The authors held a virtual launch event for Swindon pupils to celebrate the release of The Great Dream Robbery.
Greg James and Chris Smith teamed up with the National Literacy Trust and Puffin Books, part of Penguin Random House Children’s Books for the event.
On Friday 17 September, the authors of the Kid Normal series hosted an interactive workshop about the power of imagination with KS2 pupils as part of the National Literacy Trust’s Connecting Stories project, funded by Arts Council England.
Connecting Stories addresses the literacy attainment gap across its 14 Hub areas. It provides a programme of different events, from virtual author visits, creative writing competitions, book donations, and a variety of activities for families to enjoy.
Its events aim to improve attitudes and behaviours towards reading for pleasure, and supporting wellbeing in diverse, disadvantaged communities, following its research which shows children who enjoy reading are happier in their lives.
Anish Harrison, Hub Manager of Swindon Stories, said: “We’re thrilled that so many pupils in Swindon got the chance to meet their literary heroes Greg James and Chris Smith – and put their own questions to them!
“We know that author visits help play a vital role in helping children to create positive associations with reading, support their wider learning and inspiring them to dream big. Reading has a proven link to children’s wellbeing and there couldn’t be a more important time to support the health of our children and young people.
“For parents and families looking for a book to kick off the autumn term, I couldn’t recommend The Great Dream Robbery enough!”
Pupils, from across the town, received copies of The Great Dream Robbery for their school library, after putting questions about their writing journey and dreams to the authors, during the interactive virtual visit.
One pupil got the chance to ask the authors ‘what inspired you to become authors?’, while another pupil asked ‘what made you choose to write a book about dreams?’.
The authors describe their new release: "The story centres around 12-year-old Maya who is desperate to fall asleep and save her father Professor Dexter who is in his own living nightmare.
"The Professor invented a device that allows you to visit other people’s dreams. But the devious Lilith Delamere trapped him inside a nightmare so Maya and the mysterious Dream Bandits must find a way to rescue him before it’s too late."
During the event, Greg James and Chris Smith delighted children by sharing tips on creating stories and encouraged them to use their imaginations to come up with the best stories possible.
Greg James said to the pupils "Make sure you’re having fun – that is the most important thing with any book!
“If there is something in your life that you’re passionate about, whether it’s the climate or something to do with your community, there are some amazing stories all around you, so don’t be afraid of tackling a big subject to make your story.”
Chris Smith added: “There’s always a book to escape into! That’s the best thing about reading.”
Greg James and Chris Smith also helped to launch the National Literacy Trust’s Virtual School Library. This virutal school library is a digital platform that was set up during lockdown, giving every primary school child in the UK access to a free ebook or audiobook, an exclusive video and activities from a children’s author or illustrator each week.
The authors added: "The National Literacy Trust is undeniably brilliant so it is a joy to be part of their Connecting Stories initiative. The children we’ve worked with through the National Literacy Trust are always funny, feisty and fizzing with ideas.”
More information about Swindon Stories can be found at https://literacytrust.org.uk/communities/swindon/
More information about the National Literacy Trust can be found at https://literacytrust.org.uk/
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