Caryl Hart, Children’s Author

I have just heard that David Tennant, former Doctor Who is going to record the audio CD for Supermarket Zoo!!  How cool is that!  They are recording tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get a signed copy!  The CD will be released in July 2011.  Supermarket Zoo the book is out this July and it's looking FANTABULOUS!!!

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This morning I have not one, but two exciting packages on my doorstep!

My first hardback copy of Rhino? What Rhino? is now here!  It looks absolutely fabulous!  Bright and funny and quirky thanks to Sarah Horne's amazing illustrations! 

And second, the roughs have arrived for Dinosaur Seeds, which is the sequel to Supermarket Zoo!  Ed Eaves is the illustrator and he is doing a wonderful job so far!  I can't tell you how exciting it is to see my story coming to life! 

Contact me via my website or email me if you would like to buy a signed copy of Rhino? What Rhino?!

   

Click here to download:

Ooooohhh_How_EXCITING.zip (36 KB)

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Here I am, doing what I enjoy most. 

I've just finished a long walk through one of the most beautiful places in the world with two of my favourite friends in the world.  In this picture, we are drying out in The Old Smithy cafe, our wet socks steaming on the radiator, large mugs of tea in our hands and in front of us a gut-buster Full English - salty bacon, fried egg, perfectly blackened sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans and chips. 

These are the simple pleasures of an author's life in the Peak District!

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I am just about to launch a new programme of environmental and literacy workshops for schools within the Peak District National Park.

Look Where We Live is aimed at children growing up in the Peak District.  The workshops give children the chance to tell the world what they think about their own environment.

Children explore their surroundings using environmental games, role play and other thought-provoking activities.  They use descriptive writing, poetry, drama, illustration and video to communicate their thoughts and feelings to others.  The best work will be published on the project website for friends, family, residents, visitors and environmental managers to see.

Come back soon to find out more!

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Thanks to some of my writer and illustrator friends, I now have my very own page on Amazon's Author Central!
You can follow my blog, see my books and have a generally very good nosey around!  Only one of my books is listed so far, others to follow on publication!  Visit my website to find out more: www.carylhart.com

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We were searching for this word on Google, and it just wasn't there!  So we thought we'd add it to my blog and then see if it came up.

Why don't you try typing in nonesense words and see what you can find!

floogledeboogledebob!!!!

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My doggie don't wear glasses
So they're lying when they say
That a dog looks like its owner
Aren't they?

This is my tip top favourite poem - it's by John Hegley.

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Angels and Urchins, London's "indespensable parents' guide," have just published their list of Best Books of the Year, 2009.  Don't Dip Your Chips in Your Drink, Kate, has been voted as one of their four favourite titles!!  How about that then!

Follow this link to find out more

http://www.angelsandurchins.co.uk/news/item/599/Books-of-2009

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I asked Roo to wish you a Happy Christmas
But this is what she said!
So you'll have to settle
For Christmas wishes
From Caryl and family instead!

Happy Christmas to all our friends!
xxxxx

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Ooooh, I LOVE my job!

What are the loveliest things about being an author? 
1.  Writing
2.  Spending time doing silly wordy rhymy things with children
3.  Catching the train down to London to meet the people who do all the hard work. 

I mean of course, going to meet my publisher(s).   I have just returned from a great mid-week weekend at the Hachette Christmas Party.  It wasn't a pass-the-parcel sort of party, though this would also have been fun, it was a stand around drinking and chatting sort of party.  It probably sounds boring to some of you, but when you throw in a few of your literary heroes, it all suddenly becomes more interesting!

It's soooo tempting to name drop, but really, I shouldn't....oh, OK, you've twisted my arm!  Well, I met the truly inspired Mick Inkpen and his wife.  If you don't know already, Mick a household name in children's books and the father of Wibbly Pig and Kipper.  Wibbly Pig is now on TV, and Mick is working on some new characters for a book he is writing with his daughter.

I also met the lovely Guy Parker-Rees.  His Giraffes Can't Dance is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, so Guy is involved in all sorts of Giraffey activities.

Chris Mould (Something Wickedly Weird), drew a skull and crossbones for my children, and I had a very inspiring chat with Cressida Cowell about the new film-of-her-book,  How To Train a Dragon, which is out in March.  The trailer looks fabulous, so do check it out if you get a chance.

http://www.howtotrainyourdragon.com/

Oh, and Lynne Chapman, and Cassia Thomas, and Alan Durant and... and...so many other people! 

I love going down to London, because most of the time I don't go further than town and back.  I take my children to school, walk the dog, and spend the rest of my time at home working and not talking to any other human beings.  It's very very quiet where I live, so it's amazing to go down to the bustle and activity of the city.

It's also super-lovely to come back home. 
Must poke the fire......

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