In the Spotlight: Jenyns Library

The new academic year brought with it more new and exciting author visits to WGS. At the start of term, Year 7 and students from Beacon Hill Academy and Codsall Community High School enjoyed the opportunity to meet Aisling Fowler, author of the wonderful fantasy adventure book Fireborn: Twelve and the Frozen Forest. In an interactive session students were encouraged to think up their own heroes, monsters and settings by focusing on the importance of being creative, imaginative and fantastic. This formed the foundation for students to write their own amazing stories. At the end of the event, students asked Aisling questions about her creative process as an author, how she devised the idea of the Hunting Lodge, and the best advice for budding writers.

As well as reading from his book and revealing how his ancestors inspired this story, David impressed upon the students the need to grab the reader’s attention straightaway by challenging them to come up with an opening paragraph full of intrigue and suspense.

A second treat was in store for Years 5 and 6, this time in conjunction with students from Highfields School, Glenthorne Primary and St Michael's CE. Author and illustrator Thomas Taylor came to talk about the latest book in his Eerie-on-Sea mystery series, Festergrimm fascinating facts,” Ian produced brilliant drawings of some of these unusual words, as well as ideas contributed by our brilliant audience, which included students from WGJS, St Bartholomew’s CofEl, Penn Fields and Christ Church School. Indeed, pupils told Tom and Ian that their favourite words included ‘hippopotamus’, ‘leotard’ and ‘gooseberry’, all of which Ian brilliantly turned into a hilarious drawing.

The event concluded with students quizzing Tom and Ian on their favourite words before they purchased a signed copy of Every Word Tells a Story

With just a couple of weeks left of term there was just enough time to welcome back the bestselling author and illustrator of the hugely popular Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey illustrated fiction series, Laura Ellen Anderson. Laura joined us to introduce her graphic novel Evil Emperor Penguin: Antics in Antarctica

Our second visit was from David Farr David visited the Junior School to share his latest title The Book of Stolen Dreams, which is a rich story, full of adventure, peril, and huge bravery. Year 5 and 6 were joined by students from Caldmore Primary Academy and Merridale Primary.

Thomas, who famously created the cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, wowed his audience not only by revealing the secrets to writing a compelling mystery but also by bringing along special treasures found on his local beach. This included the tear of a mermaid, the scales of a sea monster and a radioactive find that changed colour under UV light.

Our penultimate visitor caused quite a stir amongst some star struck members of staff as well as the children! Tom Read Wilson, author, presenter and etymology enthusiast, and his illustrator, Ian Morris, visited WGS on 18th October for an afternoon of wonderful wordplay in celebration of Tom and Ian's Every Word Tells a Story

Whilst Tom revealed that “English language has evolved in an extraordinary exploration of the origins of everyday

It was lovely to involve some of our younger WGJS children this time and Laura enthralled Years 2-4, as well as children from Bantock Primary School, Warstones Primary School, Caldmore Primary Academy and Christ Church School. She gave an illustration masterclass in how to turn cute animals into evil geniuses, an interactive storyboarding exercise and readings from her comics.