Newark Book Festival – July 2022

It was brilliant to be back in the Market Square, in Newark, during the beautiful, sunny weather this July. The Literary Village was buzzing with visitors and stall holders chatting and having fun.

I love taking part in this event because its has a very friendly atmosphere and I always meet lots of lovely people.

Sales were good, I had a few enquiries for local School Visits and I won Best Dressed Stall so it was a very successful weekend!

         

I’ll be back again next year!

School Visits

I visited Poplar Farm Primary School recently to be interviewed by SEND Workforce Development. They wanted to ask about my books and what inclusion means to me. The interview went really well!

This school was opened in 2018 but it still looks brand new. I was lucky to have a little tour and see what a fabulous school it is.

I also had the opportunity to talk to the Headteacher about my books and my Author Visits.

Great news … They’ve just booked an Author Visit for June -Yay!

I’m looking forward to meeting them all soon.

If you’re interested in a visit just get in touch: lesley@hattieandfriends.co.uk

I regularly visit local schools, within an hours drive of Lincoln.

Newark Book Festival Event

I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be holding a Storytime Event in this beautiful space, at 4pm on the 7th July. This is part of the Newark Book Festival Fringe Programme. All young children, and their grown-ups, are welcome to come along to this FREE Event.

Grain @No.1 is kindly hosting, in their fabulous Antiques Shop, in the heart of Newark.

I’ll be reading my ‘Hattie and friends’ stories, all about days out, in the ‘White Space’.

Children will also be able to play a matching game with ‘Hattie and friends’ painted stones & get ‘hands on’ with my books and jigsaws.

Signed books will be available to buy.

I will also have a stall all day Saturday and Sunday, in the Literary Village.

I hope to see you there!

 

World Book Day 2022

I enjoyed a fabulous day, last Thursday, celebrating World Book Day with 2 local nurseries.

The children and staff were dressed as their favourite book characters and they were very excited to meet an Author! I told them about my books, we played a matching game with my painted stones then the children had the opportunity to get ‘hands on’ with my books and jigsaws.

Some children ordered signed books to take home, I hope they enjoyed them.

It was all great fun!

 

Guest Blog

https://twitter.com/CSKidsBooks/status/1484218477443436559?s=20

 

The Teachers’ Podcast

 

I really enjoyed this interview with Claire Riley, CEO of Classroom Secrets. She also has a daughter called Hattie!

We went off on a bit of a tangent about gender equality, something we’re both passionate about, being parents of girls.

How many times do you hear someone saying how pretty your daughter is? Is there anything wrong with that? It’s not just boys’ colours and girls’ colours that are engrained in our society.

Lots of food for thought!

Inclusivity in Story Books: Lesley Berrington, author of Hattie and Friends – YouTube

Back to School 2021

I’m writing this in the middle of August, when teachers, other school staff and children are enjoying their summer break.

After the Lockdowns and endless restrictions, they can finally meet with friends and relax for a few weeks. They certainly won’t want to be thinking about September yet, but I can’t wait!!

After 18 months of being confined to Hattie HQ I’ll be visiting primary schools again, and I’ve already got 7 visits booked in September / October… Woo-Hoo! I can’t wait to see all those little faces again and inspire their creativity.

2020/21 feels like a lost year in a lot of ways but it’s also brought new opportunities for me. I’ve spent a lot of time promoting my books on social media and I’ve connected with some wonderful people. I’ve been invited to take part in interviews, record podcasts, and write blogs for a variety of groups and organisations.

I’ve always thought that ‘Hattie and friends’ would make a great TV Programme, so I’ve also been researching Animation ideas. I submitted my first Arts Council England Funding Application to support this new and exciting work. I’ve recently found out that, unfortunately my application has been unsuccessful, this time. There are so many wonderful applications, only 1 in 4 was successful in this Round. Well, I’m not one to give up so I’m working on my next application which will be submitted in September! We definitely need to see more disability inclusion on Children’s TV.

Without a break from ‘normal’ life these projects would never have happened.

I’ve found a lovely community of helpful and supportive Educators, particularly on Twitter. (I’m still trying to figure out Instagram!) Some have become friends, which has been very welcome because my dog’s a lovely companion, but he doesn’t have much conversation!

If you’re on Twitter come and say ‘Hello’, I’m @Hattiesfriends.

The first week in September is always an exciting time if you have any connection with Education.  It’s a new beginning, as children move up to their new class, bringing excitement, anticipation, and some apprehension with them. Teachers, rested from a well-deserved break, are full of enthusiasm for the year ahead. What will this new year bring?

We’ve all learnt new skills, dealt with changes in how we work, last minute cancellations, disappointment, and isolation. We’ve picked each other up when it’s been too difficult. All these experiences have made us stronger and more resilient, able to face the next challenges together.

I’m full of hope for the year ahead and grateful for the positives from the last one.

 

 

It’s Book Festival Season!

I’ve recently taken part in The Sue Atkins Book Club Book Festival where I was interviewed by Ian Gilbert from Independent Thinking Ltd. You can see the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDsg7mOMZek&t=653s

This was a fabulous online event and all the videos are still available to watch on Sue Atkins You Tube Channel. Mine has had over 1.5K views!!

 

This week I’m preparing for Newark Book Festival, where I have a stall in the Market place, over the 10th and 11th July. It’s always fun meeting lots of new people and chatting about books!

If you’re local, come and say ‘Hello’.