'It all happened a long time ago.'I'm pretty sure many of those reading this will have come across those sorts of comment from kids. I'm also pretty sure that all of us who have dragged bored children and teenagers round both British and foreign historical sites will recognise the feeling that what should have been a fascinating trip is fast turning into the afternoon from hell.
'It's not relevant to my life.'
'What's the point of it?'
'Boring, boring, boring!'
Towle's vision is compelling - the company's slogan is 'We Turn History On' - and her next project takes TTTT to the Florence of Michelangelo and his David. For this she has engaged the talents of passionate Italy-lover and award-winning author Mary Hoffman, who knows more about the Florence of the Medici than most. It's ambitious, but the story (titled In The Footsteps of Giants) sounds absolutely compelling, and the perfect companion to walk the streets of Firenze with. But - and it's a big but - it won't happen unless Towle reaches her Kickstarter campaign target of $40,000 to fund it. With 165 backers so far (and counting), over $30.000 raised and the endorsement of a Kickstarter 'Staff Pick' it should be easy. However, there are only 7 days to go. It will be tight.
OUT NOW from Orchard, Cleo (UKYA historical fantasy about the teenage Cleopatra VII) "a thrilling tale full of danger, friendship and budding romance" Our Book Reviews
Also out now: new Beasts of Olympus series "rippingly funny" Publishers Weekly US starred review
Lucy also blogs at Girls Heart Books
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Lucy teaches a regular Guardian Masterclass on 'How to Write for Children'
3 comments:
Thanks for your support, Lucy! This last week is a bit of a nailbiting finish but Sarah has worked so hard and we have come so far that we are hopeful we'll be able to go ahead.
Thanks so much for your wonderful post in support of our project and campaign, Lucy! In fact your timing is charmed as I just received word from a current backer that she is willing to DOUBLE every pledge that comes in today, 19 June!
This is precisely the kind of serendipity that has followed Mary and me on this journey so far. We are THRILLED!
This is going to be an app? Must check it out. It depends on the histories covered.
I had to teach Year 8 last year. It covered the Middle Ages, the Vikings, Japan and the Aztecs and Spanish. You make the best of what you have. I found that iMovie worked well for their assignments, and some did absolutely first class work. One young lady discovered to her delight that people slept naked in the Middle Ages. When we got to the Aztecs, she drew an Aztec God clutching a mug of hot chocolate. On Halloween, we had a lesson about the Aztecs, the Spanish and the Day of the Dead. One young man who came from Malaysia told us about the custom, in his country, of cleaning out the house and celebrating the dead when the first moths appear in the house. "Of course, that was usually in August," he added. We were told to give them primary sources, so I dug out those rude comments about Viking hygiene, one by Ibn Fadlan saying they were filthy, another by an English writer who complained those damn Vikings were so clean they were getting all the girls! I invited them to discuss and decide which one they believed. It's not easy to make history interesting, but you do what you can.
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