Live webchat with Francesca 'Horrid Henry' Simon, author of The Sleeping Army, Tuesday 29 May, 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce the start of our children's book club, which means we're going to be highlighting a great children's book each month, offering you the chance to access free copies of the book, share your thoughts - and perhaps your children's - chat to authors and enter competitions.

This month we're kicking off with Francesca Simon's latest novel, The Sleeping Army. Click here to find out more information about the book and apply to receive a free copy. We'll announce on this thread when all the books have gone.

Francesca will be joining us later on Tuesday 29 May at 1pm for a live webchat to discuss The Sleeping Army as well as her other children's books. If you're unable to join us on 29th, do post your question or your children's questions in advance here.

[ScorpionQueen]

Thank you. DD is loving the book already. She wanted me to tell you that she thinks it is useful if you are learning about Vikings and that she is enjoying the story. The language used is fab- really helping to extend her vocabulary. But mostly, it's a great story.
:)

[Jux]

Thank you, it arrived today. I think dd has finished it already (she reads fast).

[iklboo]

Thank you. Book arrived yesterday & we started reading last night. DS is already enjoying the 'twist' in the world.

[RachelMumsnet]

Great to hear you've received the books and are already reading and we do hope your dcs enjoy. Francesca Simon will be joining us for a webchat on Tuesday 29 May at 1pm. If your children would like to send a question to Francesca, do post it ahead of the webchat on this thread and we'll make sure Francesca has chance to read all the questions.

[snoozymum]

Thank you. Our copy arrived over the weekend and we're reading a chapter a night. Not sure if its grabbing ds but its good to read something other than Beastquest.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

I read it and loved it, DD read it and is composing "the best book report ever, it will be epic " and no3 son has just started it today, after being very patient and waiting for his turn. I promised DD I'd wait for her review before I said anything more though. shhhhhhh she liked it
She has told the whole school that she has been "asked by the publisher to giver her opinion" and I am basking in the unusual sensation of being thought of as "something high powered in the literary world" as it hasn't occurred to anyone to ask us how come yet

[pigsinmud]

Thanks for our copy. Dd2 has nearly finished it. She is really enjoying it.

[ThreeBecomeFour]

Are there any copies left? We would love to take part!!

[gazzalw]

Started reading this yesterday evening with DD and already my head is buzzing with Norse mythology etc.... wow. I am certainly going to really enjoy reading this to DD! She will get history lessons thrown into the mix too !

[Posey]

We received our copy but haven't started reading as ds has been poorly so wants old familiar tried and tested books! But hope to start reading it over the weekend

[RachelMumsnet]

@ThreeBecomeFour

Are there any copies left? We would love to take part!!

Hi ThreeBecomeFour, I'm afraid the 50 free copies went at the beginning of the month. We're going to be issuing some guidelines about how the book club works ahead of next month but do look out for June's children's book of he month which will be launched on 1st June with 50 free copies of our next title to giveaway plus an fabulous competition to enter.

If you're interested in reading The Sleeping Army, this month's book, you can get it from Amazon here. Author Francesca Simon will be joining us for a live webchat on Tuesday 29 May and we're inviting you and your children to discuss the book and send in questions to Francesca ahead of the webchat to this thread.

[MarkGruffalo]

Hello to Francesca Simon

I loved Horrid Henry stories - it was the one thing my child would read in translation (live abroad).

The movie on the other hand was abysmal. Truly truly awful. I understand you had no part in it. How did it feel seeing what they had done to your work? (you do not need to reply if the question brings you painful flashbacks).

Or maybe you liked it. Tell me you didn't like it!

[edam]

Hello Francesca. Ds wants to ask, did you have an irritating little brother (and did he inspire Perfect Peter)? And why did you write a book with a male main character? (No criticism, he's just interested.)

[LottieJenkins]

Hello Francesca! My son is now 15 and Horrid Henry's were the first reading books that he read on his own! He loved the film but i hated it! Were Henry and Peter based on two children or several different children??

[pigsinmud]

Hello Francesca.

This is my dd1's book review. She's 8.

My favourite part was when Freya blew the horn. My favourite character was Alfi. The funniest part was the sentence "Snot scratched his bum." The worst part was when Snot died. I didn't like that bit because it made me feel sad. The scariest part was when the wolves came.

She thought it was brilliant.

[Posey]

Hi there!
My son was a HUGE Horrid Henry fan, and now 9, was very excited to receive a completely new book you have written.
He has read it to himself, so I am unable to pass any opinion on it at all! He has read some of it every night for the past week or so and is currently about 2/3 of the way through. He was very enthusiastic to start with and it threw up no end of questions, the answers for which I had to get him to look up online
Around the middle of the book, he found it a little slow-going, but has now regained his enthusiasm and I have just had to prise it off him and get the light out!
Thank you for providing my son with something to get his teeth into, and which has reignited his inner bookworm

[Leaveitbabe]

My DD was delighted to be a recipient of the book, here is her review:

"I like the story because Freya and the Chessmen go on a daring quest. There are dragons and giants. Snot and Alfen were my favourite characters.
I also liked Hell, Lokis daughter. In my mind I think I look just like Hell but prettier!!!!!!!
THANKYOU FOR THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Eirwen]

Hello,
My daughter has just turned 16 years old and is hugely interested in the Egyptian, Greek and Roman gods but knew little about Norse mythology and so was interested to hear that one of her favourite childhood authors was writing a book about a race of Gods she knew little about. We were lucky enough to win a book which she read between exams. She thought this book was very entertaining and factual giving lots of new information about the Norse gods in a witty and creative storyline that was easy to read in a short period of time. The characters were very funny especially Snot wanting to attack everything in sight and she thought Francesca Simon manipulated previous knowledge about the Gods being powerful in a clever way presenting them as old and stupid just to make the story seem tenser but funnier. The storyline was excellent moving swiftly from Freya being swept away by the horn to meeting the Gods and then starting her quest encountering many exciting adventures along the way. Overall she thought it was an amazing book and has recommended it to many of her friends, especially the younger ones. Ten out of ten ! She would like to see a second book. Any plans in the pipeline for this ?

[EclecticShock]

In your opinion AF, however, I think a separation of 3-6 months might actually help both parties gain some perspective about what they want from their lives. Leaving him is very final after 25 years together and only 1.5 bad ones.

[EclecticShock]

Sorry, wrong thread :)

[catclarks]

I have just asked my children what they would like to ask you as they are huge fans of Horrid Henry but they have become all awestruck and the questions are not forthcoming. However they do say a big thank you for writing the books and are wondering if you are going to continue to write more in the series?

I absolutely love the Lewis Chessmen partly because I grew up in Lewis so have the local connection. The chessmen are meant to represent fearsome warriors but their faces are almost comical. I would love to know how they came to be on Uig beach where they were found. What is it that you find so fascinating about the chessmen?