“Behind the Books” takes kids through the process of writing and publishing a book.  I discuss where my ideas come from, and the necessary process of re-writes. I show a manuscript sent back by my editor, with lines and squiggles and arrows decorating it. There is always a guaranteed sigh of exasperation from the kids, and also an element of relief that even writers don’t get it all right the first time. I also show a strip dummy, galley proof, and the folded and gathered stage. This part of the presentation ends with the final product and a guess from the kids about how long the whole process takes.

The second portion is a slideshow. In my books I try to bring kids closer together around the world.  Muhamad’s Desert Night is a book based on a real Tuareg boy. The slides are of Muhamad, his family, his goats and Tuareg life in general. I hope that by introducing different cultures to young kids, especially in schools which have become very multi-cultural, kids will start life with an interest in, and acceptance of, different customs and cultures.