Wow, what a summer! First of all, the Tour de Schools tour (described by one teacher as the best visiting performance he'd ever seen in a school) finished in style with a great show at an Ikley primary followed by a fun cabaret performance at the White Rose Book Cafe in Thirsk. Then I dashed to the car, drove to the Dales and spent a truly memorable day on Saturday 5th watching Le Tour in beautiful Swaledale where there was a terrific atmosphere of fun and enthusiasm. The sun shone and the race itself was amazing.
Since then I have been busy promoting The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff at events and bookshops. I've had some wonderful feedback from readers and the reviews have been fantastic. As well as being reviewed on CBBC (see previous post) it's had two reviews in the Guardian (here and here).
Numerous other reviews include these:
The Swallow's Nest
Wondrous Reads
What Lexie Loves
Amazon
Big Book Bash
I've just returned from the lovely town of Matlock where the excellent Derbyshire Big Book Bash 2014 took place. This is a special event for children in care and their families and is funded by the admirable Derbyshire County Council. No less than eight children's authors and illustrators were there including Cathy Cassidy, Alan Gibbons and Robert Crowther, meister of pop-ups. I ran two sessions and really enjoyed them. The organisers and volunteers deserve a huge cheer for all the work put in.
The Anti-Boredom Book is almost here!
I was delighted to receive an advance copy of my next book, The Anti-Boredom Book of Brilliant Things to Do published by Bloomsbury. It's launched on 31st July so very soon and it looks ACE:
The design team that produced The Silly Book have done another top job and once more the talented Scott Garrett's illustrations are witty and enhance the contents so well. Inside you'll find an amazing array of fun things to do from amusing talking games to wacky mini-quizzes, things to score and challenges to face. It is GUARANTEED to keep boredom at bay for any kid of 8-12 this summer and beyond. Pre-order from you local bookshop pleeeease, but if you live all rural then here's an Amazon link.
Events coming up 2014
Sat 26th July - The Deer Shed Festival, near Thirsk
Come along and join in Andy's Silly Fun Workshop (details here)
Sat 2nd August - Book signing at Waterstones Northallerton
Get a signed copy of All Teachers Bright and Beautiful, or the Anti-Boredom Book or Silly Book for kids: 10am-12 noon
Wed 3rd Sept - Prankenstein launch
The exciting launch of Andy's first novel for children: details to follow
Sat 20th Sept - Book Signing at Waterstones York
Come along to their shiny new store and get a special free gift plus a signed copy of The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff, The Anti-Boredom Book or Prankenstein! 1-3pm
Sat 27th Sept - Bath Kids Literature Festival
Booking is essential for Andy's fun workshop, Seriously Silly Stuff (details here) 3.15-4pm
Sat October 4th - Book signing at Waterstones Northallerton
Get a signed copy of All Teachers Bright and Beautiful, or the Anti-Boredom Book or Silly Book for kids: 10am-12 noon
Sunday October 12th - Ryedale Book Festival
A fun children's event - details to follow: Festival website.
Sat 25th Oct - Talk at Starbeck Library, Harrogate
An entertaining talk for adults about Andy's teaching experiences in the Dales (afternoon)
And finally, back to Le Tour
Here's my poem celebrating the race coming to Yorkshire:
