Children's author to launch book at cathedral (From Salisbury Journal)

Children's author to launch book at cathedral

8:00am Sunday 30th September 2012 in News By Elizabeth Kemble

AN award-winning children’s author is launching her new book at Salisbury Cathedral  this month by leading a creative writing course and an early evening Ghost Knight trail.

Cornelia Funke, whose book Ghost Knight is inspired by the Cathedral and the true story of William Longespee (the first person buried on site) and his wife, Ela, will also be signing books and running special workshop sessions with the cathedral’s education department.

During her two-day visit the German author will meet about 300 primary school children from Salisbury schools, including the Cathedral School and those in the Wiltshire villages featured in her book. Funke’s creative writing session will be on October 17 from 3pm to 4pm, and is for adults and pupils in year 10 and above. At the session details of a writing competition to be judged by Orion Children’s Books will also be launched.

The Ghost Knight Trail will be on the same day from 6.30pm to 8pm for children and their families, and will include readings by the author, a chance to visit places in the book not normally open to the public and an opportunity to meet the ghost knight himself.

Book signings will take place in the cathedral shop on October 17 from 4.15pm to 4.45pm and on October 18 from 10am to10.30am. All events are free.

For more details and to book a place call 01722 555180 or email learning@salcath.co.uk

*Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke is published in the UK by Orion Children’s Books on Thursday at £9.99.

*Orion, in collaboration with Salisbury Cathedral, is creating a Ghost Knight Activity Leaflet with puzzles associated with the book and a map with a trail of the places visited during the adventures of Jon and Ella. This will be available from Thursday at the cathedral, and online at corneliafunke.com , orionbooks.co.uk and salisburycathedral.org.uk .