CBBC Live at Seven Stories
Local school pupils pitch their ideas to an expert panel from CBBC including Cel Spellman, Cheryl Taylor and Simon Bartram.
29 Year 5 pupils from Northern Saints Church of England Primary School in Sunderland have been working with Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books to create a ‘pitch’ to present to an expert panel at seven Stories on Friday 30 May, as part of CBBC Live in NewcastleGateshead.
The young people have been working with drama facilitator Jackie Phillips, who helped to select a children’s books they would like to transform into a children’s television programme. The pupils split into groups to present their ideas to the panel on why their book choice would make good TV viewing and appeal to CBBC.
The expert panel consisted of CBBC presenter and actor Cel Spellman, local author and illustrator Simon Bartram and Controller for CBBC Cheryl Taylor. The 3 – 5 minute pitches were presented at Seven Stories and then the panel decided which book they thought would work best for adaptation.
Cheryl Taylor, Commissioner for CBBC said, “All three judges were really impressed with all of the pitches so we had to pick two winners in the end! For the first winner we thought they had a wonderful choice of book – My Dad’s a Birdman by David Almond. We thought that is was a very imaginative tale that would make a lovely one off.
Then we picked ‘The Worst Team in the World’ by Alan MacDonald because the group was so passionate, engaged and involved with the book and really conveyed why they love it and why they think there should be more football on CBBC.”
Winners
My Dad’s a Birdman by David Almond and illustrated by Polly Dunbar
The Worst Team in the World by Alan MacDonald
Runners Up
The Demon Dentist by David Walliams
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
The Totally Terrifying Three by Hiawyn Oram and illustrated by David Melling
The Lottie Project by Jacqueline Wilson
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Presenter and actor Cel Spellman said, “I’ve had a great day here at Seven Stories, I’ve met some brilliant kids as part of the CBBC Live event a
nd hopefully I will be back soon!”
Author and Illustrator Simon Bartram said, “We have had a fantastic time this morning listening to the kids pitching their books to be made into TV programmes or seriesfor CBBC, the children’s presentations were absolutely fantastic. There is so much talent in this class and they really convinced us that these would books would be a really good fit for television.”
The event was followed by Simon Bartram doing a book signing for his new book, Up for the Cup which is available now.
- Ends -
Media Contact
Lauren Regan, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
T: 0845 271 0777 ext 212
E: lauren.regan@sevenstories.org.uk
Notes to Editor:
1. Seven Stories is the National Centre for Children’s Books based in Newcastle. Their aim is to save, celebrate and share artwork and manuscripts, from first scribbles to finished books, to create their innovative programme of exhibitions and events.
2. CBBC Live will be based in Newcastle Gateshead during Thurs 29 Sat 31 May. http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/things-to-do/whats-new/cbbc-live-show-announced-in-newcastlegateshead
3. CBBC is the BBC’s multiplatform offering for 6-12 year olds, bringing the very best British-made drama, entertainment and factual programmes to its young viewers.CBBC is the most-loved and most-watched channel of children in its target age group and nearly 40% of children in the UK tune in to the CBBC channel every week.
4. The Panel:
Cel Spellman, Actor & Presenter, http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/stars/cel-spellmanSimon
Simon Bartram, Author and Illustrator, http://www.simonbartram.com/
Cheryl Taylor, Controller CBBC, the BBC children’s channel for 6-12 year olds, http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/cheryl-taylor.html