The Magic Paintbrush

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If you create some drawings for me and bring them to life, I will set you free," he stated to the young guy.

Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.I thoroughly enjoyed this fable, I loved the magic and hope within it- the teasing out that there is a difference between need and greed and that solidarity is owed more to some than to others. The book simply skims over any sort of internal conflicts (eg the consequences of not producing food- although I guess the point to to value also intellectual and artistic "work"; also e.g. any moral conflict- desire to please the emperor or fear by Shen) to have a simple movement where one thing logically follows the other- although she is imprisoned at one point.

This is not a usual Julia Donaldson book, as there is not the normal 'fun' approach to the manner in which the story unfurls. There is, however, her familiar strong but simple rhyming style running throughout. The illustrations are lovely and delicate, not the normal bold approach, complementing well the ancient oriental storyline. Whilst being read the story Children will relish looking at the pictures in wonderment, devouring the very different cultural aspects associated with ancient Chinese society. But Arthur’s eyes looked very big and round, like dinner plates, and he didn’t really seem to want to put the tiger in his mouth. I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.

To box up a story for purpose

This lovely KS1 differentiated reading comprehension activity tells the Chinese folk story of 'The Magic Paintbrush'. The story sends out the message to be kind and to put generosity over greed.

The man had told her not to paint for the rich and only the poor. This relates to the morals within Robin Hood where the poor receive and the rich do not.It’s late boys!” said a voice, and Mummy walked in. She looked at the pictures. “Wow! They’re really great pictures!” she said. “Say, Daddy, come have a look at these pictures the boys have painted!”