Book Pen Pals

I love the BookPenPals scheme!


If you've not heard of it, this is what it's all about . . . 
"BookPenPals pairs UK authors and illustrators with UK schools to make book recommendations via postcards. Schools reply with a postcard of their own. The Pen Pals pairings last for one school year, and the joys of reading, writing and drawing multiply."

Set up by the amazing duo, Kate Scott and Sarah Moorhead, the scheme has been an incredible success, with more and more schools, authors and illustrators signing up. Last year I was delighted to be paired with two lovely schools, one on Merseyside and the other in Lincoln.

This year I've got three fab newschools; Great Malvern Primary (Y6) and Castlemorton Primary (Y3/4) in Worcestershire and Brownlow Primary (Y6) in Leicestershire.

I can't wait to get to know my new schools. If there's one thing I like almost as much as reading and writing books, it's talking about books, so this is so much fun!
"Authors and illustrators recommend other people’s books to a class, over the course of a school year. They can also send occasional writing advice or drawing tips. Schools reply to let their Pen Pals know if they’ve enjoyed the recommended books. Lovely relationships between schools and authors/illustrators develop!"

I've just written my first postcards - and introductory letters - it's hard to fit everything onto the back of one postcard.  They'll go in the post tomorrow.  It's always hard to choose which books to pick out of all the amazing books out there, and I like to include a few different options each time - after all,  not everyone likes the same kind of book.

It's a great excuse to read more and more and sneak a few more books into my shopping bag each time I'm out (as if I even needed another excuse!)

Find out all about Book Pen Pals on their website here.


Would you like to know which books I'm recommending this month? 

I'll tell you as soon as I know that the schools have received their postcards - I don't want to give away any spoilers . . . let's just say I couldn't stick to one book, and there's a mystery, a history, a funny one and a dog story . . .