School Supply and Events
Blast-Off Books can offer many services to schools, nurseries and libraries. We tend to tailor make our events and if you are interested in any of the things listed below then do contact either Harriet or Janet to chat through your requirements.
Our events are always well received as explained by Chris Morrison, Librarian at Linlithgow Academy:
"Blast-Off Books has become an institution in Linlithgow. Specialising in books from toddlers to teens, Janet and Harriet have a wide ranging and in-depth knowledge of titles published for this age range. Their service is second to none. I've ordered books from them and had them delivered to the school within 24 hours. They also facilitate author visits to the school. Keith Gray, Catherine Forde and Steve Voake have all recently delivered inspirational talks to pupils. Blast-Off Books also run successful book fairs in the school aimed at younger pupils. Blast-Off Books has also run a school book fair targeted at pupils who are moving from 4th to 5th year and are embarking on their Personal Review of Literature for Higher English. This is very different from a conventional book fair. Janet brings along books covering a range of unusual themes such as the 'anti-hero' and the 'unreliable narrator'. She then gives a short talk to groups of pupils on examples of books within each genre. This not only broadens the awareness of titles available for keen readers but gives an important stimulus to reluctant readers. The positive impact of the talk can be measured by sales on the day and increased visits to the library."
BOOK SUPPLY
We offer a full range of services for the promotion of literacy and reading for pleasure at all stages of school. We are happy to offer a 15% discount on orders of most fiction and non-fiction and a 10% discount on text books. Most orders are satisfied within a couple of days and we will also supply book jackets if needed.
If you need something priced and availability checked then give us a call or email. If you need advice about new books, a particular topic or just good reads for specific readers then either drop in or get in touch and we'll be delighted to help.
LITERATURE CIRCLES
Again, we'll happily help out with the selection of titles for each reading level. We can also put together Literature Circle ideas for the pupils to discuss at each group meeting. Unlike some suppliers, everything is tailor made and bespoke to your school's needs. No off the peg book supply from us.
AUTHOR EVENTS
We organise author events as one offs or as part of a whole book week focus. We will bring a writer in to speak to all ages from nursery through to S6 and have set up events from storytelling to creative writing to Keith Gray talking to a group of youngsters with specific learning needs.
We always accompany an author into a school and bring along stock for youngsters to buy and have signed. Never underestimate the value of an author visit - the excitement for reading it can engender and the opportunity to discover a new writer or book.
Authors into schools have included Vivian French, Anthony Horowitz, Eleanor Updale, Cathy Cassidy, Maggi Gibson, Joan Lingard, Joan Lennon, Anne Forbes, Julia Donaldson, Keith Gray, Katie Grant, John Fardell, Andrew Burnett, Matthew Fitt, Keith Brumpton, Scoular Anderson, Cathy MacPhail, Jamie Jauncey, Lari Don,Steve Voake, Catherine Forde, Linda Strachan, Anne Forbes, Ewan McVicar, Frank Rodgers, Catherine Rayner and more. Told you we're in with the in crowd. All these writers are on the Live LIterature database and so can be funded via the Live Literature scheme.
We've done 'grown up' public events with William McIlvanney and Alexander McCall Smith.
(pic is of Maggi Gibson in Low Port Primary, Linlithgow with 9 year old fan and Indie chick, Anna)
BOOK FAIRS
Again, let us know what you need. We can do general book fairs and bring into school the latest and the best in books for youngsters. We can come in for a day or longer. We always man (or technically woman) the fair as we think it's vital to be on hand to give advice to pupils, teachers and parents. A 15% commission is offered.
We have organised non-fiction 'sponsor a book' events - the details of which are so secret that if we told you we would have to kill you. Only joking but it's a whole exciting set up that costs a school nothing but gets you a whole new library but you do need to contact us directly to find out the secret.
(pic is of John Fardell being interviewed by a pupil for the school radio waves station.)
TALKS AND TRAINING
Talking is our favourite and our best. A customer once remarked that going into Blastie's is easy, it's getting out that's hard. We think it was a compliment. We do in-service talks for teachers and librarians about books for specific ages, topics or learning needs. Recent events have included stock awareness training for Highland librarians, books for babies for Midlothian librarians and books for Review of Personal Study (Higher English) for West Lothian Librarians. There is a charge for talks (unless we really like you) but it's usually to cover the cost of petrol or if we need to organise shop cover. So, we're not talking Fred Goodwin sized payments.