Ilchester Community Primary School was thrilled to welcome renowned author Emma Carroll for a special visit. The excitement in the air was palpable as students gathered to hear from the talented writer known for her captivating stories and imaginative worlds.

During her visit, Emma shared insights about her writing process, inspiring students to embrace their creativity and explore their own storytelling abilities. She engaged the children with fun anecdotes and encouraged them to ask questions about her books and the adventures that inspired them.

Year 1:

1. 'I Can Only Draw Worms' by Will Mabbitt: A humorous and imaginative picture book that creatively embraces simplicity, as the author playfully narrates the story of worms with charming illustrations, showcasing that even the simplest drawings can tell a delightful tale.
2. "The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark" by Jill Tomlinson: A charming story of a young barn owl named Plop who learns to overcome his fear of the dark through enlightening encounters, discovering the wonders and beauty that nighttime can bring.
3. "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty: Ada, a young inquisitive girl, explores science and uses her curiosity to solve everyday mysteries.
4. "Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf" by Craig Barr-Green: An engaging children's story that follows the adventurous Gina Kaminski as she embarks on a mission to save a wolf, blending elements of bravery, friendship, and environmental awareness in a captivating narrative.
   

Year 2:

1. "Troll Stinks" by Jeanne Willis: A thought-provoking picture book that addresses the issue of cyberbullying, as Billy Goat and his friend discover a mobile phone and decide to prank a troll, only to learn an important lesson about kindness and empathy.
2. "Einstein the Penguin" by Iona Rangeley: A delightful and whimsical story about a family who unexpectedly befriends a charming and curious penguin named Einstein, leading to a series of humorous and heart-warming adventures as they try to uncover the mystery of where he came from.
3. "The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt: Duncan's crayons write letters to him, each expressing their grievances and desires, resulting in a humorous and colourful tale.
4. "Can I Build Another Me?" by Shinsuke Yoshitake: An imaginative and thought-provoking picture book that follows a young boy attempting to create a robotic version of himself, prompting readers to explore themes of identity, self-awareness and what makes each person unique.
   

Year 3:

1. "The Boy Who Grew Dragons" by Andy Shepherd: is an enchanting story about a boy named Tomas who finds a dragon fruit tree that unexpectedly grows a real, live dragon, sparking a world of magical adventures and challenges."
2. "The Nothing to See Here Hotel" by Steven Butler: A whimsical and hilarious tale centred around a secret hotel for magical creatures, run by the quirky and imaginative family of young Frankie Banister, where unexpected adventures and fantastical guests are the norm.
3. "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown: Roz, the robot, finds herself stranded on a remote island and learns to adapt to her new environment, forming bonds with the wildlife.
4. "Beasts of the Ancient World" by Marchella Ward: An intriguing exploration of mythical creatures from ancient folklore and mythology. It offers readers a vivid journey through the legends and stories that have captivated imaginations for centuries.
   

Year 4:

1. "The House with Chicken Legs" by Sophie Anderson: A beautifully woven tale that follows a young girl named Marinka, who longs for a normal life while living in a magical house that can move on chicken legs and is connected to the world of the dead.
2. "Dread Wood - Terror Tower" by Jennifer Killick: A thrilling adventure that follows two siblings as they navigate a mysterious and haunted tower, uncovering dark secrets and facing spine-chilling challenges along the way.
3. "The Land of Roar" by Jenny McLachlan: An imaginative adventure that follows siblings Arthur and Rose as they enter a magical world filled with fantastical creatures and challenges, where their childhood dreams come to life and their bravery is put to the test.
4. "The Wizards of Once" by Cressida Cowell: Xar, a wizard boy, and Wish, a warrior girl, join forces to defeat a common enemy in a land where magic is forbidden.

Year 5:

1. "Dogs of the Deadlands" by Anthony McGowan: An exhilarating fantasy novel that follows a group of brave dogs on a perilous journey through a post-apocalyptic world, where they must confront their fears and fight for survival against formidable foes and treacherous landscapes. It made Mr. Raine cry!
2. "Scrap" by Guy Bass: An engaging story that follows a resourceful and adventurous young boy named Scrap, who embarks on a journey filled with imagination and creativity as he navigates challenges and learns the value of friendship and resourcefulness.
3. "Holes" by Louis Sachar: Stanley Yelnats is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he uncovers a mystery involving buried treasure and family history.
4. "The Magic Hour" by David Wolstencroft: A  captivating tale that explores the enchanting and transformative moments between day and night, as a young girl discovers the power of imagination and the magic hidden in everyday life.

Year 6:

1. "Front Desk" by Kelly Yang: An inspiring and heart-warming story about a young girl named Mia Tang who works at the front desk of a motel her immigrant parents manage, while navigating the challenges of fitting in and overcoming obstacles in her new environment.
2. "The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh" by Helen Rutter: Tells the story of Billy Plimpton, an eleven-year-old aspiring comedian whose stammer presents a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to his dream, exploring how he learns to find his voice and pursue his passion.
3. "Black Hole Cinema Club" by Christopher Edge: A thrilling and imaginative adventure about a group of friends whose movie marathon at the local cinema takes a terrifying turn when they're pulled through the screen and into the film itself, where they must become heroes and face a series of increasingly dangerous challenges to save the world.
4. "The Final Year" by Matt Goodfellow: A verse novel following Nate through the challenges of his final year of primary school.  He deals with school, family illness, changing friendships, and the transition to high school, finding a way to express himself through writing.