Author: Sarah Brennan

Post date: Sep 02, 2010 7:35:54 AM

Singapore Schools Reading Tour -- November 2010

First let me introduce myself and my books! My name is Sarah Brennan and I am the Hong Kong-based author of a growing list of children's books which have been bestsellers in schools and shops in Hong Kong and which are now being distributed in Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore and (from January 2011) the United Kingdom, the Middle East and South Africa. I've been touring Hong Kong schools since 2004, and since November last year have also been touring schools in Shanghai and Beijing, with a week in residence at Tanglin Trust School in January this year. I'm also planning a two week school tour in London early next year. In particular, I've been touring in Asia with my Chinese Calendar Tales - funny and beautifully-illustrated stories in verse about the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, which also focus on aspects of Chinese history, culture and geography in a light-hearted way! All my books are illustrated by Harry Harrison, Hong Kong's famous cartoonist for the South China Morning Post.

You'll find everything you need to know about me and my books and school tours on my funny and fabulous website www.sarah-brennan.com . Please take a look especially at the School Tours and Newsroom sections and make sure you have the volume turned up and that you click over everything that moves!I also have a regular blog atwww.sarahbrennanblog.wordpress.com which is geared towards primary school kids and encourages them to use great vocabulary by introducing them to new words, to read good books by outstanding authors and to enter a monthly writing competition.

I'm planning to visit schools in Singapore in the week of 22 to 26 November and would love to include your school. The story I'll be reading is The Tale of Temujin, which has been a great success this year; it's enormous fun and Harry has really excelled himself with the illustrations! The story is based on the life of Genghis Khan (who was born Temujin in Mongolia). Temujin the Tiger is the Terror of the East who, just like Genghis Khan, wreaks a trail of devastation and fine dining across the Mongolian plains into China, right up to the gates of the Great Imperial Palace! Inside the GIP lives Princess Precious - as awful as her name suggests, with a great line in tantrums and a piercing scream. Watch what happens when two irresistible forces collide in this funny and fabulous new Chinese Calendar Tale, written especially for the Year of the Tiger!

Please note that my books are not your usual picture books for young kids!

The story is designed to appeal to children between 6 and 10/11 years, or Grades 2 to 6. For the younger kids the pleasure is in the story and colourful pictures; for the older students the pleasure (and the challenge!) is in the detail, since I like to use interesting language and rhythm, and hidden fun in both words and Harry's witty illustrations.

During these sessions:

- I read my story to the kids with lots of fun and questions thrown in;
- The kids can see all of Harry Harrison's wonderful illustrations up close on an overhead screen as I read;
- I always sneak in educational information arising from the text while the kids aren't looking! This time we'll focus on tiger preservation and the real life story ofGenghis Khan;
- We end each session with a Q and A where I can tell the kids more about being an author and we can explore the writing process;
- For the older children (Key Stage Two or Grade 4 plus) if time permits I can add on a short whistle stop tour of the publishing process from first idea to final product.

Each session takes between 40 minutes (reading plus short Q and A - ideal for Grades 2 to 3) to one hour (publishing process included for Grades 4 to 6). I can do up to 5 sessions in a day (depending on session length), with session numbers ranging from single classes to full assembly halls!

My fees are an all-up sum based on my reading fee plus a 1/5 share of airfare and accomodation, on the basis that five schools take part in the tour. For Singapore this would work out at SGD1000 per school. Each school that participates in the tour will receive a complimentary signed set of all of my children's books for their school library.

Cheryle Hum at Bookaburra Books will be able to supply order forms and books for purchasing both before, during and after the booking dates so the kids and their mums and dads have ample opportunity to buy the books at a special schoolsdiscount. Cheryle is already aware of my Singapore plans and will happily speak to you about the best way to handle sales at your school. There are now four titles in the Chinese Calendar Tale series and two titles in the Dirty Story series, and my book for next year, The Tale of Rhonda Rabbit, may also be available by then! Please take a look at the Kids' Books section of my website for further particulars and reviews. Cheryle will be very happy to show you samples of my books if you'd like to see them at this stage.

Do let me know if you're interested in taking part in the tour.

Warmest wishes,

Sarah Brennan

Auspicious Times

+852 98358074