HERE IS A COPY OF THE TERMLY NEWSLETER WE PRODUCE:

If you would like to find out more about the Book Group or its activities, please contact:

Chair:                                       Michelle Taberner 01752 262338

Secretary:                               Alison Clibbens 01752 511716

Treasurer/Membership:         Julia Pugh 01752 260328

Children’s Book Award:           Libby Allman 01752 668607    (eve), 663889 (day) / Alison Clibbens (as above)

Author Visit: DARREN SHAN

Tuesday 24^th January              7:00 – 8:30 pm

Bookstall and author signing from 6:30 pm

 Plymouth College, Ford Park

We are delighted that the hugely popular author of The Saga of Darren Shan series, (which started with Cirque du Freak and ended twelve books later with Sons of Destiny), is including Plymouth on his tour once again. Fans of his books will know that he has a new series on the go – The Demonata, described as “horrific and fantastic, frightening and exciting” and taking readers into “new worlds and universes, all of them populated or threatened by demons” (see www.darrenshan.com for more). Lord Loss, the first title in this series, is just out in paperback and the second, Demon Thief, was published in December. Darren will be talking about his books - and likes to involve his audience too! Books for sale and also the chance to win a signed copy in the raffle. Thanks to the publisher Harper Collins, this event is FREE. All welcome - adults and children Year 6 and over.

BEDTIME STORIES for 4-7 year olds: “Farmyard Tales”

Friday 27^th  January         6:30 – 8:00 pm

Cathy Keir’s, 195 Stuart Road, Stoke

These sessions are always popular. There’s something really exciting about coming out on a dark winter’s evening in your pyjamas to listen to stories. It’s a great introduction to the Book Group and we are always pleased to welcome new families. So come along and try it – and bring a friend. Your children can snuggle up and enjoy the stories, with a mug of hot chocolate or juice, and there will be a themed activity too. Members free, non-members £1.

FAMILY READING GROUP for 7-9 year olds “Green Fingers”

Sunday 5^th February                        4:00 – 5:30 pm

Hannah Alker’s, 52 Thornhill Road, Mannamead

Come and join us for this session with an environmental theme. We’ll be sharing some stories and will have a ‘growing things’ activity too. Bring along any recommendations for good ‘green’ reads: fiction, poems or information books. As usual there will be a selection of books to borrow. All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

UNDER 5’s STORY TIME: “Perfect Pets”

Friday 10^th February                1:30 – 3:00 pm

Frederique Arreckx’, 85 Alcester Street, Stoke

Stories and rhymes for the children, with time for a cup of tea and a biscuit over a chat and a play too. These informal storytimes are a great way to find new favourites and share recommendations for books for this age group, as well as encouraging your children to enjoy listening to stories in the company of others. Members free, non-members £1.

FCBG ANNUAL CONFERENCE ‘Happy Ever After’

Fri 24^th- Sun 26^th February 2006       Paragon Hotel, Birmingham

It’s earlier in the year than usual – the last weekend of the spring half term - so you need to book now! Speakers include Simon Bartram, Theresa Breslin, Helen Dunmore, Morris Gleitzman and Geraldine McCaughrean. See www.fcbg.org.uk. It’s an excellent weekend away with friendly fellow children’s book enthusiasts – publishers, authors and illustrators, booksellers, teachers, librarians and, last but not least, parents. You will come back with your batteries recharged and with a whole host of useful contacts and information, not to mention all the freebies from the publishers’ stands. A group of us will be going from Plymouth so you won’t be on your own. Talk to Alison or Libby if you’d like to know more or to pick up a booking form – asap!

FAMILY READING GROUP for 9-12 year olds

“The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”

Sunday 5^th March                    4:00 – 5:30 pm

Sophie Diver’s, 6 Glenavon Road, Mannamead

You’ve seen the movie but have you read the book! If not, give it a go – and then come along to this fun session and share the magic. Who are your favourite characters? Your best bits of the story? And have you sat in the back of your wardrobe hoping to find the way into Narnia? ‘Fantastical’ books to borrow and refreshments provided by the White Witch – will you dare to taste the Turkish delight? All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

PLANNING MEETING for Summer 2006

Thursday 16^th March                       8.00 pm

Michelle Taberner’s, 2 Rowden Street, Peverell

Come along and help us plan events and activities for next term, or pass on your suggestions to a member of the committee. We also need volunteers to host the storytimes and family reading group sessions. Offers to read at the storytimes are very welcome too – it’s great fun – if you enjoy reading to your children, you’ll enjoy this too. Are there any other dads or maybe even grandparents out there who fancy giving it a try? We can always help with recommending and/or lending books.

BOOKSWAP AND ACTIVITY MORNING

Saturday 18^th March          10:30 – 12:00 am

Stoke Damerel Primary School, Collingwood Road, Stoke

Do you fancy a bit of change – or a clear out after Christmas? Bring along any good quality children’s books that you don’t want to read any more, but that you think someone else would like. You will then be able to choose some different books to take away. We will have books to swap for all ages, from picture books up to teenage novels, so do come and take advantage of this great opportunity to rejuvenate your bookshelves. We’ll have some fun craft activities too. Tell your friends – the more the merrier - and a bigger choice of books for us all! Entry: members 50p, non-members £1.

BEDTIME STORIES for 4-7 year olds: “Eggsiting Easter!”

Friday 31^st March             6:30 – 8:00pm

Michelle Taberner’s, 2 Rowden Street, Peverell

As before, bring your children in their pyjamas, all ready for bed, and they can snuggle up and listen to the stories. This time we’ll have an Easter/Springtime theme, with an indoor Egg Hunt to celebrate the season. All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

FAMILY READINGS GROUPS joint event for 7-12 year olds: QUIZ NIGHT

Sunday 2^nd April                  4:00 5:30 pm

Dawn Potterton’s, 1 Tamerton Close, Holly Park, Plymouth

We’ll have a selection of fun book related quizzes for you to try – and maybe some prizes too! But don’t worry – we won’t make you go it alone. We’ll divide you into teams – maybe you can be thinking about some funny names for them. There’ll be refreshments and books to borrow too. Members free, non-members £1.

Red House CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD 2005/6

This brilliant award, created and organised by the Federation, is the only one where the books are all read and judged by children and young people themselves, and we are lucky enough to be one of the 12 Children’s Book Groups around the UK that take part. Enthusiastic readers from local families and schools all across the city are busy getting through as many books as they can as we move into the last few weeks of this first stage

of the award. If you or your school would like to take part, please contact Libby or Alison. The final deadline for results is 1^st February and any children’s fiction titles published in 2005 are eligible.

For more details of the award, see www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk

In the middle of February we will be announcing the short listed ‘Top Ten’ and embarking on the next stage of the judging to decide this year’s winners.

BOOKS FOR SALE TO SCHOOLS – ONLY £2.50 hdbk £1.50 pbk

We still have some of last year’s testing books, i.e. published in 2004, available for schools to buy (picture books through to teenage novels) – great for cheaply updating your library. Contact Alison to view them.

WORLD BOOK DAY Thursday 2^rd March 2006

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for pleasure for everyone. Watch out for more information nearer the time about special events happening locally. There may be authors visiting the city. Further details can also be found at www.worldbookday.com

FEEDBACK/TEEN REVIEW GROUP

This group continues to meet regularly to read and review the new books sent to them by publishers in preparation for the next issue of their excellent free magazine, distributed through local secondary schools and libraries. Contributors are from schools all over the city, Year 9 and above. Contact Libby if you are interested.

BOOK DONATIONS

If anyone knows of a community group or similar organisation that could benefit from a donation of new children’s books, please let us know. We are also happy to provide story times.

HERE IS A COPY OF THE TERMLY NEWSLETER WE PRODUCE:

If you would like to find out more about the Book Group or its activities, please contact:

Chair:                                       Michelle Taberner 01752 262338

Secretary:                               Alison Clibbens 01752 511716

Treasurer/Membership:         Julia Pugh 01752 260328

Children’s Book Award:           Libby Allman 01752 668607    (eve), 663889 (day) / Alison Clibbens (as above)

Author Visit: DARREN SHAN

Tuesday 24^th January              7:00 – 8:30 pm

Bookstall and author signing from 6:30 pm

 Plymouth College, Ford Park

We are delighted that the hugely popular author of The Saga of Darren Shan series, (which started with Cirque du Freak and ended twelve books later with Sons of Destiny), is including Plymouth on his tour once again. Fans of his books will know that he has a new series on the go – The Demonata, described as “horrific and fantastic, frightening and exciting” and taking readers into “new worlds and universes, all of them populated or threatened by demons” (see www.darrenshan.com for more). Lord Loss, the first title in this series, is just out in paperback and the second, Demon Thief, was published in December. Darren will be talking about his books - and likes to involve his audience too! Books for sale and also the chance to win a signed copy in the raffle. Thanks to the publisher Harper Collins, this event is FREE. All welcome - adults and children Year 6 and over.

BEDTIME STORIES for 4-7 year olds: “Farmyard Tales”

Friday 27^th  January         6:30 – 8:00 pm

Cathy Keir’s, 195 Stuart Road, Stoke

These sessions are always popular. There’s something really exciting about coming out on a dark winter’s evening in your pyjamas to listen to stories. It’s a great introduction to the Book Group and we are always pleased to welcome new families. So come along and try it – and bring a friend. Your children can snuggle up and enjoy the stories, with a mug of hot chocolate or juice, and there will be a themed activity too. Members free, non-members £1.

FAMILY READING GROUP for 7-9 year olds “Green Fingers”

Sunday 5^th February                        4:00 – 5:30 pm

Hannah Alker’s, 52 Thornhill Road, Mannamead

Come and join us for this session with an environmental theme. We’ll be sharing some stories and will have a ‘growing things’ activity too. Bring along any recommendations for good ‘green’ reads: fiction, poems or information books. As usual there will be a selection of books to borrow. All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

UNDER 5’s STORY TIME: “Perfect Pets”

Friday 10^th February                1:30 – 3:00 pm

Frederique Arreckx’, 85 Alcester Street, Stoke

Stories and rhymes for the children, with time for a cup of tea and a biscuit over a chat and a play too. These informal storytimes are a great way to find new favourites and share recommendations for books for this age group, as well as encouraging your children to enjoy listening to stories in the company of others. Members free, non-members £1.

FCBG ANNUAL CONFERENCE ‘Happy Ever After’

Fri 24^th- Sun 26^th February 2006       Paragon Hotel, Birmingham

It’s earlier in the year than usual – the last weekend of the spring half term - so you need to book now! Speakers include Simon Bartram, Theresa Breslin, Helen Dunmore, Morris Gleitzman and Geraldine McCaughrean. See www.fcbg.org.uk. It’s an excellent weekend away with friendly fellow children’s book enthusiasts – publishers, authors and illustrators, booksellers, teachers, librarians and, last but not least, parents. You will come back with your batteries recharged and with a whole host of useful contacts and information, not to mention all the freebies from the publishers’ stands. A group of us will be going from Plymouth so you won’t be on your own. Talk to Alison or Libby if you’d like to know more or to pick up a booking form – asap!

FAMILY READING GROUP for 9-12 year olds

“The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”

Sunday 5^th March                    4:00 – 5:30 pm

Sophie Diver’s, 6 Glenavon Road, Mannamead

You’ve seen the movie but have you read the book! If not, give it a go – and then come along to this fun session and share the magic. Who are your favourite characters? Your best bits of the story? And have you sat in the back of your wardrobe hoping to find the way into Narnia? ‘Fantastical’ books to borrow and refreshments provided by the White Witch – will you dare to taste the Turkish delight? All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

PLANNING MEETING for Summer 2006

Thursday 16^th March                       8.00 pm

Michelle Taberner’s, 2 Rowden Street, Peverell

Come along and help us plan events and activities for next term, or pass on your suggestions to a member of the committee. We also need volunteers to host the storytimes and family reading group sessions. Offers to read at the storytimes are very welcome too – it’s great fun – if you enjoy reading to your children, you’ll enjoy this too. Are there any other dads or maybe even grandparents out there who fancy giving it a try? We can always help with recommending and/or lending books.

BOOKSWAP AND ACTIVITY MORNING

Saturday 18^th March          10:30 – 12:00 am

Stoke Damerel Primary School, Collingwood Road, Stoke

Do you fancy a bit of change – or a clear out after Christmas? Bring along any good quality children’s books that you don’t want to read any more, but that you think someone else would like. You will then be able to choose some different books to take away. We will have books to swap for all ages, from picture books up to teenage novels, so do come and take advantage of this great opportunity to rejuvenate your bookshelves. We’ll have some fun craft activities too. Tell your friends – the more the merrier - and a bigger choice of books for us all! Entry: members 50p, non-members £1.

BEDTIME STORIES for 4-7 year olds: “Eggsiting Easter!”

Friday 31^st March             6:30 – 8:00pm

Michelle Taberner’s, 2 Rowden Street, Peverell

As before, bring your children in their pyjamas, all ready for bed, and they can snuggle up and listen to the stories. This time we’ll have an Easter/Springtime theme, with an indoor Egg Hunt to celebrate the season. All welcome. Members free, non-members £1.

FAMILY READINGS GROUPS joint event for 7-12 year olds: QUIZ NIGHT

Sunday 2^nd April                  4:00 5:30 pm

Dawn Potterton’s, 1 Tamerton Close, Holly Park, Plymouth

We’ll have a selection of fun book related quizzes for you to try – and maybe some prizes too! But don’t worry – we won’t make you go it alone. We’ll divide you into teams – maybe you can be thinking about some funny names for them. There’ll be refreshments and books to borrow too. Members free, non-members £1.

Red House CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD 2005/6

This brilliant award, created and organised by the Federation, is the only one where the books are all read and judged by children and young people themselves, and we are lucky enough to be one of the 12 Children’s Book Groups around the UK that take part. Enthusiastic readers from local families and schools all across the city are busy getting through as many books as they can as we move into the last few weeks of this first stage

of the award. If you or your school would like to take part, please contact Libby or Alison. The final deadline for results is 1^st February and any children’s fiction titles published in 2005 are eligible.

For more details of the award, see www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk

In the middle of February we will be announcing the short listed ‘Top Ten’ and embarking on the next stage of the judging to decide this year’s winners.

BOOKS FOR SALE TO SCHOOLS – ONLY £2.50 hdbk £1.50 pbk

We still have some of last year’s testing books, i.e. published in 2004, available for schools to buy (picture books through to teenage novels) – great for cheaply updating your library. Contact Alison to view them.

WORLD BOOK DAY Thursday 2^rd March 2006

World Book Day is a partnership of publishers, booksellers and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for pleasure for everyone. Watch out for more information nearer the time about special events happening locally. There may be authors visiting the city. Further details can also be found at www.worldbookday.com

FEEDBACK/TEEN REVIEW GROUP

This group continues to meet regularly to read and review the new books sent to them by publishers in preparation for the next issue of their excellent free magazine, distributed through local secondary schools and libraries. Contributors are from schools all over the city, Year 9 and above. Contact Libby if you are interested.

BOOK DONATIONS

If anyone knows of a community group or similar organisation that could benefit from a donation of new children’s books, please let us know. We are also happy to provide story times.