Learning in the Library

Thursday 20 October saw Year 5 and 6 students visited by the YA author Sue Whiting to hear about her new book Tilda. Ms Whiting shared how she draws inspiration from her family and her process of research to develop her stories. This was a great opportunity for students to expand their thinking about their reading and understand the author’s creative process. It was exciting to see how our students thoroughly engaged with this presentation. Christiane in Year 6 described the experience:

‘I enjoyed Sue Whiting’s presentation because she can write for older readers (adults), picture books (little kids) and novels (for teens). She has great meaning for all of the stories she writes. She is really fun because she was giving out bookmarks and had a 1901 quiz which was quite funny with some of the questions and answers. It was heartwarming when we found out that she was only 50 when she knew about her grandma. 

I would love to read Tilda because of the way the author described it. It has a really nice meaning behind it and I recently read a book that has a couple of similarities that make me want to read it more.’

Some other thoughts from the students included:

‘Sue Whiting was an amazing person to listen to. She was positive and when she read, it took all my attention.’
Isabelle L

‘I really liked Sue Whiting’s presentation, because if I wanted to become an author when I grow she gave a really good explanation on how to start creating a book.’
Mia 

‘I really like how nice she was and how she answered all of our questions. I also liked how she chose some people to do a quiz because that was fun even if you weren’t chosen. Overall I really enjoyed it.’
Natalie

‘I loved that we could ask questions and she would answer them. I was so happy that we had the opportunity to answer questions and participate in a 1901 quiz. We learnt so much about why she wrote her books and where she gets all her research from.’
Ever

‘Relating her book to her family history and learning about her Grandma.’
Sienna. R & Claire

Students were given the opportunity to purchase their own signed copy of Tilda. Orders can be placed using this link and will be delivered to the Library for collection.

Susan Lombardo
Head of Library and Information Services (Acting)