Author inspires Otterton Primary pupils

Author Tracy Alexander holds writing workshops for Otterton pupils

WHEN it comes to telling tales, pupils at Otterton Primary School know a thing or two.

They have been inspired by Bristol author, Tracy Alexander, who has just conducted two workshops there, one with children in reception to Year Three, and one for older pupils.

Teacher Claire Joules organised the visit after two of her pupils met her at a prize-giving for a writing competition before Christmas.

Claire said: “The two children returned to school after meeting her, full of enthusiasm for her to come into school.”

After telling the children a little about herself, and how she came about being a writer, Tracy, who is Canadian, set the scene to come up with a creative story together as a group.

Children thought up two main characters and what they would be like, and what type of story it would be, their imagination fired by a selection of props brought by Tracy to be cleverly woven into the story.

“There was a lot of excitement generated and ideas were flying about,” said Claire.

“Later that day, after Tracy had left, the children were still buzzing about the story and then began to write down their own versions.”

She said about half the children bought books by the author and the school has bought some to read in class.