Blog | Page 19 | Swapna Haddow – Children's Author

Return to Wonderland on 27th June…

Swapna Haddow June 24, 2019Scrapbook

Just three more sleeps until the Return To Wonderland anthology, illustrated by Laura Barrett, is officially out.

I’m so chuffed to have been part of this gorgeous collection of stories alongside some of today’s biggest children’s authors including Robin Stevens, Pamela Butchart, Patrice Lawrence, Maz Evans, Lisa Thompson, Amy Wilson, Lauren St John and Piers Torday.

My story, ‘The Missing Book‘, revisits Carroll’s Mock Turtle in his Wonderland library – I had the most fun falling back down the rabbit hole and reimagining the Mock Turtle. I won’t give you any spoilers but I really hope you enjoy his story.

Happy reading everyone!

Dave Pigeon at Queenspark School

Swapna Haddow June 11, 2019Roosting With Dave

Today, I visited years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at Queenspark School as part of their Book Week celebrations.

We had a blast talking about imagination and creativity and giving Mean Cat the stories she never had in the Dave Pigeon series.

Mean Cat got to meet donkeys, toilets, ponies, a meaner cat and a whole lot of poop.

Thank you so much to the pupils and staff at Queenspark School and a HUGE thanks to super librarian Maree for making me feel so at home at Queenspark School.

An Exclusive Dave Pigeon Chapter for Halswell School

Swapna Haddow June 3, 2019Patron of Reading Official Business, Roosting With Dave

I’ve been busy being Patronly and written Halswell School their very own Dave Pigeon chapter as a HUGE thank you for hosting my wonderful Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) Launch.

You can have a read of their chapter below:

The Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) Launch Party

Swapna Haddow May 22, 2019Halfway Round the World with the Haddows, Patron of Reading Official Business, Roosting With Dave

Hurray hurray! The very brilliant Zac and my Patron of Reading school, Halswell School, hosted the Kiwi launch of Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) on Tuesday evening. Thank you very much to everyone who came along to celebrate and for those who didn’t manage to make it, here are some pictures from a most pigeontastic evening:

Dave and Skipper were on hand to greet the guests.

My gorgeous fluffer didn’t want to miss out on the action.

There was a most magnificent royal cake.

We even had our very own Zac the librarian as MC!

Of course, there were many many selfies.

Before I got to my reading there was an extra-special message, from Sheena Dempsey, all the way from the UK.

Here I am, reading from Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!).

Thank you so much to everyone who came along and made it such a special event.

Dave Pigeon visits Ouruhia School

Swapna Haddow May 22, 2019Roosting With Dave

Yesterday, I was invited to speak to the pupils at Ouruhia School. This was the very first time I was taking Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) into a school and I was excited to meet the pupils and see what that thought of the new book.

I was greeted by a brilliant ‘Swapna Haddow’ display in their warm, cosy library.

Years 0 to 4 joined me for a Royal Pigeon character creation workshop and we designed character crowns together. There was a Prince Hamburger, a pigeon in a flying squirrel suit, a royal rabbit and a royal cat amongst many more pigeontastic characters.

Next, I met with the older pupils and we talked about creativity before writing our own Mean Cat stories together. There was lots of poo and deadly endings and I met many budding authors that morning.

Thank you so much to the staff and pupils at Ouruhia School, especially Maree, who made me feel so welcome in their wonderful school.

Dave Pigeon at Auckland Writers Festival

Swapna Haddow May 20, 2019Halfway Round the World with the Haddows, Roosting With Dave

Kia ora, Readers! I’m back in Christchurch after an epic weekend away in Auckland at the Auckland Writers Festival.

I was so chuffed to be invited to this brilliant festival to take part in Family Day and introduce the Kiwi kids to Dave Pigeon.

Of course, I went along to as many events at the festival. The line up was impressive to say the least – I even got to see the prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the legendary Joy Cowley who was this year’s honoured writer.

On Sunday, I ran a session where I confessed to where my love for telling tales came from. The kids were so fantastic and had so many questions about writing a publishing we lost track of time!

I had such a fantastic first trip to Auckland and have to say a huge thank you to Nicola Strawbridge and the team of volunteers who looked after me at the weekend.

Dave Pigeon (Racer!) is shortlisted for The Alligator’s Mouth Award

Swapna Haddow May 12, 2019Roosting With Dave

Team Dave Pigeon is celebrating the AWESOME news that Dave Pigeon (Racer!) joins four incredible books on the shortlist for the Alligator’s Mouth Award! The shortlist is packed full with all my favourite books so I’m incredibly proud to see Dave Pigeon (Racer!) flying with these other beauties!

Here’s Charlotte Eyre’s article from The Bookseller:

Fingers, toes, feathers and claws crossed for Dave Pigeon (Racer!)!

Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) in The Irish Independent

Swapna Haddow April 13, 2019Roosting With Dave

It’s the Easter holidays! Hurrah for chocolate eggs and more chocolate eggs. If you are looking for the perfect holiday read, Sarah Webb at The Irish Independent has created a brilliant list of the best books to read and Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) is on it: