Monday 17th June, Waterstones Piccadilly, Malorie Blackman - new Children's Laureate, Melvin Burgess and Lucy Mangan in conversation about keeping teen literature alive, loving life, death and reading!
Lucy, questioning her panel of Malorie and Melvin dove straight into the evening by asking both authors what is was that drew them to YA writing, why was it different she asked? Malorie began the discussion by explaining that she loved to write for all ages and tackle the subjects and themes close to her heart and the heart of her readers. She explained that as a writer she asks lots of questions, not necessarily having the answers, her books are therefore open to debate and challenge the reder - this is why she enjoys writing for Young Adults but also for all ages.
Melvin bagan writing when there was little for teens, he remembered the music, the books of his own teen years and so decided to write new things to entertain the modern teen - to him there is a gap because adults are traumatised by teens, they distrust them, show them as negative stereotypes yet it is a fascinating stage of life.
As you can probably tell the stage was now set for a fascinating discussion not only around the books written by both Malorie and Melvin but around the concept of teen literature what it involves, who it engages, why and how.
The audience were certainly hanging on every word and why not - here were two greats from teen fiction writing, they were thought provoking and entertaining, opinionated too and that is not bad thing! At times it seemed as though Lucy wouldn't have a chance to get her questions in for every question she asked there was so much to say ... but a good interviewer always knows a good time to drop into the discussion and Lucy did just this, letting both speak and then challenging them again ...
The discussion verged on radical at times with suggestions that writing for teens was an art which disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed. It should not talk down to its readers but serve them well, raise debatem create strategies for dealing with situations and create an empathy. Melvin also felt it should be subversive, pushing, questioning and genuinely serve its audience.
The discussion turned to politics, not party politics but society politics - the have's and have not's. For Malorie is is abut balance not taking sides, make the book enticing but serious (the politics comes in here), have a breadth of subject matter and question.
MAlorie's latest book, Noble Conflict is politicaly inspired by the STI issues among blacks in America between 1932 and 1972. the appaling way in which they were treated but not treated inspired her to write yet her book has nothing to do with these issues, it was just inspired by them. The issues inspired her to ask on behalf of those who did not ...
The subject then changed to the inevitable questions about Malorie as Laureate, as rightly it should when she has taken on such a significant role. As Laureate she explained her aim is to engage children in stories, stimulate a creative response and drive an online storytelling initiative to ensure that no-one is embarrassed by their reading rather they are encouraged to continue - if they love Twilight give them Frankenstein for example, if they love the beano give them graphic novels and so on. Above all else make sure that no-one is just normal, all embrace difference and love who they are.
A thoughtful moment and a powerful message followed by a light-hearted consideration of what makes an author tick, what inspires them - apparently it is mostly listening in to the conversations of others and remembering who you were, your aims, ambitions and desires at the same age - so watch out for you never know who might be listening but at the same time try to remember who you are, in may come in useful in the future!
Finally the discussion opened to Q & A from the audience who wanted to know what was more accessible the film or the book - as you can imagine it is the book, in the minds of these great authors, but not because they see that as more educational or of greater value, no it is because a film is supplementary, it can never be the book, it is a different mindset for a different audience and if the author does not want that they should not sell the rights - simple! Books have their own life, they break new ground and innovate, they progress. Films and Hollywood like a sure thing, a definite if not always happy ending, they are a comfort zone whilst books challenge.
As for boys and reading? - give them anything was the message here.
School libraries and librarians? - essential for transferring curiosity and putting books into the hands of children.
The final message? - read to all children, whatever their age, hook them in and keep them there...
Max the Champion, co-written by Sean Stockdale and Alex Strick with illustrations by Ros Asquith and published by Frances Lincoln books is a picture book that is at once fun, inclusive of all and full of imagination. It is a picture book that champions diversity without making an issue of the subject. It is subtle, pervasive, clever, intelligent and much more.
At Blackwell's bookshop on London's Charing Cross Road on a balmy June evening the book was launched to a small, select group of friends, family, press, librarians and illustrators and disability champions all of whom were keen to hear more about how the team worked together to produce this wonderful picture book.
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| Tim Kilmartin |
Introducing us to the Blackwell's diversity list Tim Kilmartin explained how the books on the list had been chosen and why - for the way in which they tackle disability head on without pushing it; for the way in which they can help teachers and librarians normalise the subject with children and adults; for the way in which they normalise the subject of disability; for the way in which they represent disabled children. All this is as important to adults as it is to both disabled and able children. The books on the list, an Max in particular, do not limit their disabled characters to those in wheelchairs either, they are careful to consider disability in all its forms.
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| Alex Strick |
Following on from Tim's introduction to the Blackwell's list Alex took to the microphone and promised us that once she started talking her incomparable excitement at having the book published might mean that she couldn't stop - non-one minded, we all wanted to hear what she had to say!
Alex told us how she saw Max as the 'poster boy' for the Blackwell's list and that his story was lovely, a reflection of society and a celebration of inclusion and equality. Writing a book about disability she explained is a careful balancing act, there are moments of frustration, anger and then action, wanting to be inclusive not correct and include as many different, diverse images as possible.
Alex and Sean first met when they were both working on the NASN book awards, NASN is the uk professional association embracing special and educational needs and disabilities, they found a shared passion and the partnership grew from there.
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| Sean Stockdale |
Sean then stepped up to make his short speech, sharing his feelings about the publication of the book explaining how it had been a five year process from the first meeting to the actual publication! As a first time author he was keen to thank all involved particularly Ros who he described as being like an old friend for the way in which she went the extra mile for Max patiently bringing him to life. Originally the book had been planned as a post-Paralympics title but the team were pleased they waited for now they can raise the profile of disability once more, add substance to the body of children's literature on the subject and help it to become the norm.
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| Ros Asquith |
Ros then explained a little about the way in which she drew on the story to recreate the characters in her drawings and the importance of showing even the smallest of disabilities including - and look out for this detail - a hearing aid.
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| Aminder Virdee |
We then heard from Aminder Virdee who, along with her brother, as a disabled child met with misunderstanding and the wrong type of sympathy and reaction. Both she and her brother have helped the team create Max and his story in a way that presents all children as equal. It is important Aminder noted, that children, able and disabled, recognise that disability is not second class and Max does this brilliantly.
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| Alex & Janetta |
In creating Max the Champion the team have played a small part in changing the landscape of attitudes towards disability. This one book may be just a small drop in a big ocean but it is a step in the right direction. Anyone interested in knowing more should visit the website and help the book world realise that it is time they began to portray society as it truly is, no longer idealising it for children in every book.
Like parents sending their first child on its way Alex, Sean and Ros were happily emotional, thanking their whole team and all of us who went along to support as well as all of you who will become the books' intended audience.
The day has finally arrived, the day that I set off on my travels to Cheltenham and the Wychwood Festival. This is my first ever festival experience so I am perhaps understandably a little nervous about it all but very excited too. Looking forward to a great weekend with a wonderful atmosphere of fun and games for the whole family ...
Arrive tonight and should have time to orient myself then get ready for a day of author events on Saturday and even more on Sunday. Already planning to meet with Petr Horacek, hopping to meet with a few more authors too and get some great suggestions for books, reading and more.
Great programme lined up for the whole family so if you are wondering what to do now that the sun has decided to shine why not come on over to the racecourse at Cheltenham and enjoy the festival this weekend.
Hope to see many of you there, please come and say hello, you should be able to spot the tent and I may need your help taking it down and packing it away on Sunday too!
I'll be busily Facebooking and Tweeting over the weekend so if you can't make it remember to follow me there and check back here next week for news on the event.
The excitement builds, with only two sleeps to go until the Wychwood Festival begins, two whole days until the Children's Literature Festival begins but only one whole day until I get my train and head on over.
So we have looked in some detail at the events for Saturday (which will now include me meeting with Petr Horacek for a chat so watch this space next week when I report back with news from him), we have touched slightly on Sunday so now here are some more hints about some of the exciting sessions that you can look forward to ...
Names that are new to me and maybe to some of you too, always a good and intriguing sign - always good to meet new authors and illustrators and in fact anyone who is helping to create great literature for children ... Jenny Smith, Giles Paley-Philips and Mike Estedium ...
Jenny takes to the stage on Saturday afternoon and if her biog on the festival website is anything to go by she will be hilarious!
Apparently she enjoys crisps, trampolining at midnight and being a nosy neighbour, the perfect ingredients for being a great writer for children - all adding up to making her slightly mad!
Her book The Abominators contains the most mischievous and crazy characters you are likely to ever come across, they love chaos, mayhem and filling toilets with jelly but they most definitely do not like making new friends with the goody-two-shoes new boy. I can't wait to go to her event and have a chat!
I have also mentioned Giles Paley-Philips. Giles is the author of The Fearsome Beastie a book which has won a number of prizes for this musician turned author ... and which is the book he will be reading from but there have been others along the way including Tamara Small and the Monsters' Ball, The Things You Never Knew ABout Dinosaurs and Princess Stay Awake. Then there is the collection of poetry he wrote There Is a Lion in my Bathroom so I am hoping that as well as hearing Giles read we may be treated to some music and poetry too!
These new names, alongside the more established are what makes the festival so exciting and something to look forward to with a growing sense of anticipation ... I hope you feel it too ....
Only five days to go now and still so much to share ...
Having told you about a selection of authors and events for Saturday 1st June let me reveal a few more ...
Did I mention that Philip Ardagh will be there? Well he will, hopefully, be reading from his hilarious and very popular Grunt series of books.
His event is described as needing plenty of audience participation and all-round silliness which sounds just perfect to me! Talking about how he writes, why he writes, where his ideas come from and even ... why he likes ducks?! Yes I would like to know more about this too ... this is certainly going to be one of the many highlights of the weekend.
I will be, hopefully, chatting with Petr Horacek too. Petr is the author and illustrator of such charming books as Strawberries are Red and What is Black is White.
I hope to talk to him about his latest titles, the board books Honk Honk Ba Ba and Time for Bed. You'll be able to read my report of this chat on the Blog and in the Armadillo Magazine after the festival of course.
I think that I have given you plenty to look forward to for Saturday 1st June so here is the first taster of what to look forward to on Sunday 2nd ...
A lie in again for the events do not begin until the respectable time (for a Sunday) of 10.30am, allowing time for breakfast at least!
And the day starts with a choice of ponies (those gorgeous Shetland miniatures) or Karen Langtree - personally I am going to try and do both and would urge you to also. Karen is coming to the festival all the way from New York to share her love of reading and writing stories, singing and writing songs, playing the piano and food! She may find some time to tell us about her work as a primary school teacher and authors too!
Being runner-up in a WHSmith competition at the age of 10 Karen is an inspiration to aspiring writers and her books include My Wicked Stepmother and the Fairy Rescuers which I hope to find out more about ...
Then comes Tony De Saulles alongside Mr Bloom singing (no more detail available about this one I'm afraid). If Tony's name is not immediately familiar as soon as I mention that he is the illustrator of the Horrible Science series you will know who I mean! Tony will hopefully be sharing some of his drawing tips with us on Sunday ...
Then, as the day progresses, there will also be a chance to listen to and meet even more authors whose names will be revealed ... tomorrow!
Still counting down and yet still on the events for Saturday because the programme is so packed full of amazing things for children and adults alike to enjoy. In fact looking at the programme I wonder if there will be time to stop for breath or even lunch!?
John Dougherty, himself a reviewer for Armadillo Magazine will put in an appearance (and I hope to meet him for the first time too!). John is the author of a number of books, perhaps the most well-known of which is Zeus on the Loose, a title that was shortlisted for the Brandford Boase Award, recognising it as an outstanding first novel for children.
Once a teacher John gave it all up for writing but still pops back into school regularly as a visiting author so his session will be well prepared I'm sure! We are promised that John will read, sing, perform some poetry and be generally funny - great!
Ian Whybrow will take to the stage too. An author since 1989, therefore very experienced, Ian has written over 100 books and won a number of prizes over the years. For older children Ian will be a familiar name for his Sniff stories. Little Wolf are a series of classic stories for 7-9 year-olds, Books for Boys are perfect for beginner readers and his picture books will be well-known to parents and toddlers which leads me nicely to reveal that Ian will this year feature Meerkats and Dinosaurs in his event ...
Yet more to look forward to for all ages ...
