James Mayhew visits CIS

We had a fabulous start to our half term with a visit from famous author and illustrator James Mayhew. He has published over 50 books including many from his Katie and Ella Bella series.

Each year group were treated to a talk by James, where he discussed what he was like as a child and why he became an illustrator and author. He even showed some old sketch books that he used when illustrating the story 'Gaspard the Fox' by Zeb Stones.

James inspired the children by telling a story to each year group while drawing an illustration adding details as the story went on. Look out for these illustrations displayed around the school!

Year 1 and Foundation heard Saint George

Here is the final piece of art work:

Watch the videos below to hear the story and see how it was done:

Woodpeckers and Nightingales heard the Orange Princess

Here is the final piece of artwork:

Watch the videos below to hear the story and see how it was done:

Kestrels and Kingfishers heard Sinbad the sailor in Scheherazade

Here is the final piece of art work:

Watch the videos below to hear the story:

After the sessions many children were so enthused that they expressed their desire to be authors and illustrators to teachers and parents.

After the sessions many children expressed their desire to be authors and illustrators to teachers and parents. We had this lovely message from one of our parents:

"Just wanted to say what a lovely impression the visit from James Mayhew has left on **. It's quite surprising and refreshing how much she remembered and how expressive she was about meeting him.

** enjoys art and writing stories anyway but she said she felt he inspired her to want to write more and draw more and have her own book published! She loved his dinosaur drawing and would like a pen just like his! She understood his preference for drawing in pen in order to add more detail. She was very animated and excited recounting the ins and outs of the meeting."

The winners of our English competition to win a book signed by James Mayhew will be announced in Celebration assembly on Friday.