Illustrator delights Doncaster pupils

Book illustrator Martin Brown was guest of honour at Hexthorpe Primary School, to open their new library, with £10,000 worth of new books that the school won as part of the first ‘World Book Day Award’.
Martin Brown, illustrator Horrible HistoriesMartin Brown, illustrator Horrible Histories
Martin Brown, illustrator Horrible Histories

Martin, of ‘Horrible Histories’ fame, performed a show for pupils from Hexthorpe along with Southfield, Hall Cross, Hayfield Lane, Woodfield, Balby Central, Stirling and Dunsville schools. He drew funny faces and characters from history, and children helped to design characters by choosing facial features.

Youngsters dressed up in historical costumes and learned facts, including that soldiers would have had lice in their clothes. Pupils guessed the record number of lice on a WWI solider’s clothes and were startled to learn that over 10,000 would inhabit his shirt alone! Martin signed books, with Waterstones in school to sell copies. He spoke to all children individually, discussing their own cartoon drawings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Other guests included Damian Allen, Doncaster’s director for children’s services,

Isaiah John Reasbeck, 10, said: “It was a magical day. It was truly surreal. I couldn’t believe I was meeting the illustrator of Horrible Histories, books that I have been enjoying for years.” Njoki Issachaar, age 10, said: “I finally know that I don’t have to draw realistically to draw well!”

Teacher Phil Sheppard added: “We were very lucky to have Martin Brown visit us. He was very funny and spent a lot of time talking to the children.”

Related topics: