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Saturday
14  December

Pupils meet top children's author

 
29/11/2016 @ 02:53

Pupils from local primary schools around Newtown visited the town’s library to meet a popular writer of children and teen fiction books.

Schoolchildren from Penygloddfa, Treowen and St Michael’s primary schools visited Newtown Library to meet Sam Angus, who read extracts from her latest book ‘The House on Hummingbird Island.’

The event was partnered and arranged by Powys County Council’s Library Service and Emma Corfield-Walters, the owner of ‘Book-ish’, an independent bookshop in Crickhowell.

Set in the West Indies during the First World War, The House on Hummingbird Island’ is a touching coming of age story and follows the adventure of 12-year-old Idie Grace, whose life is turned upside down when inherits a dilapidated, grand old house on a tropical island.

It’s a stirring tale of a young girl coming to terms with leaving her treasured childhood home and family behind, and is told in a classic vein that reminds readers of A Little Princess and Rooftoppers

Sam talked to the children about her writing and they had the chance to meet and ask questions. Books were available to purchase from ‘Book-ish’ and children were encouraged to join the library and take out her books on loan.

Cllr Graham Brown, Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Library Services, said: “Energising a reading culture is important - getting children to meet and talk to the author of popular books encourages that inquisitive mind.

“Writers like Sam Angus encourage creative thinking and convey ideas through their stories. Finding partners to facilitate and develop this interaction is not only helpful but a practical endeavour that should be encouraged.”

Trish Thomas, Powys County Council’s Reader Development Librarian, said: “Developing reading skills is crucial at this stage in life for children. Capturing their imagination or getting the children to engage in books at home or in a quiet, safe environment like the library is to be encouraged.

“There is nothing like meeting a writer - the creator of the stories they read to get children inspired and become active readers.”

Emma Corfield-Walters, owner of Book –ish, said: “This was a good partnership between an independent book shop like ‘Book-ish’, and Powys County Council’s the Library Service to be involved in. After all, we have similar goals, being keen on the importance of making reading a fun activity with events such as these.

“Meeting the author is a great way to get children enthused about books and reading - they are our future customers and creative writers and thinkers, something we will all benefit from.”

Sam Angus first wrote her debut novel ‘Soldier Dog’, about the Messenger Dog Service which was published in 2012 to great acclaim and won the North East Book Award. It was shortlisted for the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award, the Warwickshire Teen Book Award and Worcestershire Teen Book Award and longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the Redbridge Award and Branford Boase Award.  Since then, Sam has written two more bestsellers - ‘A Horse called Hero’ and ‘Captain’.

Photo: Pupils from St Michael’s Church in Wales Primary School, Kerry, meet children’s author Sam Angus at Newtown Library as part of an event arranged by Powys County Council and Emma Corfield-Walters, the owner of ‘Book-ish’, an independent bookshop in Crickhowell.