It's a Double Win for How to Grow a Dinosaur!

How to Grow a Dinosaur has won the Early Years categories of BOTH the Oldham Schools Book Awards AND the Stockport Schools Book Awards!

So last week I winged my way over to Oldham for an evening of glitz and glamour at the Oscar-style awards ceremony, held in the stunning Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Ed Eaves and I were up against stiff competition from Ed Vere's brilliant Bedtime for Monsters and  Richard Byrne's charming Millicent and Meer.  So it was with a fluttering tummy and great excitement that I climbed onto the stage to collect my award!

And what an award it is! I was presented with this beautiful mosaic made by children in the Reception class at Whitegate End School.  They made another one for Ed Eaves - with the word Grow set in green with a yellow surround.  Both pieces were made in conjuction with artist Amanda McGran.

Unfortunately, I don't have any decent photos from the evening, because I was too busy smiling.  But head over to the Bookwitch Blog for some lovely photos of the night.


The next morning, I did a workshop at the super-swish Oldham Library, with two classes of Year 3 children, who trudged through the pouring rain to meet me.  Then it was off to The Plaza theatre in Stockport for another night of anticipation and celebration.

At both award evenings, we watched wonderful animated extracts of all the shortlisted books, some of which were presented by children as part of the two councils' Oracy Projects.  The Early Years category was the first to be announced, so Ed and I were delighted for a second time as our names were read out!

This time, we both received a piece of beautifully framed original artwork from children at St Simon's Catholic Primary School.  This colourful dinosaur collage was created and presented by the gorgeous Charlie Thomas.

I spent the following day at Mersey Vale Junior School where we had lots of fun making Dino Chompers and T-Rex masks.  The children in years 4, 5 and 6 made some amazing picture books of their own, featuring our very own Albie in adventures with pirates and dragons.  I was really impressed with the standard of work the children acheived and their amazing enthusiasm for books.

With huge thanks to Oldham Council and Stockport School Library Services, not only for treating us so well and making both evenings super special, but for their amazing dedication to promoting reading. 

Oldham Brilliant Books Awards

Stockport Schools Book Awards