VIRTUAL & VIDEO SCHOOL VISITS

It's great to be able to visit in person, but I also offer 'VIRTUAL VISITS' via Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc. or you can rent access to a full 50 minute virtual author talk video (see trailer above). This might be a good option while Covid restrictions are still in place, or for schools based outside the UK. An online visit will also save on travel costs so can be a good compromise if budgets are tight. The live 'zoom' events are still very interactive and lots of fun, and both these and the pre-recorded video option offer the opportunity for students to ask questions and have bookplates personalised and signed if required.

Please see my SCHOOLS & EVENTS page for more details of all the different types of events I can offer, both virtual and in person.

If you're interested in booking a virtual visit, or renting access to the video, for your school, library, festival or book club, please get in touch via my message page, or email me and we can discuss options. Thanks.

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If you have purchased rental access to the Virtual Visit via Video, please click here, or on the image below, then enter your password when prompted.

NEW BOOK! OUT NOW!

"My Robot’s Gone Wild is an epic finale to this series of books … a real ‘coming-of-age,’ ‘moving on’ story, that will appeal to children in Year 6 thinking about their transition to high school and all the changes that lie ahead. Jake, his twin sister, best friend Ali and school-friend Ivana are spending one last summer together before ‘big school’ camping in the Scottish Wilderness. They’re pitching up at Granny Anderson’s place and Jake can’t wait to see Robin his robot babysitter again. He’s also really looking forward to hanging out with his best mate, but it would seem Ali only has eyes for Ivana now and Jake’s worried he might have lost his best bud for good. His summer is looking lonely, but when Granny’s Highland cattle are stolen, Jake & his friends end up having one last adventure they’ll never forget … There’s some really appealing themes between the pages alongside the adventure … that most upper primary pupils will identify with."– Emma Kuyateh, Primary Teacher Bookshelf

"I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how the Grandma was an inventor, because it shows that anyone can be an inventor! … This is a funny adventure where everyone is disguised as something else!" – Arthur (aged 8), Books Up North

THE GREAT ESCAPE!

DAILY WRITING PROMPT.

Hi folks, I hope you and yours are well, and coping with these unusual and difficult times. It might feel like our options are limited at the moment, but stories provide a great way to escape. In stories we can go anywhere, at any time, with anyone!

With this in mind I thought I'd post a series of writing prompts over on my blog and Facebook page in case they might be of interest.

I'm hoping these prompts will provide a spark. Let your imagination run with them any way you like. Write a story, a poem, draw a comic strip, compose a song or a piece of music, make a video, an animated flick book, draw something, make a sculpture from pasta shells, blu-tack and unicorn tears – whatever idea drops into your head. (Just don't go outside hunting for unicorns, as I suspect that's on the forbidden list).

Most importantly – have some fun with it and I hope you'll feel a sense of freedom! Let me know how you get on. You can tag me on social media or contact via the usual place here.

Look after yourselves and each other.
Best wishes, Dave

MYSTERY & MAYHEM IN BOOK 3 AS "ROBOT HOLMES" AND "DOGGY WATSON" (sorry!) GET ON THE CASE OF THE MISSING GRANDMA …

"There’s plenty to keep newly independent readers turning the pages of this zany story … lots of laughs, a fair few tense moments and terrific illustrations by Catalina Echeverri breaking up the text and adding additional humour and drama to the telling." – Jill Bennett, Red Reading Hub

"A Robot Ate My Grandma is the third book in a fun, laugh-out-loud series about a family with a very clever grandmother who invents robots to make their lives easier … With mishaps and giggles around every corner, this modern-day Little Red Riding Hood is a fantastic story for children starting to branch out into longer novels on their own." – Kate Heap,  Scope For Imagination

CONFUSED ROBOTS AND FLYING HAMSTERS! THINGS GET EXPLOSIVE IN BOOK 2 …

Honoured and delighted that Is My Teacher a Robot? was shortlisted for the inspiREAD 2021 book award. An excellent selection of books in three different categories, so really chuffed to be included. Visit the website to watch video readings of all the shortlisted books.

Here are a few more football related
reading, writing and drawing  goodies …

My Top 11 Favourite Football Books

FREE Charlie Merrick Activity Pack including:

design your own squad cards, comic & match sheets

National Literacy Trust World Cup Kit Bag

TES Teaching Resources PackAn 8 day scheme of work based on Charlie Merrick

(please note - I had no involvement in the production of these resources, but

have been told by teachers they are very good. There is also a small cost to download the scheme)

Reading Agency Chatterbooks Football Pack

Step-by-step Guide to Drawing a Football Action Scene!

NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST

#FITFORLIT CHALLENGE

With COVID-19 set to have a disastrous impact on the literacy of the 4.6 million children living in poverty in the UK, the National Literacy Trust is raising money to fund projects to support these children.

The #FITFORLIT Alternative Sports Day challenge invites you to film or photograph yourself doing something active with a book – maybe set up a book obstacle course, or see how many books you can weight-lift!

I decided to attempt to read out loud the first chapter of A Robot Ate My Grandma while out running! Watch the video below to find out how I got on. Then please visit https://www.literacytrust.org.uk/events/fitforlit to find out how to get involved.

If you are able to donate a few pounds it would be much appreciated and a huge help to this important project. Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fitforlit or text FITFORLIT to 70085 to donate £3 (texts cost £3 plus one standard rate message). Thank you!

Have fun with your own #FitforLit challenge.

Take care and all the best, Dave.