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Alesha Dixon announced as judge of Explore Learning Writers’ Awards 2019
I’m a huge fan of Alesha Dixon – she’s definitely on my list of favourite celebs to chat to – so I was pleased to hear she’s been announced as judge for the Explore Learning Writers’ Awards 2019.
This is a chance for budding young authors across the UK to have their work recognised.
Open to children aged from four to 14, youngsters are encouraged to write a 500 word story with the winner bagging a trip to Disneyland Paris for their family and £500 worth of books for their school library.
To top it off, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha will surprise them at their school with the news.
Mum Alesha is herself a published author and will this year release the third instalment in her children’s book series, Lightning Girl.
The comp opens March 11 when this year’s theme will also be announced.
Explore Learning will be running a number of free creative writing workshops with schools and libraries across the UK to inspire kids to take part.
The closing date for entries is Sunday May 5.
For more info visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters
New year, new me? Nah, but here’s a review on the new Boots Good Gut range!
I WOULDN’T say I’ve subscribed to the whole ‘new year, new me’ mentality, I’m just working on being even better than usual!
Jokes aside, I’ve been trying out the new Boots Good Gut range which put simply helps to create a ‘healthy gut environment’.
There’s something for everyone in the range – my nine-year-old daughter has happily been taking the Live Bacteria for Kids edition which comes in a chewable strawberry flavoured tablet. And with an added vitamin C boost it’s also good for the immune system (you know these kids pick up everything going at school).
Meanwhile I’m sold on the Live Friendly Bacteria with Skin & Hair Support which comes in a handy size tablet. I’m not great with taking tablets, but I found the size of this one reasonable and not unnecessarily huge like some supplements.
Another plus is that the range is vegan and does not have to be kept in the fridge. So basically, smiles all round #winning.
My Colourful World: Best Friends – Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
IT’S ALWAYS difficult when your child doesn’t fit the stereotypical images of childhood peddled out on TV and in books.
The day your little one asks you why they can’t see themselves in these forms of entertainment – is quite simply heartbreaking.
And that’s why, whenever I hear of something which addresses this problem, my heart sings!
Lolade Coker found herself in this situation and decided to do something about it.
With a four-year-old who loved colouring but never saw kids like herself in colouring books, the search started for Lolade and culminated in the creation of My Colourful World: Best Friends.
She said: “My Colourful World is an educational tool that promotes fine motor skills whilst teaching children about diversity and inclusion.
“This colouring book will help to build a strong community for all kids who are often misrepresented by mainstream media.”
The book contains 30 pages and are single sided to prevent the dreaded bleed through as those little artists get to work.
They can also easily be removed from the book for easy access.
Available to buy from Amazon.
Newton Faulkner and Andy Jordan launch RNIB’s See Through Sound Gigs
There’s nothing I hate more than not being able to see clearly – I’m the one who complains if I have to eat in the dark, or I’ll be the one muttering if I can’t see the performers on stage at a concert – I’m definitely a visual kinda gal!
But, this didn’t stop me from heading to the launch of the RNIB’s (Royal National Institute of Blind People’s) See Through Sound gigs, where music lovers are given ‘sim specs’ (glasses that simulate reduced vision) to wear to provide an insight into what it’s like living with sight loss.
With the fabulous Newton Faulkner and former Made In Chelsea alumni Andy Jordan taking to the stage at The Venue in Great Portland Street, while wearing the ‘sim specs’ I had the opportunity to simply focus on the music.
Grabbing a quick chat with Andy following his performance he explained he was supporting the cause as many of his family suffer from eye defects.
Happy to use his musical talents for the RNIB launch, he told me: “I’m just enjoying life. I think I’ve moved away from Made In Chelsea now – I’m just me! Enjoying doing my music – and surfing.”
He even admitted: “I don’t watch MIC – I never did even when I was on it.”
And his thoughts on the recent fallout between former MIC besties Stephanie Pratt and Lucy Watson?
“I didn’t know Stephanie and Lucy had fallen out but to be honest I don’t give a f***. They’ll do whatever they can to get more Twitter followers and Instagram likes.”
Ouch!
Well, concentrating on putting the days of MIC well and truly behind him, Andy will be among performers at the See Through Sound gig at Cadogan Hall on October 14.
Get your ticket at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.cadoganhall.com.