YvonneI promised to highlight just three of the many talented authors and participatory events taking place at various locations in and around the city centre of Bath, for the rest of this week.
So here is my third selection from the fantastic line up and one I just couldn’t fail to mention…. Another from the impressive list of former Children’s Laureates, Michael Morpurgo.
Michael Morpurgo, is one of the UK’s leading children’s writers, with well over 100 titles to his credit and his latest book, called “Shadow”, due for release on September 30th 2010
Synopsis:-
A stunning and moving new novel from Michael Morpurgo, the nation’s favourite storyteller — featuring the bravest dog in all the world!
When Hero, a bomb-sniffing spaniel, goes missing in the middle of wartorn Afghanistan, his soldier-owner is devastated. Meanwhile, Hero makes friends with a local Afghan boy, and sees a whole other side of the war. As Christmas draws ever closer, the question is — will Hero and his trainer ever be reunited!?…………..
Michael spent his early years in London, Sussex and Kent, studying English and French at London University.
He went into teaching and it was whilst reading to a group of primary school aged children, that he discovered his writing talents and his ability to attract and keep the attention of his class with his stories. Most importantly he had found something which he enjoyed doing and which still continues to stimulate him, to this day.
“We had to read the children a story every day and my lot were bored by the book I was reading. I decided I had to do something and told them the kind of story I used to tell my kids – it was like a soap opera, and they focused on it. I could see there was magic in it for them, and realised there was magic in it for me.”
Michael is the patron of many charities, most notably perhaps, the project which he started with his wife:- “Farms For City Children”, “which aims to relieve the poverty of experience of young children from inner city and urban areas by providing them with a week in which they work actively and purposefully on farms in the heart of the countryside.”
He now lives in Devon, with his family, where he is hands on participating in the farm work, with the children the couple helps.
There are some great filmed discussions with Michael, on his site and if you find him as inspiring and interesting as I do, you may be interested in this great Biography, written by Geoff Fox.
Synopsis:-
Children’s Laureate, prize-winning author and originator of ‘Farms for City Children’, Michael Morpurgo has written over 90 books.
He is a recipient of the Whitbread Children’s Book Award, the Smarties Prize and the Children’s Book Award.
This book looks at the world of Michael Morpurgo, his childhood, how he began to write, and the people, the stories and the landscapes that have influenced his work.
It examines the books themselves, drawing together common themes and encouraging the reader to read further for themselves.
It also includes a section on the development of a book, answering some of those questions that Michael is frequently asked, ‘where do you get your ideas from?’ or ‘how long does it take to produce a book?’ There is even a previously unpublished story – a real treat from the pen of the Children’s Laureate.
Michael’s event at the Literary Festival takes place on Sunday 3rd October 2010, From 2pm-3pm, At The Guildhall, Bath.
It has been designated in the programme as an event suitable for participants aged 8+
It is a ticketed event and the admission price is £6.00
Click here for booking and payment details
