26 February 2008

Book Fair in the Library 27 Feb. - 3 March

There will be a Book Fair in the Library from Wednesday 27 February to Monday 3 March. All students will receive their £1 World Book Day voucher in advance so it can be used at the Book Fair. Reserved books must be paid for by Monday 3rd, please.

The World Book Day voucher can also be used towards orders from the March issue of Cover2Cover magazine, and in participating bookshops between 3 -30 March.

World Book Day is Thursday 6 March. More news in the next posting.

22 February 2008

Oxford Literary Festival: 31 March - 6 April 2008

It may seem early but now is the time to plan which events you want to attend at the Oxford Literary Festival next month. Tickets will sell out fast!

Philip Pullman's new book Once Upon A Time in the North, the long-awaited prequel to His Dark Materials will be launched Monday 31 March, at 7.00 pm at the Town Hall, price £10.00 for children (£15 for Adults). It will be one of the highlights of the Festival, which will feature more than 250 writers.

Other speakers at the Children’s Events this year will include David Almond, Melvyn Burgess & Kevin Brooks, Meg Rosoff, Justin Richards, Charlie Higson, Shirley Hughes, Chris Riddell & Paul Stewart, Joanne Harris, and five writers talking about how they write for Dr Who.

Children's events cost between £2.50 and £10. Tickets are available from Tickets Oxford at the Oxford Playhouse, on 0870 3431001 or online at ticketsoxford.com. From March 31 and throughout the festival, tickets will be available from the festival box office at Christ Church. More information:
http://sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk

Red House Children’s Book Award - 2008 Shortlist

These are the top ten books published in 2007, chosen by children across the country. There are three categories: Younger Children, Younger Readers, and Older Readers.

Older Readers
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
Teacher's Dead by Benjamin Zephaniah
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Younger Readers
The Perfumed Pirates of Perfidy by Charlie Small
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
Mammoth Academy in Trouble by Neal Layton

Younger Children
The Tear Thief by Carol Ann Duffy and Nicoletta Ceccoli
A Dog Called Rod by Tim Hopgood
Penguin by Polly Dunbar
Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson

You can help choose the nation's favourite children's book! Voting closes on Monday 12 May 2008 and the winner will be announced at Hay Festival on Friday 30 May 2008. More information:
http://www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk/2008-shortlist.asp

03 February 2008

Caroline Lawrence and 1000 children

Caroline Lawrence, author of the Roman Mysteries, will be guest of Our Lady’s Abingdon Senior School on 7 February. Over 1000 local children will be listening to her talk about her books and where she finds her ideas.

This event, jointly organised by the Librarians from Our Lady’s Abingdon, Abingdon and St Helen & St Katharine schools, aims to invite children from local schools who may not have the opportunity to see a ‘big name’ author. Children from 20 local primary and secondary schools will hear one of the writer's three talks during this 3rd annual Joint Schools' Author Visit.

Caroline Lawrence will dress as a Roman lady and bring some artefacts to bring to life that period of ancient history. A classics scholar, her writing is historically accurate as well as hugely entertaining.