Children's Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson

- Tue 20th Jun 2006

Tickets go on sale for Children’s Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson, talk

Marie Telford, owner of The Hayling Island Bookshop, has scored a coup for the region by getting the Children’s Laureate, Jacqueline Wilson, to give a talk and book signing on Hayling Island on 5 August 2006.

Starting off at the main Carnival Field on the seafront, Jacqueline will open the Hayling Island Carnival, which this year has Books as the theme and then give awards for the Children’s Fancy Dress Competition. She will then give a Talk to an audience of some 400 local children at the Community Centre in Hayling Park West Town, answer their questions and sign books.

Marie Telford says, ‘We are delighted that Jacqueline is coming to Hayling.  It will be a rare treat for children in Portsmouth, Hayling and the surrounding areas.’

Born in Bath, Jacqueline Wilson OBE spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames.  She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first “novel” when she was nine, filling countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up.  She started work as a journalist for D.C. Thomson in Scotland where JACKIE magazine was named after her.  She has been writing full time all her adult life.

Jacqueline has written a host of books including The Story of Tracy Beaker, now a major children’s drama series on CBBC.  Double Act, Midnight and Bad Girls have been adapted for the stage and have recently toured the UK and Ireland.  Her “Girls” series for slightly older readers has been a huge success both here and in the States and Girls in Love was a major children’s drama shown on ITV. The Illustrated Mum starring Michelle Collins was broadcast to great critical acclaim on Channel 4 and has been awarded an EMMY and two BAFTAS.

 Jacqueline has been honoured by being given a special ChildLine award in recognition of the way her work gives “unique insight into challenging subjects”. For the last three years Jacqueline Wilson was named as the most borrowed author from libraries across the UK replacing Catherine Cookson at the top who had enjoyed an unbroken reign of 17 years.

More follows….

The Hayling Island Bookshop is an independent bookshop, which has been serving the Island for the past twelve years. Situated in Mengham village, the bookshop offers a good selection of books including those of Hayling author Pauline Rowson, whose marine mysteries are set in the local area.

Pauline Rowson, who will also be on hand to welcome Jacqueline Wilson, says, ‘The Hayling Bookshop has done a fantastic job in securing Jacqueline for a talk.  She currently has four books in the Children’s Top Twenty and is a phenomenal author.  I am looking forward to meeting her.’

In May 2005 Jacqueline became the fourth Children’s Laureate.  This recognises and highlights the importance of exceptional children’s authors in creating the readers of tomorrow.

The Talk and book signing is a ticket only event.  Tickets are available from the Hayling Island Bookshop, 34 Mengham Road Hayling Island, or from Kaos, 64 Osborne Road, Southsea.

Ends                                                                                        June 2006

For further information contact:

Marie Telford on 023 92 466620

www.haylingislandbookshop.co.uk

By forum user, HIbot