Writing Together event, attended by Children's Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson:

Jacqueline Wilson, Children’s Laureate with Liverpool based poet Kevin McCann, Winner of Writing Together Award for a teacher writer partnership.

Jacqueline Wilson, Children’s Laureate in conversation with Chris Meade, Director of Booktrust, at a Writing Together event at the Royal Institute of British Architects on 14th June

Both Photographs by Dominic Dibbs

Two picturesfrom last week's Writing Together event, attended by Children's Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson:

Jacqueline Wilson, Children’s Laureate with Liverpool based poet Kevin McCann, Winner of Writing Together Award for a teacher writer partnership.

Jacqueline Wilson, Children’s Laureate in conversation with Chris Meade, Director of Booktrust, at a Writing Together event at the Royal Institute of British Architects on 14th June

Both Photographs by Dominic Dibbs

Guardian Unlimited Books | Review | The bookseller: Jun 17

Waterstone's has recruited its new head of fiction and children's book buying from Asda. His name is Toby Bourne, and he effectively takes up the role inhabited by industry enfant terrible Scott Pack ...

Hawking: Humans Must Spread Out in Space, Physicist Stephen Hawking Says Humans Must Move Out Into Space in Order to Survive - CBS News

[Hawking] plans to team up with his daughter, 35-year-old journalist and novelist Lucy Hawking, to write a children's book about the universe aimed at the same age group as the Harry Potter books.

"It is a story for children, which explains the wonders of the universe," said Lucy Hawking. They did not provide further details.

Guardian Unlimited Books | By genre | Little Grey cells

Children's author and illustrator Mini Grey talks to Dina Rabinovitch about the influence of childhood TV on her work and how to humiliate Action Man.

Recommended

Guardian Unlimited Books | By genre | Not so unfortunate

Tim De Lisle meets the 'Roald Dahl of our day' - from yesterday's Guardian

Pullman fails to save water people from the bailiffs - Britain - Times Online

News report from last Thursday in which Pullman describes British Waterways as "the agents of industrial villainy to which this Government has devoted itself..."

News - Preston Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More

Short news report about a Kate Thompson event in Lancashire - interesting for the accompanying photo of author playing out a scene from her latest novel.

Guardian Unlimited | Family | Melvin Burgess on living with teenagers

Melvin Burgess attempts some social commentary about the teenage predicament.

Stick to fiction, mate*. This was published in The Guardian at the weekend. It has taken me a mercifully long time to get to it. Reading it back to himself should bring a red flush to Burgess's cheeks, assuming he is capable of embarrassment.

Drivel.

Growing things are so interesting. It should be a pleasure to review a time when we were changing so much, growing, learning so much. We have a lot to learn from teenagers about how to keep on our toes, about how to be lazy, about how to be playful, and most of all, how to just grow up.

*Look forward to Melvin's autobiography of his own teenage years, though.