Chloe Savage, author of The Search for the Giant Artic Jellyfish, winner of the ‘Waterstones Best Illustrated Book 2024’ joined our Schools Team last month to visit two Primary schools. Chloe led a session at each school reading from her book, asking the children questions, demonstrating how to draw a jellyfish and then asking the children to do their own drawings. Chloe signed copies of her books and as a part of The Bookery’s outreach programme we ensured that every child received a free copy of the book. We know from the feedback provided by the schools that for the children to receive a book presented by the author has a significant impact in encouraging them to read.

The Headteacher from one school told us: “The children had a brilliant time and loved getting their own book. The author was superb and it was great to see her working with the kids.” with another senior teacher commenting, “It was really special having an author come and visit the children at our school.”

The atmosphere was magical as Chloe shared her book, talked about her life & inspirations, and then guided the children in how to design and draw their own jellyfish. The children loved being able to talk about their designs at the end of the session:

“I saw it was sunny and raining outside so my jellyfish has rainbow eyes”
“My jellyfish is sleeping. Maybe dreaming about sweet stuff or family”
“These dots are because I spotted dots on the ceiling”
“I’ve got a horse jellyfish. It’s got a horse head and then a jellyfish body – nobody else thought of that!”
“I’m making tiny fingerprint jellyfish using my fingers”.

After visiting the two schools, Chloe visited the Bookery to illustrate and sign copies of her book, to meet and chat with our employees and volunteers. We have these signed copies available in the shop, so please do come and visit us to pick up a copy.

The Bookery has a particular focus on bringing a love of reading into children’s lives. There is strong evidence that reading for enjoyment is both a key factor in children’s educational success and a help in promoting personal and emotional development. We have arranged several of these visits to schools including with Jenny McLachlan author of Fairy vs Boy in July, ensuring that children in other Primary schools also received a free copy of her book. We love to bring these author events to schools, to encourage reading and the engagement with books.

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend then the gift of a book is something precious. You may already be familiar with some well-known writers of children’s books, but you may not know that there is an abundance of wonderful authors out there who are less well known. The Bookery can help you find just the right book for a particular child and open their eyes to the pleasure of reading. You’ll find the Top Titles here and you can order books to be sent to you.

Just to remind you that in 2022, The Bookery won the prestigious National Booksellers’ awards for Best Independent Bookshop and for Best Independent Children’s Bookshop. Each year our Schools Team of experienced teachers, librarians and teacher trainers read and review hundreds of books and then put together a collection of recently published titles. Each book is read and carefully reviewed for content, quality of writing and illustration and age suitability. So come and pay us a visit!