Joss Reviews the RNCM Musical Family Fun Day

By Joss Abbs-Brown, age 11

On Sunday 28th of June 2015 the RNCM held a great event linked with the Manchester Children's Book Festival, consisting of various different workshops and activities. It was a wonderful day for families of all ages and races. 

My Mum and I enjoyed one of the hilarious high-lights of the day as Nick Sharratt (a famous illustrator for over 50 Jacqueline Wilson books and many Julia Donaldson stories) took to the stage to entertain. 

There were many jokes and laughs as we sang, danced, and drew with him on our special journey. On the way we met honking elephants, cool koalas and animals playing instruments; listened to music performed by a small but talented band of players and sang with Nick Sharratt. We met a rocking caterpillar and some very funny sheep and found some very peculiar pants!

At the end we managed to get some books signed and got some friendly advice about becoming an illustrator. The overall event was interactive and a great start to the Manchester Children's Book Festival; a huge thank you to everyone who organised this event!

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

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. 

Photographs of a Bookworm

Hello!

This is fantastic!  Thank you!!!  Please find attached photographs of our daughter Martha Kershaw who will happily read a book every night in her Manchester bed, providing her parents aren't nagging her to go to sleep because of school in the morning!

Pic 459 is her with some of her Jacqueline Wilson books and a fantastic letter she received from the wonder and marvel that is Jacqueline Wilson.

Pic 457 is her with her Mr Gum books and a fantastic and hilarious letter from the genius that is Andy Stanton!

Thank yooooo!

Ian Kershaw x