The Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour with Julia Donaldson

Scottish Book Trust had a brilliant 10 days on the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson in September. We visited 14 different libraries and saw pupils from 52 schools from right across the country.

We saw fantastic performances as 29 of our attending schools adapted their favourite picture books into plays for us to watch. From pant stealing, tea sipping aliens to snoozing lions and dancing giraffes it was great to see so many pupils engaging with books in a different way.

If you want to find out what it's like being on tour you can read Julia's day by day account here on Julia's blog.

 

 

Resources

If you are inspired in adapting picture books into performance please have a look at these stunning resources produced by Pam Wardell to give you some ideas on how to start: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning/cpd/toolkits/picture-book-drama

Alternatively you can visit Julia's brand new website to get more ideas or to share your ideas and successes with other learning professionals: http://www.picturebookplays.co.uk/home/

 

Tour Photos

Julia performs What the Ladybird Heard with help from pupils (and a teacher) at Thurso Library Pupils from Hillhead Primary School perform 'Hmmm' Julia answers a question at Fort William Library A tiger lies in wait at Aviemore Library
An Enormous Crocodile thinks Julia looks tasty at Elgin Library Julia talks to a pupil about reading in Peterhead Library Julia singing at Inverurie Library Behind the scenes: Julia reading at the MacRobert Centre
Julia gets chased by a dragon in Dunoon Library Julia on her brand new broomstick at Hawick Library Julia answers a question from a firefly at Castle Douglas Library A Snake saw the Mouse and the Mouse looked good

 

Feedback

 

Art Gallery

The Magic Paintbrush by Jennifer from Knockando Primary School What the Ladybird Heard by Amy from Reay Primary School The Enormous Crocodile Performance by Archie from Knockando Primary School A Squash and A Squeeze by Cameron from Crossmichael Primary School

 

Pupil Feedback

On Wednesday I went to Hawick Library. It was wow. I just couldn't believe my eyes to see Julia Donaldson. I wanted to stay there all day long. Thank you. Samuel, 7, Stirches Primary School.

I enjoyed going to Fort William Library to meet you. I liked you signing my books. I enjoyed doing my play. My favourite part was Malcolm doing the guitar with us. I liked your books. Lauren, 8, Caol Primary School.

I liked doing my play for Julia Donaldson and I liked it when Julia Donaldson did a play for us. I liked the song and we bought a book for Julia Donaldson to sign. I love Julia Donaldson because she did some funny songs. Sarah, 9, Innellen Primary School.

We liked watching the other schools act out The Enormous Crocodile and We're Going on a Bear Hunt.  We liked Paula the Vet because the dragon chased Julia Donaldson. We liked all the plays because they were really active. All pupils, P1-4, Crossroads Primary School.

I liked meeting Julia Donaldson and chasing a goat. Julia and Malcolm did a little play of Monkey Puzzle and that was the best bit. Me and my class did a little play of What the Ladybird Heard Song. It was good having an audience and Malcolm played the guitar. I sang along with her and I loved it! Thea, 7, Caol Primary School.

I enjoyed the Room on the Broom. It was funny. Julia Donaldson was really good. The animals were good. The dog was lovely. The frog was good and I enjoyed the play. Michael, 7, Innellen Primary School.

I liked when we sang a song together. Julia Donaldson made up a book with us. Heidi, 5, Banavie Primary School.

I liked it when the robbers went brrrrrrrrr! Brrrrrrrrrroooom! I was laughing as hard as I can because it's so so so so so so so so so so so funny! Courtney, 6, Strathburn Primary School.

Thank you for organising the library. I adored our show and I enjoyed Julia Donaldson sang A Squash and A Squeeze. I liked it when Corran and me made the door with our arms and I liked it when Malcolm chased Julia Donaldson. Ella, Alvie Primary School.

Thank you for telling stories. I liked when the dragon scared me. Lucy-Jo, Alvie Primary School.

I loved the Julia Donaldson event but my favourite thing was when Julia and her husband was doing a performance of the Gruffalo in Scots and when I got my book signed because it is something I can keep forever and not everybody gets to see Julia Donaldson so we were very lucky to see her and it was a great experience. Lia, 8, Comely Park primary school.

I liked the plays that the schools did they were very good. I liked Hansel and Gretel the most. I also liked getting my book signed. It was so hard to choose a book but in the end I made up my mind. It was the best day ever. Daniel, 7, Comely Park primary school.

We did a performance to Julia Donaldson of The Enormous Crocodile. I felt happy. Then Malcolm performed The Magic Paintbrush finally Julia Donaldson signed our books and we went back to school. My favourite part was seeing The Magic Paintbrush because Richard was the man on the rock. He was good because he had a loud voice. Alex, P3, Hopeman Primary School.

I loved performing for Julia Donaldson it was a treat. All my dreams came true in one day. It was great. We performed Zog and Julia loved it!!! Lauren, 8, Hermitage Primary School.

I loved performing in front of Julia Donaldson. It was a real treat. I felt I was so so good. I had stage fright at first but then got over it! When she performed back it was great. Hannah, 8, Hermitage Primary School.

We all had the best days of our life I was so tired I went to sleep I dreamed about it. Night night. Poppie, 7, Stirches Primary School.

On Wednesday I was too excited I could not get to sleep on Tuesday night. I loved it. It was funny when the dragon came in and chased Julia Donaldson after that we watched Trinity perform. I felt amazing. After that we went back to school. Lewis, 7, Stirches Primary School.

I enjoyed going to meet Julia Donaldson because I enjoyed seeing her do the Scottish play it was really funny. I also enjoyed seeing the other school perform the play. I enjoyed doing my play it felt like I was dreaming but I actually wasn't. I really enjoyed Julia Donaldson performing Freddie and the Fairy I enjoyed all of it. Lauren, 7, Leswalt Primary School.

I enjoyed meeting Julia Donaldson she was really funny. I loved doing the play with my class. Alice-Daisy, 7, Twynholm Primary School.


Teacher Feedback

The performance was built around the skills of the children and developing them. They also contributed ideas as to how scenes could be portrayed and loved playing a major part in the planning process as well as the performance. It also very much engaged parents in the creation of costumes.  Moraig Baxter, Teacher, Bantaskin Primary School

We have performed our short performance to our parents, older children and even a local baby group! We have studied the jungle/rainforest to coincide with the book also.  Andrea Forbes, Teacher, Melvich Primary School

We loved the event, it was great to meet Julia, it was great that the event involved so much participation from all of us, and that other schools were involved as well. We enjoyed performing for Julia and the other schools, instead of passively being entertained/informed and it was great to be in the public library for the event. Linda Mollins, Teacher, Kirn Primary School.

Well organised and full of fun having children on stage performing alongside the author was very positive for my class - they found this inspirational. Sue Carter, Teacher, St. Ninian's Primary School.

A short but sweet meeting with a famous author. The children were very excited about the event and really enjoyed the active approach to the workshop. It was a special day for them as we do not get opportunities like that often due to our remote location!! Andrea Forbes, Teacher, Melvich Primary School.

The event was wonderful. Both the children and the staff had a great day and really enjoyed meeting Julia and Malcolm. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the activities also. Laura Kitson, Banavie Primary School.

I thought the event was excellent. The pupils enjoyed preparing and performing their presentation, and because they were presenting in front of Julia they were really motivated throughout. They loved watching and/or taking part in the stories on the day. As a teacher I gained some ideas for using stories more creatively in the classroom. It was wonderful that each child had the opportunity to meet and have a book signed by Julia - a lovely momento of a special day! Georgina Young, Hopeman Primary School.

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet the "real Julia Donaldson" as one of my pupils put it! Vicki Ross, Bower Primary School.

Fabulous!!!!! Carol Ann Neil, Bridge of Allan Primary School.

Fantastic morning, enjoyed by all the pupils. Very active and exciting. Paula Mackie, Crossroads Primary School.

It was all very exciting! The content on stage was varied and of a very high quality and there were many opportunities for children to have their "moment" on stage.  Gillian Downie, Westquarter Primary School.

This was an engaging and well organised event - many of the children had been counting sleeps for a week before it! Katrina Lucas, Comely Park primary school.

The class teacher thought the event was excellent; fun, well run and planned. The children all loved their visit to the library and loved meeting Mr and Mrs Donaldson. They enjoyed the laid back, relaxed atmosphere and loved having a sing song with the guitar whilst others purchased their books. Thank you very much!!! Kerry Lamont, Caol Primary School.

I thought the event was fantastic. The children all felt really involved even though our school was taking part as the 'audience' as the event was held in our school. It was lovely for them to watch the other performances and interact with Julia herself. Gael Tannock, Teacher, Aviemore Primary School.