Children’s author tells tales on the Red Kite bus
On Friday, August 15 between 10am and 3pm, Gateshead-born author and illustrator, Jules Burnett will be travelling on Go North East’s Red Kite buses to entertain the young and young-at heart with readings from his award-winning children’s book, ‘Let’s go flying, kites’.
The book, launched at Seven Stories last November, tells the story of Squawk and Squeal - two young red kite chicks born in the Derwent Valley - and the visitors that come to see them on the Red Kite bus.
The story-telling sessions have been organised to mark the introduction of new interior friezes on the Red Kite buses which give a colourful and lively account of how red kites were re-introduced to the region by the Northern Kites Project and the Project’s close partnership with Go North East.
In April, the partnership resulted in Go North East being awarded first prize in the business category of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Awards for their collaboration with Jules in the development of ‘Let’s go flying, kites’.
Commercial Director with Go North East, Martin Harris said, “People taking the Red Kite bus can be entertained by our story friezes every day, but having Jules read his book on-board is a real treat – especially as the story features our bus and the birds which inspired the design.”
Jules Burnett added, “’Let’s go flying, kites’ provides a simple conservation message for children; it tells the story of the return of the red kite to the North East by people who really care about them. I’m really looking forward to telling the story of the red kites on the Red Kite bus and hopefully, seeing real red kites on the journey!”
Jules will be making six journeys on Red Kite buses travelling between MetroCentre and Consett. Buses will leave MetroCentre at 9.58, 11.43 and 13.58 or Consett at 10.47, 13.02 and 14.47. Passengers joining the Red Kite at any stop on these journeys will be able to enjoy Jules’ storytelling session.
Copies of ‘Let’s go flying, kites’ will be available to buy on the bus, priced £5.