Tamarind’s most prolific author of 2010, Malaika Rose Stanley, was kind enough to come into the office and let us film her reading from two of her books published last year. The books, Miss Bubble’s Troubles and Spike and Ali Enson, were both published last year.

To see Malaika reading from Spike and Ali Enson, click on this link: YouTube S&ALE

To see Malaika reading from Miss Bubble’s Troubles, click on this link: YouTube MBT

Join celebrated Tamarind author, Malaika and her lastest character. Baby Ruby won’t stop crying. Dad gives her a bath, Mum gives her a feed, Nana takes her for a drive and Grandad walks her around the garden. But Ruby keeps on bawling… until big brother, Theo saves the day. The whole family is so tired after all of this, everyone falls asleep – all except little Ruby. A delightful story telling session for all the family.

For ages 2+

Malaika will be signing copies of her book after the event.

For more information visit the Discover Centre’s Website: http://www.discover.org.uk/whatson/event/baby_ruby_bawled_by_malaika_rose_stanley/

Finished copies of Zilombo by S. P. Gates have arrived and look great.

I’ve really enjoyed reading this fast-paced adventure story about Jin, and his Goth sister, Frankie, saving their baby brother, Smiler, from the extraordinary monster, Zilombo. With magic, adventure and the remarkable Mizz Z (who is clearly destined to return) this is a great addition to the growing list of Tamarind fiction. http://www.rbooks.co.uk/product.aspx?id=184853051X

Really enjoyed reading Malorie Blackman’s first Rant of 2011 http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=755040814and her thoughts on the recent Guardian piece on illiteracy and innumeracy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/03/illiteracy-innumeracy-prisons.

In the perfect quiet of a last day before the office closes for the holiday, we’re thinking about plans for Tamarind in the New Year.  Some great books coming, a new editorial team starting in January, new places to go and people to meet. Looking forward to it very much.  In the meantime, we wish all our authors, illustrators and friends a very happy holiday and a jolly start to the New Year!

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November 26th kicked off with a painful 5.30am start, and a train to Manchester. As the publicists and Tamarind staff were swept northward, we were cheered about the day ahead: we had hot dates with 40 librarians!

The Reading Agency invited publishers, authors and librarians from all over the country to meet, share new titles and converse about what they have been doing. In the morning publishers and authors presented their new titles in very short slots. Ours was on why I get out of bed - especially at 5.30am! – to help put black children into books. It was all done in our allotted 45 seconds!

The afternoon was slightly more leisurely – each group of librarians had 8 minutes to speak to each publisher at their station. As the librarians circulated around the room, we had pithy and powerful conversations revealing lots of local initiatives, teen reading groups and community needs where our books could make a difference.

By the end of the day, we were looking forward to the next insanely early start. Thank you Reading Agency!

On 8^th November, as part of an eventful school Reading Week, Odette Elliott visited St. Marylebone School for Girls. The author of My Big Brother JJ and Sammy Goes Flying spoke to a Year 7 class about writing picture books. Odette was particularly looking forward to the visit as her granddaughter Cherry is a pupil at the school.

Before her visit, the students had looked at Odette’s website for their homework, and already had quite a few questions to ask her. Odette was pleased to note that they all enjoyed hearing and reading stories. The class were very interested to hear about the drafting, designing and printing process required to make a picture book. The mixed ability group had the choice of a drawing or a writing task. They came up with a variety of ideas and imaginative artwork. Odette especially enjoyed one girl’s excellent blurb for a story she might write. 

After the workshop, staff and pupils bought copies of My Big Brother JJ in the school library. Performance poet John Hegley performed during the lunch hour, so Odette stayed to enjoy his poetry. John even bought one of her books!

Karin Littlewood, Ken Howard and Malaika Rose Stanley joined many other authors and illustrators on the billingof this year’s StarLit Festival. The festival celebrates Children’s Book Week by bringing the best book workshops to schools in the Shoreditch and Hackney area every day for a week.

Best of all, after fun and games with an author or artist…

The children got to chose a book…

 And have it signed!

It’s Black History Month!

At this time of year, businesses, cultural organisations and schools celebrate the history and culture of Africa and the Caribbean. To help get your celebrations underway, we’re giving away a book every weekday on Twitter and Facebook. Follow Tamarind Books to enter daily competitions and win!