Category: MCBF

Poems in the Nick of Time

10/28/2016

I'm always thrilled to be asked by the lovely folks from the Manchester Children's' Book Festival to come and tell stories. I never have to think about it long even, when it is short notice.

MCBF- George will you come tell stories in the story tent on Saturday?

Me- Of course.

MCBF- We'd especially like poems about pets, and bring the ukulele.

Me- Even better.

MCBF- They'll be events going on all day, you can join in if you'd like.

Me-I'd love to.

MCBF- Nick Sharratt is coming.

Me- SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

So I tuned up Wylie Ukulele, perfected my pet poetry, practised my performance and on October 22nd I arrived at Manchester Central Library and made myself comfortable in the tent. It wasn't long before I had eager families queuing up to come to join in the fun.

We met homework eating dogs, super powered cats and learned why not to worry about our manners when meeting a crocodile. Everyone joined in and I even earned some hugs!

But later on the queues started queuing right past my tent. And no surprise, everyone was joining Nick's Sharratt's book signing queue after his brilliant session.

So what is a lonely story teller to do?

Go and join in of course!

I left the tent and mingled with the queue reading from Nick's poetry anthology 'Vikings in the Supermarket'. And there were plenty of people carrying their own books that they were keen for me to read. Time flew by as everyone waited to meet Nick and...

Reading 'Shark in the Dark' to a queuing crowd.

...it turned out that was a great way to make friends!

Me and my new pal Nick Sharratt.

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Blazing a Trail

3/31/2016

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I don't often get to be a bona fide trail blazer, but the lovely of organisers of the Manchester Children's Book Festival have allowed me to be just that. On Saturday 19th March they let me loose in Manchester Central Library for an afternoon of story, poetry, fun and song!

There was a Belle Vue Circus theme to the day so I donned my best top hat and 'tale' coat before we 'Squashed and Squeezed' into the story tent. Soon I was filling it with a real motley crew! We followed 'Ten Little Pirates' to sea and sailed through a tale of misadventure with 'Rotten Robin and the Crooked Cutlass' followed by a hearty rendition of 'Hooks, Parrots, Pegs and Legs!'

'Rotten Robin and the Crooked Cutlass' is my exclusive story for Children's Hospice, Derian House's, Dreams Campaign. A download a version, narrated by the multi-talented Ted Robbins, will soon be available to help the charity raise much needed funds. And while you are waiting for that you can always learn how to join in with 'Hooks, Parrots, Pegs and Legs' here!

As well as sailing with pirates we flew kites, looked into a magic bucket and managed to train a very naughty puppy called Rascal! When the children weren't joining in with the stories they were taking part in crafts, games and interactive poetry all linked to the Belle Vue theme.

Collaborative Poetry Creation

The Manchester Children's Book Festival, organised by MMU, is committed to celebrating and sharing the best that children's story and poetry can offer right here in our region, not just on our doorsteps, but often over the threshold too, in our schools and public spaces.

This Trail Blazing event was one of many planned in the upcoming months all leading to the festival itself in June. There will be a whole range of events going on, including the brilliant family fun day (see you there) many of which are FREE! So keep a close eye on their programme to see who or what is landing on your doorstep.

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Manchester Children's Book Festival 2015

6/29/2015

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I get incredibly excited every time the Manchester Children's Book Festival comes around. We're not talking tingly tummy, slow to sleep excited here. Oh no. I mean arm flapping, feet tapping, hair shaking, legs quaking, song singing, sick bringing excited! I just can't wait to dive into all that story, booky goodness!

But this year I was even more excited than usual. "How?" and "Why?" you may ask.

Well for one, it's only been a year since the last one. MCBF has graduated from being a bi-annual event to an annual one.

And for two... this is the best bit... I was invited to tell stories as part of the Family Fun Day. All because the lovely people at MCBF Towers partnered up with the wonderful people of SCBWI* Ville to create even more story telling fun!

Family Fun Day in Geoffrey Manton Building's Atrium

So armed with my best hats and my trusty ukulele (name of Wylie in case you're interested) I entered the storytelling tent. In there I soon created a world of pirates, princesses and pets all with rather twisty tales to tell. And yes, there was song, lots and lots of sing-a-long songiness. So a big thanks to all the fantastic kids, mums, dads, grans, grandads, aunts uncles and second cousins twice removed next door neighbours that helped me out with those! It wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without you.

Photos by Dom Conlon

The festival is continuing until 5th of July. You can keep up with all the fun at their blog or join in the writing relay.

Thanks very much MCBF Towers for having me, and I hope to see you again soon. Less than a year to wait I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

*Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

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Poems in the Nick of Time

Blazing a Trail

Manchester Children's Book Festival 2015

George Kirk

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