Totem characters: Animal, celestial, mythical

The sun shone, the speakers WoWed us with their insights, the authors revealed a myriad of twists and surprises about their writing and plot processes and there were comedians, poets AND a magic duck, with music into the night and let's not miss out the dance frenzy in the Disco Shed! A packed schedule at the Primadonna Festival with so many smart people: Sonia Purnell, Kit De Waal, Louise Doughty, Luke Jennings, Jude Kelly, Katy Brand, Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Sandi Toksvig, Catherine Mayer and music from Shingai and Sink Ya Teeth I could go on... But I laughed the most when entertained by the mesmerising Ada Campe. 

Meanwhile, here's some photos of the fantastic totems made at my Phoenix Island event.

Primadonna festival!

Only a few more days and then the fun begins with Totem making at Laffitts Hall at the Primadonna Festival. Come and join in!

Primadonna Festival 30th August-1st September

Primadonna Festival is for everyone interested in literary delights! There's an amazing line up of authors, speakers, poets, writers and performers. Panels of experts discuss everything from AI to gender to writing biographies. There will be workshops for the budding writer and comedy to entertain and of course there's music. Live bands and many other activities for families. I'll be running a workshop event called Phoenix Island. All ages welcome to get involved in a creative discovery...just what does live on Phoenix Island?? We'll be in sunny Suffolk and more information can be found here:

New for 2019

You're Not A Proper Pirate Sidney Green! is a proper adventure by talented author Ruth Quayle and published by the much admired Nosy Crow.
There are many action-packed double spreads throughout which gave me a chance to play with a slightly graphic style.
Familiar as I am with drawing Pirates and parrots, this story was another challenge to illustrate as I wouldn't say drawing diggers and racing cars are my strong point! So I was a little worried when a digger was to feature on the cover and then a racing car on the back! I'm sure there will be some digger experts to guide me when I take this book to school classrooms over the coming year. Look out for those comparisons later!

Dragon included in nominations by the amazing St Helens Libraries

And lastly.. but by no means least ... the final book in our #StHelens #SchoolsLibraryService #BookAwards 2019, 5+ category is ...

There is No Dragon in this Story by @LouCarter240 & illustrated by @DebbieAllwright 😀#BASH2019 pic.twitter.com/Ot7uG7T2HI

— St Helens Libraries (@STHLibraries) September 18, 2018

Perfect translation

There's something so very satisfying about the perfect translation. Especially when that language can express even more concisely the sentiment of the story. What fantastic titles! 
Princess Swashbuckle sails to Portugal and France...

Princess Swashbuckle Activity Pack

A suitably Swashbuckling and free activity pack is available here to download!
Test your skills with fun puzzles, spot the difference and dot-to-dot. Colour, sprinkle sparkle and decorate Princess Swashbuckle's dress as she leaps to the Grand Frog's Ball.