It will be World Book Day 2014 on March the 6th and what better way to celebrate than by giving a set of World Book Day books to one lucky winner but first I wanted to share with you some tips from authors.
David Melling
People always ask me what the best writing tip I’ve ever been given is. my knee-jerk response to that question is: do a little each day. It’s very important. Kids often ask me ‘how do you do that?’ when I draw, and it all comes down to a little each day. It’s like learning to play a musical instrument or a sport. You don’t pick up your tennis racquet one day and be volleying, hitting winning shots the next. The more you practice the better you get, and that’s the same with writing and drawing.
I also always keep note and sketchbooks, an idea might come from one simple illustration. I’m constantly drawing and redrawing these characters as they evolve. With Jack Frost, I was very conscious that I wanted to do a proper ‘Once upon a time…’ picture book so there’s no set rule or pattern but I always use the note or sketchbook as a starting point.
Alex T Smith
Some tips for drawing and writing:
Don’t assume that professional illustrators always know how to draw – I had to learn to draw bicycle a couple of years ago. Even pros have to learn and practice!
Always remember that when drawing you aren’t imitating life – your drawings don’t have to be realistic! Claude’s eyebrows are above his head, you wouldn’t see that in real life!
When I’m writing I might do some tiny doodles about how it would work as a book spread to help me keep track of my ideas. I really get going with the pictures when the text is complete. I’m always very keen on the idea that if you can say something with pictures then go for it.
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer and an artist?
Yes, always. I’ve always loved books and luckily came from a very bookish family. I’ve also always loved drawing. I can remember the very first picture I drew – I was very very young and I was sitting at the dining table on my mum’s lap and I drew a teddy bear. It was really just a couple of very wobbly circles and a bit of scribble but I knew it was a teddy bear and told my mum exactly what was going on in my picture. From then on I was hooked and have had a pencil in my hand pretty much all the time since then!
Emily Gravett’s Top Five Writing Tips
1) Often I find that just getting to know my character will give me ideas for a story. I begin by writing down and drawing everything I know about them on a sheet of paper.
2) To get a really good resolution for a story I like to brainstorm. To do this write down your challenge or obstacle in the middle of a sheet of paper then as quickly as you can write down as many ways as you can think of to solve your problem.
3) Ending your story – Sometimes it’s worth writing down a few different endings for your story. Some happy, some sad, some funny. Try them all out. Most of the time one of them will leap out at you as the ‘right’ ending.
4) It’s good to write down ideas as you get them (or they tend to vanish). I use my sketchbook, but I also have a box to put more chunky ideas in. Even things that might spark ideas like packaging, buttons etc.
5) Finally, I think it’ important to keep re-reading aloud what you have written. Reading aloud helps you hear the rhythm of your story, and highlights any snaggy areas that need work.
WORLD BOOK DAY COMES TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UK
WITH
THE BIGGEST BOOK SHOW ON EARTH
Brand new pre-record format makes taking part even easier! –
Authors and illustrators share tips, give readings and answer questions for budding writers and illustrators –
Building on the success of last year’s The Biggest Book Show On Earth, World Book Day 2014 sees the launch of an exciting and brand new pre-recorded TV show format. Available online for the whole of March it includes all the wonderful World Book Day authors and illustrators.
Schools, parents and children across the nation can register to register, log on and enjoy watching it together at a time that suit.
Compared by CBBC’s Dick and Dom, the show features World Book Day authors and illustrators:
- James Patterson
- David Melling
- Emily Gravett
- Jill Murphy
- Jim Smith
- Lauren St John
- Terry Deary
- Martin Brown
- Alex T Smith
- Sarah Lean
- Robert Muchamore
- Maureen Johnson
How does James Patterson keep people turning the page? What does Terry Deary recommend for making facts fun? How does David Melling decide what his characters should look like? All this and more will be answered along with other fun and useful hints and tips.
Filmed at Stanley Park High School, each of the £1 authors also answer questions submitted from children across the country as well giving an excerpt from their World Book Day book and talking about their inspirations.
Kirsten Grant, Director of World Book Day, said: “We are very excited about yet another fantastic line up for this year’s show, which will now be even more accessible with the new download option that’s lets schools, partents and children watch together at a time that works best for them. The Biggest Book Show on Earth is a great way to introduce children all over the world to some of the country’s best authors and illustrators. We can’t wait to spark the creativity of millions of children!”
For the second year running The Biggest Book Show On Earth will also be broadcast, into Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK. Schools who go along to one of the screenings will also be treated to an extra special 20 minutes of exclusive content, including readings and a Q&A session.
Marc Allenby, Head of Commercial Development at Picturehouse, said: “We are delighted to bring World Book Day to cinemas up and down the country once again. Engaging with local schools and the community is key for our cinemas.”
Schools, groups and parents can find out more by registering to watch on www.worldbookday.com/biggest-book-show.
Half a million children from more than 75 countries logged on to watch the Show in 2013, which this year is just one of a number of events and activities in schools, bookshops and libraries set to excite youngsters about books and reading for World Book Day 2014.
Ten new books including titles by performers from this year’s Biggest Book Show on Earth line-up can be exchanged for free with a special £1 World Book Day Book.
Visit www.worldbookday.com for more information, the latest news and to subscribe to the free monthly World Book Day e-newsletter.
Giveaway:
I am giving a set of World Book Day books away to one lucky winner. All you have to do is complete the tasks in the Rafflecopter Widget below. Good Luck.
Open to UK Residents Only
Ends Midnight Monday 31st March 2014 (BST)
the boy in the striped pyjamas
can’t beat The Gruffalo
Still love Call of the Wild
my favourite book is my sisters keeper, makes me cry every time i read it
The Hobbit. x
Little women
Beautiful losers
The Secret Garden
I love Matilda and anything by Roald Dahl 🙂
To Kill A Mockingbird
we’re going on a bear hunt!
Pip and posy and the puddle
My favourite book is Pride and Prejudice.
Pride and prejudice
I loved Black Beauty when I read it years ago … and it’s one of those books that has stayed with me 🙂
I can read Black Beauty over and over agin
The Promise by Danielle Steel
The Magic Faraway Tree
the peter rabbit tales
Wind In The Willows
Misery by Stephen King
The Lion , The Witch and The Wardrobe
the Narnia chronicles
Has to be Oliver Twist.
Secret Garden
the secret garden, i was given it for my 7th birthday and 25yrs later i still have it
the BFG 🙂
Matilda
Gruffalo
the gruffalo
Kathy Cakebread recently posted…Awaken your senses with Ted Baker’s rose scented beauty set
My niece loves the gruffolo. She is 1.5yrs old and is now interested in books. She is fascinated by the pictures and rhyming words. 🙂
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – I loved it as a kid and still do.
Loved Black Beauty
the beach
Loved the worst witch when i was a kid, Harry potter as i grew up and am now completly inspired by Michael J Fox ‘Lucky Man’ such an inspiration xx
my favourite books as a child were by Roald dahl, I loved his stories he has a great imagionation, my little boys favourite bedtime book at the moment is sleepy kittens by cinco paul, it has 3 little fingers puppets and is a remake of the sleepy kittens story from the despicable me film.
we read stig of the dump as a kid so i would say that
A town like Alice – Neville shute
Equal rites – Terry Pratchett
The Harry Potter collection
Little women
ballet Shies, Noel Streatfield
I love Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice is my favourite.
Kids book Room on the Broom. Adults book Bridget Jones Diary!
To Kill a Mockingbird
virginia andrews flowers in the attic
the gruffalo
the lion, the witch and the wardrobe
Walde and Other Writings – Henry David Thoreau
The BFG 🙂
Captain Underpants
anyhing by roald dahl
Two Bad Grans, my son loves this book and remembers some of the rhyme
I still love the magic faraway tree. my daughter and I enjoy it together
The Secret Seven series
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
steven kings books are amazing xx
The very Hungry Caterpillar
my favourite book to read with my children is the Horrid Henry series. We all have a giggle!
The milllennium trilogy
Famous Five family
to kill a mockingbird
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
pride and predudice
I still enjoy Winnie the pooh, brilliant having grandchildren to read too
matilda
I love Martina Cole
Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel – set at the dawn of mankind it is captivating from beginning to end, including all the others in the series
My favourite book is The Hobbit by J R R Tolkein. I still have the original book that I was given over 40 years ago. Have read it so many times. Love it
The wizard of oz
The Gruffalo
The Wild Bears
My son and I love reading “The Pirates Next Door”.
Guess How Much I Love You x
Each peach pear plum
I love a flat Stanley story x
Looking for Alibrandy – Australian book
I love The diary of a killer cat by Jeremy Strong. Very funny.
Any of the Old Bear ones
Magic Faraway Tree
My and my son enjoy anything by julia donaldson
The faraway tree
My fav book is ‘A year without micheal’
My daughter is ‘your not my friend’
Harry Potter series!!
The Gruffalo
I’ Houdini by Lynne Reid Banks
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Roderick Rules
The Magic Faraway Tree my son loves the Gruffalo
Two Bad Grans
The magic faraway tree x
My favourite book is Divergent because I became engrossed in it and couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book!
I love the Stephanie Plum Series!
Game of Thrones
I have loads of Favourites!! Love reading the Worst Witch & Diary of the Wimpy kid with my daughter though!
I couldn’t choose my favourite book now, too many to choose from but my first ever favourite book was Tilly Mint and the Dodo
tracey bowden recently posted…Putting some ‘pep’ in my step
I would love to read the worst witch book though with my daughter
tracey bowden recently posted…Putting some ‘pep’ in my step
Emma
The very ticklish tiger
ballet shoes
Vern and lettuce by Sarah McIntryre
Me Before You by Jojo Moyles
Dr Seuss books at the moment.
The Gruffalo
David Walliams – Gangsta Granny
The Lord of he Rings: The Fellowship of the RIng
to kill a mockingbird
Little Women
the gruffalo
the eagle has landed
loved reading Jo Brnds autobiography
the hobbit
Impossible to have just one. There are so many books I love. Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo is high on the list. As a teacher I was able to soften even the hardest Y6 hearts with that one 🙂
The Painted Garden by Noel Streatfeild has been since i was a child and i still have a copy
We love Green Eggs And Ham by Dr Seuss 🙂
The making of a monster: Rose West….gruesome but I couldnt put it down
The Gruffalo
Good prize
The Grapes of Wrath
Wind in the Willows
the lion the witch and the wardrobe
Martina Cole’s books
The Hobbit!
Louise A recently posted…Mushroom, Leek and Parmesan Slice/Pie Recipe
Drowned World by JG Ballard
matilda
I Love Matilda
The Magic Faraway Tree
The Caves of Steal – Isaac Asimov
ps i love you
The magic Faraway Tree :)…I just bought the set again !
My daughters favourite book at the moment is Pirates that love underpants and my favourite is actually a set of books by J R Ward called The Black Dagger Brotherhood 🙂
Vibrational Medicine by R. Gerber! 🙂 Very interesting read! 🙂
black beauty
The Hobbit
Gobolino the witches cat
The Twins at St Clares by Enid Blyton
The Hobbit
Anne of Green Gables
As as kid I loved anything by Roald Dahl (still do!) and now I love Margaret Atwood.
THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY
as a kid i loved the bfg
george`s marvellos medicine
Tiddler
As a child my fave book was The BFG, as an adult my fave read is The Da Vinci Code.
the little friend
Lord of the Rings
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
On no george by Chris Haughton
The Secret Garden
The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
i love all of james patterson’s even the childrens ones for myself lol hope my kids continue the love for him
Cars is great
Current favourite is Divergent.
Pride and Prejudice
Erica Price recently posted…Week 13 of 2014
The Island by Victoria Hislop
The Jolly Postman – it gave so much pleasure to my children. Waiting to see if the grandchildren love it as much.
black beauty
the goldfinch
The Harry Potter books, Loved reading them to my children and seeing them get all excited to hear the next page at bedtime
The Hobbit 🙂
alians wear underpants
The Railway Children
My favourite book is Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann
Peace at Last
Anne of Green Gables
Far from the madding crowd
the owl who was afraid of the dark
Alice in Wonderland
war and peace
Great Expectations