• One of the joys of my visit to Guernsey was to spend some time with Simon James, the picture book author and illustrator. I so rarely get to see what other authors do in the school sessions, so it was a treat to watch him in action at the Grammar School on Wednesday evening. He entertained us with a reading of his book Baby Brains: The Smartest Baby in the Whole World. He used a slide projector to blow up the pictures and performed the story, waving his arms around as a cue for his young, volunteer projectionist, Samantha. I envy Simon’s quieter style. I tend to go in both guns blazing – but at the end of the week, I think Simon was more tired than I was. Maybe I’ve built up a bit of stamina over the years. I met Simon in passing, a long time ago. I hope we meet up again at a festival or somewhere soon.

    Read His books. They are very funny and very good.

  • This was a video I took last Tuesday. I was caught in an almighty rain shower. You can see the dramatic weather front moving towards me! Also the wonderful tinkling sound of limpet shells rolling down the castle foundations.

  • Today was my last and busiest day on Guernsey. We started late at StMary and St Michael because they decided to close off half the roads at 8:30.

    At La Mare de Carteret Primary School, all the children had made hats for book week dressing up day. Many had characters and drawings gleaned from my drawing videos. See the photo.

    At lunchtime Paul Dowswell, Simon James and I rushed to BBC Guernsey for an interview and then off to my last session at Notre Dame Primary School and thence to the airport where I’m typing this ready to hop over to Jersey on my way back to Birmingham.

    It’s been a fab but very tiring week. Thanks to everyone involved in bringing us over, Ardel and the Schools’ Library Service, and making it such a smoothly run operation all week.