How did it go?
Nearly 400 children and their teachers from 5 Stafford schools came to The Gatehouse Theatre to listen to authors Hilary McKay and Maria Parr talk to Nicolette Jones about their writing process and inspiration. It was a fascinating morning. The children especially loved hearing Maria Parr talk about her home in Norway, and how it features in her brilliant book Waffle Hearts, and seeing a real gold sovereign helped bring to life Hilary's wonderful story about the First World War, The Skylark's War.
Some children met the authors after the event to get their books signed.
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- Venue:
- The Stafford Gatehouse, Stafford, ST16 2LT
- Date:
- Tuesday 24th September
- Time:
- 10:30 am
- Duration:
- Approx. 1 hour
- Age range:
- Years 5 and 6
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Hilary McKay
Hilary McKay writes novels for children that often feature eccentric and deeply endearing characters and describe the escapades and traumas of family life in hilarious detail. She is well known for her series about the Casson family and also The Exiles. Her latest novel The Skylarks’ War (winner of The Costa Children’s Book Award 2018) brings us the wonderful character of Clarry, a young girl who shows great strength in the face of adversity and is unfailingly kind. Set against the brutal backdrop of the First World War we are drawn into the vivid world of this story, of Clarry, Peter, Rupert and Simon the Bony One, of love, family and loss.
Praise for The Skylarks' War
“This belongs among the classic of children’s literature . . . Funny, sad, warm, it is about growing up and finding what you love, intellectually and emotionally.”
Maria Parr
Maria Parr is from Norway. Her debut novel Waffle Hearts has won several prizes, has been translated into 15 languages and has also been made into a popular children's series for Norwegian TV. Maria lives in Norway with her family and works as a primary school teacher. When she's not teaching she loves writing books for children.
Perfect for fans of Pippi Longstocking, Waffle Hearts is a heartbreaking, heartmaking, hilariously funny tale... This really is a tremendous book, with everything I could hope for in a book to share with my children; beauty, wit, wisdom, joy, thoughtfulness and a lot of fun.
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