Blackpool CofE Primary School

A couple of days ago I went to this school to do a performance of my book, 'Chloe and the Bright Idea'.

It seemed like the whole school turned up. There were 280 kids and all their teachers and TAs packed into the little hall. The infants were so close to the stage I was careful not to tread on them - the older children were on benches at the back - the adults were seated or standing at the sides. There was a really good atmosphere of cosy anticipation.

Everyone was paying attention and that made me better able to get into my performance - I think I enjoyed it more than most. It felt like the audience and the performer fed off one another and the thing just grew in importance and magnitude.

Consequently we had the longest Q&A session ever. The questions just kept coming and coming - and they were really good ones too. One kid asked me whether heat from smoke can ignite methane, and I'd never been asked that before. Anyway, I've just googled it and I'm none the wiser. Excellent question!

One of the mums had ordered a copy of my book in advance as it was her child's 9th birthday. Half way through the Q&A I was able to present her with it and get her a big round of applause. That made the event pretty special.

Everyone was polite and helpful. The teacher who organised it asked if I'd return when 'Friends in High Places' is published and that was nice and encouraging. I certainly will return one day as it was one of the very best.

Afterwards the emails started coming in from parents wanting to order a book. One chap wrote this: