Hello – welcome to the latest news from ALBERT HQ…
The super hot weather seems to have passed and the nights are drawing in… heavy rain has returned. There was half a thought real Albert might have started his winter wind down leading to his big winter sleep.. But it might be a false alarm. The temperature has, in effect, dropped 20 degrees.. from 40C to about 22C… So Albert might just be a bit confused. We shall see. He is eating and patrolling OK.
It was certainly a lovely temperature for a trip to the coast this week.. we went to Whitstable in Kent and caught up with Andy who supplies our Stunt Double Alberts.. made from coconuts. We take these tortoises into schools, libraries and bookshops to help us explain how Albert lives, warms up, flips over now and then and how he looks. They are a great asset and people seem to like them. We posed, naturally and gave Andy a copy of ALBERT AND THE WIND.
We had a terrific visit to the Walthamstow branch of Waterstone’s bookshop in East London as our summer tour starts to slow. Three readings and storytime fun with ALBERT UPSIDE DOWN, ALBERT AND THE WIND & ALBERT SUPERSIZE. Thanks to all that came, listened and bought. Thanks to the great booksellers. We will be returning soon when there will be more stock.
Next in the dairy – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 10 we’re at the High Wych Tortoise-themed Scarecrow Festival near Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire. We’ll be doing a few sessions talking about real Albert, reading stories and handing out giveaway stuff in front of St James’ church …
Then for the diary – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17 at 11am we’re returning to Jo’s Bookshop in Chingford E4 for storytime, books signing, tales of real Albert, giveaways… We like to support one of our local bookshops this way as much as we can.
We’re waiting to hear on some more bookshop bookings .. before we get stuck into all sorts for the Autumn / Winter to come.. Book Festivals, Literature festivals, School visits, Library visits and displays… Busy times ahead.
PLUS new Albert books and a new series of books from the team behind them…
Thank you for all the support. More news very soon.
Til next time…