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| Author and Illustrator Morag Hood and pupils |
Musician and Storyteller Ailsa Dixon entertained unpaid carers at Tranent Library, taking them on magical journey of the imagination. This event was run in collaboration with the Carers of East Lothian.
"The storytelling was great, Ailsa was so expressive and told her stories really well, drawing us all into the world of imagination"(Audience member, Ailsa Dixon event)
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| Authors Martin MacInnes and Heather Parry Photo credit: Rob McDougall - Photographer and digital film maker |
Booker longlisted author Martin MacInnes and the award winning Heather Parry went down a storm at Haddington library! As well as telling us about their recent books we also found out Heather's artistic process includes painting octopuses and that Martin has sold the film rights to one of his favourite directors!!
"Amazing to have 2 highly acclaimed authors, Scotland-based and young. They were very open and generous in sharing their thoughts and experience" (Audience member, Heather Parry and Martin MacInnes event)
Joseph Waterfield, from Historic Environment Scotland gave the eager audience at Haddington Library, a fascinating talk using archive photographs and maps to take us on Samuel Johnson and James Boswell's unforgettable Tour of Scotland.
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| Author Maisie Chan |
As part of Stand Up and be Counted we welcomed award winning author Maisie Chan to North Berwick High School and invited along local P6 pupils. As the project aims to increase awareness and representation of different races and cultures, LGBTQIA+ and disabilities, to help children and young people be more inclusive, confident, respectful and also feel respected, Maisie spoke about how important it was for her and children across the UK to see British-Asian characters in books. She also spoke about the inspirations for her books and characters, her own personal reading journey, and treated us to a reading from Danny Chung does not do maths and Keep dancing Lizzie Chu. There was a fantastic activity mid-way through where pupils were invited to draw like Danny Chung, and create a hybrid creature by picking two animals and drawing them as one. Examples were provided and the results were amazing!
"I've wanted to be an author since I was 3 and you've inspired me to finish my first book" (P6 Pupil, Maisie Chan event)
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| Image of some of the wildlife found on the walk |
The 'Birds and Books' nature walk around Musselburgh, run by the East Lothian Countryside Ranger, was enjoyed by a mix of ages and there was great excitement when they managed to spot a Kingfisher!
Best selling children's author Abi Elphinstone gave a fantastic talk about her real life experiences, and how they influence and inspire her writing. She even gave us a sneak peek of her next book!
"I loved hearing Abi speak about how random things can give her an idea for a story, and she thought my name was lovely and might include it in one of her books!" (Audience member, Abi Elphinstone event)
The weather didn't deter the kids ( and parents) from coming along and enjoying the Big Wild Life Forest school event where they learned about the creatures in the forest, woodland crafts and storytelling. Some of the kids said they would love to do it again but perhaps not in the rain!
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