Evie Wyld is Booktrust's third online writer in residence.

  • Interview with Nii Ayikwei Parkes [2] What makes a good poet?

    Posted Thursday January 14th 2010
    by Nikesh Shukla

    Watch part 2 of our video interview with writer in residence Nii Ayikwei Parkes about what he feels makes a good poet.

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  • The Gruffalo

    Posted Wednesday January 13th 2010
    by Nii Ayikwei Parkes

    And suddenly one year is gone and another begins. But what a lovely holiday it was; lots of snow, wind, chaos and, best of all, The Gruffalo on the television. I’ve always loved The Gruffalo, brilliantly derived from a traditional Chinese tale- the mouse is a classic trickster character, like the best of the Mmutlas, Brer Rabbits and Ananses. He’s terrified, but he thinks on his feet and comes out smiling. What I specifically like about the animated BBC version is the metaphoric resonance in the casting. See, the mouse is this tiny thing, an ant with the heart of a gi-ant and to bring him to life, to pump this large, large heart into his voice, the BBC picked James Corden, a real big boy. Just the right size to take on Robbie Coltrane as the Gruffalo!  The best thing about watching it over the Christmas holiday, though, was that it was my daughter’s first speaking Christmas, and watching The Gruffalo with her was such a surreal experience; while I was focused on story, she was enthralled by imagery, so every once in a while she’d say ‘Look!’ and the entire experience would shift on the turning of an…

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