As part of their #LoveToRead campaign the BBC visited the Lake District to explore the landscape that has provided inspiration for some of the best-loved children’s authors of all time. Gabrielle Rowley caught up with TV presenter Simon O’Brien to find out more about the Books That Made Britain documentary.
Wincanton Library Friends intend to host creative events for children during all half term breaks and other school holidays… The next big day is on 22nd October when our theme will be Swallows and Amazons to coincide with the release of the film of the classic book.
For me, “Swallows and Amazons” is the greatest children’s adventure novel of all time. But this is not exactly a review: it’s more about how our present generation of children has had their freedom and lives stolen from them by society’s excessive fears for their safety. Swallows and Amazons is all about trusting young children to take sensible calculated risks – risks that children today are denied.
New BBC One documentary series Books That Made Britain looks at how the landscape of the North West has inspired local writers.
Screenwriter Andrea Gibb knows better than most that getting into character can often mean wearing a specially chosen wardrobe. The former actress has opened up her own vintage collection as she reveals a love affair with clothes and jewellery that started early in her career. Andrea, whose adaptation of Swallows and Amazons is her latest big-screen offering, has been collecting key pieces and admits her obsession has left her home bursting at the seams.
Studiocanal’s Swallows and Amazons is still showing in selected cinemas around the country. The box office total taken so far is £2,996,259, including an additional £27,450 from last weekend.
In British literature, islands emerge as places of particular power. They offer magic, intrigue and adventure as well as damnation.
The Cumbrian landscapes that have inspired some of Britain’s most loved authors will be celebrated in a new series of documentaries produced by BBC English Regions in partnership with BBC Learning as part of the #LoveToRead season.
On Tuesday (4th October) Nancy Blackett had a visit from twenty-three children from Brandeston Hall School. They are in year 4 and have been studying the abridged version of “We Didn’t Mean To Go To Sea” as their set adventure story. Ransome enthusiasts may be shocked to hear that they had to read the first…