The Reading Shop opens on Leicester Market

Beautiful morning!  It's 7.30 and I'm getting ready to open our stall on Leicester market, to sell our Children's Book of Richard III.  Author Rosalind Adam will be joining us at 1pm to sign copies.

Reading Marathon

This has been a wonderful day so far.  After a very slow start with Dimple and myself reading in turns for two hours, we suddenly had an influx of reading when schools closed, and so many children had come in to read with great enthusiasm and perseverance, many with full sponsorship sheets.  I think the next two hours are going to be tough as we'll be down to two readers again, but there have been promises from 9 onwards, so I'm hopeful we'll make it.  Katherine Hetzel (author of Granny Rainbow) couldn't get in but sent us a video of her reading, so I'll use it to give us a short break, then put on Facebook

Reading Marathon

Have now collected over £36;  Dacey has read beautifully and with great enthusiasm - and now big sister Keavie has taken over.

Reading Marathon

Having a lot of fun reading Awful Auntie aloud.  Thanks to Tyra, Caylon and Nicola who have helped us out.

Reading Marathon

Two hours gone and we're two-thirds of the way through Mr Stink.  Rupal at Radio Leicester has just telephoned to see how we're getting on and to wish us luck.  Voices still OK and James has just turned up so now three of us to keep this going.  We've collected £12.30 so far.

The Marathon Starts

Still only two of us but we are not daunted.  Have £10 already.

The Countdown Begins

24 hours to go to our Reading Marathon.  Getting excited!  We've just changed the window to alert shoppers in Oadby to what is happening.  And Radio Leicester have let me broadcast an appeal for volunteers.  I watched Gareth Malone's Choir last night making the Children in Need single and immediately bought one on iTunes.  It is SUCH a great cause, helping so many needy children.