Loves Books! Blue Peter

This book is amazing, it's got everything you want

A spirited young redhead who will try her hand at anything.

And a comic genius with timing like no other.

Let's talk about this weekend. A very good event on in Birmingham

called Awesome Authors. We'll be there meeting loads

of your favourite authors and there will be tonnes

of events and activities So, to get us all in the mood,

today's Blue Peter is all about lovely, lively literature,

perfectly poetic publications Coming up, I was given

the opportunity to read out some of your legendary letters in front

of an audience of hundreds We're meeting a young author

with a unique story to tell. And later, I'll show you how you can

make one of these ingenious book But first I got the go-ahead

to gallivant with the guys at the glorious gathering of one

of the greatest gag-filled shows David Walliams is one of the most

popular authors in the country. His novel, Gangsta Granny, went straight

to number one in the book charts, then became a hit TV show, and now

it is a play. Which means that you will get the chance to see Gangsta

Granny onstage across the UK, just like this theatre here in Reading.

The show starts tomorrow. Tomorrow? Are they supposed to be ready

tomorrow? No chance! Hard to believe, but the travelling theatre

company at just 24 hours to transform this empty stage into the

wonderful world of David Walliams' book. To transform an empty space in

such a short period of time, it must be a real operation. What? That's

why we are here. To reveal how the team do it! OK, I need to get my

skates on. And next time, read my e-mails. Best get started. Deeney my

instructions is Ashley, who plays granny's grandson, Ben. We have 27

hours to get the show ready. How do you do it? We have a brilliant

technical team who worked very hard to make sure the show was ready.

Could I possibly see some of it? You can help out, if you like. Done. The

lighting and sound equipment are the first to go in. It is really

important to install them correctly because no matter how good the

performance is, it is pointless if the audience cannot see it or hear

it. In just a matter of hours, the team move on the set. This is work.

We are hanging a big cloth at the back of the stage, a tenancy neck.

The stages starting to come together and I am getting about actually

seeing the show. But the director has a surprise for me. I'm not sure

where I will be sitting but I am sure I will be in all. You want. --

you will not. We need you backstage to be helping out with the props and

scenery. You cannot rest. I thought this might happen. In fact, there is

actually a part that we want you to play in the show. We have some lines

for you. You are going to be a reporter in the show. Really?! Yes.

Amazing. So as well as hanging out behind the scenes and helping out,

I'm going to be performing in front of an audience onstage. It is the

end of day one and the pressure is on. It is the next morning and I

have got lots to do. I need to rehearse my very own part in the

show before that, I need to get to grips with my other job as a

stagehand. I need you to look after three props. One of them is this

giant spoon. I need you to hand that to granny. Granny runs over to the

rings and says, I was attacked by Bayer in the garden and I need you

to throw this on and she will catch it. Near the end of act one, Alison

runs off and I need you to hand this as quickly as possible. It is made

from matches. Will it survive a drop? No. I need to make sure I get

this right and practice perfect. Next job, I need to learn my lines.

From the Tower of London, we're here at the scene of this audacious

crime. And we're coming live from the Tower of London at the scene of

an audacious crime. It is a huge honour to be given a role in the

show. I just hope nerves don't get the better of me. And finally,

rehearsals are over. In just 24 hours, I have helped to this theatre

go from an empty stage to a full production. All that's left, for the

audience to arrive. The stage is set. I have to get the lines in my

head and make sure I do everything right. The cast is set. Wish us

luck. It is laid down, and it is showtime. On the stage, everything

is running smoothly but behind the scenes, it is cramped and a little

bit frantic. Don't talk about granny like that! The TV doesn't work. All

we do is replace the gravity. My bit is up! And the spoon and over is

complete. -- handover. I was attacked by a Bayer! Time for the

Bayer. A bit high. But at least I got the timing right. Don't drop the

castle, Radzi, down to drop the castle! Thank goodness for that! Now

it is time for my starring role. This is Blue Peter and we are alive

in the Tower of London, at the scene of an audacious crime which is

clearly been carried out by professional criminals. The question

is, can you help us?! That was so exciting! All that is left to do is

take a bow. My time with Gangsta Granny has been unforgettable but

for the rest of the crew, they cannot stop here. They have got

another town and another performance to get ready for. The show must go

on. I had such a fun couple of days. Those guys are all so impressive.

Something that always impresses us is how much post you send us from

all four corners of the country but can you imagine what it is like to

get post from all countries around the world? Well, one bluetit -- Blue

Peter badge holder knows exactly what that is like. Please welcome

Toby. Come on over. Welcome. Let's get one thing absolutely clear, you

have sent a letter to every single country around the world and as a

result, you have only got your own book! Look at that! That is

ridiculous, and how old are you? I am eight years old. I started

writing letters when I was five. That is amazing, and why did you

start? What gave you the idea to start writing to different

countries? I just wanted to make the world a better place. Good for you.

Can we have a round of applause for that?! How many replies have you

had? 375. That is a fool postbox. And you have had some replies from

some amazing places. Mongolia, Nigeria, Fiji! It's amazing. And

have you brought along some of your favourite replies? This one is

amazing. It's from Hawaii, but still asked why it is so special? That is

my first reply. And how did that feel, coming through the letterbox?

I was really amazed that somebody would reply to my letter. And after

that, I bet you thought, I want to do this more and more. And you have.

This is a lovely one. We know it is from Iran, but what is that

incredible creature? That is a Simorgh. I sent them a picture of a

yeti and they send this back to me. You are exchanging mythical

creatures! What a great idea. And now, talk us through these beautiful

elephants. Why are they so important? I got those from Chad,

from a national park. This elephant here is called Toby. So you casually

got an elephant named after you? Why not?! We need to write to suit some

more countries. I want an elephant. -- we need to write to some more

countries. This is a very colourful drawing. Where is that from? That is

from Eloise in New Zealand and it is an exploding rainbow. It is such a

cool pile of memorabilia. How do you normally celebrate your day of

birth? I go for a candle sometimes. But you took it further. Let's show

the viewers what you got for your birthday. We bottled it out. Look at

that! It says happy birthday, Toby. Tell us about this, where has it

been? This is from Antarctica. It has also been held up. The South

Pole! And you got a very special response from Blue Peter. Is that

one of your favourites? You have to say that, didn't you? And you have

got all your badgers. Let's look at your T-shirt. I am worried that it

is going to slip down because it is very happy with all the badges. You

have got so many! But you haven't got the Blue Peter sport badge,

2016, yet? Are you going to try to earn that? Yes. I have loads of

activities, so I might get one of those. What is your favourite sport?

I like basketball and dodge ball. I am a big basketball fan myself. Get

inspiring a friend and you will have the full collection. I don't have a

gold badge. Because that, of course, is for outstanding achievement, for

doing something very special indeed. And actually, Toby, we think that

you have done something incredibly special, because you have mentioned

it before, you are connecting the world with your letters, really

inspiring people. And we would like Blue Peter viewers to do exactly the

same thing. For that reason, we have something very special for you, the

highest possible accolade we can give you, the gold badge. My

goodness. Please, and massive round of applause for Toby. That is for

you, my friend. Is that a good surprise? Yes. How does it feel to

be holding a gold badge. Really amazing. Well done, you have

inspired Radzi and everyone watching. Toby, everybody. Amazing.

What a lovely moment. From letters on the big stage

to letters on the Badge Wall. This is the Freemasons Hall in

London and is today it will be home to some of the biggest stars from

the world of film and books. But it is not for

an awards ceremony, a contract or a film premiere. It is for these,

letters. Inspired by the international bestselling book,

Letters of Note, this project has seen the likes of Cally Minogue, Sir

Ben Kingsley and Benedict Cumberbatch read letters written

from all around the world. And today, they have been joined by

letters from you, the Blue Peter viewers. Every year, we get letters

from you and we love them so much that when we were asked to read some

of them out at this amazing event, we jumped at the task -- jumped at

the chance. You are probably wondering who is going to be reading

out those letters? Sir Ian McKellen? No, and you might have noticed that

I am looking a little nervous. And that is because in a few hours I

will be standing on that stage reading out Blue Peter letters in

front of a massive crowd including a list stars. No pressure (!) I better

get practising! I wondered if I could earn two Blue Peter badge is.

But in an age of text and e-mails, why are letters still so important?

I met up with Shaun Marsh, whose love of letters was the inspiration

for his book and this event. When you sit down to write a letter,

you are different frame of mind to when you write an e-mail, or a text

message and it uses a different part of your brain. What do you think

makes a really brilliant letter? There are no rules. Any letter is

great. Such a satisfying experience to physically write them and send

and receive them. Sean's passion really shines through and it is

shared with my fellow readers. It is important not to forget letters, a

big part of my childhood. Something very secretive about the envelope,

for you. It is good training for writing, actually. I used to write a

lot of letters and I'm a writer. Stories and how to build them. Texts

are great things but they are not necessarily there to stand the test

of time. Any tips for me? I think that you'll be fine. I have sweaty

hands! Just read! You'll be fine. As the auditorium fills up and I

prepared for my performance, the nerves are really starting to kick

in. First up, Caroline, who makes it look so easy. Please come back.

APPLAUSE I'm going on straight after Gandalf

himself, Sir Ian McKellen. Talk about big shoes to fill. Please

welcome, Lindsay Russell. Can I do the Blue Peter letters justice?

Well, there's only one way to find out. 4th of January, 2016. I

wondered if I could earn two Blue Peter badges by sending in Mike

Shelley the tour test toy I made with an old sock. -- my Shelley the

tour test. Maybe I will write random words, like antithesis. --

daughters. I think that's how you spell it. I love philosophical

questions like this. Never mind, enjoy the tortoise, from Rachel,

aged 13. APPLAUSE

You know what, that was so, so fun. Actually, I'm a bit shaky. I went

out, huge audience, really scary, but we did it, it's brilliant, loved

it. Today has been so much fun and it's made me relies how much a

letter can mean to someone. -- made me realise. When you want to say

something to a friend or a family member who lives a long way away,

put down your mobile phone, close your laptop and pick up one of

these, they will not it. I was quite nervous but I got through it, thank

goodness. From letters on the stage to letters on the Big Badge Wall. I

want to thank you, Finley, for your picture. This is Finley, his Hamlet.

Very nice. Benn from Warrington has sent this.

"Lindsey ran the marathon, But Shelley couldn't manage one.

Radzi raced a bike and won and Barney said I wanted one!"

I want one. Write an cue. Bethany has written a poem and a T-shirt,

which is a really good idea. -- right on cue. With the Blue Peter

sign. "In one of their epic makes,

they might show you how to bake cakes, or of course you could win,

A dead-cool pin With the Blue Peter sign,

it's even better than sunshine!" If you want to earn a bad, send it

to the usual address. We haven't been playing Spot Shelley because

Shelley has gone missing. Where has she gone? Fear not, she has left us

a little letter. Yes, decipher the code in question, use your code

cracking skills, go to the fan club and get more clues about where she

is. Write it down and see if you are correct. I'm giving you this, the

time of this show when I'm going to put on some white gloves. In keeping

with the book team we have some special artefacts in the studio,

from the friend of the show and gold badge holder, Michael Morpurgo. He

wrote the incredible War Horse, which pretty much everybody loves.

It was a book and moved on to be a play at the National Theatre and

eventually it was the amazing film directed by Stephen Spielberg. You

can see loads of artefacts we have been loaned by seven Stories, the

National Centre for Children's Books in Newcastle, so we are very lucky

to have them here. We have some of the promotional material from Nick

Stafford's production of War Horse, we have the original programme and

the UK premier programme of the film. As we move over here, we have

Michael Morpurgo's actual script from War Horse. I'm getting close

but I can't touch them directly because they have to be kept in very

good condition for years to come so that other people can enjoy them.

Something I can have a closer look at is down here, the first draft of

War Horse. Michael has made his amazing notes, he has crossed bits

out is and he used two notebooks. We have one of them here, the other one

is at the exhibition for people do have a look at. The always used

handwriting, with a pencil, crossing bits out, getting rid of bits. This

is chapter 19 here. When he stopped using these notebooks: Michael would

often move on to these, these orange notepads. You can see that there are

many scribbles, numbers, because apparently Michael liked working

towards a word count, so you can see he is working out how many words he

has done and how many he needs to reach before he can have a cup of

tea. Really cool to see that. Down here, the first typed draft of War

Horse and you can see it is typed out but there are still lots of

markings, adding bits and getting rid of bits he is unhappy with and

it is even dated and the top. And in the Blue Peter studio, a treat,

this, from 1982, a first edition of War Horse. Taking us back to 2009, I

think I'm allowed to pick this one out, this is Michael Morpurgo's

actual ticket to the War Horse film premiere. It is very cool to be

holding it. It has been an honour to have some of these artefacts in the

studio today and brilliant to think that when you are at home scribbling

ideas, it could be just like Michael Morpurgo's ideas, ending up as a

massive success. It shows, have a go at writing because you never know

where it will get you. Now I'm going to take off my gloves.

I'm going to show you how to make a bookmark. We have some bookmarks

which are 3-D. Don't worry, nobody is chapter inside! You need to make

some salt dough. We take the mixing bowl and the

spoon. You put them all into the bowl and you add the water gradually

otherwise it will end up in a big slump. You mix it for ages, so

cancel your plans for the weekend! When you have done that, it will

look like this. Ready-made dough, how lovely is that? The idea is that

we must kneed it for a long time. I'm sure some bakers are wondering

what I'm doing, but we aren't making a cake we are making all dough.

Kneed as long as you can to make its move. Today we are making some

pirate themed bookmarks, like Long John Silver from treasure Island.

You need to make them stand up, and for that you need these things.

You can also download this really handy template from the Blue Peter

website. It gives you a guide to the size and also the designs if you're

looking for inspiration. Also, a good tip is to leave them in a

plastic wallet, so you can put things on top and it won't stick to

the paper. So, take the lollipop sticks and dough and you make a ball

on the bottom of the stick and you mould it into shape, using your

hands to start off with. When you are doing this, think about the

bottom of the dough because you need some to make the boot, so don't make

it too in. Try and give yourself loads of dough at the end. -- too

thin. To make it more wooden and angular, you can use pencils, pens

and other things from around the house. Nothing too Charb because the

dough is going to be soft. -- Sharp. This will give it a square edge.

When you have done it it will look like this. You want to take some

design elements, like the straps and the top of the boot and I had some

extra salt. Put it in a strip. You can see it has angular edges. You

can use it lengthways or the edge. I'm going to do this. So that is the

rich for the laces. You can see that I have done the indent, which is

where the buck always going to go. The gold buckle. -- the buckle is

going to go. Once you are happy, you need to put them together to drive.

This is the science bit. Because if they aren't dry, you can't paint

them. You can leave them overnight or you can do a ten second blast in

the microwave. Get somebody to help you with that if you aren't sure, or

you can put them in the oven at 100 degrees, but keep checking them.

When they have hardened, you can walk with them, they are ready for

painting. I'm going to paint my boot back. Because pink would be weird!

I'm just showing you how to do this quickly, you can take your time. I

love painting boots because it looks like they are polished when they are

wet will stop I'm going to do that bit black and we have a Pirate boot,

it is going to have some gold on it. Pirates like old. I could do this

for hours, but you will have more time than me. Let's go to the

finished boot and wooden leg. How good do they look? You can spend

ages doing what I would do, dances and choreography or you can turn

into the finished bookmark which is where you need your card, which is a

piece of a fort that has been cut in half. -- a piece of A4. You put this

year and this here and you put a bit of tape over the top. This is where

you realise whether you have the lollipop stick the right way. It has

to go in horizontally because if it is the other way round, you can't

close your book. You can decorate your card anyway you like. I'm going

to go with the stick on pirate, and some double sided tape on one side,

to make it easy to assemble it. You stick it together like that. And

there you have it, the finished bookmark with a boot and a wooden

leg and a pirate face. How good is that? I don't get a round of

applause any more! APPLAUSE

There are loads of different creations you can make by going

online and downloading the templates. This is what they looked

like when they are finished. It depends what you are reading, you

might be finishing your favourite book which doesn't have these

things. That's how you do it. What do you think? We love it! They would

make any book look special. That is it for today because next weekend we

have two more shows because it is the Blue Peter Awesome Authors

spectacular. The likes of David Baddiel, Holly Smale will be there.

If you want to go to the website and asked them a question, we will ask

them as many as we can. And we will announce the dream big and petition.

Just in time for the BFG Premier -- competition. Who knows what story

you might end up with. In the meantime, go to the BP Fanclub and

see a view can crack the code to find Shelley. See you soon!