• I’d like to tell you about a website called More than a Fish. I know little about the author and artist other than they posted my videos on their old blog – that’s what drew me to their site.

    Actually, I assume it’s a he. This is because the old site was called “Crap Artist” and that sounds like male self-deprication. I didn’t think that title was at all fair. Novice Artist might have been okay, but just because you are learning does not mean you are no good. I sent an email imploring the site owner to change the name of the blog as it it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy – call yourself crap and that is what you will become. It was evident that the artist was working very hard and was a serious student of drawing.

    As soon as I sent the send button, I regretted it. I felt like an interfering busy-body. I had no reply. I wondered if I had put the artist off – ruined their dreams – blown their fragile self-confidence.

    And now I see that someone else is referring visitors to my site. A new name I did not recognise – More than a Fish. It is the same artist and they have changed the name and outlook of their site. It looks upbeat and professional and I get a mention in the about page, so I consider myself forgiven for my intrusion!

    Artists are the worst people in the world for self-deprication and low self-confidence. One minute they will imagine they are the new Picasso or Shakespeare and the next minute they will be telling themselves how useless they are and descending into the depths of despond. One’s art is something that grows everyday, as More Than A Fish says in his strapline, he’s learning to draw, one sketch at a time.

    And that’s how it works. Don’t look at and dwell on the bad parts of your work. Just accept them and tell yourself you will improve. Improvement comes through analysis and practice. Look at the best part of your work and be proud of your achievement so far. But also know that it is not the best that you can do. Everything can be improved upon.

    Good luck More Than A Fish – and keep working at it – I hope you will soon be proud enough of your work to add your name and not be anonymous! p.s. Hope you don’t mind me showing your drawings.”

  • I Had a fabulous day yesterday at Watermore Primary School in South Gloucestershire. It has been two schools until recently, and infant and a junior school. They have now just been merged this term. Although the two sites stay the same, the management is now one. It was fascinating watching the discussion about the new school website and what should and shouldn’t be there!

    Watermore is unusually keen on reading and it shows. The children were wonderfully bright and inquisitive and self-reliant. I think that is the one thing that real reading gives to a child, a deep understanding of things and how to research and find out for themselves. I know every school does reading, but it’s not enough. A passion for books and reading is evident the moment you walk into a school and begin talking to the children. (jumps off soap box!)

    I have to share with you the work of Jake, Matthew, Henry and Jack who have designed the most wonderful Top trumps and cartoon series called the World of Steve, Steve being an eraser with what looks like a helmet, but is in fact part of the box the eraser came in. It’s a great idea, which the boys have tried to market to Panini sticker amongst others. These lads will go far!

    I was asked to draw a WWII Spitfire. I don’t think I did too Badly. I’ll do a proper one on Drawing School soon.

    Thanks again everyone and good luck with your merger.

  • Hooray! The Ginger Ninja is published again! I’m doing it through completelynovel.com who will let me sell it through Amazon and bookshops, though it seems not to have turned up on Amazon yet.

    In the meantime you can Buy Signed Copies direct from me for only 3.99 plus £1.50 P&P or get a pack of ten for group reading for £35.91 – that’s a 10% discount plus FREE P&P!

    Ginger is probably my most well-loved book. Ginger is a happy little kitten until Tiddles joins his class at school. Everything goes wrong until Ginger’s grandad comes up with an idea to turn Ginger into the The Ginger Ninja.

    Filled with confidence, Ginger confronts the the bully, Tiddles, and becomes the hero of the school.
    Watch out! The next book will be along soon.

    The Ginger Ninja lead the original Summer Reading challenge, which was a marketing idea from Hodder Children’s books. The prizes that year were Ginger Ninja Badges, stickers pencils and erasers.

    The Ginger Ninja treats the issue of bullying and self-confidence in an unpreachy, gentle, funny and inspiring way and has helped many children to start reading on their own.

    I know I wrote it, but The Ginger Ninja is a bit special – if ever I’ll be remembered for anything, this is it!

    You can also read this book online at www.magicblox.com. Use the code BLOX5K to get 30 days free reading.