Pupils Creativity put to the test - Kingsway Primary

The creative imaginations of students at Kingsway Primary School were put to the test this week when author Ana Fischel invited them to design a character for her forthcoming book.

The author of The Zartarbia Tales met with 20 children from the school on Wednesday.

The pupils were invited to design a character for the third installment of her series of seven books, based around the seven deadly sins.

Their drawings will be put forward as part of a national competition, and the winner could see their work in print.

The children were invited to attend the reading at Borders, Waterfields Retail Park, Watford, as part of the Reading is Fundamental campaign, a scheme which encourages children to read.

Speaking about the scheme, Ms Fischel said: “I am delighted to participate in this event.

“In an age when books often have to compete with television and computer games, I welcome the opportunity to share with children the joy and imaginative stimulus that reading can bring.”

Ana, a former art student at Edinburgh University, said The Zartarbia Tales was her first attempt at writing for children.

She said: “I liked the idea of writing for children because you can be as mad as you like.

“I have spent five years plotting the seven books and have sketchbooks with all my ideas and thoughts jotted in.

I decided to go down the self publishing route because you get much more creative control.”

Ms Fischel said her work was inspired by anything from Shakespeare to Coronation Street and that her books’ main characters were based on her daughter and step-daughter.

Ms Fischel signed copies of her book, and announced that she had signed a deal with Childline to print its telephone number in her next book.

The charity deals with bullying and child abuse.

Each student was presented with a £5 book voucher, with which to buy their own book.

Teacher of the year 5 students, Rosemary Walls, said: “We have been to Borders quite a few times and the children really enjoy it.

“ Reading is Fundamental is an initiative of the National Literacy Trust, and they rang us a few years ago to ask if we would take part.

“We have been doing it for three years and each class comes back three times in all, and are encouraged to read more books.

“You can guarantee when they buy their book and go back to the classroom you won’t hear a peep out of them.”

Maisie Doherty, ten, a student at Kingsway said: “It has been really good and I have enjoyed looking at Ana’s books and sketches.

“I will definitely buy her new book, she seems like a really good author.”

Luke Williams, ten, said: “I like spending time here and I have always liked to read.

“I look forward to reading the Zartarbia Tales.”