Author visits inspire budding writers at King’s Ely

Pupils at King’s Ely Acremont and King’s Ely Junior were in their element when two highly regarded authors paid them a visit.

King’s Ely Acremont welcomed children’s author and illustrator Chloë Inkpen into school, where she led enthralling workshops and storytelling sessions with the children, and signed copies of her books. Chloë and her father, Mick, are the brains behind the hugely popular Zoe and Beans children’s books, which have been educating and entertaining little ones for years. Chloë was recently awarded second place in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration.

Head of King’s Ely Acremont Faye Fenton-Stone said: ‘Our day was illuminated with the artistry and imagination of author and illustrator Chloë Inkpen. Her engaging discussions, drawings and workshops encouraged a number of parents to contact me to tell me their children had become overnight bookworms. I am thrilled to hear that our children take such great pleasure immersed in a good book. Thank you for popping in, Chloë!’

On the day previous to Chloë’s visit, award-winning author Katherine Rundell could be found at King’s Ely Junior, sharing tips and advice with pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6. Katherine gave a wonderful talk about the adventures where she gained her inspiration, as well as the processes involved when writing a book. She also led a fun-filled creative writing session with Year 6 students.

Katherine is the author of Rooftoppers, which in 2014 won both the overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story, and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. She is a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.

To find out more about opportunities at King’s Ely, please visit: www.kingsely.org.