I created a book/library version of the iconic Trainspotting Choose Life rant. The original incorporated all the sweary goodness but was not appropriate for school or public library displays so I have created an A3 pdf version with no swear words that you can download by clicking on the image below
The Bone Collector
A psychopath more frightening than Hannibal Lecter.
He has planned well. He leads two lives. In one he’s just like anyone else. But in the other he is the caretaker of his family’s macabre museum.
Now the time has come to add to his collection. He is ready to feed his obsession, and he is on the hunt.
Jakey Frith and Clara Foyle have something in common. They have what he needs.
Rattle is not the sort of book I usually review on TeenLibrarian, seeing as it is not a Teen, YA or children’s book. It does have children though – two delightfully vulnerable children with rare disabilities that become the focus of a serial killer’s twisted needs.
This book was an uncomfortable read for me – since becoming a parent I have become more squeamish, especially when it comes to children in thriller/serial killer fiction. I am sure that this is what Fiona Cummins was aiming for when she wrote this wonderfully, squirm-inducing book!
However… it is a cliche to say that I found it hard to put down (because I did) the war between the eww I don’t want to read this side and the gosh I have to read this and find out what happens part was won (obviously) by the ghoulish side of me that revels in dark crime fiction – and believe me Rattle is as dark and glorious as they come!
No serial killer crime thriller would be complete without the police that role is filled with the fantastically realised Detective Sergeant Etta Fitzroy a member of the Metropolitan Police haunted by a missing child case case that almost ended her career and Erdman Frith a desperate father who will do anything to find his son.
Over the weekend the world witnessed The Women’s March (against Trump); this was possibly the largest demonstration in American history; and it was not just in the USA, there were sister marches in many citiesaround the world.
This is just the beginning! One of the things we as Librarians and Library workers can do is encourage the people we work with in many small ways, one of these things is if we run crafting clubs we can provide patterns for members to make protest crafts. This is important as not everyone is able to march but may still want to show their support!
I recently read Crafting with Feminism by Bonnie Burton, a wonderful book that contains 25 Girl-Powered Projects to Smash the Patriarchy
From Feminist Badges of Honor to Next Gen Feminist Onesies this book has it all (well not all but a lot of excellent, eye-catching project ideas and patterns) to provide activity ideas for months.
These crafts are perfect for people of all genders whether you march or not
Crafting with Feminism by Bonnie Burton published by Quirk Books is available now!
I noticed the news starting to filter through social media yesterday around midday.
At first a number of her friends and colleagues were optimistically hopeful that the news was a practical joke that Babette had pulled as she was that kind of person.
Sadly it wasn’t and last night it was confirmed that the first person to make me fall of a chair laughing (at work) had indeed passed away.
I first encountered her work shortly after I left Library School and my Librarian qualification still had the scent of newness to it. It was a Friday – the day I spent the afternoon on duty in the Junior Library of the Fish Hoek Public Library. It was a quiet afternoon, I had shelved all the returned books, tidied up the shelves and as I recall could not quite face ordering the picture books, so I took a quick breather and grabbed a picture book at random. This book was Mummy Laid an Egg
Had I been drinking a cup of tea at the time there would have been a spit take of note but instead I laughed so much I was unable to stay seated and did indeed fall off my chair, fortunately the library was empty at this point and my dignity remained intact.
I reread it three times that afternoon and laughed each time, to this day at times when I am tired or on the verge of falling asleep I often remember the book and giggle to myself.
Mummy Laid an Egg was my first Babette Cole and after that I looked out for her books and made sure I got my hands on them as soon as possible as (and many, many people will attest) she was a phenomenal and hilarious talent!
I never knew her personally but will miss her wonderful stories and illustrations!
As Oscars Season is just round the corner I have put together some resources to aid library staff in schools and public libraries to put together a display of books that have been adapted into movies. An A4 colour Oscar Reading poster and five A3 pages of books for children and young people that have been adapted for the silver screen in film strips.
If anyone would like to create their own filmstrips with book covers you can download the transparent film strip here:
The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators is committed to promoting education in its widest sense and particularly in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds who have fewer opportunities than others. This is a commitment that has been encouraged by successive Lord Mayors.
During 2017, the WCA Trust has decided to support literacy development and the encouragement of children’s reading for pleasure in London schools. The WCA Trust will sponsor a number of author/ illustrator / poet / storyteller visits for disadvantaged pupils in London schools, throughout 2017. The project will be organized by Sue Bastone, Mistress Arbritrator and Authors Aloud UK.
To apply for visit funding download and fill in this application form:
The Author of Tomorrow Award is designed to find the adventure writers of the future.
Run in partnership with a number of non-governmental organisations dedicated to improving global literacy levels, it is open to anyone aged between twelve and twenty-one who has completed a short piece of adventure writing in English.
To enter the Author of Tomorrow Award
The author must be aged between twelve and twenty-one years of age (on 1 January 2017).
The piece of short fiction entered must be between 1500 and 5000 words.
The submitted work must, in the opinion of the judges, fall within what can be defined as adventure writing (using the definition provided here).
The author must provide
An electronic copy of their piece of short fiction
A short synopsis of their work
A scanned copy of their birth certificate
Closing date
Entries can be submitted from the 31st of October 2016 until the 23rd of January 2017. Any story submitted after the deadline will not be eligible for entry.
The winning author will receive £1,000 pounds sterling and a framed certificate.
Full details are available here:
http://www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/awards/author-of-tomorrow
