Author launches first book at Worthing school

Worthing-based Sam Watkins spent the day with year one and three students at Thomas A Becket First School, in Pelham Road, for the launch of ‘Creature Teacher’.

She explained the writing process and read extracts from her book. Illustrator David O’Connell joined Sam and sketched characters from the book.

Jane Rice, the school’s literacy co-ordinator, said the event was ‘successful’ and ‘well attended’. Mrs Rice added that the children now cheer when they know they will be reading Creature Teacher.

The book tells the story of a school teacher called Mr Hyde who transforms into a naughty creature when upset. His class try to protect his secret from head teacher Mrs Blunt in a bid to keep him in the class room.

Sam, of Cranmer Road, said: “It was brilliant. I was really nervous about it because I’m a new writer and this is my first book. It was really really positive. We had a really good reaction.

“My son goes to the Thomas A Becket school so I see these children everyday and a lot of them will come up to me. It’s really motivating.”

The day ended with Sam and David signing copies of the book at a book sale run by Steyning Bookshop.

Sam’s next book, Creature Teacher Goes Wild, is out in August.