World Book Day is 25 Years Old!
March 3rd is World Book Day, so I’ve put together a few thoughts on books, reading and becoming an author!
What is the one children’s book that you think every child should read?
I think everyone should read David Olusoga's book Black and British because it is full of eye-opening stories that show how Black people have been a part of Britain's history for nearly 2000 years. I've learned so much about the contribution Black people have made to our society and how ridiculous it is to hold racist views. A must for every bookshelf.
Why is reading as a family so important?
Reading at home is one of the best ways to improve your child's success in life. Studies show that children who own and read books at home are more socially mobile, which means they're more likely to achieve a better standard of living than their parents. Reading at home not only improves reading skills, it also helps children learn about their world and the people in it, developing better social skills and encouraging an enquiring mind.
Plus, reading together is great cuddle-time, giving your child close attention that can lead to better relationships within your own family.
What message would you give to a young person who wanted to become an author
Anybody can become an author. You don't need any special training, and you can be an author, no matter what your body looks like or how your brain works!
All you need is to love books and reading and be ready to work on your writing to make it the best it can possibly be! Reading teaches your brain how to string words together in a pleasing way, so it's a good idea to read a lot if you want to write well.
Of course, if you want to go to university or college to learn more about writing, it will be a great help, but the most important thing is to write with passion and be ready to re-read and improve your work so that other people want to read it!
Who is your dream author/illustrator dinner guest?
I would love to have dinner with Nicola Davies and Gill Lewis because I love nature and they are both fabulous nature writers.
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