Book Promotion
Buckingham Primary School
My first book promotion event was at my daughter's old primary school, the Buckingham Primary School (BPS). It's a lovely place where she was very happy and I'd already given a talk on animal habitats, showing my exotic insects and my first corn snake, Whizzbee. So I wondered if they'd be interested in my doing a book signing for 'I'm Not Smelly the Pirate'. Amazingly they do a pirates day each year where they all dress up as pirates! Well, if that isn't destiny I don't know what is!
Before I knew it, it had grown from a mere book signing afternoon to a full day of events! I had never done anything so grand before and was nervous, but very excited. I discussed the itinerary with the F2 Year Leader, Miss Kelly Brookes, where we had fun coming up with ideas. I was to do some songs and maybe act a part of the play. I had an idea for a treasure hunt and so it went on.
Finally we decided on the following for the Foundation kids, in four groups:
Then two groups of the following for KS1:
After that, a book reading with the PowerPoint presentation to the nursery group.
- Book reading with PowerPoint presentation of illustrations
- Story board story for 'What happened next'
- Acting a scene from my book
- 'A Sailor Went to Sea' song
- Q&A session on my story
- 'Parrot Says' game (like 'Simon Says')
- Treasure hunt in the playground
Then two groups of the following for KS1:
- Book reading with PowerPoint presentation
- Explain why I became an author
- How I decide what to write and draw and how I do it
After that, a book reading with the PowerPoint presentation to the nursery group.
I dressed up as the wife of the terrible pirate captain, Bloodandguts and when I arrived at the school, feeling some trepidation, all my nerves washed away at the sight of the teachers all sporting pirate costumes! The school had gone to town on the event and had done a wonderful job.
It was a happy, fun-packed and wonderful day. The children were awesome. They were well-behaved and friendly. I even got a few cuddles! Awwwww. To top it all I did a book signing and was flattered by the interest. The queue went out the door! When I left I had a big lump in my throat. I didn't want to leave those lovely kids. It was one of the happiest days of my life. And they want me to do another pirates day next year! I can't wait. |
This is what Kelly said of the day:
We cannot thank Alex enough for her enthusiasm and passion when sharing her books with our children. She tailored the day to suit the needs of our EYFS children and then developed this to share through out KS1.
She arranged a great range of activities that engaged the children in their topic and inspired them to become writers. She included acting, singing, dancing and more! The children loved seeing her dressed up as the wife of her book's pirate captain character and have learned lots from her. We hope to see you next year for our pirate topic again!
We cannot thank Alex enough for her enthusiasm and passion when sharing her books with our children. She tailored the day to suit the needs of our EYFS children and then developed this to share through out KS1.
She arranged a great range of activities that engaged the children in their topic and inspired them to become writers. She included acting, singing, dancing and more! The children loved seeing her dressed up as the wife of her book's pirate captain character and have learned lots from her. We hope to see you next year for our pirate topic again!
Grenville Academy, Buckingham
I had the pleasure of hosting my second school Pirates event at the lovely Grenville Academy. I started with a book signing before the Register. Then, as with the BPS, I did book readings for Reception and Year 1 and had fun with songs, games and acting. I gave prizes and presents of treasure from my treasure chest, and some key fob cabochons of my book's characters, to the children's delight.
I told the children how I get ideas for my book, getting them to close their eyes and think about all the exciting things they would like to write about, transporting themselves into colourful worlds, real and fantastic. I showed them how I decided what to draw, using real life as a foundation, however bizarre the drawing became!
I delved into the children's imagination by doing a 'What Happened Next?' story board, to create a little story about what happened after the end of the book. No story ever really ends!
The school had arranged an exciting treasure hunt with treasure hidden all over the playground. Each child had a treasure map and they all ran around, hunting eagerly. It was lovely to see the children's thrill when they found their prize! It ended at the ship where they found my pirate treasure chest, full of shining jewels and pieces of eight.
The day ended as before with a book signing. It had been a wonderful day and I left with happy memories of smiling faces, laughter and cuddles. There's no better pastime than this!
This is what Eleanor Ridgway from Reception said of the day:
Our Reception class had a wonderful pirate day with Alexandra. She led some fun activities with us and very kindly treated us to treasure! We hope she comes to visit us again!
I hope to do many more of these events at other schools and will add my other books to the activities as they are published. Please contact me if you're interested. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Our Reception class had a wonderful pirate day with Alexandra. She led some fun activities with us and very kindly treated us to treasure! We hope she comes to visit us again!
I hope to do many more of these events at other schools and will add my other books to the activities as they are published. Please contact me if you're interested. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Love alexxx
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