Let your children unleash their creativity! Seven well-known children’s authors have come together to make videos for children from the very young, to early teens. They can get rapping, drawing, and making their own poems with Authors Abroad who are an organisation of well-respected children’s authors, illustrators and poets!

The videos are free and are available to watch on the website and on the InDerby YouTube channel from Sat 20 Feb to Sat 17 Apr.

The videos include:

Chris White is an illustrator and poet, who creates work that is ‘wild, zany and yucky, and who also delves into difficult ideas about what is and isn’t “normal” and how individuality counts’. Chris talks about his career, shares his artwork and poetry, and leads a cartoon and poetry writing session. Ages 5 to 11.

Kev Payne is an author, illustrator, poet and primary school teacher. Kev’s first book was ‘B is for Blobfish’ a brilliant book featuring ‘unusual and unloved animals’. Kev will bring his experience and creativity to Derby Libraries to lead some amazing sessions to create action rhymes, riddles and rap, and teach children how to draw all sorts of animals! Ages 5 to 11.

Michael De Souza, author of the classic book ‘RastaMouse’, creator of the CBBC character of the same name plus band mates Scratch and Zoomer who together form Da Easy Crew. Michael will delight our families with a brilliant reading of his amazing picture books and rhymes. Ages 3 and above.

Dominic Berry who is an internationally award-winning poet and Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence (2017). Dom will give a lively performance of his book 'When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish' and share his skills and passion with a poetry writing workshop. Ages 5 to 11.

Karl Nova is a poet, author, and hip-hop artist who has won the Ruth Rendell award for services to children’s literature. Karl will talk about his amazing career writing and performing, explore the links between rap and poetry, and deliver a workshop on how to write different forms of poetry. Ages 7 to 13.

Ed Boxall, poet, illustrator, performer, educator and musician. Ed will give a brilliant presentation on reading and performance and share some of his writing and crafting tips. Ages 7 to 13.

Nicholas Allan, Bafta award winner, author and illustrator of international bestselling picture books. Children and families can enjoy a filmed performance of Nicholas reading his picture books, originally recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival. Ages 3 to 8.

School’s out, and parents everywhere, including those at InDerby, are looking for ways to give our children a break from home learning and spending so much time on their screens.

While they don’t claim to have all the answers, they have found some great activities for all ages to keep them occupied. Some of these may start on the PC, but should spark their imaginations enough to get them going offline!

Get stargazing with Alvaston Park Friends and Derby Parks. Although the Friends’ annual event couldn’t go ahead this year because of Covid-19, they teamed up with Derby and District Astronomical Society and Derby Museums to create some inspiring videos to encourage you to take a fresh look at the night sky from the comfort of your own home. There are also star-themed craft activities to do at home. All the links can be found on the Alvaston Park Friends website.

Videos include how to use Stellarium, free-to-download software where you can learn about the stars and how to find them in the night sky, and videos about the stars associated with each day of the week and the myths surrounding them.

Back in the warmth of your home, have a look at Derby Museums’ website for some online craft activities inspired by some of the objects in the museums, each with a video to show you how. On Sat 13 Feb it’s a Valentine’s Day make, to create a gift for someone special or just for the love of it. Add some much-needed brightness to winter with the Colour Play session on Thu 18 Feb.
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