World Book Day 2024
Richard O'Neill & Michelle Russell are celebrating World Book Day by creating a colouring book where you are invited to become a colourist.
World Book Day by Michelle Russell
Coming soon: Ada, Arnie and the Gigantic Sarnie
Coming soon: Chester and the King
Coming soon: The Adventures of Grandpa
Welcome to The Activity Bus Library
When a group of Travelling recyclers agree to tidy up a town, their methods of working, their music and stories have a huge impact on the residents making them examine their lives.
978-0-008541774
New book: Parade of the Pipers
Brodie loves visiting his Traveller grandparents on their Brilliant Barber Bus every summer holiday. Their home is always full of fascinating stories and friendly faces. But this year, not everything goes to plan!
Charms of the Sea Free Online Book
Swipe the picture to turn the pages
A beautiful book that is inspired by an old teddy bear and the traditions of storytelling and the pioneer recyclers known as the Rag n Bone men, a title bestowed to men, women and children who travelled the streets calling out for things people no longer wanted.
As one family discards an old, worn-out teddy bear, another family repair it with love and patches, ready to share a story or two.
Only 100 limited edition books were commissioned for an exciting Bear Project that will be visiting five schools.
As one family discards an old, worn-out teddy bear, another family repair it with love and patches, ready to share a story or two.
Only 100 limited edition books were commissioned for an exciting Bear Project that will be visiting five schools.
Sample pages from Saarah’s Princess Throne
Swipe the picture to turn the pages
The Holmewood Horse
The Holmewood Horse
A collaboration of three schools, two authors and one university.
The importance of data to help measure health and well-being is shared through this modern-day fairytale where kindness prevails.
Seven Songbirds on Seven Storeys
Swipe the picture to turn the pages
ISBN 978-1-80284-027-8
A visit to Seven Stories, a converted 7-storey Victorian warehouse, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the National Centre for Children's Books, inspired a little picture book.
Grandad’s Hair
ISBN 978-1-80284-027-8
The trouble with hair is that it just doesn't care.
This is what Kyle thinks.
Will an old family album help him change his mind?
This is what Kyle thinks.
Will an old family album help him change his mind?
Names & Numbers
ISBN 978-1-80284-000-1
Intrigued with numbers, that they see on the buses every day, Bethan and Alya become curious.
Little do they realise that their own ideas will end up going on a journey.
Written as a tribute to key workers, whilst raising funds for Carlisle & District Community First Responders, people have the option to buy and donate a book to a local Cumbrian school or library.
Halle had a Hammer
An inspiring story about a Romani Traveller family, ideal for children practising reading at home or in school.
Bloomsbury Young Readers are the perfect way to get children reading, with book-banded stories by brilliant authors like Julia Donaldson.
One Koala
ISBN 978-1-9168899-2-7
A book gifted to 1TcA, where you can meet different creatures through rhyming couplets, illustration and photographs.
One Koala has kindly been translated into Ukraine & Cumbrian Crafters have been crocheting & knitting little blue finger puppets.
A gift that keeps on giving, click the link below to more books & resources.
One Thought
ISBN 978-1-91688-990-3
Look closely at a picture in the Number & Names book and you will spot a copy of One Thought.
A story of kindness that reaches across the world. A unique picture book that is being used as part of an Ambassador Programme to teach young people key skills, whilst helping them reflect on the needs of their own community.
The second edition has already been translated into Ukraine.
‘Thank you, Richard and Michelle, you helped me find the words and the pictures to tell my story”
Raj Kumari- Byford
1 Thought changes All
and the change can start with you.
School for Nomads
ISBN 978-1-80284-018-6
Two driven high school Traveller students are eager to teach their teachers about the benefits of traditional nomadic learning. Little did they know - their learnings are not only useful but in a global pandemic, may be essential.School for Nomads is a modern parable spanning half a century of mainstream educational experiences from the 1970's right up to the present day. Told through the voices of three young people, it follows the course of education over half a century and what has changed and what still needs to change in the present and future.
Funny touching and heart rendering the book highlights previous generations of students who were powerless to effect change in schools. The fictional characters Martha-Rose and Margaret, represent current students who will not be ignored or excluded simply because the education system finds it too difficult to accommodate them and all they bring to it.
School for Nomads is both an authentic take on the education system from a Traveller students perspective and a rallying cry for change that will benefit both students and educators across the world.
The Show Must Go On
ISBN 978-1-29237-241-9
'Nestled quietly by the railway and the river, in the Showman’s Yard, a treasure trove can be found ... but only by those who really look, and really listen.’
‘This is a ground-breaking book! Not only a wonderful story to read but the first time something has been written that is truly understanding of the culture and empathetic to the real issues many Showmen face.’
Colleen Roper, future4fairgrounds.
A Pearson Bug Club Independent Lime Plus book, giving high attaining children age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction stories.
Whatever the Weather
ISBN 978-1-80284-017-9
One picture book inspired by the dialect of Cumbria, a few Herdwick sheep and a tongue-twisting rhyme.
The Wisbech Wonder
ISBN 978-1-80284-019-3
When an unusual large purple seed (brought into school, as part of the new plant growing project) begins to grow and produce fruit, no one, not even leading scientists, can work out what it is.
Many questions are asked.
Is it a long lost ancient seed?
Has it come from another galaxy?
Has it come from another galaxy?
And the ultimate question, what does it taste like?
The children are in for quite a surprise
2021: One year, Two authors, Three books.
This was the introduction to the very first City Story Trail.
Sharing the city of Carlisle's history through the medium of storytelling, captured in a digital map with illustrative icons, you can follow the trail around the city yourself.
Scan the QR code to download the City Story Trail:
