Ali Sparkes - author

MONSTER MAKERS MONTH 2008

MONSTERS RAMPAGE AROUND DUBLIN

Right, so! On a dark and stormy Monday morning we all (me, Simon, Jacob and Alex) got on the plane at Southampton Airport, set for Dublin. It was pre-dawn and turbulence was expected. I was nervous. I do tend to get nervous. But actually, once we were up above the thick grey quilt of cloud and peachy morning sunlight was spilling across it, the flight was lovely. By the time we arrived in Dublin, just over an hour later, the sun was coming out!

After a day of sightseeing and swimming in the pool at the Marine Hotel in Howth (great people - looked after us brilliantly!) Camilla from Scholastic arrived and we all had dinner before falling into bed, knowing the next day or two would be pretty busy.

And it was - three Monster Makers sessions with three different schools in three different libraries... I thought English children were pretty lively. Let me tell you, Irish children are running on jet fuel!!! Full of amazing ideas too. One school helped me create a brand new monster which likes to chew teachers' ears.

Before we flew back on Wednesday we managed to squeeze in a visit to a small, pretty castle in Malahide (which is where most of Westlife live, according to a local taxi driver - the area, not the castle... although that would be very entertaining).

Also had a really special time at Oakwood Junior School in Southampton later the same week, where they have created a beautiful story garden in a small patch of woodland, with carved benches and mosiacs and a 'story throne', which I was privileged to officially open. I got to read the first bit of story on the throne, too, so felt very honoured.

Have been asked to judge a BBC competition, X Factor style, for poetry reciting (see News) and also a Christmas Story Writing competition for children in Swindon.

Am wondering whether I should get some Simon Cowell style trousers...

Ali