Showing posts with label Manchester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester. Show all posts

Friday, 24 April 2015

Happy Anniversary Alice in Wonderland!


By Chelsea Klaasen

This year the literary world celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The story, or at least a version of it, was once told to three little girls on a boating trip. After that Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll was his pseudonym) planned to expand and publish it. One of the first manuscripts was given to one of the girls (Alice Liddell) as a Christmas gift. For this little book, Carroll made his own illustrations and he called it Alice’s adventures underground. Later versions of the book have been illustrated by John Tenniel, he made the images we all know and love. The title of the book also changed slightly and now we know this story mainly as Alice in Wonderland.

Nowadays, many different publications of this book exist as well as films, musicals and plays. I have decided to celebrate this loved children’s book myself and that is why I made an Alice in Wonderland workbook for you to use in the classroom. It can be used as a whole, but you can also pick the activities that suit your age group best. Of course, I also encourage you to add your own activities.

For some of the exercises it is important that the children have read the story. For others they can use their knowledge of the book or films and for some they can just use their creativity.

I hope you like this workbook and please let me know what you think of it or how it went down with the children you teach.

I have not included the answers to any of the activities because I am sure most of you can figure it out. If you would like some help, or you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to leave a message.

Download Chelsea's Alice in Wonderland Workbook here

Enjoy!


After her teacher training Chelsea Klaassen studied Children's Literature at Reading University to learn more about the wonderful worlds of children's books. After her degree she decided to start a blog on which she posts creative reading and writing ideas and exercises for teachers, parents and carers to use. You can find her blog here. Follow Chelsea on Twitter at @Chelseamorag1.

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.

Friday, 10 April 2015

Relaxing With Books After Revision


Mia Poppy Lomax Mchale, Saffron Burrows and Niall Devine.

Mia, Saffron and Niall wind down with books after a SATS revision session at Fairfield Road Primary School in Manchester.


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.

My Favourite Childhood Books



By Adam West

Such is the list of my childhood favourites it’s really quite tough choosing a winner from the pack. From early memories of my mum doing all the characters in different voices in Winnie The Pooh, to loving the beautifully detailed illustrations of Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge series, I could happily write a whole book on the topic. But I think the books you treasure the most are the first ones you read by yourself. For me, like so many, they were written by Roald Dahl.

His genius, like that of his modern day contemporary, the equally revered J. K. Rowling, was to create worlds of sheer fantasy that suck the young reader in, completely immersing them in the tale. Where they differ is that Roald Dahl was able to abandon one world and reveal another time and again. Reeling some off in my mind now (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, James & The Giant Peach, The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, Matilda, Danny - Champion of The World), I realise another similarity with Rowling; all these titles and more have been plundered by the film industry, thirsty for the kind of ready-made fantasy world only the fertile mind of a creative writer can bring to life.

Roald didn’t have the kind of happy childhood I was fortunate enough to enjoy, and his books are pure escapism; heaven for a young, over-active imagination. Perhaps he found it cathartic, perhaps his goal was to provide escape for kids having a tough time like he did. Whatever, he left behind an incredible body of work which is still loved internationally today and speaks to the child in all of us.


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.

Thursday, 9 April 2015

Ahoy There Me Hearties!

Louie McGlochlan, aged 4.
Louie enjoying How Pirates Really Work by Alan Snow.


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.

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Ella Rose and the Elephant

Ella Rose Lomax Mchale, aged 3.

Ella Rose reading THE slightly ANNOYING ELEPHANT by David Walliams.


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.

Thursday, 2 April 2015

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

Monday, 23 March 2015

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.

Monday, 16 March 2015

#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.

Monday, 15 September 2014

A Pharaoh Abroad - Bangkok


26. 7. 14.

Bangkok

We landed at Bangkok Airport and I was overwhelmed with happiness and joy. Once we had checked in and gone through immigration and security we had a wander and stretched our legs. We then caught a shuttle bus to the Novotel near the Airport as we were staying there the night because our flight was the day after. 

The Novotel was a grand place. There were shops and restaurants dotted everywhere. A man greeted us at the door and took our heavy luggage and allowed us to keep our hand luggage. Afterwards we checked into our room and had some breakfast. Dad and I shared a pain au chocolat. I loved it. I think the very first dish of its kind to find its way down my throat in a long time. 

After we had eaten our fair share of food we went upstairs to look at our rooms. Dad and I got a suite! Eeeeek! I was so excited. We all had a nap as we were all tired and jet lagged. 

Afterwards we went downstairs. Dad bought some macaroons as he is addicted to them. Personally I prefer sea weed soup but I didn’t add my wig worth. We had lunch at one of the buffet restaurants. Dad and I shared crab meat wrapped up in a crab head shell. NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! After we had gorged ourselves on crab meat we all decided to go swimming well if Dad, Isaac, Super and me count, that’s everyone. I love water and the sea as you see I come from Egypt. You may think that I lived in a posh stuck up pyramid or mansion. I lived in the Nile well obviously I’m a Sea Monkey. Yes that’s right I’m the Prince of the Nile the 8th Wonder of the World. When a few hours were up we went back to our room and watched a smidgen of TV. 

We all soon grew hungry. So we all went down to the buffet. Dad and I had a bit of everything. Some prawns and some soup and even I dread to put this down… MACAROONS! Right I need to say sorry. I could see how my father adored them as the crispy sugary layers were so lovely and sweet and the icing inside was interestingly tantalising. Soon we needed to go to bed so we all floated off to dreamland.

Mummi with a bit of help from Joss Abbs-Brown, aged 10.