BOOKMARK - in Partnership with local Schools
During the past 4 years, BOOKMARK has invited 2/3 authors, each year, to visit local primary schools in the area, eg, New Hill, St Stephens, Rattray, Kirkmichael, Alyth, and Meigle. BOOKMARK is committed to encourage children of all ages, to engage and enjoy reading, listen to stories and question what they have heard.
BOOKMARK Authors in Schools is back!! We are very pleased to announce that on 27 September 3 authors entertained pupils at Coupar Angus Primary School.
Mike Nicholson discussed 3 of his books, Thistle Street, Thistle Sands and Thistle Games.
BOOKMARK favourite, David McPhail entertained P4/5 with his Velda the Awesomest Viking, The Ginormous Frost-giants and The Amazing Illustrated Atlas of Scotland.
Last but not least, Mark A Smith captivated P6/7 pupils with his Slugboy series.
Following on, on the 28th September those pupils had the opportunity to make their own books, with a little help from Quantum Press.
Then... on 16 and 17 November, we did it all again at Burrelton Primary School.
The children in Burrelton Primary School have been having a wild book week, with local festival organisers, BOOKMARK, inviting along authors Pauline Tait, David MacPhail and Mark Smith to show how much fun books can be. “How can I become an author?” asked one girl afterwards. “How did you write your books?” asked another wee one.
The Fairy in the Kettle books by Pauline Tait then inspired the younger kids to do their own writing, drawing, arts and crafts, while Mark Smith’s Slugboy Saves the World and David MacPhail’s Velda the Awesomest Viking led to crazily imaginative and lively drama sessions under the energetic direction of Inspire Theatre Workshops.
And rounding off the week’s memorable book experience, John Easson from Quarto Press in Coupar Angus, brought antique printing equipment to the school so the kids could learn about letterpress printing from the old days, have a go themselves and print off their own book.
The kids’ consensus? “Amazing!” “That was the best time” and “We didn’t know we would have so much fun”.
After each event there was a writing competition for all ages with prizes of book tokens from local independent bookshop, Adventure into Books, Blairgowrie.
To read how the pupils of Coupar Angus enjoyed their day, please click here
