Sea Monkey Raffle Raises Over £500 for ReadWell UK

Sadly, the 2014 Manchester Children’s Book Festival has come to an end. We had a fantastic week packed full of incredibly talented children’s authors at various venues across Greater Manchester. 

Sea Monkeys were donated to Manchester Children’s Book Festival by talented knitters and creative crafters, and were raffled off throughout the Festival to help raise money for ReadWell UK. ReadWell is a charity that regularly provides brand new, carefully selected, fun and interesting books to children in hospitals throughout the UK. It is a fantastic cause, of which we are lucky enough to have working hard in Manchester Children’s Hospital.

We held multiple raffles over the course of the 11 day Festival, winners are as follows:

Friday 27th June – Manchester Children’s Book Festival Launch Gala

Andrew Biswell, Professor of Modern Literature at Manchester Metropolitan University, won Frankie

Jess Collinson-Shields from Browne Jacobson won Happy

Frankie (Left) Happy (Right)

Saturday 28th June – Festival Family Fun Day

Haleh Moravej, Senior Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, won Uncle Diógo

Neil Harrison, History student and Editor in Chief of Student Press Office at Manchester Metropolitan University, won Bubbles for his children

Bubbles (Left) Uncle Diógo (Right)

Friday 4th July – David Almond in Conversation with Livi Michael

Tatyana Kartojunsky from Didsbury won Ollie

Isaac Abbs-Brown won Super, the super hero themed Sea Monkey

Ollie (Left) Super (Right)

Saturday 5th July – Cathy Cassidy, Darren Shan, Michael Morpurgo and Coope, Boyes & Simpson

Paul Davies won Zom, the Zom-B by Darren Shan themed Sea Monkey

Our second winner, ‘Poppy’, has not came forward! If you bought a raffle ticket at one of these events and your name is Poppy please contact us! You can send us an email with your raffle ticket number at r.bruce@mmu.ac.uk

Zom

Sunday 6th July – Carol Ann Duffy and John Sampson: Musical Afternoon Tea

Isabelle from Urmston won Maddy

Eleanor MacConnell of Musselburgh won Pierre

Joss Abbs-Brown won Mummi, the Secret Agent Mummy by Steve Cole themed Sea Monkey

Shakira Abbs-Brown won Bonnie

Maddy (Left) Pierre (Right)

Mummi (Left) Bonnie (Right)

Special End of Festival Raffle

Chris Connor won Cap’n Jesse Spike, the Vampirates by Justin Somper themed Sea Monkey

Cap'n Jesse Spike the Vampirate

We raised well over £500 from the Sea Monkey raffles, which combined with various other Sea Monkey money raising campaigns brings our grand total to a magnificent £1011! This means ReadWell will be able to buy a fantastic 185 books to cheer up children in the Manchester Children’s Hospital, as well as hiring a professional storyteller to read to the children. 

You can donate to ReadWell anytime you like:

Online: www.readwell.org.uk/donate

Text: READ98 £5 to 70070 (or your chosen amount)

Post: Send cheques payable to ReadWell at ReadWell, 26 Nailsworth Mills, Nailsworth, Glos, GL6 0BS

Thank you for everyone who contributed to ReadWell as part of the Manchester Children’s Hospital, and congratulations to all of our winners. If you didn’t win a Sea Monkey this time, don’t worry! We have a few select Sea Monkeys remaining and will be holding competitions as part of Manchester Children’s Book Festival in the run up to next year’s Festival.

Ali Sparkes adopted by Green End Primary School

Ali Sparkes gave an inspiring performance at Green End Primary School

As part of the Manchester Children's Book Festival and the International Reading and Writing Relay, Ali Sparkes visited Green End Primary School on Friday 4th July.

Ali's visit to Manchester wouldn't have happened if the wonderful staff and pupils at Green End Primary School hadn't adopted her. Ali had heard through the grapevine that Green End Primary School was a wonderful eco-friendly school with an enthusiasm for learning, and insisted she visited the teachers and pupils if she were to take part in the Festival.

Green End Primary School Librarians have promised to give Spidey the Sea Monkey a safe home in their library

Ali's custom-made Sea Monkey, Spidey, enjoyed his visit to Green End so much that he asked to stay. The school librarians have promised to give Spidey a safe home in the library, on the condition that he behaves himself.

Teacher at Green End Primary School, Faye Okorie, told us how her pupils were "engaged and inspired" by Ali's visit, "Ali linked brilliantly into our school motto of 'Dream it, achieve it!'"

Ali Sparkes with pupils Rahima Chowdhury (left) and Michael Ryder (right), and teacher Miss Okorie from Green End Primary School

Pupil, Michael Ryder, added that the author of Shapeshifter and the Switch series "really inspired" him.

Fellow pupil, Rahima Chowdhury, commented, "Her books are very fascinating and I'm looking forward to reading her next book. I have learnt to never give up."

Did you miss the chance to see Jacqueline Wilson Live?

If you didn't get a chance to tune into Puffin Virtually Live presents Jacqueline Wilson on Monday 30th June then do not despair! You can still watch the event with your students here.

Thousands of school pupils watched the event live and saw Jacqueline Wilson read an extract from her new and 100th book OPAL PLUMSTEAD for the very first time.  Jacqueline was joined by illustrator Nick Sharratt who led a live draw-a-long and Phoebe Thomas, the star of the stage adaptation of Jacqueline's Victorian era story, HETTY FEATHER.  Plus, former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton presented the event in style. This 30 minute show is ideal to share in the classroom, library or even during an assembly.  It truly is a wonderful celebration of one of our most loved children's authors.

Puffin Virtually Live presents Jacqueline Wilson is still available here.  Enjoy!

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Since May, hundreds of schools have joined our CHOOSE KIND initiative.  The response from teachers and librarians around the world has been overwhelming.  A big thank you to everyone who has joined the project so far.

The initiative asks schools to demonstrate how they have inspired students (and staff!) to CHOOSE KIND in the lead up to Anti-Bullying Week in November.  Schools must demonstrate their CHOOSE KIND activities for the chance of winning £500 worth of books, WONDER themed library accessories and a WONDER party.

Your school can still join the CHOOSE KIND campaign by downloading our digital Little Pack of Wonder here.

Share your CHOOSE KIND experiences via Twitter using #choosekind

Buy your discounted class set of WONDER here. 

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The FIFA World Cup isn't the only major event to have taken place in Rio de Janeiro this year. The film adaptation of the best-selling story TRASH by Andy Mulligan has also just been filmed there! Directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Richard Curtis, the film stars Rooney Mara and Martin Sheen.

TRASH is the story of Raphael, a dumpsite boy who spends his days wading through the mountains of steaming trash.   One day he finds a small leather bag which changes his life forever.  Soon Raphael and his friends, Gardo and Rat, are running for their lives.  TRASH is a fast-paced, exciting yet moving story that can be shared with KS3 students.

Follow author Andy Mulligan's TRASH film diary.

Order your copy of TRASH.

Download our free TRASH classroom resources. 

Cathy Cassidy in Salford

Friday 4th July saw the finale of the Reading and Writing Relay, and Cathy Cassidy took the baton to Wentworth School in Salford for the final event.

Cathy’s session was extremely inspiring for young writers and added personal touches describing what she loved at school – daydreaming! Hanifa Choudhury said, “We learnt about what Cathy was like when she was young and her inspiration for writing books."

Wentworth High School pupils Yasmyn Abdulwahab and Hanifa Choudhury with author Cathy Cassidy

Cathy captured the importance of how creative daydreaming can be with another pupil Yasmyn Abdulwahab adding, “I learnt I can be imaginative and daydreaming isn’t bad! The talk was really interesting."

The pupils were treated to a reading from the latest book Sweet Honey from the popular The Chocolate Box Girls series and even had the chance to take part in a quiz to see which character they were most like.

Cathy also showed one of her mood boards for Sweet Honey and the different pictures that influence the characters.

Teacher Sarah Eggleton said “Cathy, is always, a brilliant speaker. Inspirational and practical tips on becoming a writer. Our students loved it! Thank-you!” 

Liz Kessler carries the Reading & Writing Relay Baton

Liz Kessler with Year 9 pupils, Lucy Beveridge and Charlotte Foy

Liz Kessler, author of the popular Emily Windsnap series, continued the Manchester Children's Book Festival Reading and Writing Relay by visiting to Turton High School in Bolton.

On Thursday 3rd July, Liz encouraged Year 7 and 9 pupils of Turton High School to become writers by talking them through the process of writing a novel and getting it published.

Year 9 pupil, Charlotte Foy, told us, "I really enjoyed today. It's really inspired me to write a story of my own and gave me some great ideas!"

Fellow Year 9 pupil, Lucy Beveridge, added, "A brilliant experience, very inspirational. Thank you!"

Teacher, Carole Baily, commented, "An excellent day that has inspired students to read and write."

Steve Cole continues the Reading and Writing Relay in Salford

Steve Cole paid a visit to St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School on 3^rd of July and performed to an audience of 100 pupils.

Steve introduced the pupils to his new book for children, Aliens Stink, and was amazed at how well the children were able to sing along to the lyrics of the hilarious song he has written to accompany the new book. Aliens Stink, as you would expect from the title, tells the story of Tim and his dad who discover that earth has been invaded by aliens. They are kidnapped and taken to a super-secret base where Tim discovers the full extent of the alien threat ...and the extraordinary kids fighting it. With the aid of a little huggy alien, and a depressed guard, Tim and his weird new friends take the battle to the aliens.

Aliens Stink sing-a-long

Steve went on to talk about the characters in ‘Aliens Stink’ and the concept behind his other new book Secret Agent Mummy. He also illustrated how anyone can be imaginative by creating a ‘chombie’ (a chair zombie to you and I). Nimi Owoyemi said that “Steve has inspired me to write in his style”.  Steve revealed that his greatest influences as a writer were comic books and Roald Dahl. He also encouraged the children to enter the Neville Johnson Comic Strip competition.

The event finished with a Q+A session where the pupils asked some very interesting questions, which ranged from his inspiration for his books to what other occupation he would have liked to have pursued. Steve told the children that he would have liked to become a television presenter, which is no surprise at all, as he is a fantastic entertainer!  

Steve Cole with pupils Marnie, Sarah and Jack

Teacher Amanda McCann said the session had been "such an inspirational event for our young readers. Steve had the children in stitches! They've never been so excited to get home and delve into a new book". All in all the session was a great success, pupil Lola Akintoye said “Steve brings sci-fi to life!” 

Justin Somper carries the Reading & Writing Relay Baton to Stockport

Author of Vampirates series, Justin Somper, visited Stockport Grammar School on Tuesday 1st July, to continue the Reading and Writing Relay across Greater Manchester.

Justin Somper and his custom made Vampirates Sea Monkey, Cap'n Jesse Spike.

Justin was greeted by Year 8 pupils, who listened intently as he talked about his popular teen series Vampirates, and his latest series of novels, Allies & Assassins.

Year 8 pupils Scarlett Winter and Sophia Boar with Justin Somper

Pupil, Sophia Boar, told us, "I really enjoyed listening to Justin and he has really inspired me to write more."

Fellow pupil, Scarlett Winter, added to this, "I thought that today was very interesting and that it was fun to listen to."

Justin then joined a few pupils in the library over lunch, for a more relaxed question and answer session. Overall, the pupils at Stockport Grammar seemed inspired by Justin's visit.