In it Together for Cally & Jimmy Book 3 – The Schools, the Bookshops and the Tribute
We’ve been busy visiting schools and bookshops to mark the launch of the third book in the Cally & Jimmy series, Twins Together, which also coincided with World Book Day and a special anniversary. We held a fundraising campaign to celebrate the launch of the book and also the memory of my brother Andrew, whilst supporting local schools and bookshops too.
Together in memory of Andrew
22nd February 2022 marked 30 years since we lost our lovely Andrew. Not quite my twin, but just eleven months younger than me, I see the relationship between Cally & Jimmy as a tribute to my wonderful brother. He wasn’t quite as ‘lively’ as Jimmy but he shares his amazing spirit, kindness, sense of humour and spark. Many of the stories are inspired by our experiences and the bond we had. Andrew was quite the entrepreneur too, just as Jimmy is in the third story, Together in Enterprise. These books are just one of the many ways I like to keep him with us. Because he is always alive in our hearts.
Together in support of local schools
Family and friends made a donation. All proceeds went towards purchasing copies of the book to give to local schools: schools that Andrew and I attended; schools that I have taught at; schools that have welcomed me in as an author; schools with the challenge of ever-decreasing budgets.
We raised enough funds to purchase 320 books which were gratefully received by the following schools: Belmont (Chiswick), Bedfont Primary (Feltham), Grove Park (Chiswick), Heathfield Infants & Juniors (Twickenham), Hounslow Education Partnership: Get Hounslow Reading, Heston Primary, Hounslow Town, Marlborough Primary (Isleworth), Oak Hill Academy (Feltham), Our Lady & St John’s (Brentford), Reay Primary (Lambeth), Smallberry Green (Isleworth), The Good Shepherd (Hammersmith), Spring Grove (Hounslow), St Michael & St Martins (Hounslow), St Peter’s (Croydon), Worple Primary (Isleworth).
Together in support of local bookshops
Books were purchased through local bookshops; bookshops that have persevered through lockdown and that have cheered on Cally & Jimmy so far, especially: The Alligator’s Mouth, Kew Bookshop and Tales on Moon Lane. I really enjoyed visiting the shops, meeting the staff and signing stock.
Author Visits for World Book Day
Every day should be a book day when it comes to schools, but we were especially busy this month with visits surrounding the official World Book Day of 3rd March. Workshops and assemblies had children super-enthused about Cally & Jimmy and clamouring to get their hands on copies of all three books. In the space of just over a week, we’d visited Stanley Park Junior School, Carshalton, Bedfont Primary School, Feltham, Oak Hill Academy, Feltham and The Greek School, Potters Bar.
