HELLO and welcome to the latest from ALBERT the tortoise HQ with our good friends Hugg ‘n’ Bugg…
We have been a bit ansent from here for a while.. because we have been so busy elsewhere.. with so much going on.
First off, we can report that our online storytime event with Schoolreaders, the largest in-school literacy charity in England, was a super success. It turned out to be their largest such event and we were thrilled to help them mark National Storytelling Week with so many schoolchildren joining in with our ALBERT and Hugg ‘n’ Bugg books.
They were kind enough to say some very nice things about it all in their blog…
On February 25 – a momentous moment. Not only did the sun shine and the day warmed up… ALBERT woke up from his 4.5 months of sleep.
Always a big relief to see him back with us. Of course, the temperatures always drop as soon as he gets up. But he is getting back in the swing of things.
He was awake in good time to see a few new things too…
Good timing to help shellebrate St David’s Day… a time when we remind folk that our publishers Graffeg are based in Wales and Albert and HnB titles are available in Welsh…
More overseas news too… We got a super piece in Malta Today newspaper about our Albert titles coming out in Maltese thanks to BDL Books on the island.
More overseas joy – to see these posts about our books in Korean.. thanks to South Korea publisher sumjib…
And, overseas news too for our pals Hugg ‘n’ Bugg… Peribo Books in Australia announced that picturebook 4 THE RACE will be out in Oz in April…
That announcement came just in time for some fun with the yeti and the flea for the Winter Olympics…
We were delighted to talk all about real Albert and our books with Becky Want at BBC Radio for The Late Show .. our interview played out across England and the Channel Islands. Supersize thanks to Becky and team.
We are delighted to say we have teamed with another literacy charity.. Hackney-based Literacy Pirates. Their volunteers help youngsters who are behind on their reading. We will be doing what we can to raise awareness of the charity and the work they do as they look to expand services acorss the UK and to offer ever more help.
Delighted to say part of that drive saw us visit the studios of BBC London again.. and chat with Shay Kaur Grewal once more.. this time joined by CEO of Literacy Pirates, Jude Williams. A great chat and fun interview.. marking World Book Day.
World Book Day is always a busy treat … We were delighted to visit schools and pre-schools… with our ALBERT and HnB storytime events.
First up was Whipperley Infant Academy in Luton, Bedfordshire. Supersize thanks to all involved.
Then, on to Shears Green Infant school in Northfleet, Kent. Massive thanks to all involved.
Then, on to Hunsdon Ducklings pre-school, Hunsdon, Hertfordshire. Big thanks to all there.
We are also thrilled to say, Book Day saw some new ALBERT dress-up outfits. We love this shell… Such detail…
And.. we understand clever grandparents drew, coloured and designed this t shirt based on our board book ALBERT and his Friends.
Please share any more pictures.
Of course, Book Day is really about the joy of books and reading and accessibility to books. We have more schools to visit in coming weeks, tied to Book Day and we are excited to meeting to many readers.
See?.. we said it was busy times.
More news soon. Thanks as ever for all the support you show. Til next time…