Last updated at 09:52, Thursday, 05 March 2009

YOUNGSTERS from Valley Primary, Monkwray School and Distington Community Primary have become novelists following the publication of a new limited-edition book.

in print: Pupils from Monkwray School in Whitehaven who have contributed to a new book, The Ruby and The Pearl. From left, Sam Moore, Tyler Irving, Josh Bell and Holly Evans.

The pupils visited sites in the Lake District to gain inspiration for the story, The Ruby and The Pearl, which is now being sold in their schools priced £2.

Writer Lynette McKone worked with the youngsters, who are in the West Cumbria Excellence Cluster area, as they developed chapter conclusions, names, places and characters.

Each group worked on an individual chapter for the novel. Lynette said: “The story is about family and friendship, accepting and helping other people and how children can solve problems and find ways of living in harmony.’’

Pupils from Monkwray Primary School also produced the artwork, aided by Karen Thompson, the WCEC cultural co-ordinator who organised the whole project.

Karen said: “Each of the 69 children involved received a copy of the book, which has their names in as co-authors. The children who produced the artwork also receive a special mention and have their names in the book.’’

The project, which also included youngsters from schools in Allerdale, was funded by WCEC and Copeland Council Heritage and Arts Department.

Books that will get you talking

ANYONE who hasn’t found the time to pick up a book recently should take a minute on World Book Day today (Thursday).

This year’s theme is ‘Books to Talk About’ and there is a wondrous selection of titles to tempt you into discussing the delights of reading. For more information go to www.spread-the-word.org.uk

Here are the top ten of titles to persuade you to starting talking books!

Imagine This by Sadie Adeniran. Nine-year-old Lola, taken from a childhood in Kent, is thrust into village life in Nigeria.

Wild by Jay Griffins. A Childhood view of wilderness: ‘What is savage is in the deepest sense gentle and what is wild is kind.’’

The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum. Emily, a successful young Manhatten lawyer, ends a happy relationship to discover what she wants out of life.

Bad Traffic by Simon Lewis. Inspector Jian, a Chinese cop from the Siberian border, thinks he has seen it all until he has to hunt down a gang of ruthless people traffickers.

Catch a Fish from the Sea by Nasreen Akhtar (Using the Internet). Insightful and gripping, this is the true story of the realities of searching for a lifetime partner using the internet. Memoir of a 30-year-old British Muslim woman of Pakistani origin.

Vicky Had One Eye Open by Darryl Samaraweera. Chronicles how a patient, Vicky, and her family deal very differently with her lapse into a coma.

Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert. Haunting story of a man who gets drawn into the mysterious world of two beautiful witch sisters.

Random Deaths and Custard by Catrin Dafydd. Sam Jones is a perfectly ordinary Valleys girl, except for the random death she keeps only just managing to avoid.

Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction by Alison MacLeod. Tales of lovers, would-be lovers and lovers gone wrong.

The Fantastic Book of Everyone’s Secrets by Sophie Hannah. Contemporary tales of the unexpected.

Quick reads to get you in the habit

THIS year’s Quick Reads, released in time for World Book Day, aim to encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book again, and they are available from Whitehaven library.

A Cool Head by Ian Rankin

The Cave by Kate Mosse

Your Road to Success by Dragons Den

The Dare by John Boyne

All These Lonely People by Gervase Phinn

The Tannery by Sherrie Hewson

Black-eyed Devils by Catrin Collier

101 Ways to Get Your Child to Read by Patience Thomson

Reaching for the Stars by Lola Jaye

Dr Who: The Sontaran Games by Jacqueline Rayner

For more information go to www.niace.org.uk/quickreads

Memories bridge the generations

BRINGING together the generations is the aim of a reminiscence project organised by Whitehaven library.

Over the next three months, the library will be inviting primary school children and members of a local residential home to meet about talk about different issues.

The topic of ‘home’ will be discussed by the two groups at the residential home, the subject of ‘school’ at the primary school and ‘play and leisure’ in the library.

Organised by Anne Steele, a reminiscence box has been based on each theme comprising pictures, books, music toys, and everyday objects from years gone by.

Anne said: “The schools will bring along a contemporary version of the reminiscence box based on the same topic. Using the boxes, the older people and the school children will discuss and compare how life at home/school/leisure time has changed since the older generation ‘were nearly nine’.

“For the children, listening to older people recalling their past will add a new dimension and depth to history and help put it into context,’’ she said. “Reminiscence sessions give older people a valuable opportunity to talk about their memories in a friendly and supportive environment and the inter-generational dimension adds a learning and personal development element that can be of benefit to both the elderly and the young participants.’’

Does anyone have any older everyday items they would be willing to donate for use in additional reminiscence boxes? Please contact Anne Steele at Whitehaven library (506406).

Are you sitting comfortably..?

MILLOM Library has reorganised its children’s area to provide more comfortable – and safer – surroundings for young readers.

The new area is at the back of the library and offers increased room and new furniture to encourage the whole family to pop in and pick up a book.

Subsequently, a new baby and toddler group will be held at the library every Friday from 1.30-3pm.

The library is also holding an Easter Egg Hunt and Quiz, for kids aged 6-12, on Monday April 6 from 10-11am and from 2-3pm. Included in the sessions will be Easter card-making and egg decorating.

Places are limited so please book by calling 01229 772445.

Easter Fun will also be held, for youngsters five and under, at the library on Tuesday April 7 from 10-10.45am and 2-2.45pm.

An Easter Prize Bingo and mini coffee morning will be also be held on Friday April 3 from 10am-noon.

The magical tales of King Arthur

A NEW book looking at King Arthur’s Cumbrian connections has been released (see story on the right of this page).

In King Arthur Lives in Merrie Carlisle, author Stephen Matthews traces the link between the city and King Arthur in the literature of the Middle Ages from the early Welsh poems of Taliesin, who lived in Rheged, to the 18th century Reliques of Ancient Poetry, which were collected by Bishop Percy, who at one time, was Dean of Carlisle.

Published by Bookcase, the book features a variety of stories and poems looking at the magical tales of King Arthur, his knights of the round table and Guinevere.

Stephen said: “An historical Arthur may never have existed, but the Arthur of the imagination inspired one of the greatest and most potent legends of all time, a legend that still has the power to inspire novelists and film-makers.”

Dancing your way into the weekend

FRIDAYS are the time for parents/carers and pre-school children to dance the afternoon away.

Julian Longcake, of Copeland Salsa, will be in Daniel Hay Library each week during term time from 1-2pm teaching the basics of salsa and mamba dancing.

Both dances are easy to pick up, a great form of exercise and most importantly fun to do. Children can dance with their adults or with each other, they will certainly enjoy picking up the Latin rhythm. There is no need to book, so if you are in the mood for dancing, just come along.

The mysteries of the sea explained

LOBSTERS in the library? Whatever next! Well, there’s also crabs and sea anemones.

Whitehaven library is inviting families along to meet some of the residents of Maryport Aquarium.

Paul, from the marine attraction, will be bringing along items that have been washed up on the beach, such as shark jaws and lobster nippers. As well as finding out about these fascinating objects children will get the chance to handle them.

The event is part of Family Week on Thursday March 26, from 4.15 to 5.15pm. Children aged four and over will probably find this most interesting. Places are limited, so booking is essential and children under eight must be accompanied by an adult. For more details contact Kathryn Flagner or Gillian Lewthwaite on 01946 506402.

Pop in for advice on your finances

WHITEHAVEN Credit Union will be on hand at the Daniel Hay library to offer workshops offering advice on managing your finances.

The sessions will be held on March 5 from 1-1.30pm with Andrea Dockwray of Whitehaven Credit Union, and also on March 26. Places can be booked by contacting the library.

Borrow a talking book – for free

FANCY a change – why not try a talking book? As a promotional offer, talking books will be FREE to borrow from any libraries in Cumbria throughout March.

Libraries have talking books in various formats cassette, compact disc, Playaway and also MP3CD. For further information and to see what titles are available contact your local library or visit the website at www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries

Get crafty for mum

DURING National Family week (March 25-31), a Mother’s Day drop-in craft session will be held on March 22 from 1-3pm. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

In fine voice

A DISPLAY featuring Whitehaven Choral Society, to mark their 40th anniversary, will be held at the library from March 9.

‘’Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello...

SEASCALE library will be holding police surgeries on March 7 and Saturday April 11 from 11am-noon.

First published at 15:46, Wednesday, 04 March 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk