Everyone’s favourite author who looks most like a wizard, Philip Ardagh, is beginning a six month writing residency for Booktrust.
Philip has written over 60 books, including the popular Eddie Dickens series. In 2009 he won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize for his book Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky, with illustrator Jim Paillot.
“I was delighted to be asked because I’m a huge admirer of the work Booktrust do to promote reading,” Philip said. “I’m also delighted to have the opportunity to inflict my thoughts on anything and everything - including books and beards - on an unsuspecting public.’
As Booktrust’s 11th Writer in Residence, Philip will be writing something on the Booktrust blog every Monday, as well as chatting with readers on Twitter on the first Monday of each month with the hashtag #AskArdagh (on top of his busy everyday tweeting!).
Philip is very passionate about libraries, and encouraging more diversity in children’s books.
On his first blog post, to be published next Monday, Philip writes: “Shouldn’t we all be able to find books peopled with people like us or the people around us?”
“Diversity in books is about reflecting the world about us. If I were profoundly deaf, I’d like to stumble upon a profoundly deaf character between the covers of a book once in a while... it’s common sense!”
Previous Booktrust Writer in Residence authors include Patrick Ness, Polly Dunbar, Matt Haig, Laura Dockrill and most recently Chris Riddell.
At the end of his residency Philip will publish a new work just on the Booktrust website. Philip’s predecessor, Chris Riddell, has made a selection of exclusive illustrations which can be downloaded for free on the Booktrust website.
Viv Bird, Booktrust’s Chief Executive, said “I am sure Philip’s residency will be no exception and I’m looking forward to reading his posts.”
Don’t we all! Congratulations Philip.
