Top author at writing event for children

Mr Almond, best known for his novel Skellig, will hold a session with local schoolchildren on Thursday when he will talk about his writing, read passages from his work and take questions.

The evening will feature contributions by pupils from Sydney Smith School in Hull who have been trained by the university to ask their own questions and open up the conversation to the audience.

The event, being hosted by the Philip Larkin Centre for Creative Writing, will be streamed over the internet and linked up with the Zion Arts Centre in Manchester.

It is hoped future partnerships will see groups around the country taking part.

The director of the Philip Larkin Centre, Prof Martin Goodman, said: “The work of David Almond is truly exciting and appeals to a wide range of people. I’m sure those attending will really benefit from his insight and experience.

“Last year’s event was really popular and this one is shaping up to be just as successful. Children always ask some very interesting questions so it’s going to be fun to see what ideas come forward.”

He added: “The partnership with Manchester is going to provide a new, innovative aspect to the event and allow many people to experience it. We are very proud to be hosting an event like this.

“Hull has been fortunate to shape the careers of many famous writers and hopefully we can inspire the next generation to also recognise their talent and develop it to the full.”

Skellig, winner of the Whitbread Children’s Novel of the Year and the Carnegie Medal in 1998, depicts the life of a young boy who befriends a fallen angel. The novel was voted as one of the 10 most important children’s novels of the past 70 years and has been adapted for a play and opera which is currently being performed on Broadway in New York.