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Book gift for students after virtual workshop with author Thomas Taylor

Posted onPosted on 21st Dec

Year 7 students at Magnus Church of England Academy enjoyed a virtual workshop with author Thomas Taylor and received a copy of his book as a seasonal gift from the Newark school.

Writer and illustrator of many children’s books, including recent works Malamander and its sequel Gargantis, Thomas said workshops to encourage reading were a valuable way to encourage a lifelong skill in students.

He said: “I am delighted to be invited to Zoom into the Magnus Academy to present my book, Malamander, to Year 7.

“I have a few surprising beach-combing finds to share with them, to explain the inspiration behind my magical story, which is set in the fictional seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea.”

In a surprise at the close of the workshop, every year 7 student was gifted a copy of Malamander by the academy.

Thomas added: “I am thrilled and honoured that Magnus have chosen Malamander as a gift for their Year 7s. I really hope the children enjoy the adventure and find inspiration too — perhaps to write stories themselves, or maybe even to venture out to the seaside in winter and hunt for treasures of their own.”

Heather Jackson, learning resource centre manager at the academy, said: “We have gifted a book to our Year 7 students for a few years now, and we were keen that this year should be no different.

“We were so pleased that Thomas could join us via Zoom to talk to Year 7 about his book, Malamander, and answer any questions they had for him.
“It’s so important that our students get the opportunity to hear from an author, to understand the inspiration for a book, and see where that creativity stems from.

“We hope it will inspire them to read the book over the Christmas break and encourage them to put pen to paper and write their own stories.”

Pictured is Heather Jackson, learning resource centre manager, with Year 7 students Madalina Dana, Niesha Fernandes and Igor Wysoczanski, and Jim Semmelroth, head of school.

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