I can’t believe my last posting is March! So sorry! I’m in the middle of writing the fourth snail book – Snail Movie – but it’s been a hard road to travel down. I have been so busy promoting the books, meeting many wonderful children, parents and teachers, it’s hard to balance the writing time I need with marketing current books.
But Snail Movie is coming along nicely. It’s a fast-paced book, with many twists and turns. It’s a book about friendship and fame. It’s a book about choices. And there are spots. Lots of spots. Volcanic eruptions of spots. But there are more than a few surprises ……….
ANSTEY JUNIOR SCHOOL, ALTON
Ciara, watch out! I’m in your school in June. Can’t wait to bring Gary and Bob in to meet everyone. They’re in for a few surprises! With thanks to Tracie Brown and Sue White for organising my day.
THE MANOR, FARNBOROUGH
I’m very excited about this up and coming visit. Sorry I lost my voice, Stephanie, and had to re-arrange it. Watch out for the inspiration in a tank arriving in July.
HERNE SCHOOL, PETERSFIELD
Another July visit which I am looking forward to immensely. With thanks to Librarian, Mary Pitt, for organising my day. I can’t wait to meet you all. The book signing should be fun for all and a fitting end to the summer term.
ROPLEY BROWNIES
Hi to Molly and Charlie! Welcome to your new snails! Look after them well and very soon they will be as big as Bob or Gary. If you have any problems with them, however small, just call me. Louise, thank you so much for organising my visit and for your love of African land snails. Keep in touch.
Molly – go to bed!
ALRESFORD BROWNIES
Looking forward to meeting you! Soon I hope!
MOUSE …
To Maisy, enjoy your books! You should get them tomorrow. Hope you have fun with the extra bits I sent. Let me know what you think of the snail books …. Keep on e-mailing. More importantly, keep on reading.
SHEET PRIMARY SCHOOL
To Samuel and Annabelle, many congratulations on winning the snail competition! Samuel – you are destined for great things; Annabelle – your design of a snail on the back of a breakfast cereal packet was inspiring and very beautiful. Well done! Special recommendations for your wonderful designs to Sophie, Maddy and Camilla.
With thanks to Karen Parish for organising my visit, to Mrs. Iles for her support, and to all the teachers who put up with me and my snails.
Whoever organised the snail posters – wonderful work! I am so grateful. They were stunning! I still want one by the way – I’ll frame it.
MAY ALRESFORD WATERCRESS FESTIVAL
What a lovely day we had! Thanks to all those people who stopped and had a good look at Bob. We met some old friends from St. Matthew’s School, the Alton Convent and Perins. So nice to see so you all and to make some new friends. I lost my voice and had to cancel my visit to The Manor in Farnborough, much to my disappointment, but we have re-arranged that, so can’t wait to run those workshops.
SELBORNE CofE PRIMARY SCHOOL
The May Fair was a beautiful day. Thanks to all who supported us by buying more copies of The Secret Scroll, the Selborne School book written with twenty gifted and talented children, and a UK first in published collaborative writing. We are now working on The Revenge of The Kiln Monster but need funds. Commercial sponsorship is now required. E-mail if you can help, anything will be considered, especially as paper prices have increased astronomically. If you can help us to carry on inspiring children to write and to draw, e-mail us on sarah@madaboutsnailbooks.com. NOW!
NURSERY VISITS
The snails, Bob and Gary, have been out and about to Cindy’s nursery in Selborne. They are due to go into Selborne Primary on 8th June to entertain Reception class. Watch out for anything slimy if you’re in school from 9.30 a.m. on that day.
WORKSHOPS AT INTECH FOR PRIMARY AGE CHILDREN
We had much fun at Intech running four workshops for primary school age children. A big thanks to all the staff who supported our visit, especially to Tracie without whom our visits would never have happened.
We introduced African land snails to some very young – and much older children, and all the in between ages – and hopefully inspired more children to write and to draw.
ROWLEDGE PRIMARY CofE
I have only just managed to read four story beginnings that were written in my style by some Year 5 children. It was an inspiring idea of their teacher, Sarah, to get them to write this way, and fascinating for me to see the results. And they did it! The language they used was vivid, the sentences short, lively descriptions. I felt I was there with them. I wanted them to write more!
BISHOP TUFNELL C.E. (AIDED) JUNIOR SCHOOL, FELPHAM, BOGNOR REGIS
What a wonderfully friendly school this is. Thanks to Sasha Cremor for organising my visit and to the support of all the staff, especially to Headteacher Mr. Morton. Congratulations to Harry Palmer for his stunning drawing, with special recommendations to James Woosley, Rebecca Wood and Ruby Stothard for their wonderful pictures.
ONE TREE, PETERSFIELD
Hello and thank you so much for supporting our snail books. I love your shop, your café, especially your card selection. A massive thank you for being so nice and kind.
ALTON CONVENT SCHOOL
It’s a long time since I’ve spoken to you all, but a massive hello to Sienna, Charlotte and Rebecca. Your designs sit before me as I write, and provide me with very necessary inspiration.
Snail Movie is about friendship and the pain of separation. It’s also about making new friends. As you may have read, it’s been hard for me to find the right balance between school visits, promotional events and writing. But I’m back on track. I know you’re going to love the book and your cover designs …? They keep me going, if I can be perfectly honest with you. Say a big ‘hi’ to Mrs. Wilson, Director of Studies, for me. Tell her I’ll be in touch.
WATERSTONE’S
You continue to support our books. As a local author I just want to say a massive thank you to the Alton branch for supporting us. You are all very kind.
NOT GOT A MENTION ….?
If I’ve forgotten you, give me a nudge. Life passes by so quickly, unlike that of a snail! But a writer’s life is a busy one … and my inspiration, what keeps me going? It comes from the people I meet. Every time!
With love to you all.
Bye for now.
Sarah