Rosyth Library were delighted when award-winning children’s author, Tommy Donbavand, made a special visit for about a hundred children from St John’s, Park Road and Camdean Primary Schools on the afternoon of Wednesday 22^nd August, after his performance at The Carnegie Hall in the morning.  The author’s ‘outreach’ visit to the Dunfermline area was made possible as he is currently at the Children’s Book Festival in Edinburgh.

The Liverpool born writer is best known for his comedy horror Scream Street series, but has done much else besides, such as directing and producing in the theatre.   Having begun writing under the name B. Strange for the Too Ghoul for School book series, within a few years he became writer-in-residence at Seven Stories, the centre for children’s books in Newcastle.

The multi-talented Donbavand feels proud to write for Edinburgh specialist publishers Barrington Stoke who have spent the last 15 years producing some of the finest books for struggling and reluctant readers.  Zombie!, Wolf and Uniform (winner of the Hackney Short Novel Award) are books Donbavand has recently added to his wide collection of writing and, to this trio, Virus is now added to his books published by market leader Stoke Barrington.

Tommy Donbavand’s career has been varied - he has worked as a clown, an entertainer in a holiday camp and a performer in The Buddy Holly Story in London’s West End, so certainly has the knack of holding the children’s attention.  On Steve Wright’s Radio 2 he was known as ‘the kids’ entertainment guy’ – and he truly is! 

But this event also had a serious side as it was for Dyslexia Awareness and enjoyable, accessible short books are needed by many girls and boys because they are dyslexic, struggling to read, or simply reluctant to sit down with a book.

Rona Neilson, Young People’s Services Supervisor, explained:  “The library staff see that many kids just want a fast, hassle-free read and can promote Quick Reads and Fun, Fast Reads.  These can be for confident readers and a way-in for struggling or reluctant readers to help them reach their full potential.  Some books are dyslexia-friendly and we’re all dedicated to cracking reading, after all!”