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   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1</id>
   <updated>2009-08-18T08:23:42Z</updated>
   
   <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type 4.24-en</generator>


<entry>
   <title>Gala Day 2009</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/08/gala_day_2009.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.246</id>
   
   <published>2009-08-18T08:22:10Z</published>
   <updated>2009-08-18T08:23:42Z</updated>
   
   <summary>The 26th Northern Children&apos;s Book Festival Gala Day is being hosted by Stockton Borough Libraries on Saturday 21st November and promises to be one of our most spectacular yet! The Festival is open to all and is the largest and...</summary>
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      <name></name>
      
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      <![CDATA[The 26th Northern Children's Book Festival Gala Day is being hosted by Stockton Borough Libraries on Saturday 21st November and promises to be one of our most spectacular yet!  The Festival is open to all and is the largest and best value annual reading celebration for young people in Europe.

Come and join in the fun at Stockton Riverside College, where as well as enjoying presentations and workshops from twelve popular children's authors and illustrators, library services across the North East of England will be delivering exciting crafts and activities all based on 'Heroes & Villains' from children's books.

The list of fun and activities is endless; look out for the professionally acclaimed Storyteller, Andy Hawkins, let him thrill you with his wonderful 'Creaky Knees' tales.

Don't let you little ones miss out; 2 - 5 year olds will love 'Story Parties' with Seven Stories- involving stories, songs and fun activities.  

Students from Stockton Riverside College will be delivering dance workshops, impromptu drama productions, street dancers, T-shirt making, face painting, hair and beauty treatments and much, much more. (There will be a nominal charge to cover the cost of materials for some of these events.)

If this isn't enough, you can buy your favourite author or illustrators book from the bookshop and then have it signed by them in person! (The bookshop will accept cash/cheque or debit card.)

You can take a break in the college cafeteria or bring along your own picnic to enjoy in the area provided.  But above all, watch out for Robin Hood around the event trying to dodge the fearsome Sheriff of Nottingham.

Don't miss the opportunity to see your favourite author by booking your tickets in advance of the Gala Day.  Booking forms will be available via the promotional leaflets; these will be in your libraries and schools in September.



<a href="http://www.stockton.gov.uk/libraries">www.stockton.gov.uk/libraries</a>
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<entry>
   <title>Gala Day Ticket Information and Booking Form</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/08/gala_day_ticket_information_an.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.247</id>
   
   <published>2009-08-18T07:29:57Z</published>
   <updated>2009-08-18T08:48:00Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Author Sessions There will be a charge of £1 per person per session. Visitors can attend one morning and one afternoon author session. Booking forms can be found in the promotional leaflets or downloaded from this site. Visitors are required...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<strong>Author Sessions</strong>

There will be a charge of £1 per person per session.  Visitors can attend one morning and one afternoon author session.  Booking forms can be found in the promotional leaflets or downloaded from this site.

Visitors are required to state in order of preference on the booking form their 1st and 2nd choice for both morning and afternoon sessions.  If your preferred author session is full consideration will be given to your 2nd choice.  

Please include with your order form a cheque/postal order payable to <strong>Stockton Borough Council </strong> for £1 per person attending each author session.  All tickets are redeemable at the Festival bookshop.

Please note that an adult must accompany children under the age 8 years, tickets need to be purchased for each accompanying adult.  


<strong>Seven Stories</strong>

Please use the same booking form to book your sessions for 'Story Parties' with Seven Stories indicating the number of children and the session required.  For this event charges are applicable to children only.

Applications are by post only.  Tickets will be allocated from Wednesday 14th October 2009.  

Please complete the booking form attached below, enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope, your cheque or postal order  and apply for your tickets to: 

<strong>NCBF Booking Office
Billingham Library
Bedale Avenue
Billingham
TS23 1AJ</strong>

<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-file" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/Booking%20Form.doc">Download Gala Day Booking Form (Word 28KB)</a></span>

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<entry>
   <title>Seven Stories - Story Parties</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/08/seven_stories_-_story_parties.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.245</id>
   
   <published>2009-08-06T10:08:04Z</published>
   <updated>2009-08-18T08:45:36Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Don&apos;t let your little ones miss out, 2 - 5 year olds will love Seven Stories; &apos;Story Parties&apos; involving stories, songs, rhymes, activities and maybe even some dance. Session Times: 10.30 - 11.30 12.00 - 1.00 2.00 - 3.00 Story...</summary>
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      <category term="News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en-US" xml:base="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/">
      <![CDATA[<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/party.jpg"><img alt="party.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/assets_c/2009/08/party-thumb-250x193-15.jpg" width="250" height="193" class="mt-image-left" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" /></a></span>Don't let your little ones miss out, 2 - 5 year olds will love Seven Stories; 'Story Parties' involving stories, songs, rhymes, activities and maybe even some dance. 
<br class="clearboth">

<strong>Session Times:</strong>
10.30 - 11.30
12.00 - 1.00 
 2.00 - 3.00

<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-file" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/Booking%20Form.doc">Story Parties Booking Form (Word 28KB)</a></span>

<a href="http://www.sevenstories.org.uk">www.sevenstories.org.uk</a>
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<entry>
   <title>Gala Day 2009 - Stockton Riverside College</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/07/gala_day_2009_-_stockton_river.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.226</id>
   
   <published>2009-07-05T12:17:01Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T14:11:19Z</updated>
   
   <summary> When Stockton Riverside College opened its doors to students in January 2003, it was the first new college to be built within the Teesside area for thirty years. The college has been designed to be an eco-friendly building, incorporating...</summary>
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      <name></name>
      
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      <![CDATA[<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/stocktoncollege.jpg"><img alt="stocktoncollege.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/assets_c/2009/06/stocktoncollege-thumb-250x154-1.jpg" width="250" height="154" class="mt-image-left" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" /></a></span>

When Stockton Riverside College opened its doors to students in January 2003, it was the first new college to be built within the Teesside area for thirty years.

The college has been designed to be an eco-friendly building, incorporating many aspects of current best practice in terms of ventilation and being energy efficient.

The main building (SRC one) comprises of two distinct areas, divided by a dual level central street; on one side of the street we have a studio theatre, dance studio, arts department and refectory.  On the other side there are teaching classrooms, study rooms grouped around the Learning Resource Centre and computer hall.

The college also runs its own Nursery department as well as the Hair, Beauty and Holistics department (HBH), where we provide hair & beauty therapy treatments.

The college is proud to announce the completion of the second phase and the opening of the SRC two building; this new building will host the electrical and PC Maintenance workshops, teaching classrooms, Waterfront Café and excellent conference suite facilities.

This lovely building lends itself perfectly to The Northern Children's Book Festival  Gala Day,  with all the facilities necessary for a fabulous fun packed day.

<span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-file" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/galadayvenue.pdf">Download venue information and map (PDF 223KB)</a></span>
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<entry>
   <title>Chris Higgins</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/07/chris_higgins.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.236</id>
   
   <published>2009-07-04T13:27:03Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T13:59:30Z</updated>
   
   <summary> I was born in South Wales, the youngest of four children, two boys and two girls, but now I live at the very tip of England, in West Cornwall, as far as you can go. I&apos;m married with 4...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="higgins" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/higgins.jpg" width="300" height="225"  class="left3"/>

I was born in South Wales, the youngest of four children, two boys and two girls, but now I live at the very tip of England, in West Cornwall, as far as you can go. I'm married with 4 daughters but I have two sons-in-law and two baby grandsons as well, which evens up the gender imbalance in our family quite a bit.

I used to teach English and Drama but now I write full-time which is a lot easier! I do miss the fun of the classroom though, so I love to do festivals and visits to schools and libraries as I can get to talk to my readers.

My favourite things in life are my family, my friends, being out in the fresh air, walking on Cornish beaches and cliff-sides, visiting Australia where I lived for a while, swimming, cycling, reading, the theatre... oh, and writing, of course.

Writing is a constant source of amazement to me. I have an idea for a book and it's bowling along quite nicely, but then the characters take over and do things I haven't planned. You should see what Jem gets up to in "It's a 50/50 thing". Also, watch out for Eva in my latest book, "A Perfect 10", out in Autumn 2008.

Here we are together, the whole family. Yes, we do spend a lot of time on the beach, even in winter.

I suppose it's obvious I'm going to write about teenage girls when I had four of my own. Though I do write about boys too! 


<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Gateshead (17th), Redcar (18th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.chrishigginsthatsme.com/index.php?page=home">Chris Higgins</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.hachettelivre.co.uk/">Hachette</a>

<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="160"><img alt="would" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/higg_would.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
<td width="548"><strong>Would You Rather?</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340970768<br>
<em>Flick loves to play Would you Rather? with her friends: Daddy or chips? Boyfriend or career? Snog or marry? Life is all about the choices you make, and all around her Flick watches her family grapple with life-altering decisions. When Flick's dad discovers that he's adopted, so begins a mystery that leads him to a long lost secret at the very heart of their family - one that leads back to a choice that was made many years ago, and once uncovered, will rock Flick's world ...</em></td></tr>
<tr><td width="160"><img alt="love" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/higg_love.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
<td width="548"><strong>Love Ya Babe</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340970751<br>
<em>Caught between family life and school, Gabby's trials never seem to end. If she's not dealing with her outrageously embarrassing mother Posy, or helping out with her troubled brothers at home, she's pursuing school hearthrob, Si, and making enemies of friends. Life seems tough enough ... but then her older-than-average mother announces that she's pregnant and Gabby's world turns upside down. At first Gabby is determined to have nothing to do with the unexpected arrival. But when the baby arrives it brings with it chaos and Gabby's family start unravelling around her. Can Gabby's strength and will pull her through her hardest challenge yet?</em></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><img alt="ten" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/higg_10.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
<td><strong>A Perfect Ten</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340950692<br>
<em>Perfection. That's the key aim in Eva's life. She works hard to be the girl all the other girls wish they could be: pretty, popular, smart and a gymnastic star, the queen of her gymnastics clique, the 'Jimmies'. She seems to have it all. But the arrival of new girl Patty threatens Eva's perfect life and soon her mother's in rehab, her father's absent and her best friend seems more interested in snogging her brother than spending time with Eva.  With her life quickly unravelling Eva clings to the one thing she can control, her weight.  But no matter how strong her willpower is, the dark secret that Eva has worked so hard to conceal seems determined to reveal itself ...</em></td></tr></table>




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<entry>
   <title>Keith Gray</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/07/keith_gray.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.234</id>
   
   <published>2009-07-03T13:52:02Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-01T14:18:50Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Keith was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he received 0% for his accountancy exams he decided to pursue his dream. He has since gone...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="keith gray" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/gray.jpg" width="114" height="151"  class="left3"/>

Keith was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he received 0% for his accountancy exams he decided to pursue his dream. 

He has since gone on to win the Angus Book Award and the silver medal in the Smarties Prize. He has twice been shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teen Prize and the Scottish Arts Council Book Award. 

Rave reviews about his writing have appeared in every broadsheet. Keith was a judge for the Blue Peter Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Bookstrust Teen Prize and reviews regularly for the Guardian. 

Keith is now a full-time writer living in Edinburgh.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Sunderland (10th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.keith-gray.com/">Keith Gray</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/childrens/home.htm">Random House</a>



<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="160"><img alt="ostrich" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/gray_ostrich.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
<td width="548"><strong>Ostrich Boys</strong><br>
Definitions<br>
978-0099456575<br>
<em>Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a remarkable journey of friendship. Stealing the urn containing the ashes of their best friend Ross, they set out from Cleethorpes on the east coast to travel the 261 miles to the tiny hamlet of Ross in Dumfries and Galloway. After a depressing and dispiriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's now dead. Drawing on personal experience Keith Gray has written an extraordinary novel about friendship, loss and suicide, and about the good things that may be waiting just out of sight around the corner . . .</em></td></tr>
<tr><td width="160"><img alt="fearful" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/gray_fear.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
<td width="548"><strong>The Fearful</strong><br>
Random House<br>
978-0099456568<br>
<em>The legend says that in 1699 schoolteacher William Milmullen and his five pupils visited Lake Mou, but only William returned. He claimed that a terrifying creature rose from the lake and devoured the boys. But did it? And if it all happened so long ago, does it really matter to anyone nowadays anyway? The legacy of that tragedy lives on in the town of Moutonby: a town divided between those who believe in the legend of the lake monster, and those who don't. Tim Milmullen wishes he knew the answer. Every day he watches the dark water, looking for a sign. Because if the stories are true, if the creature in the lake is real, then according to the legend he's the only one who can stop it from killing again. </em></td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="runner" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/gray_run.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
<td><strong>The Runner</strong><br>
Young Corgi<br>
978-0440866565<br>
<em>Jason has had enough of his parents' arguments. He's running away to stay with his brother in Liverpool. On the train journey he meets a 'runner' called Jam, who lives on the monster Intercity trains and stations. His carefree and adventurous life sounds so exciting that Jason begins to think he might join Jam. Then Jason discovers Jam's secret.</em></td></tr>
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<entry>
   <title>Patricia Elliott</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/07/patricia_elliott.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.232</id>
   
   <published>2009-07-02T12:04:44Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-01T12:44:50Z</updated>
   
   <summary> I spent most of my childhood overseas, in Europe and the Far East. Every two or three years we moved somewhere new. This meant I kept changing schools, but I didn&apos;t mind because if I didn&apos;t like that particular...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="elliott" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/pelliott.jpg" width="132" height="168"  class="left3"/>

I spent most of my childhood overseas, in Europe and the Far East. Every two or three years we moved somewhere new. This meant I kept changing schools, but I didn't mind because if I didn't like that particular school, I knew I would soon be leaving!

I was a dreamy, shy child, who had a vivid interior world. I began writing when I was six, in smudged pencil. I'd been given a Dachshund puppy for my birthday, so I wrote 'How to Train Dogs' - all of five, misspelled pages! But later I wrote 'novels' which took up whole exercise books. These were mostly adventure stories, which I read out to my long-suffering younger brother. They had illustrations, maps, book jackets with blurbs, and a 'Letter from the Author' for my imaginary readers.

My happiest time as a child was the four-year period we spent in Singapore, where I belonged to the wonderful Raffles Library, an impressive building with high ceilings, where vast fans spun silently above you. The children's department was crammed with books ranging from the Victorian and Edwardian period (ancient and dusty) to contemporary fiction (smelling of exotic food). I didn't care when they had been written. I read them avidly, as many as I could. In those days the island of Singapore still had some jungle, and when you drove up country through Malaya - where we would go for holidays - you had to lock your car doors in case you were ambushed by brigands.

When I grew up, I worked in publishing and, when my husband went to work in New York, I worked for several years in a children's bookshop in Manhattan. Back in England I became a publisher's reader, and, with my two sons growing up, began to write again. I took an M.A. in Writing for Children, and after that, taught courses for adults in creative writing and children's literature - which I still do sometimes, as well as visiting schools to talk about my books.

I live with my husband and a yellow Labrador called Alfie, in a miniscule brick cottage in Mortlake, near the River Thames, in SW London, and in Suffolk, in an old vicarage behind a church, where ancient gravestones come tumbling into the garden.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Stockton (17th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.patriciaelliott.co.uk/">Patricia Elliott</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.hachettelivre.co.uk/">Hachette</a>



<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="pale" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/ell_pale.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Pimpernelles: The Pale Assassin</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340956762<br>
<em>Eugenie de Boncoeur is growing up in Paris, unaware that her guardian has contracted her to marry the sinister spymaster known as 'le Fantome' when she turns sixteen. She finds herself falling for the handsome lawyer, Guy Deschamps, but there is little time for romance; France is descending into chaos as the Revolution takes hold. Soon Eugenie is fleeing for her life. Her brother Armand has become involved in a plot to save the King from the guillotine, the mob is searching for aristocrats, and le Fantome, the pale assassin, is on their trail - desperate for revenge.</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="murkmere" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/ell_murk.jpg" width="150" height="234" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Murkmere</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340877906<br>
<em>A haunting Gothic novel about loyalty, betrayal and age-old fears
Born and brought up in a small village, Aggie knows that she must never question the power of the divine beings - the birds - nor the omens in the Table of Significance. But when the Master of Murkmere Hall summons her to be companion to his ward, Leah, she enters a new and disturbing world. Leah is headstrong, spoilt and unhappy, and challenges everything Aggie has ever known to be true.
Secrets and betrayals lurk within the old house, and when the shadowy but all-powerful Ministration arrives for a grand ball, questioning becomes a dangerous game...</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><img alt="ambergate" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/ell_amber.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>Ambergate</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340882467<br>
<em>This dark and enthralling companion novel to Murkmere, which is complete in itself, continues the story of Leah and Aggie through the eyes of a different narrator
Only a number branded on her arm betrays the orphan girl's past. When she arrives at Murkmere Hall to be a kitchen maid, they call her Scuff; little do they guess that she has committed a terrible crime. Haunted by her dark secret, all Scuff can do is pray to the divine beings - the birds - for forgiveness.
Now, five years later, the past is catching up with Scuff. Hunted from all sides, she flees Murkmere, only to be forced back to the cruel confines of the Capital, and the Orphans' Home where it all began. </em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Damian Harvey</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/07/damien_harvey.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.235</id>
   
   <published>2009-07-01T14:55:34Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-01T15:39:34Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Damian Harvey was born in 1967. He grew up near Blackpool in Lancashire, and went to Sunderland University where he got a degree in Communication Studies. He wanted to work in radio but soon found writing stories was the...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="harvey" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/harvey.jpg" width="261" height="306"  class="left3"/>

Damian Harvey was born in 1967. He grew up near Blackpool in Lancashire, and went to Sunderland University where he got a degree in Communication Studies. He wanted to work in radio but soon found writing stories was the thing he loved most of all. He's worked as a lifeguard, a swimming teacher, a shop assistant, and a painter and decorator.

Now, Damian lives near Blackpool with his wife and three daughters, four cats, five guinea pigs, two rabbits and lots of fish.

He is a popular visitor to schools and libraries around the country where he gives lively, interactive talks about writing and being a writer, and shares stories and poems with children from nursery to year six.

He has written about 40 books for children and is busy writing more...


<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Stockton (11th), Newcastle (12th), North Tyneside (13th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.damianharvey.co.uk/">Damian Harvey</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.hachettelivre.co.uk/">Hachette</a>

<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
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    <td width="160"><img alt="Aqua" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/harv_aqua.jpg" width="150" height="234" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Robo-Runners 6: Aquanauts</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340944943<br>
<em>Crank and Al are robots on the run. They arrive at Tarka, an ancient flooded city behind a great wall. Hoping to discover Robotika, where robots can be free, instead they end up trapped between the mysterious underwater Aquanauts and the cruel Codilus...</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="ghost" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/harv_ghost.jpg" width="150" height="234" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Robo-Runners 5: The Ghost Sea</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340944929<br>
<em>Crank and Al are robots on the run. When their spacecraft crashlands in the middle of the Ghost Sea, the four friends think things can't get any worse - but they're wrong. Not everything in the Ghost Sea is as dead as it seems, and our heroes soon find themselves running for their lives...</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><img alt="powerball" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/harv_power.jpg" width="150" height="240" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>Robo-Runners 4: Powerball</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340944905<br>
<em>Meet Crank and Al ... robots on the run. When the friends arrive at the travelling Iron City, Crank hopes they can all become world-famous powerball stars. But things aren't quite what they expected them to be. Our heroes soon discover that powerball is more than just a game ... it's a matter of life and death, and it takes more than goals for a team to survive. </em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Tommy Donbavand</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/tommy_donbavand_-_author_profi.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.231</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-30T11:05:29Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T14:01:59Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Tommy Donbavand was born in Liverpool, but doesn&apos;t know any of The Beatles. When he was 11, his parents moved to Lancashire and, because they didn&apos;t trust him to forward the post, he had to go with them. After...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="donbavand" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/donbavand.jpg" width="250" height="334"  class="left3"/>

Tommy Donbavand was born in Liverpool, but doesn't know any of The Beatles.  When he was 11, his parents moved to Lancashire and, because they didn't trust him to forward the post, he had to go with them.

After an early career as a clown called Wobblebottom (no, really!), he joined the cast of the West End musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story where he played the Clearlake MC for a total of eight years, including stints on the UK tour and in Toronto, Canada.

Tommy then moved into the world of theatre production, where he wrote, directed and appeared in theatre tours such as Robinson Crusoe, Hey Diddle Diddle, and Goldilocks & The Three Bears.

As an author, Tommy's new series of comedy horror novels, Scream Street, is published by Walker Books in the UK, Candlewick Press in the USA and major foreign publishers in many territories around the world.  He also wrote five titles in the Too Ghoul For School series, published by Egmont Press under their 2Heads imprint.Give us a hand...

He has recently written two books for specialist publisher, Barrington Stoke: Zombie!, to be published late 2009 and The Uniform, scheduled for release in 2010 - and his book of drama activities for teachers, Making a Drama Out of a Crisis (Network Continuum), was published in April 2009.

The activities in Tommy's non-fiction books such as Boredom Busters and Quick Fixes For Bored Kids helped him to become a regular guest on radio stations around the UK.   He even made several appearances on BBC Radio 2's Steve Wright In The Afternoon as the kids entertainment guy.

Tommy also writes for a number of magazines, such as the Times Educational Supplement, Practical Professional Child Care, Creative Steps and Scholastic's Junior Education.  He was also one of the writers for the hit CBBC series, Planet Cook and pens tales from the island of Sodor for Thomas & Friends magazine.

In addition to his writing and acting, Tommy also runs creative writing workshops in primary schools across the north of England, teaches writing to adults and organises storytelling courses for SureStart.

Tommy spent a year as the writer-in-residence at Seven Stories, the centre for children's books in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and is very proud to have recently been made the UK's first RIF Ambassador by Reading Is Fundamental (part of the National Literacy Trust), attached to a primary school in Middlesbrough.

Tommy writes full-time and lives in Lancashire with his family.  He has started to see sleep as a waste of good writing time.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Stockton (10th), Middlesbrough (11th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.tommydonbavand.com/">Tommy Donbavand</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.walker.co.uk/">Walker Books</a>



<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="normals" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/don_normals.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Scream Street: Invasion of The Normals</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406322392<br>
<em>A seventh book? How can this be? Did Luke, Resus and Cleo fail in their quest? Are Luke and his parents trapped in Scream Street for ever? And how can there be a normal invasion? Watch this space...</em></td>
  </tr>
<tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="claw" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/don_claw.jpg" width="150" height="229" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Scream Street: Claw of the Werewolf</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406314298<br>
<em>Luke is now just one relic away from opening the doorway back to his own world and taking his parents from the terrors of Scream Street - but the final search will plunge him into his most dangerous adventure yet. With the help of Resus and Cleo, Luke hunts for the claw of a werewolf and learns something entirely unexpected about Samuel Skipstone, the author who has helped them so much on their quest. The trio are thus forced into a difficult decision, not helped by the presence of a witch convention in Scream Street which is causing havoc in the neighbourhood. The sixth and final relic is almost in Luke's grasp, but will it ever be his...?</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="skull" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/don_skull.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Scream Street: Skull of The Skeleton</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406314281<br>
<em>The Headless Horseman, the world's most famous ghost, makes a personal appearance at Everwell's Emporium to launch his new perfume, 'Decapitation pour l'Homme'. His overbearing gargoyle manager, however, is not impressed when the celebrity's head is stolen during the event! Eefa Everwell recruits Luke, Resus and Cleo to help with the search, but Luke is on a head hunt of his own: for the skull left behind by the first skeleton to live in Scream Street. Once again Sir Otto Sneer is determined to thwart the trio, and when he launches his own Frankenstein-esque monster to terrorize them into handing over the relics of the first four founding fathers, it's all they can do to keep their own heads...</em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Adam Bushnell</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/adam_bushnell_author_profile.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.228</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-29T16:13:53Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T14:05:46Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Adam Bushnell is a published author and storyteller. Previously a teacher, he worked in the UK and internationally in both state and private education. He is the author of four publications called &apos;Snakes Legs and Cows Eggs&apos;, &apos;Donkeys Wings...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="adam bushnell" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/bushnell.jpg" width="179" height="228" class="left3"/>

Adam Bushnell is a published author and storyteller.   Previously a teacher, he worked in the UK and internationally in both state and private education.

He is the author of four publications called 'Snakes Legs and Cows Eggs', 'Donkeys Wings and Worms Stings', 'Fishes Claws and Dinosaurs' Paws' and 'The Dead Storytellers'.  He has also recorded audio versions of these books and has four more books due for release throughout 2009 and 2010.

He is a full member of the Society of Authors, Society for Storytelling, National Association of Workshop Providers, Speaking of Books and Equity.   He is featured as a recommended author and storyteller on the 'Reading is Fundamental' and the 'National Centre for Language and Literacy' databases.  His books are also on the Boys Into Books recommended reading list. He is the Cultural Ambassador for Gateshead Council and takes part in voluntary work for several children's charities including Young Enterprise, Education Business Connections and Future Business Magnates. 

<br class="clearboth">

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Stockton (16th), Hartlepool (17th), Durham (18th), North Tyneside (19th), Darlington (20th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.story-tales.co.uk/">Story Tales</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.eprint.co.uk//default.asp?">Educational Printing Services Ltd</a>





<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
  <tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="Donkey" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/bushnell_donkey.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Donkeys' Wings and Worms' Stings</strong><br>
Educational Printing Services Ltd<br>
978-1905637508<br>
<em>Donkeys' Wings and Worms' Stings is a collection of traditional tales and entirely original stories, each told with serious silliness. They are culturally diverse and are written to be read aloud by teachers, parents and children, or can be read individually. The stories are targeted at disengaged or reluctant readers and attempt to motivate children to read.</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><img alt="cow" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/bushnell_cow.jpg" width="150" height="227" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>Snakes' Legs and Cows' Eggs</strong><br>
Educational Printing Services Ltd<br>
978-1905637218<br>
<em>Selected for the SLA Boys into Books (5-11) List What happens when you sneeze with your eyes open? When a woodcutter meets a dragon? When a bully meets some bad fairies? Story teller Adam Bushnell's eight hilarious stories bring together characters from all over the world. Familiar faces such as Anansi and the Thunder God take their place with larger than life new characters.</em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Lynne Chapman</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/lynne_chapman_author_profile.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2006://1.83</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-28T19:00:29Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T14:19:40Z</updated>
   
   <summary> It was Lynne&apos;s grandfather, a restoration artist who specialised in the ornately painted ceilings of royal palaces and stately homes, who originally inspired her passion for painting. Lynne has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years but it was...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="Lynne Chapman" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/chapmanphoto.jpg" width="242" height="287" class="left3" />

It was Lynne's grandfather, a restoration artist who specialised in the ornately painted ceilings of royal palaces and stately homes, who originally inspired her passion for painting. Lynne has been a freelance illustrator for 20 years but it was only recently she answered her calling and began to illustrate children's books. Lynne not only loves illustrating for children, but also thoroughly enjoys doing workshops and storytellings with them.

Lynne has illustrated books by Miriam Ross, Ann Jugman and Terry Deary, amongst others, but it was her collaboration with Jamie Rix, her first for Orchard Books, that brought us the delightful Giddy Goat. Lynne's humorously beautiful, pastel illustrations bring to life Giddy, the goat who lives on top of a rocky mountain but has no head for heights. It is only when he finds a lost lamb that Giddy becomes determined to find the fearless goat inside himself!

Lynne loves to fill her sketchbooks at every opportunity. She lives with her husband in Sheffield.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009):</strong>
Hartlepool (18th) | Durham (19th) | South Tyneside (20th) | GALA DAY (21st)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.lynnechapman.co.uk">www.lynnechapman.co.uk</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.hachettelivre.co.uk/">Hachette</a>

<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
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    <td width="160"><img alt="dragon" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/chap_dragon.jpg" width="225" height="253" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Dragon's Dinner</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340944226<br>
<em>Deep in the woods in a cave inky black, a dragon fancies a tasty snack! As the chase begins for his food he tries to have lunch with a bear, eat a foxes' tail on toast, and make an owl a grand appetiser! But the dragon's dinner plans are scuppered when a teeny-tiny mouse with a little squeak manages to finally scare the beast away!</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><img alt="Class 3" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/chap_class.jpg" width="225" height="201" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>Class Three All At Sea</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340944660<br>
<em>On the day Class Three went to sea, they saw donkeys dancing on the quay. They saw some sea lions skimming stones, but they didn't see the skull and crossbones! They're not a group to be daunted however, and with a little bit of help from an octopus they meet on the way, the pirates are overpowered and Class Three are left to enjoy their trip to the sea - and follow the pirates treasure map!</em></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><img alt="class2" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/chap_class2.jpg" width="225" height="202" class="left3"/></td>
    <td><strong>Class Two At The Zoo</strong><br>
Hodder Children's Books<br>
978-0340911617<br>
<em>Join Class Two as they wander round the zoo. They see all sorts of animal antics, but they don't notice the anaconda slipping up behind that's determined to make a meal of them. But Class Two are a resourceful bunch and come up with a rescue plan.</em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Steve Barlow &amp; Steve Skidmore (The 2 Steves)</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/steve_barlow_steve_skidmore_au.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2005://1.55</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-25T16:10:39Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-05T14:35:56Z</updated>
   
   <summary> The two Steve&apos;s are the Festival&apos;s fave double act who provide an irreverant look at history. They also leave the boring bits out! Dare you join Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore on a brand new madcap adventure based on...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="Steve Barlow" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/2steves300.jpg" width="300" height="203" class="left3" />

The two Steve's are the Festival's fave double act who provide an irreverant look at history. They also leave the boring bits out! Dare you join Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore on a brand new madcap adventure based on their 'I Hero' interactive books?  Chose wisely or watch out!  With the 2 Steves on the case, anything can happen.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Darlington (12th), Recar (13th), Newcastle (16th), Durham (17th), Gateshead (18th), Middlesbrough (19th), Sunderland (20th), GALA DAY (21st)

<strong>Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.the2steves.net/">www.the2steves.net</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
Self/ <a href="http://www.hachettelivre.co.uk/">Hachette</a>Hachette

<img alt="Steve Barlow" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/barlow.jpg" width="125" height="187" class="left3" />
<strong>Steve Barlow</strong>

Steve Barlow is not Steve Barlow's real name. His real name is Steve Lowe, but he couldn't be Steve Lowe because playwright Stephen Lowe is already Steve Lowe, though his real name is Stephen Wright, but he couldn't be Wright because Steven Wright was already Steven Wright, so Stephen Wright had to change his name to Stephen Lowe; so Steve Lowe couldn't be Steve Lowe because Stephen Wright was already Stephen Lowe because Steven Wright was Steven Wright so Steve Lowe changed his name to Steve Barlow, all on account of Stephen Wright. Right?

Why Barlow? 'Cos it's his mum's maiden name. Aaaaah!

Steve Barlow was born in Britain (in Crewe, in the county of Cheshire). He went to Brierley Street School, which was like Bash Street only not as sophisticated, then to Crewe County Grammar School for Boys (and what kind of school feels the need, in its name, to remind its pupils what gender they are? Hmmm?). He went on to study at Warwick University and Nottingham University, and worked at various times as a teacher, actor, stage manager and puppeteer. Then he went to teach in Botswana, where a valid excuse for students not handing in their homework was 'A goat ate it, sir!'. On his return to the UK he met Steve Skidmore, and the rest is hysteria.

Steve Barlow lives in Somerset with his wife Cathy, daughter Amy and son Robbie. He likes walking, sailing, reading, listening to music and shouting at politicians on the telly. 

<img alt="Steve Skidmore" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/skidmore.jpg" width="125" height="187" class="left3" />
<strong>Steve Skidmore</strong>

Steve Skidmore is shorter than Steve Barlow and less hairy. He was born in Birstall near Leicester in England. After managing to pass some exams at school, he went on to Nottingham University to supposedly read English, but spent most of his time playing sport and doing a variety of summer jobs including counting pastry pie lids (yes, really).
He trained as a teacher of Drama, English and Film studies, before teaming up with Steve Barlow to become a full time author.
He lives in Leicester and is a great rugby fan (he supports Leicester Tigers - "Come on you Tiiiiigeeeers!"



<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="160"><img alt="pirate" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/steves_pirate.jpg" width="118" height="180"  class="left3" /></td><td width="548"><strong>Pirate Gold (I, Hero)</strong><br>
Franklin Watts<br>
978-0749682644<br>
<em>You are an adventurer sailing with Francis Drake. You set a course to attack Spanish ships carrying gold and silver. Can you defeat the Spanish and steal the treasure? Or will you choose another path? You are the hero of this book. Only you can decide your own destiny...</em></td>
</tr>
<tr><td><img src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/mare.jpg" alt="kyghtmare" width="150" height="227" class="left3" /></td>
<td><strong>Knyghtmare!</strong><br>
HarperCollins<br>
978-0007108664<br>
<em>Another exciting, crazy and hilarious adventure set in the arboreal depths of the Dark Forest. A welcome return for some familiar faces caught up in a new adventure. Will and Rose, who roam the Dark Forest freely, are used to its quirks and hidden tricksiness. Yet, when they both wake up shaken from an identical dream -- about a Knyght in black armour on a fire-breathing steed -- they both know that something seriously scary is happening! Once again, the team of Will, Rose, Humfrey, the Runemaster and the pessimistic, mouthy Harp of Kings team up for a "shpectacular and riotoush romp in fantashyland".</em></td></tr>
<tr><td><img alt="starbores.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/starbores.jpg" width="150" height="209" class="left3"/></td>
<td><strong>Star Bores</strong><br>
HarperCollins<br>
978-0007192083<br>
<em>A parody of an old story, its sequels, their prequel sequel and its sequel prequels. In one book. Long, long, long, long ago in a galaxy far, far, far, far away...(Well, when I say long ago, I mean quite a long time ago; for instance, not right at the beginning of the Universe because everything was very hot then and the highest form of life was a sort of worm...) A story of unbelievable heroism, unspeakable villainy, where new but appallingly familiar characters mess about in a hilarious struggle of good versus evil using loads of cool machines. Meet Princess Liar, a heroine with a problem with the truth, Dark Visor, a mutant with a motorcycle, Choccibikki the Cookie and Hans Zup, a surrender-oriented hero and their ship The Millennium Bug. All will have a hand in the destiny of a young bartender when the droids DoRaymefar and SolaTeedo come to town...</em></td></tr>
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<entry>
   <title>Lydia Monks</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/lydia_monks.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.237</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-22T15:15:08Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T19:03:34Z</updated>
   
   <summary> As a child Lydia was born in Surrey, but grew up in Northampton. She spent a lot of her time drawing horses. Then, having decided to be a fashion designer, she went on to designing clothes. But, having no...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="monks" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/monks250.jpg" width="250" height="375" class="left3"/>

<strong>As a child</strong>
Lydia was born in Surrey, but grew up in Northampton. She spent a lot of her time drawing horses. Then, having decided to be a fashion designer, she went on to designing clothes. But, having no interest in sewing, Lydia decided to stick to drawing. She has a sister who is also good at drawing. They had a few pets, including an adopted stray cat called Pussy, who Lydia used to try and kick when she was in a strop!
As an adult

Lydia did a foundation course in Northampton, then an HND in graphics at Lincoln, before a degree in illustration at Kingston University. She lived and worked in London for the next ten years, sometimes from home and sometimes from shared studios. In 2002 she moved to Sheffield, where she lives with her husband.

<strong>As an artist</strong>
After leaving college, Lydia worked for many different newspapers and magazines, including The Times, The Evening Standard and Just 17. Lydia had always wanted to illustrate children's books and as no one could find a book for her to illustrate, she decided to write her own. It was called, I Wish I Were a Dog, and it won the Bronze Smarties Prize in 1999. Since then, she has worked on over forty books: some of her own and some by other people, including Roger McGough, Carol Ann Duffy and Julia Donaldson.

Things you didn't know about Lydia Monks

   1. She has ginger hair.
   2. She goes to tango classes.
   3. She has a sister called Julie who also illustrates children's books.
   4. She doesn't have any pets but would like some.
   5. She always talks to cats in the street.
   6. She listens to the radio all day while she works.
   7. She has won medals and trophies for Irish dancing.
   8. She used to have an old, green car that was born in the 1970s, which people used to laugh at.
   9. She uses teeny, weeny brushes to work with.
  10. She has a husband who is also an illustrator.

<br class="clearboth">

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
GALA DAY (21st)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="#">tba</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.walker.co.uk">Walker Books</a>

<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

<table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2">
  <tr>
    <td width="160"><img alt="spy" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/monks_spy.jpg" width="150" height="204" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Indie Kidd: I Spy A (Not So) White Lie</strong><br>
Walker Books Ltd<br>
978-1406311891<br>
<em>At first, new girl April is well liked by Indie and her two best friends, Soph and Fee, especially when she has exciting stories to tell. But April's tall tales grow more extraordinary and eventually seem designed to split Indie away from the otherwise inseparable best friends. Indie is not to be discouraged, though, and with the help of babysitter Caitlin, the three friends come to realize the truth about April's fibs - and help her out!</em></td>
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    <td width="160"><img alt="best" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/monks_best.jpg" width="150" height="204" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Indie Kidd: My (most Excellent) Guide to Best Friends</strong><br>
Walker<br>
978-1406311907<br>
<em>Featuring all-new stories and information, this bonus book in the hilarious Indie Kidd series is an essential guide to making and keeping best friends - in whatever shape or size they come! Indie and her friends let us in on the stories of how they all came to be best friends, giving tips on how to handle friends that are bossy or shy, in your family or, even, boys. With a quiz and advice, this is a most excellent guide whether you are a newcomer to Indie Kidd or already a fan of her adventures with the school (un)fair or her big (crazy) happy family.</em></td>
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    <td><img alt="school" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/monks_school.jpg" width="150" height="204" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>Indie Kidd: Me and the School (Un)Fair</strong><br>
Walker<br>
978-1406311884<br>
<em>It's all hands on deck when Miss Levy announces plans for the School Fair. Indie Kidd soon sets to work, rallying round her furry friends at the Animal Rescue Centre to create a Petting Zoo. But not everything goes according to plan... Indie's fab theme for the Fair is pipped at the post. And she gets paint on her best jeans. And her dad's winning raffle ticket lands Indie a cringe-worthy bedtime story from her own teacher! It all seems more like a School Un-Fair! But all is not lost: the Petting Zoo is such a run-away success that the bumper takings are ultimately split with the Paws for Thought Rescue Centre. Hooray!</em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Paul Cookson - Author Profile</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/paul_cookson_author_profile.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2006://1.68</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-22T09:22:25Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-01T10:03:18Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Paul Cookson was born in 1961 and brought up just outside Preston, in Lancashire. Early ambitions were to play football for Everton or electric guitar in Slade, although, after all the usual exams, he actually qualified as a teacher...</summary>
   <author>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="cookson" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/cookson250.jpg" width="250" height="354" class="left3" />

Paul Cookson was born in 1961 and brought up just outside Preston, in Lancashire. Early ambitions were to play football for Everton or electric guitar in Slade, although, after all the usual exams, he actually qualified as a teacher and taught full-time for five years.

He published his first selection of poems in 1980, and has now published over fifteen solo collections for both adults and children for A Twist In The Tale publishers. A Twist In The Tale has also been responsible for publishing work by Henry Normal, Ian McMillan, David Harmer and Martyn Wiley.

As well as performing and leading workshops with pupils, Paul is also an experienced In Service Training speaker and has led workshops for adults in a variety of situations. He has appeared at various literature festivals - Cheltenham, Hay-on-Wye, Edinburgh, Swansea, NCBF, Greenbelt to name a few.

Paul often works with David Harmer in the popular performance poetry duo Spill The Beans and has appeared on radio and television, most recently on Wham Bam Strawberry Jam! for BBC Children's Television.

Paul still listens to Slade and still supports Everton Football Club. If he has any spare time he tends to spend too much money on CDs, books and loud shirts and playing five-a-side football. 

Paul lives in Retford, Nottinghamshire with his wife Sally, son Sam, and daughter Daisy.

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
Sunderland (18th), Northumberland (19th), Durham (20th), GALA DAY (21st)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.paulcooksonpoet.co.uk/">www.paulcooksonpoet.co.uk</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.panmacmillan.com/default.asp">Macmillan Children's Books</a>

<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

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    <td width="160"><img alt="parents" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/cook_parents.jpg" width="150" height="200" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>The Truth About Parents</strong><br>
Macmillan Children's Books<br>
978-0330477338<br>
<em>Do you ever worry about what goes on inside your parents' heads? Then these poems are for you! Find out exactly what - if anything - makes them tick. Dad's Pants - Dad's pants are so embarrassing. Dad's pants give us a fright. And when they're on the washing line they block out all the light.</em></td>
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    <td width="160"><img alt="truth.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/truth.jpg" width="150" height="202" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>The Truth About Teachers</strong><br>
Macmillan Children's Books<br>
978-0330447232<br>
<em>"Do you ever worry about what goes on inside your teacher's head? Then these poems are for you! Find out exactly what - if anything - makes them tick (besides marking your homework). It's a definite sign. Our dinner lady Mrs Mack is well in love with Mr Fipps. Because at every dinner time, she winks and smiles when he's in line and gives him extra chips."</em></td>
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    <td><img alt="rather150.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/rather150.jpg" width="150" height="195" class="left3" /></td>
    <td><strong>I'd Rather Be a Footballer</strong><br>
Macmillan Children's Books<br>
978-0330457132<br>
<em>This fantastic collection features all of Paul Cookson's most popular poems, including "Superman Dog", "The Toilet Seat Has Teeth" and "The Amazing Captain Concorde"! "Short Visit, Long Stay": The school trip was a special occasion. But we never reached our destination. Instead of the Zoo, I was locked in the loo of an M62 service station.</em></td>
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    <td><img alt="vbest150.jpg" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/vbest150.jpg" width="150" height="150" class="left3"/></td>
    <td><strong>Very Best of Paul Cookson</strong><br>
Macmillan Digital Audio<br>
978-0230532052<br>
<em>This work is a collection of the very best poetry from Paul Cookson.</em></td>
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<entry>
   <title>Helena Pielichaty</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/2009/06/helena_pielichaty.html" />
   <id>tag:www.ncbf.co.uk,2009://1.240</id>
   
   <published>2009-06-21T20:14:06Z</published>
   <updated>2009-07-03T20:33:00Z</updated>
   
   <summary> Helena Pielichaty (Pierre-li-hatty) lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband Peter and two children, Hanya and Joe. Her first book, Vicious Circle, was published in 1998 and was selected as one of the Book Trust&apos;s Top 100 books of that...</summary>
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      <![CDATA[<img alt="pielichaty" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/helena300.jpg" width="300" height="393"  class="left3"/>

Helena Pielichaty (Pierre-li-hatty) lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband Peter and two children, Hanya and Joe. Her first book, Vicious Circle, was published in 1998 and was selected as one of the Book Trust's Top 100 books of that year. Since then she has had several books published, all with Oxford University Press.

<strong>Where were you born?</strong>
I was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to an English mother called Joyce and a Polish- Russian father called Boris.

<strong>What was your childhood like?</strong>
We moved to England when I was five. I lived in a small house in Garforth, near Leeds, with my parents, sister and two brothers. I had a lot of freedom and used to be either playing out on the 'pit hills' down the road, eating sweets, watching TV or reading a library book. My grandma and grandad lived across the road and ran a fish and chip shop.

<strong>Which schools did you go to?</strong>
I attended Barley Hill Infants School then Garforth Parochial Junior School. We moved twice during my secondary schooling. I went to Pontefract and District Girls' High School from Year 7 to Year 11 then Huddersfield High School for my sixth form.

<strong>What were you like at school?</strong>
I enjoyed going to school but wouldn't say I was outstanding at any one thing apart from talking a lot. Best subjects were English, history and art and worst were physics and singing. At secondary school I played netball for the school team and was the world's most enthusiastic but inept wing defence.

<strong>What did you want to be when you grew up?</strong>
I can't remember having any one burning ambition, apart from wanting to marry David Cassidy. The only career talk I remember was about teaching. Guess what I became? 

<strong>Appearing (November 2009)</strong>
South Tyneside (19th), Middlesbrough (20th)

<strong>Author Website</strong>
<a href="http://www.helena-pielichaty.com/">Helena Pielichaty</a>

<strong>Publisher</strong>
<a href="http://www.walker.co.uk/">Walker Books</a>



<strong>Recommended Reads</strong>

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    <td width="160"><img alt="foul" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/hel_foul.jpg" width="150" height="231" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Girls FC 3: Are All Brothers Foul?</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406317350<br>
<em>Girls FC is the best team for football and friendship. The under eleven girls' league is well underway and Lucy Skidmore is her team's best defender. Bright, sporty and happy-go-lucky, her parents' divorce doesn't seem to have affected her at all. The same is not true of her older brother, Harry. He is so badly behaved! Lucy overcompensates by trying to please both parents all the time. But with a dad living miles away, a mum stressed out and a sulky brother to contend with, Lucy is feeling the pressure.</em></td>
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    <td width="160"><img alt="own" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/hel_own.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3" /></td>
    <td width="548"><strong>Girls FC 4: Is An Own Goal Bad?</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406317367<br>
<em>Girls FC is the best team for football and friendship. Twins Daisy and Dylan love playing football, but try as they might, they are always late for matches. Living in a converted windmill with a scatty mum, a disorganized dad, ballet-mad twin brothers and countless pets doesn't help. Unfortunately the twins' laid-back attitude annoys some of their teammates. Luckily their Scottish granny is on hand with some tactics of her own to get the twins to arrive on time!</em></td>
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    <td><img alt="tiaras" src="http://www.ncbf.co.uk/images/hel_do.jpg" width="150" height="230" class="left3"/></td>
    <td><strong>Girls FC 1: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras?</strong><br>
Walker Books<br>
978-1406317305<br>
<em>Nine-year-old Megan Fawcett loves football and is desperate to be on her school team. She tries everything to get the coach to notice her, even wearing a tiara! But nothing works... Then she has a brainwave - she'll set up her own team. An all-girls team! Now all she needs is a pitch, a coach ... and ten other players.
</em></td>
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