Children at St Mary’s School in Broughton Gifford enjoyed a magical start to the new term when award-winning children’s author Sophie Kirtley visited for a special book launch celebration.
Sophie’s new book Swanfall has just been released. It’s a wintery adventure inspired by Irish mythology and by the real-life Bewick’s swans who migrate to the UK each winter.
Sophie is already well known to many young readers. Her previous books The Wild Way Home, The Way to Impossible Island and The Haunting of Fortune Farm have been published internationally and selected as top children’s reads by the Reading Agency, BookTrust and Waterstones. Her stories often weave together adventure with a hint of myth, inspired by her own childhood in Northern Ireland.
During the visit, pupils took part in fun reading activities and explored the ideas behind Sophie’s stories. The hope is that meeting an author in real life may inspire some budding writers of the future.
Sophie said, “I am delighted to share the excitement of my book launch with the children of St Mary’s School. Meeting young readers and chatting with them about the books they love is always such a joy. Kids have the best imaginations and I just love their infectious enthusiasm for stories.”
Assistant Principal Mrs Donovan said, “The whole school enjoyed an extra special assembly full of imagination, inspiration and fun. Every child was given the opportunity to choose a signed Sophie Kirtley book of their choice to take home and enjoy.”
PTA member Charlotte Godsiffe added, “Sophie’s visit was a wonderful way to start the new term and continue our literary celebrations for the opening of a new library. Our next open morning is Monday 17 November from 9-11am.”
