reading – Page 17 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Circle’s storytellers ‘writely’ pleased with new book!

‘No-one really knew what it was. People walking past stopped and stared …’

Children and parents from Circle’s Haven project created their own book, ‘The Sandpit Volcano’, during Haven’s Storytelling Week project, which ran from 28 July – 2 August.

The Sandpit Volcano tells the tale of brave kangaroos, crabbit crustaceans and creepy castles with flags made from used underpants – delightful! Children who were involved in the creation of the story read it in public for the first time on Friday and it really is a fantastic tale!

The Haven Project group was assisted by Edinburgh-based author Mike Nicholson (pictured below with ten-month old ‘helper’ Caleb!), who writes children’s fiction. He has two novels published; mystery adventures packed with past secrets, colourful characters and fiendish plots! Based on his writing experience, Mike runs events for all ages in schools and at book festivals, often based on encouraging children to create their own story ideas. Mike worked with the Circle project on a similar project last year – a swashbuckling tale of pirates on the seven seas – and he was delighted to return for what it’s hoped may become an annual event.

It was an intensive week for all involved – from a day of ideas and discussions following a trip to Cramond, working with Mike to develop story ideas and then producing artwork and storyboards – but it was both interesting and fun for all involved.

One mum said: “It really was good fun and we’re all looking forward to seeing the book when it’s printed – oh, and the bairns enjoyed it all too!”

North Edinburgh Arts Angela Austin worked on the artwork with the group. “This was a great group to work with – everyone was really enthusiastic and there was lots of energy and ideas”, she said. “Lots of people are really good at art and being creative without realizing the talent they have, and I think this project has shown that”.

The artwork is now off to the printers and it’s hoped the Circle storytellers will see the The Sandpit Volcano in book form within the next 2-3 weeks.

PlayTalkRead campaign kicks off today

The latest PlayTalkRead campaign, including a television advert to be shown during World Cup games, has been launched today – Father’s Day.

The PlayTalkRead campaign’s summer activity is part of the Scottish Government’s focus on the early years of children’s lives – encouraging and supporting parents and carers to play, talk and read more regularly with their little ones.

The national drive includes a new television advert themed around a message to ‘say thanks’ to parents and carers who have played, talked and read with their kids during their earliest, formative years. The ‘dad’ version of the advert will be first screened on Monday 16 June during the Germany-Portugal game.

Famous Scots, including author Ian Rankin, radio DJ Ally McCrae, chef Nick Nairn, TV presenter Michelle McManus and rugby player John Beattie are backing PlayTalkRead’s latest campaign by revealing what they would #saythanks for on Father’s Day.

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell (pictured above) said: “Play is about having fun but it’s also fundamental to our children’s positive development. The PlayTalkRead summer campaign aims to help parents stimulate their children from birth through low-cost, fun activities. Families making special time to celebrate Father’s Day could take inspiration from the World Cup and PlayTalkRead’s new football-themed ‘30 things to do before you’re 3’ list – such as kicking a ball at the park, playing keepy-uppy in the garden or rolling a ball along the floor with your baby.

“The new advert is also a way of saying thanks to parents and carers across Scotland for investing time with their wee ones, and encouraging them to keep it up. On Father’s Day, I’d like to say thanks to my dad for encouraging me to be an active youngster and also for getting me into football – including supporting St Johnstone, who we both watched win the Scottish Cup this year! I would encourage mums and dads to get involved and share what they’d like to thank their parents for on PlayTalkRead’s Twitter or Facebook.”

This summer will see the next stage of the campaign rolled out with PlayTalkRead buses ‘Benji’ and ‘Bessie’ appearing in locations across the country, including a visit to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. Activity on the bus includes demonstrating easy ways for parents to bond with their children during their early years, with lots of simple and low-cost ideas that can all be done at home and easily incorporated within daily routines.

The popular PlayTalkRead website has also been revamped with more ideas, advice and information for parents, including a downloadable ‘30 Things to do Before You’re 3′ list.

People can also get involved in the #SayThanks conversation with PlayTalkRead on Twitter @PlayTalkRead or by visiting the PlayTalkRead Facebook page.

The new PlayTalkRead #saythanks ad is now available to view on the PlayTalkRead website, ahead of its first TV screening tomorrow.

www.playtalkread.org

Central Library pumps up the volume today

Still have an image of libraries as dark, sombre, serious and – above all – silent places? Well, think again – there will be lots of noisy fun activities at Central Library today …

The City of Edinburgh Council will turn up the volume at the Central Library as it opens its doors to live music and book readings for an Open Day celebration.

The Open Day will mark the recent refurbishment of the Library, which has brand new spaces to house the children’s and music collections. For the first time in 40 years, all of the Central Library facilities will be housed in the same building.

Highlights of the Open Day include live music throughout the day from choir Octavoce, Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin’ and the Scottish Fiddle Festival Group, plus a visit from award winning author Catherine Rayner (external link) whose animal illustrations decorate the new ‘under 5s’ area of the children’s collection, and Janis Mackay, author of the ‘Magnus Fin’ trilogy.

Visitors to the Open Day will have the chance to view some of the library’s most precious treasures, which include a copy of the first bible ever printed in Scotland. Experts will also on hand to help guide people through their own WW1 family history or to help explain the background behind any family memorabilia from WW1 they may have.

Central Library staff will also be on hand to offer visitors an overview of library e-resources including the new Naxos service. The streaming service provides access to a back catalogue of over one million classical and jazz tracks, with latest releases added every week. A soundproof acoustic pod for musicians to practice in is also available to book, and visitors will for the first time be able to try a CD before borrowing.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The new children’s and music collections have transformed the Central Library and will offer visitors a unique space for relaxing, reading, and so much more.

“The new areas have been designed as welcoming spaces for people to visit and feel inspired to discover music and reading in their own way. I am especially excited to welcome live music and collaboration between performers to the library Open Day, which will include a set from the fantastic Octavoce vocal group, young local musicians, and the fantastic Scottish Fiddle Festival Group.

“The refurbishment allows the Council to house all of the Central Library facilities under one roof for the first time in 40 years and I am sure the City will enjoy all that the building has to offer.”

The Open Day kicks off at 10.30 – SOUNDS LIKE FUN!

Read all about it! Julia Donaldson visits Forthview

Former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson, creator of the much-loved Gruffalo and other brilliant children’s books, was a welcome visitor at Forthview Primary School yesterday. Julia worked with P3 classes during her visit to promote Reading Culture, a new initiative to encourage families to enjoy reading together.

Forthview is holding a series of reading events this month in a bid to encourage both pupils and their parents to read. The school has been working on the development of a Reading Culture, involving school pupils, parents, the local public library and the wider community.

The project aims to encourage children to read for pleasure and to involve parents in the hope that they will also be encouraged to read to their children and read for their own enjoyment. This work is funded by The Scottish Government as part of The City of Edinburgh’s involvement in the South-East Scotland Inter-authority Literacy Hub.

Edinburgh author Lari Don has agreed to be the school’s Patron of Reading. There was a day of events to launch this last week followed by author visits and library visits for every stage, as well as the setting up of a parents’ book group.

Other authors confirmed so far to take part in the Scottish Book Trust Live Literature funded sessions are Simon Puttock, John Fardell (who will also work with the school’s fathers’ group), Joan Lennon, Barry Hutchison and Roy Gill.

Mind you, Forthview parents have a proud record of writing stories themselves – remember the Pathway to Pilton project in 2012 (pictured below)?

City to (book)mark World Book Night

Edinburgh libraries will be joining the celebrations to mark World Book Night 2014 tomorrow (23 April) by hosting free events across the Capital to encourage reading in local communities.

The celebrations will be led by the Central Library, which will be welcoming visitors to attend a debate with world leading psychology writer Richard Wiseman, whose book ‘59 Seconds’ is one of the top 20 titles being celebrated through Community Book Giving on World Book Night.

The event, which will be chaired by journalist Claire Black, will look closely at the modern day mind myths promoted by the self-help industry, and outline quick and quirky ideas to help people achieve their aims in minutes not months.

Elsewhere in Edinburgh, Oxgangs Library will be hosting a free World Book Night Quiz and Book Swap, while Leith and McDonald Road Libraries will be inviting visitors to discuss their favourite books with staff. Staff from Wester Hailes Library will also be visiting Tynecastle Boys Football Club to hand out books and promote Edinburgh libraries’ teenage reading programme.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “World Book Night is a great opportunity for everyone in Edinburgh to share or even start their love of reading and encourage others to get involved. It is very appropriate that Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, are hosting this event to get people excited about reading, writing and literature.”

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency, said: “World Book Night is one of the highlights of the year for us and for all our partners; this year it promises to be more exciting than ever. All over the country people are coming together to celebrate and share their love of reading. The generous tradition of volunteer book giving inspired and supported by publishers is being extended this year to include community book givers all of whom will give away a book of their own to inspire someone in their community to love reading.

“We hope that this, together with the events taking place in libraries across the UK, will ensure that April 23rd is an evening we will all long remember; the night when many more people realise that everything changes when we read.”

On World Book Night, 250,000 titles will be given by a network of volunteer reading enthusiasts and institutions focusing on reaching the 35% of the population who don’t read for pleasure. As World Book Night plays out, strangers will become friends, colleagues will pause and reflect, libraries and bookshops will go the extra mile to ‘stay up late’, and authors of all genres will share their writings and love of the written word with audiences of all ages.

Since it began in 2011, World Book Night has created an extraordinary group of 46,000 volunteers, giving books away to over 2 million people. This will be a landmark year for World Book Night which has recently come under the guardianship of The Reading Agency: the charity with a mission to give everyone an equal chance to become a reader.

This year for the first time, The Reading Agency is launching Community Book Giving, a new way of getting involved in World Book Night which will widen the opportunity for volunteer participation further than ever before, allowing even more people to spread a love of reading to those who don’t normally read for pleasure or own books.

Community Book Giving means that anyone can take part in the annual gifting of books on April 23 without applying to give away copies of the official books donated by publishers for the occasion; anyone can sign up, and they will be responsible for giving their own book, which can be anything they choose, either taking it from their book shelves, or buying it new or second-hand. Special World Book Night branded stickers and bookplates will be available from libraries, participating bookshops – including Waterstones and independents – or available online to download so that books can be officially branded as part of the celebrations.

As in previous years, World Book Night will be celebrated on UNESCO International Day of the Book with many experiences unfolding simultaneously across the UK, the USA and Ireland. In the UK flagship events will be held in Birmingham and London.

Author Andy McNab’s ‘Today Everything Changes’ is one of twenty books included on this year’s list. He said: “I am delighted that one of my books has been included in World Book Night. I didn’t read my first book until the age of 17, but I clearly remember the feeling of pride and achievement when I closed the cover at the end. Books changed my life and if World Book Night puts books into the hands of people who otherwise might not discover them then it is achieving something incredibly important.”

For more information about World Book Night go to:

www.worldbooknight.org

Celebrate Book Week

A host of events are being held in libraries across Edinburgh to celebrate Book Week Scotland 2013 (25 November – 1 December).

Now a major date in Scotland’s cultural calendar, Book Week Scotland is a national celebration of reading created to highlight Scotland’s exceptional cultural, creative and literary talent, and to remind everyone of the unique pleasure that can be gained from a good book.

Throughout the week Edinburgh Libraries will be holding author events, talks, workshops and even hosting a pop-up bookshop in Central Library in celebration of this national event.

Highlights include an event held specifically for prisoners at Saughton Prison Library, a talk by Saltire prize winner James Robertson at Blackhall Library, an event with broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch and a coffee and cake morning at Oxgangs Library with Edinburgh crime writer Lin Anderson.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Book Week Scotland is a great opportunity for everyone to share their love of reading with others. I can think of no better place than Edinburgh, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, to get people excited about reading, writing and literature. The city’s libraries are hosting some fantastic events throughout the week and I hope everyone will join us to celebrate the love of a good book!”

Initiated by the Scottish Government, Book Week Scotland will be delivered on behalf of Creative Scotland by Scottish Book Trust, the leading agency for the promotion of literature, reading and writing in Scotland.

Scottish Book Trust work with a range of partners across Scotland to deliver a packed programme of free projects and events, bringing people of all ages and from all walks of life together to celebrate books and reading.

For more information about Book Week Scotland, visit

www.bookweekscotland.com.

Follow @Bookweekscot on Twitter

check out #bookweekscot

or like the Book Week Scotland Facebook page.

Celebrate World Book Night at your local library

Edinburgh City Libraries are preparing for a day of celebration of books and reading as World book Night kicks off tonight (Tuesday 23 April) when a host (shouldn’t that be ‘chapter’ or ‘volume’? – Ed) of local authors will participate in a series of events in libraries across the city.

The annual World Book Night celebrates reading and books by recruiting tens of thousands of passionate volunteers across the country to give out specially chosen titles in the community and share their love of reading.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “World Book Night is one of the key events in the literary events calendar and it involves tens of thousands of people across the country, putting books directly into the hands of those who might never otherwise engage with reading.

“Here in Edinburgh we’re gearing up for a fantastic evening of celebrations in a number of our libraries and I know many people are looking forward to our headline event – Alexander McCall Smith at the Central Library. It shows yet again that libraries are not just places to borrow books, but a hub of cultural and literary activity in the city, supporting and encouraging the development of reading in the community.”

Local World Book Night events include:

Leith Library (10am – 8pm)

World Book Night – Online Pirates of Leith Treasure Hunt

Solve all the clues about Leith using our fabulous Our Town Stories website (http://www.ourtownstories.co.uk/). Then come and claim your booty from some real live pirates! Successful adventurers will take home copies of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic ‘Treasure Island’. Yarrrr!

Keep an eye on the Leith Library blog at http://leithlibrary.wordpress.com/ and @LeithLibrary Twitter for more details! First clues due around 2pm.

Muirhouse Library (6 – 7pm)

World Book Night with Allan Guthrie

Prize winning Edinburgh based crime writer, author of many gripping stories including ‘Slammer’ and ‘Bye Bye Baby’, will read from and talk about his books. His books have been described as having the power to ‘make you writhe in agony’ while dealing ‘heart stopping suspense’.

To book a place call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Blackhall Library (6.30 – 7.30pm)

World Book Night with Andrew Greig

Listen to this Scottish novelist, poet and writer, read and discuss prose from ‘At the Loch of the Green Corrie’ and ‘Found At Sea’, a book-length sequence of narrative poems. The event will be chaired by Ryan Van Winkle, Edinburgh City Libraries’ writer in residence.

To book a place call 0131 529 5595 or email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Crime writer to visit Muirhouse Library on World Book Night

Muirhouse Library will welcome a special guest to mark World Book Night tommorow evening – come and meet Edinburgh-based crime writer Allan Guthrie (pictured below) at 6.00pm. Free tickets available at the library.

World Book Night, a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers gift specially chosen and printed books in their communities to share their love of reading.

World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: it’s about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways, through the sharing of stories.

World Book Night aims to raise the profile of reading through a mass engagement project which works at a grass roots level to inspire those who don’t regularly read to do so, placing books into the hands of those who don’t regularly read. It also raises the profile of reading for pleasure through a series of celebratory events, which helps to improve literacy and can also bring communities together.

Where’s Wally? He’s in Craigroyston’s library!

Yes, Wally – along with Harry Potter, Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear and a host of other storybook characters – was at the opening of Craigroyston Primary School’s beautifully revamped library yesterday.

The school marked World Book Day in style. Children – and teachers! – dressed as their favourite storybook characters and there were two DEAR (drop everything and read) moments too.

Highlight of the day, however, was the official opening of the bright new library. P5 teacher Sheila Borys was ‘wizard in chief’ as designer of the library, and she’s pictured with representatives from every Craigroyston class in their colourful costumes.

Edinburgh Reads is underway

Top authors will be visiting libraries across Edinburgh as part of the city’s Edinburgh Reads events. The spring 2013 programme, which runs until 2 May, will see a host of key figures from the literary world deliver talks and workshops in a number of city libraries.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Our popular Edinburgh Reads programme attracts a number of high profile and influential authors throughout the year and we’re delighted to once again present another fantastic line-up of events. It goes to show that libraries are not just places to borrow books but are also community hubs where people can come to be inspired and learn more about reading.”

Some Programme Highlights:

Tues 22 January, 5.30-7.30pm, Tues 19 February, 5.30-7.30pm & Tues 19 March, 5.30-7.30pm, Muirhouse Library

Muirhouse Library Writers Workshop

Join experienced workshop facilitator and writer Laura Brown and explore the world of creative writing. With a PHD in Creative writing, Laura and Ryan Van Winkle, (Edinburgh Libraries’ writer in residence) get your writing juices flowing!
To book a place call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Tues 19 February, 6.30 – 7.30pm, Central Library

Firefighting in Edinburgh

Ian McMurtrie, retired Assistant Firemaster and Curator of the Museum of Fire, outlines the evolution of the Fire Brigade in Edinburgh.

Wed 27 February, 2-3pm, Stockbridge Library

Christine de Luca – And Then Forever

Christine De Luca, established Scottish poet and novelist writing in English and in Shetland Dialect, talks about and reads from her new novel – ‘And then Forever’.
To book a place call 0131 529 5665 or email stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk 2 weeks before the event.

Thurs 7 March, 7-8pm, Central Library

Julie Davidson – ‘Looking for Mrs Livingstone’

Award winning journalist, ex TV presenter and travel writer, Julie Davidson explores what really happened in the Livingstone marriage, and brings to life the real Mary Livingstone, forgotten by History, laid to rest in an obscure Mozambique grave.

Sat 16 March, 3-4pm, Central Library

Kate Atkinson – ‘Life after Life’

Best selling local author, Kate Atkinson wonders “What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?” Her new novel, published this month, tells the story of Ursula Todd born during a snowstorm in England in 1910, but two parallel scenarios occur – in one, she dies immediately. In the other, she lives to tell the tale. As the possibility of having a second chance at life opens up, Ursula lives through the events of the twentieth century again and again….

Thurs 21 March, 7-8pm, Central Library

Louise Welsh and Regi Claire – a literary friendship

Writers Louise Welsh and Regi Claire both talk about their novels, ‘The Girl on the Stairs’ (April 2013), an uneasy, imaginative tale of Jane and Petra in Berlin anticipating the arrival of their baby, and ‘The Waiting’, another tale of two women- Rachel, a messed-up young Swiss PHD student and Lizzie Fairbairn, an elderly widow whose Edinburgh home she invades.

Thurs 18 April, 7-8pm, Central Library

Iain M Banks – ‘Hydrogen Sonata’

The Scavenger species are circling. The End Days beckon for the Gzilt civilization. Having made the collective decision to follow the well-trodden path of millions, they are going to Sublime, elevating themselves to a new and almost infinitely more rich and complex existence. It seems that the final days of the Gzilt civilization are likely to prove its most perilous.
Come hear local author Iain Banks talk about his new novel.

Fri 19 April, 7-8pm, Central Library

Turkish Writers come to town

Turkish writers, Ahmet Ümit and Murat Mentes, visit Edinburgh as part of a British Council cultural exchange and celebration of Turkey in 2013 (part of the Cultural Programme of the Market Focus at the London Book Fair). Ahmet Ümit is a leading figure in Turkish crime writing and several of his novels have been adapted for screen and television. Murat Mentes is an up-and-coming young writer who writes thrillers (but with a definite strand of crime).
Both will explore the theme of the event- ‘Narratives of Crime in Fiction’ , and focus on the role of cities (Istanbul/Edinburgh) in the context of this theme.

Tues 23 April, 6.30-8pm, Central Library

Edinburgh Zoo – Celebrate 100 years!

It’s 100 years since Edinburgh Zoo opened its doors to the public. To celebrate this historic centenary, a guest speaker from Edinburgh Zoo will share stories about animals old and new, whilst looking to the future.

Thurs 2 May, 7-8pm, Central Library

Richard Holloway – ‘Leaving Alexandria’

Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh, talks about his memoir ‘Leaving Alexandria’, his birthplace, and his journey through the meaning and purpose of religion. Compelling and intense, his erudite exploration of faith will not fail to move you, the story of one man’s exploration of ‘Christianity, a great work of the human imagination’.

Tues 14 May, 6.30-8pm, Central Library

Edinburgh Zoo – Penguin Parade

Colin Oulton and Jo Elliott, penguin keepers at Edinburgh Zoo, talk about the history of penguins at the Zoo, the world famous Penguin Parade, captive management techniques from the past to the present day, penguin conservation and research and much more.

“There can be no doubt that the ‘crowning glory’ of the Zoological Park is its magnificent display of Antarctic penguins.” – Thomas Gillespie, founder of Edinburgh Zoo.

All events are free and tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 242 8100. Booking is essential for all events.

Book sales and signings will be available at most Edinburgh Reads events.