Federation of Children’s Book Groups Conference

Bradfield College

A whole weekend of children’s books at Bradfield College, Berkshire – a splendid setting and the warmest days so far.

A great success for the FCBG Annual Conference 2010 .

Cake at Conference

We were there for the Saturday speakers.

Hadn’t realised that there would be so much cake.

Definitely a bonus!

A Gothic Imagination started the day with Sarah Singleton, author of The Poison Garden and Century . She carried us through the attics of neurosis and cellars of repression, describing gothic style as somewhat claustrophobic, with decay and a feeling of being trapped in the past.

John Burningham(author of Mr Gumpy and many many more books), gave some amazing reflections on his work and career as an illustrator and author, somehow even finding a flair for trains in Japan.

Truth Lies and Violence was a lively seminar with Graham Marks (I Spy – The Constantinople Caper) and Marcus Sedgwick (Revolver). They even managed to travel to get the real feel of the settings for their books and in Marcus’ case tried out a gun to see what it would feel like.

Books at Bedtime, in the middle of the afternoon, wasn’t at all soporific! Wendy CoolingDavid Melling and Clara Vulliamy were inspirational in their illustrations and composition of picture books. Hugless Douglas and The Bear with Sticky Paws are two of their titles.

And even time to relax too!

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Time to look at new books coming on the scene, chance to meet up with friends.

We enjoyed the opportunity to sit back and listen to the creativity of writing and illustrating.

Just wait until the children start getting stuck into those books.

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Wendy Cooling MBE June 2009

WCWendy Cooling ,the founder of Bookstart received an MBE for her services to children’s books on June 2nd 2009. A wonderful recognition of her inspirational and long lasting work in the world of children’s books.

National Children’s Book Week and the Children’s Book Foundation were also started by Wendy, as she could see that getting children and books together was a real need and had so much to offer.

Reading for pleasure, for children and parents is great for all sorts of reasons. Wendy has always promoted a love of reading and has done so much to make sure that books are available for all parents and children.

In 2006, Wendy won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for her outstanding services to the world of children’s books.

And the good work continues in book reviews and in working with children on numerous reading related projects, Wendy makes sure that children’s books have the place they deserve.

You can visit the home page of Dolphin Booksellers. Bringing information about the best in children’s books direct to you. Working with authors and illustrators in school book events and supporting literacy projects in a community nearby.

Bookmonitor is our news source for reviews and project information.

Books go Walkabout is our international books and literacy project - connecting authors and illustrators with children and young people around the globe.

We use Stripe to handle your e-purchase. Buy with confidence from BgW. Customer FAQ's here.