For the second time this week I was at a school today. Whereas yesterday was about a superhero cartoon workshop, today was focused on the New Forest.
Every year Orchard Junior School hold a New Forest Day where Year 3 get to learn about the history and wildlife of the ancient forest. There are three classes, so they take turns to spend a third of the day with a representantive of the New Forest Park Authority, New Forest District Council and me. I'm there wearing my children's book author hat to discuss the wildlife featured in my New Forest Friends books which leads on to looking at the more unusual creatures of the forest.
Armed with their sketch books the children copy my drawings of the animals centred around strange native animals, curious invasive species, and animals that are making a comeback. We finished each session by creating a drawing of a made up creature built from the parts of other animals (something that carried on through the wet break times, too).
This has been an enjoyable annual event for many years now and it's great fun sharing the wildlife with the children. Looking forward to doing it again next year.