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The Pen-pal from Outer Space
Author visits
Talks to children aged 6 - 8:
After reading excerpts from the book (it helps if they have read it
beforehand) we discuss the 'special abilities' that ZipPy* possesses, and
how these particular abilities really helped Jasbir.
Then we design our own outer-space pen-pals, and talk about what strange and
wonderful things they can do.
Talks to children aged 8 - 10
With older children, I look at this book within the context of 'Writing for
Younger Children'. In these talks, I first discuss what makes a good
illustrated book for young children. Then I explain the publishing process
using illustrators' proofs and edited text to demonstrate the various stages.
Finally, using guided worksheets, we 'invent' main characters and the
pen-pal which would complement them, and we write short character studies.
These can then be used by teachers as the basis of stories, on another day.
WHAT I NEED:
A flipchart
A4 (or larger) paper, and felt pens for children
Photocopied sheets for children, if wished