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Hanging with the Cambridge schoolkids

Let’s face it, this is surely why children’s authors write. To thrill and fascinate young minds, to meet enthusiastic young readers. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better introduction to the world of author visits to a school than I had in Cambridge earlier this week.

At King’s College School and The Perse Preparatory School I was thoroughly charmed by students from Yrs 5, 6 and 7.

The King’s Yr 7’s were thoughtful, insightful and rather knowledgeable. When one girl asked me why I called the first Joshua book ‘Invisible City’ I had to admit that it was a nod to Italo Calvino – several students (aged 11-12) had actually heard of him…

The Perse Prep Yr 5 and 6 boys were cute, full of beans and enthusiasm. They listened to my talk quietly, then burst into life when I asked for questions and suggestions of titles for Book 2! I challenged them to solve a Rubik’s cube to win an “Uncle Scrooge Adventures” comic book I’d brought in…no-one knew how to do it, quite. But I wouldn’t be surprised if a year from now, lots of them can!

Thanks to the lovely librarians at both schools. Look at the wonderful display board they made at Perse Prep! I was totally blown away.

As one young man said that day…it was IMMENSE. There’s also an article about my Cambridge schools visits on themgharris.com