Curtis Jobling Presents Harrison Wilman with the Neville Johnson Comic Strip Competition Prize

Curtis Jobling awarded Year 8 pupil of Marple Hall School, Harrison Wilman, as the winner of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival 2014 Neville Johnson competition. Harrison entered the comic strip competition after Curtis’ inspirational visit to his school back in 2014, along with fellow class pupils.

Judging the competition, Curtis was blown away by the creativity and innovative ideas featured in the competition entries, but he had no doubt that Harrison’s entry deserved the prize. Harrison’s entry followed the theme of ‘what would you do if you were invisible for a day’, and featured a boy carrying out a series of mischievous adventures unbeknown to others involved.

As the winning entry, Harrison’s comic strip was designed by a professional comic book illustrator, and framed by bespoke furniture brand Neville Johnson, as well as a signed copy of Curtis’ new edition to the Haunt series: Dead Wrong. In addition to these wonderful prizes, Harrison had no idea he had won the competition, and was surprised by a visit from Curtis and the MCBF team, as were the rest of his class members.

The team took this surprise visit as an opportunity to announce this year’s Festival competition in association with Usborne Books, which invites children to design a comic strip based around time travel, inspired by Matt Brown’s series Compton Valance.

Have you ever dreamed about time travel? Ever imagined what it would be like to go wherever you wanted and do whatever you wanted? Well, we want to hear all about it! Imagine that you, or a fictional character, have the power to travel backwards or forwards in time. How would you use your superpower? Where would you go? What would you do? You don’t have to be an artist – just make your comic strip unique, fun and exciting. Print off a template and entry form from the MCBF website and when you’ve finished, send it to:

MCBF Comic Strip Competition

Room 123

Geoffrey Manton Building

Rosamond Street West

Manchester

M15 6LL

Or email your completed entry to: mcbf@mmu.ac.uk

Amber Shares Her First Memories of Reading

By Amber Hodson

My first memories of learning to read involved many pop-up books. I can’t remember exactly what they consisted of but I do vaguely remember colourful aliens and starlit backgrounds. At primary school my love of books heightened soon after the installation of a small library which was tucked away in a small side room. Hundreds of children’s books adorned the shelves and once a week we would all pick a book and read from it.

I have many books which I could quite confidently place under the title of ‘Best Books According to Amber’, but if I had to choose only one I’d go with Roald Dahl’s The BFG. A truly remarkable tale written by an amazing children’s author. The BFG was one of the first ‘major’ books I managed to read by myself from beginning to end.

The story of Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant captured my imagination like no other, especially at an age where my fantasy worlds clashed with reality. What if there are giants that visit humans when the world is sleeping? What if there are such things as snozzcumbers?

Since then my love for the written word has followed me into adult life. Whilst I don’t often venture into book stores for a physical copy of the latest novel, I do find myself browsing the Kindle Book Store for hidden treasures and deals. My fond memories of reading as a child have stayed with me all these years and I’m not afraid to admit that I still find myself reaching for Beatrix Potter, J. K. Rowling or Roald Dahl books in a bid to turn back the clock.

The MCBF2015 team are looking for your blogs, stories, book reviews, photos, poems - simply anything and everything to do with your favourite children’s books! Email mcbf@mmu.ac.uk to get involved.

#BookSelfies for ReadWell

We asked for your support with the ReadWell #BookSelfie campaign and you did not disappoint! Take a look at some of our favourite pictures.

ReadWell is a registered charity that enriches the lives of seriously ill children in hospital by bringing them free books and professional storytellers. To donate text Read 98 £2 to 70070. To find out more about this charity and their projects visit the ReadWell website.

Oliver, Neil, Teddy and Rose Harrison reading their favourite bedtime stories.

Rachel Bruce reading Cakes in Space.

Natalie Carragher and Lisa Bach reading The Smartest Giant in Town and Some Dogs Do.

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Kaye Tew enjoying Carol Ann Duffy's Underwater Farmyard.

  Sián Olivia with her favourite children's book The Bedtime Bear.

Why not share your book selfies, stories and photos on our Reading and Writing Relay blog? The MCBF2015 team are looking for your stories, book reviews, photos, poems - simply anything and everything to do with your favourite children’s books! Email mcbf@mmu.ac.uk to get involved.