Schools in Dunbartonshire and Ayrshire to meet Polarbear
Press release - 12th October 2015
Author, playwright and internationally renowned spoken word artist Steven Camden (aka Polarbear) is set to tour schools in East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and North Ayrshire from 26 to 30 October. Steven will share his top tips for writing with more than 1300 pupils when he visits ten schools in the area as part of the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour.
One of the most exciting authors writing for young adults to emerge in recent years, Steven will discuss his second novel It’s About Love, the follow up to his acclaimed debut novel Tape. Set in Steven’s home town of Birmingham, It’s About Love tells the story of two teenagers from different backgrounds and different sides of town who meet during their first week at college. Steven will encourage pupils to share their opinions on the themes of family, friendship, loyalty and revenge that flow through the book and come up with story and character ideas of their own.
Steven has established himself as one of the UK’s leading spoken word artists, performing under the moniker Polarbear. He has appeared at festivals and events all over the UK including Glastonbury, The Roundhouse and Ireland’s Electric Picnic. His experience as a performer informs his school events, which are always packed full of energy and enthusiasm.
Commenting on his upcoming tour, Steven said:
I can’t wait to come back up to Scotland after the fun of last time. Really looking forward to introducing people to the world and characters from It’s About Love and making up lots of our own.
The tour is sponsored by Scottish Friendly Assurance and organised by Scottish Book Trust. Every year schools in up to 12 local authorities in Scotland and two in England receive author visits to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustration. Destinations for 2015 include Birmingham, Fife and Clackmannanshire, Cumbria and Orkney and Shetland. The tour visits both primary and secondary schools and has enthralled over 70,000 children since it began in 1998.
Commenting on Steven’s tour, Calum Bennie, Communications Manager at Scottish Friendly said:
Seeing and hearing a writer ‘in the flesh’ does so much to get young people engaged or re-engaged with books and with Steven Camden we have an author and poet who is so much on the wavelength of his audience that pupils in Dunbartonshire and Ayrshire are sure to be enthused by the experience.
Beth Bottery, Schools Events Manager at Scottish Book Trust, which is organising the tour, added:
We are really looking forward to visiting schools in Dunbartonshire and Ayrshire with Steven. His books address issues that are relevant to many young adults in an entertaining and engaging way. I’m sure pupils will be inspired by his action packed events
Scottish Friendly has sponsored the programme for the past 17 years, touring some of the finest children’s authors and illustrators including new Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, Malorie Blackman, Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Wilson, Melvin Burgess, Steve Cole, Michael Morpurgo and Sophie McKenzie.