Best-selling children’s author Alan Gibbons is ‘bowled over’ by Ilford students

A best-selling children’s author opened a library at a new school and spent the day working with students.

Staff and students were each given a copy of Alan Gibbons’ book Shadow of the Minotaur to read over the summer before the school opened.

Rachel Macfarlane, headteacher, said: “It was fantastic, he’s a real character and didn’t hit fame until his 25th book. He spoke about perseverance and continuing with your dreams and not giving up when you get your first rejection.”

He came to the school, in High Road, Ilford on Thursday of last week.

Then students from the Isaac Newton Academy each produced a piece of work ranging from reviews to artistic interpretations.

Ms Macfarlane said: “He was really bowled over and took lots of photos of their artwork to put on his website.”