Ross worked as a business journalist before becoming a freelance writer and television producer, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast, This Morning and Bridezillas. Ross’ debut novel, Time Travelling with a Hamster was shortlisted for nearly every major literary award including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, The Costa Book Award and The Blue Peter Book Award. You can find The Dog Who Saved the World, What Not to do if You Turn Invisible and The 1000 Year Old Boy, along with the Time Travelling Hamster, in the Key Stage 2 library.
In the Year 6 classes, Ross gave his essential tips and tricks of the trade to help our students develop as writers (always a good thing) and passed on the essential need to rewrite and rework our writing, as well as how to formulate engaging characters and plot ideas.
Not wanting to miss out on the fun our Secondary Campus invited Ross along to visit the Year 7 students. They spent a day immersed in activities surrounding the ‘Magic of Reading’ which included more of Ross's magic tricks and a workshop.
Louise from Year 7 told us a little more about the day, "Mr Welford told us how he got ideas to write his books and then we all wrote stories ourselves. A few students whose stories were well-written got special postcards from the author himself! While two classes got to do the workshop first, the others recorded videos of themselves speaking about their favorite books and made posters on book genres like fantasy, comedy, action and adventure, and many others. Later, each class brought their books to Mr Welford so he could sign them. When school was over, we were all sad that Mr Welford had left, but we were also happy because we got to meet him in person."
At Alice Smith we actively encourage reading for pleasure and our author visits are a fantastic way for our students to be inspired to both read and write. You can see more photos and video from Ross's visit on flickr.
Finally a big thank you to Ross - you gave us a magically marvellous three days!
