School children inspired by visiting authors

Saturday 02 April 2022

Children across the Bailiwick have been encouraged to “read the books you wish you could write” by a visiting author.

Authors Gareth P Jones and Lisa Thompson visited schools, along with illustrator Garry Parsons, as part of Guille-Allès Library Book Week.

Mr Jones and Mr Parsons concluded their week with a visit to Hautes Capelles Primary School on Friday, where students and staff were dressed as book characters.

“We have received a fantastic reception from the students in Guernsey this week; every school has been wonderful and interesting,” said Mr Jones.

Pictured: children's author Gareth P Jones incorporates music into his school visits. 

Mr Jones continued: “none of my visits are ever the same because I leave it up to the children to decide what we talk about and ask questions; all the children in Guernsey have been full of fascinating questions".

Mr Jones has written several children’s book series including: Ninja Meerkats and The Dragon Detective Agency. He uses music in his performances in schools, including playing the piano and ukulele.

“All my books contain songs and it’s a great way to engage with the children,” he said.

“I have had lots of different jobs, and still do lot of different jobs, but my favourite is being a children’s author because, not only do I get to be creative and use my imagination, I get to travel around the world meeting brilliant young things and sharing my ideas with them and hearing theirs too.”

Pictured: Mrs Hind's Year Three class dressed as book characters. 

Mr Jones said he often talks to children who are aspiring writers.

“I often ask children to raise their hand if they struggle with writing and then I raise my hand too and I tell them that if they struggle with writing then they have something in common with me and with every other writer I have ever met,” he said.

“My advice to any children who want to be writers is always simple: read and write. Read widely, write as much as you can and read the books you would like to write so that one day you can hopefully write a book that you love to read.”

Year three pupil Nina Ogier said she loved reading and dressed as a Harry Potter character for the event.

“Hermione Granger is my favourite character because of her skill in magic,” she said.

“I love reading and I’m working my way through the Harry Potter series; I’m up to The Goblet of Fire. We are reading The Nothing To See Here Hotel book in school at the moment and it’s all about monsters; it’s really crazy and quite chaotic.

“Reading and writing are really good ways to express your emotions.”

Pictured: illustrator Garry Parsons has been touring schools as well.

Mr Parsons, who originally trained as a painter before becoming an illustrator, visited Guernsey when he was eight and said it was “lovely” to be back.

“We’ve been to loads of schools and there’s some amazing imagination shown by the kids,” he said.

“My mission for this week has been to stretch kid’s imaginations like toffee and we’ve succeeded in doing that.”

Mr Parsons said illustrations help encourage children to read.

“It’s really wonderful to be able to draw for a living and the perk is that I get to come into schools and speak to the people who are actually reading the books,” he said.

“The great part about my job is encouraging children to read through pictures and, if it’s fun and lively and silly, then that’s great. Reading is fundamental to education and to children’s future careers.”

Pictured: Mr Jones' visit was live streamed to the whole school.

Guille-Alles Library Head of Learning and Development, Catherine Stuart, said the school visits had been undertaken while adhering to ongoing covid restrictions.

“We have had to be a bit creative with the visits, for example only visiting one year group per school. Gareth and Garry’s visit at Hautes Capelles will be live streamed from the hall to the other classes in the school,” she said.

“We are so pleased that the visits have gone ahead despite the restrictions because events like this really add to the quality and depth of learning and it’s fantastic for local pupils to be able to see authors and illustrators in real life, which will hopefully be encouraging to any aspiring writers and artists.”

Pictured: Mr Jones uses puppets when performing at schools.