Hello! from Judith in Nottingham
Judith from Nottingham
Hello!
My name is Judith Fox and I am a Children’s Librarian working for Nottingham City Council.
Now that’s the boring bit out of the way – are you looking forward to the Summer Reading Challenge and The Creepy House?
Are you up for the challenge of reading six books over the summer and collecting your freebies along the way at your local library?
In Nottingham City there are lots of free events taking place during the holidays with creepy crafts, stories and games. Even creepy gardening where I work!
Go down to your local library, find out what is happening there and get reading.
If it is raining go on line and join in the fun on the Creepy House Website.
If you want any help choosing your books or just want to talk about your summer reads, writing and events just blog me back.
Waiting to hear from you – if you dare!
Judith.
Hi
I am begging to start this challenge and i am soo excited. I have taken part in this before and i absolutely loved it. This is a really good activity because iT challenges you to read. Do you have to read 100 books? If you do what happens.Do you get prizes?And also even if you read more than 6 can you still keep updating it on the system.
Captain Flattery.
You have to read 6 books for the challenge but more than 6 is GOOD!
Every area seems to do things differently but normally you have a collectors card which you put stickers on. In my area you also have little prizes such as wrist bands and Munglers cards. You also get a medal and certificate at the end.
Go down the library and ask what is happening. If you are lucky, there may be free events too.
Hope you manage to join in and I hope you have a lovely summer.
Judith
Hi! I’m eleven and read books like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter- adventure, fantasy but with humour! I can’t find more books like that! Please help, from Inspector Chilli Postage Stamp
Inspector Chilli Postage-Stamp
It sounds to me like you are starting to get ready to move on to teenage books but you have to be careful what to start and it is always a good idea to get a parent and library staff to help you make the right choices.
I have just finished reading Blood Red Road by Moira Young. It is action packed adventure but nothing too violent. I think you might like it.
Have you read the Percy Jackson series, this might suit you.
Go down to the library and ask for their help. There are also Eoin Colfer, Lemony Snickett, Brian Jaques to try as authors. In the library they normally have a Who writes Like Who? book which will give you more advice.
Hope this all helps and good for you, for wanting to try new things.
Have a super hols
Judith
How do I play the creepy house card game?
Hello Professor Archway
Are you talking about the munglers cards you have received from the library?
If you are, there is an instruction card in with them.
If you cant find it, ask the library staff to photocopy the instructions for you.
It is better to play with friends, so have you any friends who have a pack?
Hope this is what you need.
Best Wishes
Judith
I’ve taken part in the challenge for 4 years now!:)
Baron O’Doughnut,
I am so pleased with the amount of you who have been doing the challenge for so long.
It must be a good thing to do.
So get reading, visiting the library and collecting.
Have a good day
Judith
hi this is the 5th time iv taken part in a reading challenge.
Good for you Countess Ridiculous.
You obviously know how good it is.
I have one girl who is 15 and she has been down to the library every week since she was a toddler.
She has a good range of the different medals she has collected over the years.
Hope you have a good summer and complete the challenge.
Take it to show your teacher when you go back to school.
Judith
Hello Judith, I am from Dartford. I am 5 years old and love reading. I love Mog books, can you tell me more cat books you think would be good. Thank you. xx
Hello Heroica
I think you have a lot of reading to do and Mog is a very good start.
Winnie the Witch books have a cat in them called Wilbur who I think you would like. Mummy could help you with them I think.
The Tiger who came to tea is another classic by Judith Kerr.
But also have a go at the following
Lauren Child Books(Charlie and Lola)
My Cat likes to hide in boxes by Eve Sutton
Where’s Tim’s Ted by Ian Whybrow
Shark in the Park by Nick Sharratt
These don’t all have cat’s in them but they are jolly good reads.
Have a lovely holiday
Judith
Hello I have just joined the challenge today and i looking forward to reading my first book and collecting the stickers, I have put my poster in my bedroom!!!!!
Hello Lady Toothpaste
I am glad you have joined the Summer Reading Challenge and because I work in Nottingham, I know there are lots of free events for you to go to. So check them out on the website as there are lots of libraries your mum/dad can take you to. Also tell them it is FREE!
Parents like free things.
You can collect your gifts as you go along.
Hope to see you soon
Judith
i am 11 year’s old and i am looking for wood to this compertishon.
Good for you Principal Snivel.
Make sure you collect everything and get down the library to borrow your books.
Have a lovely summer and a great holiday
Judith
I like moon-fleet and the hobbit what shall I read next?
Dear Madam Frankenstein
The books you have already read are classics and quite hard to read so you are doing really well.
There are ranges of classic books which are published in an easier read so I wonder whether you would like those.
Go down to the library and ask the staff to point them out to you.
Try Goodnight Mr Tom by Magorian, Charlotte’s Web by White, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by Lewis because I am sure you would like these books.
Join the Summer Reading Challenge at your library and then you can get stickers every time you take out a book.
If you would like any more advice please get back in touch.
Best Wishes
Judith
I’m enjoying the summer reading challenge and the stickers really stink! and… and …I love READING!
Dear Madam Frankenstein
Yes the stickers do really stink when you rub them!
I thought the smells were quite awful this year.
They made me feel sick!
I am glad you love reading.
It is my favourite thing to do.
Have a great summer
Well done for joining up.
Judith
hi judith!
i have got my first 3 books they are:
chocolate or vanilla? quiz book by lizzie mack
make it art book by melanie grimshaw
diary of a parent trainer by jenny smith
what do you recomend for my next three books??
Hello Your Majesty!
I am really pleased you are borrowing fact books because a lot of people don’t and they are missing good reads.
Roahl Dahl does a quiz book which tells you some interesting things about him and his books. There is a great book by Steve Backshell – The deadly 60. This is the series on the TV which shows you all the deadly animals on the planet.
Have a look at the craft books because there are lots of things to make and do books.
Also get out a cookery book and ask Mum to help you become a cook in the hols. Cheap and easy cakes are great on a warm summer tea time.
If you want to try some fiction have a look at
World of Norm by Meres
Toms midnight garden by Pearce
The Percy Jackson series by Riordan
Well done you!
Have a great time.
Judith.
I’m 9 and I want something new to read but iv read all the books in my house! I like pritty much enything but I love a harder book I normly read my sisters books shes 16 (I always ask first though.) But please HELP!
Dear Countess Ridiculous
If you have read all the books in your house, then you really need to join the local library where you can get lots of different things to choose from. There are thousands of children’s books in my libraries and if they have not got what you want they can reserve a book for you. This is a free service in Nottingham. Everything at the library is FREE, so your parents should be happy to take you there.
All the staff at the library are trained to help you with your books. So go and talk to them and ask for their help.
While you are there join up for the Summer Reading Challenge. You can collect lots of stickers and free gifts.
You don’t really give me many clues to help you choose your next book, so let me know what type of books you like and I will give you some ideas. Or you could read some of my other replies to other people and go from there.
Let me know how you go on.
Judith.
P.S. Your sister sounds nice if she lets you borrow books!
Have you tried Eoin Colfer’s book.They are fanatic.You can try and read.I think you will try laughing your head off.
Captain Tinkle
My head will not drop off! I have been reading for a long time and it is still firmly attached.
Yes I like Eoin Colfer.
Try the Measle series by Ian Ogalvy, I quite liked them.
Clarice Bean really makes me laugh too because they are so funny even though they are an easy read.
Have you joined the summer reading challenge yet.
Make sure you do.
Then you can have a happy laughing summer!
Have a great day
Judith.
Hi, I’m 12 years old. Do you think that is too old to join in with the summer reading challenge? If you wondering what kind of 12 I mean I’m going into year 8 after the summer holidays!
From Principal Viper Jellybaby
What a wonderful name Principle Jellybaby!
Of course you can still do the challenge!
I have 14yr olds doing it in my library.
The older ones would like to do it too, but they think the others will laugh at them.
Don’t worry about it, go down to the library, join up and have a cracking good read this holidays.
Have a good one
Judith
Im looking forward to winning those prises
SO LETS START READING
READY SET GO !
Go for it Lieutenant Dragon!
Have a good summer at your local library.
Judith
I love reading Jaqueline Wilson and David walliams books.
David Wailliams are the best out of the two.
Just finnished Gangsta Granny its amazing only a few days ago i had finnished rat burger. Both by him.
Next i am reading one of Jaqueline wilsons new books Queenie.
Can someone tell me a little about it.
Thanks
Hello Lady Jet
Queenie is set in a children’s hospital ward in the 1050’s. The cat who lives on the ward is called Queenie.
If you put in J Wilson on the internet then you can see her on Utube talking about her new book.
It is only just being published next week I think.
Anyway I hope you enjoy it.
It will count as one of your books for the Summer Reading Challenge, so I hope you have joined up at the library.
Best Wishes for a lovely summer
Judith.
hello, i love reading animal books but maybe for once i might want to try somethink diffrent, me and my twin sister have lot’s and lot’s of animal books, but most of our friends read scary, magical and fanstsy books how do i get in to them kind of books?
have a good summer hoildays looking forward to your reply!!
Hello Queen Petronella Hammersmith
I think you need to do my lucky dip idea!
Go to the library, select 6 books you would not normally read. Take them home and if by the 3rd chapter you can’t get into it, just stop and start the next one. Chances are that by the sixth book you should have found a new author.
You might have already read the following but try my list for books with animals and then going into Fantasy and magic.
Michael Morpurgo- Running Wild
Andy Briggs does some Tarzan adventure stories set in the Congo but he also does two other series which are a bit fantasy/magical. Villein.Net and Hero.com. The two series have characters which overlap so what happens in one book can affect what is happening in the other series. Very unusual idea.
Pittacus Lore- Try and read these in order if you can. The Power of Six(which I am just reading ) has an alien dog in it which can change shape into other animals-really cool.
Philip Pulman is hard to beat. Start with Northern Lights.
Mattew Skelton. Endymion Spring(I love his writing)
Artimus Fowl series is another place to start. Try to read in order.
Get your lovely library ladies to help you.
Hope you both have a wonderful summer.
judith
thanks for idvice i like cats books too and i love writing them when i grow up i want to be like micheal murporgo and did you know my cousin is going to nottingham and he might see you
Well Nurse Squirrel, I shall certainly look out for him!
You are very welcome for the advice.
I am going to set you a test.
Read 3 books which you would never normally pick up in the library. Don’t struggle with them but try to get different styles, just to learn how different people write.
You need to study other kinds of books and how they are written if you want to be a writer.
Have fun.
Judith
I can’t find a book and like michale morpourgo And have read elephant in the garden love it so much but can’t think of any others can you help (no traditionals)
Hello Professor Cuckoo-Clock!
Michael Morpurgo is always a difficult author to follow I think. Have a try at Roahl Dahl or Jacqueline Wilson, but I am sure you know them already.
Also try these
Charlottes Web by E B White
Phantom of Billy Bantam by Penny Dolan
Billionare Boy by David Walliams
Boy in the dress by David Walliams
The Mr Gum series
Mr Stink.
Let me know how you go on.
Don’t forget to join up to the summer reading challenge!
Judith
hey,
thanks now I know what good books to read from reading other peoples comments.
by
Have you thought about asking the teachers at school to set up a book club when you get back in September. You can do some lovely events and get into competitions together. Have a think about it.
Best Wishes
Judith
Is washington doing the Creepy House challenge? If so what, which libraries?
Hello Empress Hungry-Hippo
I have been on line and had a good look and a lot of libraries are doing the challenge in that area, so the best thing to do is nip in or give them a ring to see what activities they are doing this year.
Washington is one of my favourite places to visit and I think you are very lucky to live there. I love the church and the old police house.
I think you are going to have a lovely summer.
Try and go to Roker beach!
Judith.
Hi Judith!
Thank you! I will read some of them. Sorry about not giving you too many clues, it’s just I read all sorts of books! Thank you for all your help!
You are very welcome.
Have a great summer.
Don’t melt!
Judith
I need fun but short books
Do you have to read 100 books?
Goodness me Constable Squirrel!
100 books!
You would need to be on holiday for a long time!
No you just need to read 6 books which is why it is such a great challenge with lots of freebies to collect at your local library!
Fun short books could be any joke book from your local library. They are very popular where I work. Just ask the staff to help you find them. Try Captain Underpants, Spy Dog, Jane Blonde, Horrid Henry. Try the Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Just look for a thin book and have a good look through it. Read the blurb on the back and have a go!
Might be just the time to find some new fun authors.
Have a lovely hols.
Judith.
I have read most of the Skulduggery books but then I got bored of them.I have also tried Artemis Fowl but I didn’t like them.Thanks for the suggestions. :P
Hello again
Have a good look through some of the other answers to questions I have given and you could get more ideas from them.
Have you thought about reading some classic children’s books for a change.
Old favourites like The Railway Children, Peter Pan and Black Beauty, Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Goodnight Mr Tom(lovely book you will love). I Liked The Silver Spoon of Solomon Snow. The language is a bit old fashioned but that is some of the joy of them. Lots of children in my area are starting to read these old classics and I have quite a lot of requests for them now.
Go and have a trip to the library and have a good browse.
Best Wishes
Judith
im getting my last rewars on thursday its lots of fun to to do reading is brilliant
Well I’m very proud of you Baron Wellington.
Good job, well done.
Make sure you keep reading for the rest of the summer hols.
Get down the library and hit those shelves!
Try and find some new authors.
Have a try at something different.
Best Wishes
Judith
hi i read lots and once read a 700 page harry potter book in 3 days and i’m addicted to reading j.k Rowling and Terry dearing any ideas on what to read next
Well Officer Colly-Wobbles.
Try Matthew Skelton because I really rate him. Start with Endymion Spring.
Some of the Terence Blacker novels are really good too. I like Missing- believed crazy.
The London Eye Mystery is good too by S Dowd.
Try and chose some different themes because magic is good but you need to move on. Reading is a journey. You have to try every road!
If you don’t like a book- don’t read it. The world is full of books.
Get the staff at the library to help you if you can.
Hope you have a great summer.
Judith.
hi i LOVE Karen mccombie and aprilynne pike books any suggestions for what to read next
Hi Nurse Ridiculous
Try Cathy Cassidy and Thirteen Secrets by Michelle Harrison. Also have a go at some Michael Morpurgo. Go down to the library and order some. I also like the Artimus Fowl series which a lot of people think are for boys but I love them!
But best of all just enjoy your reading.
Every book is an adventure waiting to happen!
Judith
I love SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2013! already read 3 books of 200 pages each! I’m Loving it!
I am really pleased you are having a good time Judge Cuckoo-Clock!
That’s the way to do it.
Hope you collect all your freebies along the way and have a very good summer.
hello I am read my first two book one is the tiara club and the other fairy bears what kind of books could I read spooky books, LOL books, happy ending books or any thing else please help
Try Spy Dog(Andy Cope) next or if you are not too sure about that try the Mr Gum series(Andy Stanton). If these are a bit too hard for you then try the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. If you need any more help, just get back in touch.
Go down to the library and have a good look around. If you need some suggestions just ask the person behind the desk to help you. I am sure they will be glad to help.
I hope you have a lovely holidays.
Judith.
Hi i really like diary enterrys even though im eight i like reading diary of a wimpy kid and dork diary i like the 1st person stories and my favriote author is micheal murpurgo
Well it sounds to me Nurse Squirrel, that you are well on the way to becoming a super reader for the summer reading challenge. Get down to the library and join up – I bet you have already. Well done you!
Judith
Hello Judith!
I have just finished my 2nd book for the challenge and I don’t know what to read next. I am 8 years old and I love all type of books. I would be very grateful if you recommended some books for my age I could read. Thank you!
Judge Beany Pendragon
Well Judge Pendragon, you haven’t given me too many clues as to what sort of books you like and what you have read already. So some of my books might be not to your taste.
So try-
Ms Wiz(T.Blacker)
Mr Majeika(Carpenter)
Astrosaurs(Steve Cole)
Measle and the Wrathmonk(Ogilvy)
Roahl Dahl books
If these are not to your liking, just get back in touch and give me some more clues to help you.
Best Wishes and happy reading
Judith
Hi I am really stuck on what books to read.I am 10 and I really like Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz and Harry Potter by J.K Rowling. Please help me.I am desperate :)
Have you tried the Phillip Pulman books which are really good. Read them in order, I am sure you will like them. Also try to get hold of any Matthew Skelton but read them in order too(it helps a bit). Try Skulduggery Pleasant and Andy Briggs books. Have you read Artimus Fowl? I think you are at the age where you are starting to become an adult reader. It is difficult to know where to start when you want to get into the more challenging reads. I always give the following advice. Go to the library and speak to the staff there. They are brilliant at sorting you out with alternative reads. Then do a six book lucky dip. Go home, try three chapters and if you are not hooked from there, then shut the book and go on to the next one. It is amazing how many great new authors you can find this way. Anyway blog back if you want and have a great hot lovely summer!