Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family
Hello! I’m Sarah- an exhausted mum of a lovely 13 month old boy. My husband and I are both South London born and bred, so we’re loving raising Joel in Forest Hill. Until I had Joel, I was a Primary Teacher and Head of English. I adored my job. However, our beautiful boy has had a difficult start, with lots of health issues. It soon became clear that I wouldn’t be able to return to teaching in school, as he needs more care than most and we spend lots of time in various hospitals. During one of the seemingly endless night feeds, I realised there was a way that I could still teach and share my passion for Writing with children and teachers, but work around my son’s needs. Soon after, Write Sparks was born! As the owner of Write Sparks, I teach creative writing classes for children and work as a freelance Writing Consultant in schools.
What is your son’s favourite book?
Our house is rapidly becoming a library, so Joel is always surrounded by books. At the moment, he’s loving ‘Parrots Don’t Live in the City’ by Lucy Reynolds and Jenna Herman. As the Parrott family, we received a couple of copies as gifts when Joel was born- and have since bought lots as presents for others! It’s a lovely story, with captivating illustrations and I know that as he gets older he’ll love the local connection and spotting the famous parrots during our trips to the park!
Which book do you most like reading to him and why?
As a teacher, I’ve always loved reading aloud to children- it was one of the things that I most looked forward to about being a parent. The power to enthral an audience (whether it’s a whole class or just one noisy baby!) with silly voices, dramatic pauses and a well-chosen narrative is such an addictive thrill! Joel loves silly books with bold illustrations and ‘Oi Frog!’ by Kes Grey and Jim Field, and ‘The Pigeon Needs a Bath’ by Mo Willems make us both giggle.
Who is your favourite children’s author?
We are so lucky to have so many to choose from! I think my ultimate favourite will always be Michael Rosen- his books and poems are wonderful. From the classic ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, to his hilarious poems (we love ‘Chocolate Cake’, ‘Babysitter’ and ‘No Breathing in Class’), and the evocative ‘Sad Book’, his writing has such an impact on children. I’ve seen his sillier poems and fabulous ‘Laugh Out Loud Joke Book’ engage even the most reluctant of readers.
Having met him a couple of times at the fantastic CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education), he quickly became one of the most inspiring figures in my career. His ideas about the importance of reading and writing for pleasure and the power of playing with words, as well as his advocacy for teachers, had a huge impact on me as a teacher and later as a parent. Write Sparks owes a lot to Michael Rosen!
Who is your favourite illustrator?
Again, there are just so many to choose from! I think ‘Press Here’ by Herve Tullet is so clever. I love ‘How to Live Forever’ by Colin Thompson. His illustrations are so detailed and intricate that you see something new every time you read it! I’m a massive fan of wordless picture books; they give so much scope for children to imagine their own stories and to inspire fabulous writing! Some of my favourites are ‘Window’ by Jeannie Baker, ‘Tuesday’ and ‘Flotsam’ by David Wiesner and ‘Journey’ by Aaron Becker.
Do you have a favourite children’s bookshop?
Write Sparks are so lucky to be based in two fantastic children’s bookshops here in South East London. The new Moon Lane Books is truly a haven for book lovers, with a fantastic range for children of all ages and such a wonderful commitment to raising equality of representation in all areas of children’s literature. Tamara, the owner, is a real force for good and an inspiration! Smallprint Books in Forest Hill is simply the most beautiful bookshop I have ever seen, with a stunning range of picture books for young children. Jenny, Smallprint’s owner, has an incredible eye for picture books that will inspire little ones (and their adults!). Both shops are dedicated to building links with their local communities, which is what makes them so special.
About Write Sparks
Write Sparks: Igniting the Imaginations of Young Writers
Through our creative writing clubs and support for schools, we aim to encourage young people to love to write. We run engaging and innovative weekly sessions, holiday workshops and special events for reluctant writers and for those with a love for writing. We use technology, games, drama and mysteries to inspire young writers to develop their skills, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, with an experienced and specialist teacher!
Weekly Saturday morning sessions at Moon Lane Books for 9-13 year olds
Monthly Saturday afternoon sessions at Smallprint Books for 7-9 year olds
[email protected] for bookings and more details.
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