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If you could be any Jacqueline Wilson character who would you be?
Today I gave a talk for the Wessex Book Festival and was looked after by my dear friend Anne Marley, the most dedicated mover and shaker in the children’s book world. That was the last event of this lovely Whale Song book tour – I’d like to think I could have a little rest now, but I’ve got HEAPS of work to catch up with!
On Friday we went to Portsmouth to do a brilliantly organised event by the Hayling Island Bookshop. I met such lovely children there. I was especially touched by Megan who dressed up specially in a beautiful red evening frock – and her Mum and Dad dressed up too. I was also moved almost to tears by Tilly and Jessica, who gave me a beautiful picture and a special customised notebook for me to write in. We didn’t get back to our hotel until gone ten but we managed to get an evening meal. My fish and chips and large glass of wine went down very well.
I was still very croaky when I gave today’s talk but managed to keep going, and it was a lovely understanding audience. I met some special girls, including Hollie who made me a beautiful cushion – but the best girl of all was my daughter Emma, who came to listen to me with her friend Andrea. I spent the rest of the weekend at Emma’s house having a splendid time.
I’ve been laid low with flu since Sunday, but I wrapped up very warm and sucked cough sweets and managed to get through my talk somehow. It was a delight to do an event in such a lovely church – and there were all sorts of special people in the audience. I met my lovely French publisher, Christine Baker of Gallimard – and one of my dearest friends, Mary Vacher brought Jessie, Megan and Olivia to meet me. I was given beautiful presents by so many lovely girls – sock creatures, rings, whale keyrings, collage, brilliant projects – I was so touched.
I had a great time signing in the WHSmith at Chelmsford. There were so many interesting children – it was fun meeting Ayla and Isabelle and their friend Lucy – they are part of the fabulous Hernisett family of ten children – and they all like my books! I liked meeting eight year old Emily who shyly told me she was like Jade in Vicky Angel – and Rachael who was sweet enough to give me a gourmet tin of catfood for my dear little Jacob.
It was a bit of a challenge talking to 800 children at Highgate Junior School, but I had a swivel chair so I could make eye contact with most of them. Then I started a mammoth signing, ably helped by Naomi, Victoria, the librarian and Chloe the Random House rep. The excellent Bookworm bookshop almost ran out of books. Then Bob drove me to New Zealand House where I had to give a little speech as Patron of the Katherine Mansfield Society. We were in the very glamorous penthouse suite. There was a special lecture about Katherine Mansfield and then Bella and Alice read my favourite KM short story, The Dolls House.
It's not just girls who love Jacqueline...
Here she is with her three bodyguards!
I had a wonderful morning in Leeds doing some serious shopping in Harvey Nichols (two tops, a cardi, and a dress!). The very kind sales lady said she came to one of my signings when she was a little girl. Then after lunch (a very delicate salad, because I’ve been eating like a pig on tour and my new clothes won’t fit me if I don’t watch out) we drove to Birmingham, and I did a big signing in WHSmith. I met three interesting sisters called Faith, Hope and Charity.
I gave a talk in the very impressive Great Hall of Leeds University. I don’t know if I gave a Great Talk, but they were certainly a Great Audience. Many girls gave me special little gifts too, which was so touching.
Was this you at Jacky's talk at Leeds University on 13th October?
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We arrived at Cheltenham early because I had several interviews and lots of books to sign. Then I gave my talk and had a lovely time afterwards with lots of children. I particularly liked Liberty and Katie who had written their own Double Act magazine inspired by the Jacqueline Wilson magazine.
We went to Warwick School to take part in the Warwick Words Festival, organised by Helen Meeke. I met her daughter, Isabel and her two friends and after I’d given a talk Isabel presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was tired after signing and chatting to lots of children so Naomi and I had a room service dinner together in my hotel room. It was very cosy eating sausage and mash while watching the X Factor.
It was a total delight to open the very special Leonard Townsend Library at Deer Park Primary School in Chesterfield. Mr Townsend was my favourite teacher when I was at school – he was so kind and a truly inspirational man. He was a very close family friend of the Deer Park headteacher, Tim Soar and his parents so it was delightful to reminisce about Mr Townsend together.
I loved talking to all the children at Deer Park and I was very touched that they’d all worked on my books and knew them better than me. My namesake, Jacqueline, had stocked the new library with all my favourite books – she even found a copy of Nancy and Plum! She has a willing team of student librarians working with her, Joshua was especially helpful. I wanted to take him away with me as my no. 1 assistant!
On Sunday we drove through the rain to Appledore – but when we got there it was bathed in brilliant sunshine. There was a second hand book fair at Appledore Hall and I treated myself to three Victorian books to help with my research for the sequel to Hetty Feather.
The children’s author, Nick Arnold started the Appledore Book Festival four years ago and its become enormously successful. I was made very welcome and I gave my talk in a beautiful church with stained glass windows.
I met some very special girls (and a few boys too, Joshua!). I met Hazel, a very interesting girl who’s been writing to me for a while, Megan who gave me a chocolate teddy and Eve and Millie who gave me a little box of sweets.
It’s lovely to be off on tour with Naomi and Bob to promote The Longest Whale Song. I’ve got a brand new black top for the occasion with a silver whale swimming along the hem. When I got to Weymouth, lovely Gary from Waterstone’s gave me a special T-shirt with Nick’s illustration of Ella and the whales on the front – and Team Wilson on the back. Gary and James and the Dorchester Waterstone’s shop proved a brilliant hardworking team too and we had a lovely first event in the Pavilion Theatre.
Read more about this fantastic event in this article, click here!